New Cops on the Block: How one police department built public trust with a community-centered approach.

November 30, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

Sgt. Sharkey Lacey

On a chilly Wednesday night in late October, Julio Ferrufino glides his behemoth police cruiser down Vaughn Street in Susquehanna Township. He points to each house he passes.

“That’s Mrs. Bell. She had surgery, but she’s recovering now.”

“That guy? He’s a truck driver from Florida, and his son has special needs. He’s goes back and forth a lot.”

The litany continues: a woman whose home was recently burglarized, a local teacher, a retired New York City cop with 10 cats and five dogs. A home he suspects is a haven for drugs.

Vaughn Street cuts an artery down the township’s Montrose Park neighborhood, which abuts the northern border of Uptown Harrisburg. Ferrufino, a barrel-chested, loquacious Marine Corps veteran who’s served the Susquehanna Township force for 10 years, patrols the neighborhood daily as part of his assigned beat. He’s known among officers and residents as the “mayor” of Montrose Park.

“I know everyone, and everyone knows me,” he said with nonchalance.

When Ferrufino sets out on foot patrol or checks in on a resident, he’s employing practices that have long been considered part of police work, but only recently given a name: community policing. That term arose in the 1990s, and since then, Susquehanna Township has become a regional leader in community policing initiatives. Under the leadership of Chief Robert Martin, the force has consulted with departments throughout the commonwealth that want to build rapport with the people they police.

Citizens, for their part, seem to be taking note. At an October forum about policing hosted by Harrisburg Hope, one Harrisburg woman said she’s considering a move to Susquehanna Township because she admires the police department. Another woman with family in the Township said that her nephews speak glowingly of their foot patrol officer.

Martin, a 30-year veteran of the force, will be the first to admit that implementing community policing initiatives takes time and money. But sacrificing those two important resources reaps another invaluable dividend: public trust.

BACK TO THE ROOTS

The concept of community policing has its roots in the earliest policing practices, which date back to 1829, according to a paper from the U.S. Department of Justice. That year, Sir Robert Peel founded London’s first metropolitan police force to address an uptick in violent and petty crimes. Peel’s officers each served a designated patrol area, where they were to acquaint themselves with residents and intervene in crime. Peel also adopted military-inspired uniforms so officers would be visible to residents and implemented the military command structure that forces still use today.

Most American cities had police forces by the time the Civil War began, but policing here quickly took on a more militaristic and political bent. Many of the earliest American police officers were agents of social control, employed to police slaves, indigenous people and immigrant minorities. Victor Kappeler, a crime historian at Eastern Kentucky University, writes that the first constables in New England were charged with protecting settlers from Native Americans. Many Southern police forces originated as slave patrols, helping slave owners find runaway slaves and quell rebellions. Urban police forces grew when Catholics, Germans, Italians and Eastern Europeans immigrated to the United States, as white, Protestant Americans called for the preservation of “law and order.”

American forces were also distinct from their European counterparts because they carried guns, according to the DOJ. And, since police captains were appointed by elected officials, police departments became ensnared in local political structures.

If you ask Chief Martin what he thinks caused the biggest change in modern policing, he’ll give you a simple answer: the climate-controlled police cruiser. As American cities sprawled into suburbs after World War II, police officers found themselves patrolling more diffuse populations. Automobiles became the most practical way to cover ever-expanding neighborhood beats.

But even as officers covered more ground, they retreated on another front: face-to-face interactions with residents.

“It really took away that everyday, every-hour communication with people we served,” Martin said. “After two decades of that, unconsciously, the profession was only dealing with people when we were called out for something bad that happened.”

When Martin joined the Susquehanna Township force in the 1980s, he was troubled, he said, by what he perceived as the department’s lack of relationship with its citizens. When he was promoted to chief in his 10th year of service, he made two swift mandates to get officers out of their cars.

He started by ordering mandatory foot patrols. Every officer on Martin’s force must complete one foot patrol per shift, and they’re encouraged to strike up conversations with residents as they go.

“They said ‘talk to the community,’ and I said ‘great, I’m a talker,’” Ferrufino said, recalling his orders when he first joined the force. He thinks the foot patrols benefit both citizens and officers. It gives residents peace of mind to know that officers are afoot, he said, and helps officers build trust with people who might later aid in investigations.

Martin likes to say that an officer’s best tool on the job is his communication skills. Ferrufino has honed his throughout the course of his career, and today has his own standard for engaging residents.

“At the end of the day, you want to deal with the public the same way you want people to deal with your family,” said Ferrufino, who is married with three children.

The interactions Ferrufino has with community members are a far cry from his own experiences with police officers as a youth in Newark, N.J.

“The culture in the inner city was that we didn’t speak to cops unless we had to,” he said. “I knew that, if I was a cop, I wouldn’t want to be like that, so those guys were my teachers, in a way.”

Martin also restored beat policing, which made each officer responsible for cultivating relationships in a specific neighborhood. An officer will respond to calls anywhere in the township, Martin said, but develops “ownership” of the area in her beat.

“If I have an emerging problem in a patrol beat, I know I can hold certain officers accountable for it,” Martin said. “I go to the officers on that beat and I know they’ll be the problem solvers.”

BUILDING A PROGRAM

With foot patrols and beat policing as a foundation, Martin introduced a series of initiatives over the course of a decade to build public trust in the police. In Susquehanna Township, that process starts with kids.

The first program Martin implemented, called “Honorable Endeavor,” requires officers to interact with any children they see on patrol. Every time an officer plays catch with a group of teens or invites a toddler and his parent into a squad car, he or she must document it with a departmental report.

“If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen,” Martin said. Meticulous recordkeeping allows the department to furnish data for township commissioners or residents, and Martin also considers the reports in every officer’s performance reviews.

Officers are also required to enter schools and engage children on a “Word of the Month.” This initiative, called “Stand in the Gap,” allows officers to teach students values and behaviors they might miss at home, said Sgt. Sharkey Lacey.

“We’re trying to teach them character traits of an upstanding citizen,” explained Lacey, who currently serves as an interim school resource officer. “If they don’t have those values at home, they learn them, and, if they do, then it’s being reinforced.”

On a recent Wednesday morning, Lacey entered a fifth-grade class at Holtzman Elementary School and talked to students about the word “value.” After soliciting definitions from students and doling out police department pencils for participation, Lacey left the diverse group with an uplifting takeaway: “Everyone has value for what they can teach you, regardless of where they come from or what they look like.”

Martin, who was raised by a single mother in Delaware County, Pa., said that police officers have a role in affirming children who might face difficult home lives.

“When you’re a police officer in uniform, you can have a real positive effect on some young men and women in tough situations,” Martin said. “We should take every opportunity in our profession to do that.”

He also wants officers to take every opportunity to remind residents that they’re being policed. The final pillar of the department’s community policing program is an initiative called “Vigilant Protector,” which mandates officers to intervene in situations that might invite crime. If a car parked on the street has open windows, for instance, an officer must try to contact the owner or leave a note reminding them to be cognizant of risks.

CHALLENGES

Martin and Ferrufino both agree that police officers today have more demands on their time than ever before. They’re called to do the work of mental health professionals, domestic mediators and social workers, Martin said, all while enforcing traffic laws and responding to violent crimes. The immediate demands of most police work don’t leave much time for proactive community policing.

“You have to take advantage of available time in a patrol shift, and, with a busy city police department, you might be down to minutes,” Martin said.

But Ferrufino doesn’t think that time scarcity should undermine a community-centered policing approach.

“You can always make time to talk,” Ferrufino said. He added that even an ordinary traffic stop allows an officer to present a polite, well-meaning and non-confrontational face to the public.

Martin expects that social service agencies might integrate with police forces in the coming years, which would provide much needed assistance to officers responding to mentally ill or aging residents after business hours. For now, however, Martin says his officers will continue to accept the growing demands of their profession.

“We don’t say no,” Martin said. “What we do here is try to build relationships, and that has to take place on a daily basis.”

For the Arts: Bill Lehr’s style may be soft, but his impact raises the roof.

November 30, 2017 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

“Here’s the thing about Bill Lehr.”

With that introduction, Alice Anne Schwab begins to explain how the Susquehanna Art Museum has benefited from William Lehr Jr.’s long-time leadership.

“He generally says little in a meeting or assembled group, so when he does speak, it is almost always going to be profound and vital to the cause,” said Schwab, SAM’s executive director. “I listen very carefully because that’s when he’s going to utter the brilliance. And then he’s out the door!”

For years, Lehr may have been best known locally as a top Hershey executive and then as president and CEO of Capital BlueCross. But since his retirement a few years ago, he’s increased his already substantial involvement in the arts, now serving as president of SAM’s board and in several other key positions.

“He is highly respected in the business community as well as the arts community, and that respect translates to many positives for us,” Schwab said. “He contributes financially, which is obviously hugely important to the success of nonprofit arts organizations, but he is also tremendously generous with his time. He’s truly the busiest retired guy I know.”

Americans for the Arts, a national network of arts organizations, supporters and activists, has now recognized Lehr’s contributions, recently presenting him with its annual Legacy Award.

“We’re excited to be honoring Mr. Lehr,” said Inga Vitols, the group’s spokesperson. “He shines a light on what has been possible with the dedication of leaders who believe passionately in the cause.”

Indeed, Lehr is very passionate about the arts.

“In all permutations,” he said, “not only because I learn from them and enjoy them myself, but because they are an essential element in the development and maintenance of a vibrant community.”

What couldn’t he live without?

“Thank goodness I don’t have to choose just one, but, if I did, it would be music,” Lehr said. “We attend Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz and Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concerts. We also attend shows at Theatre Harrisburg, Hershey Theatre, Gamut Theatre Group and Open Stage.”

Lehr’s stint at SAM is actually his second. He also served on the board in the early 2000s, aiding its move to a new building, said Schwab.

“His presence as a dedicated helper in the museum’s time of great need was a catalyst for several other great community leaders to come on board,” she said. “Bill came back to the board at the end of 2015 and was elected board president soon after. In September, he was reelected for another year.”

Despite Lehr’s quiet demeanor, he is one of those people who, “behind the scenes of any preforming arts or cultural organization, makes it happen,” said Jeff Woodruff, executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.

Lehr came on the board of HSO in 2006 and stepped down 10 years later because of term limits. He spent the last four as chairman.

“Bill continued to be a soft-spoken man, playing behind the scenes, but in his own giving way, he leads by example,” said Woodruff. “He has been very generous offering funds out of his pocket and encouraging others to give.”

Harrisburg-area arts are so important to Lehr that he retired early to have ample time to contribute the most he could. Over the years, he’s been a board member for dozens of organizations, including Whitaker Center, Harrisburg Symphony Association, the Cultural Enrichment Fund and Metro Arts of the Capital Region (now Jump Street).

“Bill was a model board member, a strong advocate for HSO who knows how to run a meeting and someone who attended every concert and event,” Woodruff said.

Lehr has seen many changes in the local arts scene over the years. Some organizations have come and gone, though many others have taken root and become successful. One notable change has been the prominence of women, who head many nonprofits today.

Among the women Lehr says he admires globally is Mother Theresa. Locally, he points to the leadership of Janice Black, president and CEO of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, and Kathleen Pavelko, president and CEO of WITF.

When he’s not busy with advocacy, Lehr enjoys being with his three children and five grandchildren. He and his wife Beverlee, an artist herself, are also tireless travelers, having visited 70 different countries so far.

“We’re working on several others to go on our list,” Lehr laughed.

But being home in the Harrisburg area keeps him plenty busy, as well. After all, there’s always one more concert to attend; one more play to go to; one more exhibit to see; and, of course, one more organization that needs his advice and assistance.

Here Too: Yes, Harrisburg can have nice things.

November 30, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

The whispers began well before the official opening last month.

Hmm . . . do you think Harrisburg will support this place? Can it survive here? Will it last longer than a month, a year?

It seemed too hip, too different—maybe even a little radical. Too—should I say it—nice? Sure, it might work in Philly or Pittsburgh or D.C., but certainly not here in dumpy old Harrisburg.

In this case, I’m talking about Provisions, the snug, urban-style grocery that opened its doors downtown in Strawberry Square. But it could equally apply to a bunch of other businesses that have started over the last decade.

A huge, independent bookstore on a forlorn block in Midtown? No way. A vast arts center in a dilapidated wreck of a building? Yeah, right. An upscale French bistro? Ha!

I refer to Midtown Scholar, H*MAC and Rubicon, respectively. But it could equally apply to so many other places that have opened in recent years: Little Amps (Harrisburg wants cheap coffee); the Millworks (too artsy, too pricey); Note Bistro (doomed location); Zeroday ($6 pints??); LUX, Union Lofts, Flats at Strawberry Square (too big-city, too expensive).

All have proven the haters and trolls wrong. They are still in business. Most are thriving.

The armchair critics also roared over the new Harrisburg Bike Share. But it had about 500 sign-ups in its first month in operation, according to sponsor Communities in Schools PA. The sturdy white bikes with the front baskets are now a common sight along the riverfront and City Island. Chalk up another success.

Therefore, I’m calling time on “old Harrisburg.” This is the Harrisburg with little more to offer its residents than cut-rate goods, unhealthy food and substandard housing. This is the Harrisburg owned by people who flee each night to the suburbs, snug in subdivisions where their blighted buildings and dangerous bars would never be tolerated. This is the Harrisburg with an inferiority complex, where anyone hoping for better is shouted down as an outsider or an idiot.

Of course, I realize that change, as is its nature, is distributed unevenly across the city, with some neighborhoods progressing and others not. But we need to realize—simply because it’s a fact—that Harrisburg’s economy has changed. Over the past decade, it’s deepened and diversified, and it should no longer surprise anyone that the city can support nicer and, yes, sometimes more expensive goods and services.

A couple of years ago, a friend told me that he was thinking about opening a business and asked me what I thought. My advice was this—go higher end. By higher end, I didn’t mean Gucci or Givenchy. I meant “mass market nice,” something a notch or two better than conventional wisdom in this town seemed to believe would work.

I reached this conclusion not based on my own personal likes or aspirations, but by looking around at what was already succeeding: Café Fresco, Stage on Herr, Suba, Cork & Fork, Federal Taphouse. “Something better” seemed to be where the market was moving in Harrisburg. I told him that that’s what we did with TheBurg—and it worked for us, too.

In contrast, you know what’s not working? People who treat the city like it’s still old, ramshackle Harrisburg, who seem stuck in the past. In the decade I’ve been here, countless convenience stores, cell phone resellers and used goods shops have opened and closed just along 3rd Street in Midtown. It simply doesn’t seem to be a successful business strategy any longer.

I also urged my friend to heed what I call the “three C’s” of success: capitalization, competence and commitment. As a small business owner and enthusiast, I’ve seen even good ideas flop due to owner malpractice. I told him that, if he chose to open a store, he had to ensure that he was well capitalized, deeply understood his product and business and was willing to work 12-hour days (he wasn’t and didn’t).

So, here’s to Provisions, Harrisburg’s newest small business. It’s a little funky, a little urban, a little fun. And it offers a completely different, superior food-shopping experience for anyone accustomed to the numbing, cold sterility of the suburban supermarket. May it have a long, long life!

Lawrance Binda is editor in chief of TheBurg.

Happy Holli-Plays: Old Christmas favorites return with new twists at Open Stage.

November 30, 2017 | by Laura Dugan

This holiday season, Open Stage of Harrisburg is bringing back two seasonal favorites: “A Christmas Carol” and “The Santaland Diaries.”

But, this season, each show features a new twist. The script for “A Christmas Carol” has been newly adapted by Rachel Landon, and Jeff Luttermoser steps into the elfin shoes of Crumpet in “The Santaland Diaries.”

Though the script for “A Christmas Carol” is new, the “wicked old Scrooge” returns. Nick Hughes will once again assume the role. For the 18th time, Hughes will scowl and humbug his way across the stage. Several other cast members from last year’s production are returning, and some new faces will also join the cast.

“This season’s production is going to include all the fun and spectacle of last year’s show, plus a few extra surprises,” said Director Stuart Landon. “Audiences loved our reboot of this Harrisburg tradition—we sold out most performances last year—and they are sure to catch the spirit again with these new twists!”

In adapting the story, Rachel Landon was careful to stay true to Dickens.

“Charles Dickens created the perfect Christmas story, and his beautiful, hilarious and heart-wrenching words still hold true today,” said Landon, who will also be performing in the production. “To interpret his words is a real gift and as artists we celebrate the humor, the reverence of the season, and, of course, the ghost story.”

David Richwine is reprising his role as Bob Cratchit and is excited about continuing the holiday tradition of “A Christmas Carol.”

“There’s something about the message of being able to see your role in the world and being given a chance to change it that never gets old,” Richwine said. “Having experienced Open Stage’s creative treatment of the story and the characters and the setting, I’ve only come to love the story more.”

Another tradition at Open Stage is “The Santaland Diaries,” the one-man show based on David Sedaris’ illustrious career as a Macy’s elf. Previously featuring Stuart Landon, this year Jeff Luttermoser is taking over the role of Crumpet.

While the script and set remain the same, Luttermoser is excited about bringing his own spin on Crumpet to the stage.

“We are working on a fresh ‘Santaland’ that still maintains the spirit of the original,” Luttermoser said. “I want it to be the show people know and love but with a different flavor.”

Director Karen Ruch agrees.

“There are certain elements, favorite gags, or fun things that people expect,” she said. “We want to maintain those while letting Jeff be his own Crumpet.”

Luttermoser has most enjoyed finding the unexpected moments of depth in the show. He shared that Sedaris makes many observations on Christmas, including the eternal struggle between the commercial holiday and a traditional one.

“It’s not just a Christmas show,” said Luttermoser. “It’s about how silly people get with their consumerism. We have to laugh at our flaws, and I think this show does a really good job of helping us do that.”

“The Santaland Diaries” runs Dec. 3 to 22.

“A Christmas Carol” runs Dec. 1 to 23 and also features Patty Cole, Rachel Barnhart, Dawn-Michelle Lewis, Karen Ruch, Beate Sutton, T.J. Cole, Drew Patti, Chris Gibson, Patrick Hughes, Riley McKean, Connor McKean, Sophie Reusswi and several students from the OSHKids Performance Company.

Tickets and more information for both shows are available at www.openstagehbg.com.

UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

AT GAMUT THEARE
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

The Popcorn Hat Players Present
“A Popcorn Hat Christmas Carol”
Nov. 29 to Dec. 16
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. available by request for groups of 20 or more.
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance online or by calling the box office.

TMI Improv Show
Dec. 15
Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. and will remain open throughout the event.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Popcorn Hat Players’ New Years Eve Party for Children and Countdown To Noon
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.
Early bird tickets Nov. 1 to 30, $10; Dec. 1 to 31 tickets, $12
Tickets can be purchased online.

AT OPEN STAGE OF HARRISBURG
www.openstagehbg.com
“A Christmas Carol”
A dazzling new take on the classic Dickens tale
Dec. 1 to 23

“The Santaland Diaries”
David Sedaris’ irreverent one-man show
Dec. 3 to 22

Musical Notes: Musical Resolutions–End the year without ending your wallet.

November 30, 2017 | by Kait Gibboney

Amidst the snowy days and holiday prep, it’s that time again to contemplate New Year’s resolutions. One thing that’s on my mind for next year is better money management, especially when it comes to a night out in Harrisburg. To help you make your own list and check it twice, I’ve highlighted shows this month that are all under $20. It is possible to save some money for the holidays while still seeing quality shows around the city, and we’ve got your hookup for a fun winter. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season, stay thrifty, and I’ll see y’all in the new year!

DON’T SLEEP, 12/1, 6:30PM, H*MAC STAGE ON HERR, $8-10
We’re kicking off the column this month with some Harrisburg natives with a taste for high-octane performances. Don’t Sleep is a hardcore band featuring frontman Dave Smalley, former singer of Dag Nasty, Down by Law, ALL and DYS. Other members of the band, guitarist Tom McGrath, drummer Jim Bedorf, bassist Garrett Rothman and guitarist Tony Bavaria have played with groups such as Very Americans, The Commercials and Junction. Talented and passionate, Don’t Sleep stays humble, defining themselves as “five friends playing hardcore and trying to make a positive impact on the world.” If you haven’t been through a hardcore phase, these guys are sure to get you hooked. The band is celebrating their new record release at H*MAC featuring performances by Steel Nation, Tonka Tuff and Bitter Taste.

R. ARIEL, 12/2, 7PM, LITTLE AMPS UPTOWN, $5
Coming to you through Harrisburg’s DIY scene, Phoenix, Ariz., native R. Ariel will play at Little Amps for a special show in the Olde Uptown neighborhood. Rachel Ariel is a self-described experimental electronic femme artist currently touring North America. She is also known for her work as a photographer, videographer and author. Her creative energy, soulful lyrics and dreamy instrumentals are sure to create a cozy evening of heartfelt musical expression. Joining her are Kafari from Portland, Maine, and Weird Year, a favorite local band from here in the city. Catch R. Ariel’s album, “Identified Demon,” on Bandcamp before the show. I like the song, “Her,” for the minimal sound and soulful lyrics.

MIDDLETON BROTHERS BAND, 12/15, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, $5-8
Rounding out the featured shows this month is a bona fide family band bringing back rock n’ roll. The Middleton Brothers started out in the ‘70s when Stan and Charlie Middleton, two teenaged brothers, decided to start a group together. Going by many names and consisting of different members throughout the years, the Middleton Brothers added Stan’s two sons to the group, living the dream as a rockin’ family band. The sound of the ‘60s has been rich in the Middleton Brothers’ repertoire since the brothers started, and it is still going strong. Drawing influences from their rock n’ roll roots, funk and R&B, the group brings their soulful yet accessible vibe for a groovy time. Find live tracks on their website for a sample of their feel-good, classic sound.

Mentionables:

Benjamin Vo Blues Band, Dec. 1, River City Blues Club
John Brown’s Body, Dec. 2, The Abbey Bar
Ben Brandt Trio, Dec. 8, River City Blues Club
Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute, Dec. 15, The Abbey Bar
Kilmaine Saints, Dec. 16, H*MAC Stage on Herr
Colebrook Road, Dec. 22, The Abbey Bar

November News Digest

November 30, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

City Election Marred by “Raffle”

Harrisburg’s uncontested mayoral election last month was supposed to be a sleepy affair, but it was upset by a raffle with apparent connections to a write-in candidate.

A Dauphin County judge issued an injunction on Election Day to stop the distribution of raffle tickets that may have encouraged people to vote a certain way in the race for Harrisburg mayor.

“The Court finds that the raffle ticket is also promoting of a particular race and suggestive of balloting,” according to the court order.

People at many city polling stations were found to be handing out raffle tickets, which promised prizes for voting. These included a new iPhone X (first prize), $500 in cash (second prize) and a $200 Best Buy gift card (third prize).

Dauphin County Sheriff Nicholas Chimienti later visited a downtown office owned by developer Jeremy Hunter, where Hunter stored both raffle tickets and flyers supporting write-in candidate Gloria Martin-Roberts.

Martin-Roberts, however, later denounced Hunter’s efforts, saying she never authorized the raffle or the flyers.

“I clearly told Jeremy, ‘do not distribute any of that information with my name on it,’” Martin-Roberts said. “He does not listen to anyone.”

Hunter also told TheBurg that he spent thousands of dollars in the primary and general elections in support of Martin-Roberts. At press time, those expenditures had not been reported to the Dauphin County elections bureau.

3rd Street Project Starts

Harrisburg officials last month broke ground on the long-awaited repaving of 3rd Street, though most of the work will not start until the spring.

Crews began on the Midtown portion with new curbing and ADA-compliant ramps at intersections. Work is expected to continue through December, depending on the weather, and will resume in March.

The entire project includes about a two-mile stretch of the main artery from Chestnut Street downtown to Seneca Street in Uptown Harrisburg.

Actual milling and paving of the street will hold off until next year, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. The project is expected to continue throughout much of 2018, wrapping up in October.

Papenfuse stressed that the project is not just for motorists. He said the improvements will make it easier to walk and bike, as well as drive along the street.

“By the time we are done, this entire area will be returned to the residents of the city,” he said.

City Engineer Wayne Martin said that, when paving begins next year, he expects temporary road closures and detours lasting about three days at a time. He also said that some parking, about 10 spaces at a time, will be occupied by construction equipment.

As part of the project, Capital Region Water will install trees and other environmentally friendly infrastructure, including green “bump outs,” to reduce storm-water flow, said CRW board chairman J. Marc Kurowski.

He said the project is part of CRW’s City Beautiful H2O program, which is meant to replace outdated infrastructure and improve storm-water flow.

“We’ll have new trees and new ways to manage storm-water,” Papenfuse said. “This will become a showcase for design for the whole region.”

Harrisburg has contracted with Elizabethtown-based Doug Lamb Construction Inc. for the $5.5 million project, a cost split between the city and CRW. The city is paying an estimated $3.5 million, with CRW footing the remaining $2 million.

Most of the project is funded by a grant from Impact Harrisburg, a nonprofit set up as part of the city’s financial recovery.

City Incumbents Returned to Office

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse sailed to an easy re-election victory last month, despite two candidates mounting late write-in bids.

With all 28 precincts reporting, Papenfuse garnered 3,788 votes. All write-in candidates together tallied 502.

Shortly before the election, two of Papenfuse’s defeated opponents in the Democratic primary, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Lewis Butts, declared that they would mount write-in campaigns in the general election.

With his victory, Papenfuse will begin his second, four-year mayoral term in January.

Five Harrisburg City Council candidates also ran unopposed in their races. Council incumbents Wanda Williams, Shamaine Daniels and Ben Allatt each won four-year terms, as did newcomer Ausha Green. Councilman Dave Madsen earned a two-year seat.

Harrisburg Treasurer Dan Miller and Controller Charlie DeBrunner each ran unopposed and will serve four-year terms.

For school board, all the listed Democrats won four-year seats: Brian Carter, Carrie Fowler, Danielle Robinson and Judd Pittman. Incumbent James Thompson, who lost in the Democratic primary but cross-filed, lost on the Republican side.

Percel Eiland, running unopposed, took the two-year seat for school board.

One district justice seat was contested. In the race for district 12-01-05, Democrat Hanif Johnson defeated Claude Phipps, who was on the Republican ballot, by a vote of 954-347.

In Dauphin County, Republican Matthew Krupp defeated Democrat Diane Bowman in a close race for prothonotary. In the heated contest for three Court of Common Pleas judgeships, sitting Judge Lori Serratelli lost to challengers Ed Marsico, Royce Morris and John McNally.

HU Proposes Downtown High-Rise

A new high-rise may soon add to downtown Harrisburg’s skyline, as Harrisburg University of Science and Technology last month issued a request for proposals for a new, mixed-use building.

According to the RFP, the proposed building at Chestnut and S. 3rd streets would house the school’s emerging Health Science Education Center, from which it would offer degree programs in nursing, pharmaceutical sciences and other health programs.

The RFP is asking for bids of at least 200,000 square feet for educational space, plus housing for more than 300 students. The building, currently proposed to be 36 stories, may also contain amenities such as a boutique hotel, restaurant, executive conference center and/or fitness facility.

The school envisions the building as a high-rise on parcels that include 222 Chestnut St., currently a surface parking lot owned by Vartan Enterprises, and 24, 26 and 28 S. 3rd St., which contain small commercial buildings owned by Mechanicsburg-based Dauphin Land Co. Under the RFP, those low-rise, 19th-century commercial buildings would be demolished.

HU President Eric Darr said that the current property owners have agreed to sell their parcels to HU for the project. He added that the proposed location was perfectly situated between UPMC Pinnacle and the university’s main academic building on Market Street.

“Being a block away from Harrisburg Hospital makes all the sense in the world,” said Darr, who estimates the total cost of the project at $120 to $140 million.

HU has set Feb. 2 as the deadline for responses, with a proposal selection date of April 10. An evaluation committee comprised of members of the university’s executive staff, board of trustees and outside advisers will evaluate the proposals.

Darr said he hopes to break ground in 2019 and that construction should take about two years.

Overnight Shelter Opened

Following a change in policy at Harrisburg’s largest rescue mission, a downtown shelter will open an emergency overnight shelter for 30 homeless men.

Downtown Daily Bread, a soup kitchen and daytime shelter operated by Pine Street Presbyterian Church on N. 3rd Street, got approval from the city to operate a 30-bed men’s shelter from Dec. 1 to March 31 at its facility at 234 South St., according to Anne Guenin, director of Downtown Daily Bread.

Downtown Daily Bread currently runs a daily drop-in shelter where people can nap, shower, receive meals and pick up mail. It serves between 70 and 90 people on an average day, Guenin said.

The night shelter will be in the same facility as the daytime shelter, which operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nighttime shelter will open at 7:30 p.m., giving crews time to clean and convert the gymnasium to a dormitory with cots, and will close at 6 a.m.

Guenin said that the shelter originated in response to an operational change at Bethesda Mission, which this year decided to focus its efforts on long-term recovery programs and open its emergency shelter only in extreme weather conditions.

Comp Plan Back on Track

Harrisburg’s long-delayed comprehensive plan appears to be back on track, as the city’s Planning Commission last month agreed on a draft plan and set forth a path for final approval.

The commission unanimously opted for a draft submitted by the Office for Planning and Architecture, a city-based firm headed by urban design consultant Bret Peters.

In May 2015, the city hired Peters for $200,000 to create a comprehensive plan, which cities use as frameworks to guide policy, ranging widely from land use to recreation. Plans typically have a shelf life of only 15 to 20 years, though Harrisburg’s had not been redrafted in some four decades.

Originally, the city expected its plan to be finished in about 10 months. However, a dispute with Peters over the editing process, communication and, especially, pay, led to a long delay.

At one point earlier this year, the city and Peters parted company after Peters wanted more money to complete the project.

That holdup ended with the commission’s decision to go with Peters’ draft, which is now public. A public hearing is slated for Jan. 10.

Following the hearing, the commission may make additional changes based on public input. It then must approve the final draft before submitting it to City Council for its approval.

More Apartments Approved

Harrisburg is poised for more apartment conversions, as the city’s Zoning Hearing Board last month gave the go-ahead to two projects.

The board voted unanimously to permit as many as 18 rental units in Tracy Mansion, which would complete the restoration of the historic Midtown building.

Owner Jack Kay of York-based Susquehanna Real Estate plans between 14 and 18 one-and two-bedroom units in the eastern portion of the century-old building at N. Front and Muench streets, space that has long sat empty.

“All of the existing architectural features will be restored and, if anything, enhanced,” Kay told board members.

Industrialist David Tracy built the 30-room mansion as a private residence in 1918. In 1951, it became an osteopathic hospital and eventually a mental health facility.

Kay bought the building in 2005 with plans to convert it to an office condominium, adding a new, seven-story building in the parking lot next door. He received zoning board approval two years later, but the project died after the recession hit in 2008.

In 2012, Kay sold the western part of the building to Char Magaro, who opened the restaurant, Char’s Tracy Mansion, there.

Kay said that he believes there now is a market in Harrisburg for upscale apartments, which motivated him to seek a special exception for that use. He said that his apartments will be “nice units” with such features as high-end finishes, river views and in-unit washers and dryers.

He said that he hopes to undertake the project next year, but that the timing depends upon securing financing, among other factors. He said that he had not yet determined rental rates, but that they would be competitive with recent projects by Harristown Enterprises and WCI Partners.

Last month, the zoning board also unanimously granted a variance to Harristown for the conversion of a downtown office building to residential space.

Harristown plans to develop 12 one- and two-bedroom apartments from a worn-out, long-empty office building at the corner of N. 2nd and Cranberry streets. It currently has the building under contract with the seller, Camp Hill-based CJ2 Group.

With Planning Commission and zoning board approvals, Harristown now must have its land use plan approved by Harrisburg City Council before it can begin the project.

Water, Sewer Rates Rise

Water and sewer rates in Harrisburg are set to increase more than 7 percent next year, as Capital Region Water passed its 2018 budget last month.

The CRW board unanimously approved the spending plan, which will raise drinking water rates 7.5 percent for all city and suburban customers. Sewer rates will go up by 7.1 percent for city customers and vary for suburban customers, depending on their location.

The 2018 full-service rates for water and sewer service are $9.46 and $6.99 per 1,000 gallons, respectively. Under the new rates, an average customer who uses 4,500 gallons of water per month will pay an additional $5.56.

A few months ago, the board was faced with even higher rate increases, in excess of 10 percent, said board Chairman J. Marc Kurowski. However, CRW was able to scale those back to more reasonable levels, he said.

“Nobody’s excited with having to have rate increases, but we’ve kept them manageable,” Kurowski said.

CRW has raised rates for several years running. For 2017, the utility increased drinking water rates by 11.6 percent and sewer rates by 7.9 percent.

David Nowotarski, CRW’s chief financial officer, said the rate increases were needed, in part, to pay for ongoing capital upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure.

For 2018, CRW expects to spend about $8.9 million for water system upgrades and about $33 million for sewer projects. CRW has several major initiatives in place to repair and upgrade the city’s aged water and sewer infrastructure.

So Noted

Brighter Living held its grand opening last month at its facility at 979 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Brighter Living offers daily activities for seniors such as crafting, cooking, watching movies and gardening, as well as therapeutic activities.

Merit Marketing last month acquired Portland, Ore.-based communications firm, LT Public Relations. Harrisburg-based Merit stated that the acquisition strengthens its West Coast presence and gives it a team of senior advisors in media relations, executive training and crisis communications management.

UPMC Pinnacle opened its new medical office, Strawberry Square FamilyCare, last month in downtown Harrisburg. The office features six exam rooms, a laboratory, conference room and waiting area. It is open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., located on the first floor, atrium-level of Strawberry Square, adjacent to Rite Aid.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 119: K. & R. Thames to T. McNair, $55,000

Berryhill St., 2216: M. & N. Haile to PA Deals LLC, $31,000

Berryhill St., 2334: W. J. & J. Morrow to X. Rios & L. Vega, $52,000

Berryhill St., 2338: PA Deals LLC to L. Myers, $59,500

Briarcliff Rd., 2311: W. & E. Warren to S. & A. Cornick, $220,000

Briggs St., 2035: L. McArthur to C. & M. Bruner, $64,000

Calder St., 321: C. Steinbacher to R. & F. Armetta, $40,000

Chestnut St., 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206, & 1208: San Pef Inc. to Round Rock Investments LLC, $369,000

Derry St., 2612: J. Beal to T. Dunmyre, $68,900

Evergreen St., 26 & 28: San Pef Inc. to Round Rock Investments LLC, $95,000

Fulton St., 1418: PA Deals LLC to E. Shenk, $109,500

Girard St., 740: I. Naranjo & D. Benitez to O. Caban, $64,000

Green St., 1327: S. O’Neal to B. & S. Cincotta, $118,000

Greenwood St., 2237: J. Erb to A. & S. Rankin, $50,000

Herr St., 1614: T. Lawson to E. Andrades, $52,000

Holly St., 1914: J. Kaffaya to D. Berhe, $43,000

Hudson St., 1215: PI Capital LLC to V. Jackson, $97,000

Hummel St., 342 & 1508 Hunter St.: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Terry Casey IRA to E&K Homes, $34,000

Kensington St., 2335: PA Deals LLC to End Properties LLC, $69,500

Kensington St., 2343: PA Deals LLC to L. Myers, $59,500

Lenox St., 2032: J. & J. Belfonti to S. Ash, $43,000

Linden St., 128: Hal Don Properties LLC to A. Elkanouni, $56,500

Maclay St., 1037: J. & S. Pagliaro to P2N2, $65,000

Mercer St., 2440: T. Carey to D. Chen & M. Brinkman, $55,000

Mulberry St., 2000: L. & R. Moore to P. Robinson, $50,000

N. 2^nd St., 912: S. Meyers to J. Radabaugh, $185,000

N. 2^nd St., 1215: R. Shultz to R. & G. Armetta, $137,700

N. 2^nd St., 2401: R. Buxton to M. Rathfon & S. Ewing, $162,000

N. 2^nd St., 3301: D. & C. Gilkey to K. & K. Eshenaur, $197,900

N. 3^rd St., 1914: J. Hobbs to J. Vega Jr., $90,000

N. 3^rd St., 2016: WCI Partners LP to K. Reed, $212,000

N. 3^rd St., 3301: N. Johnson to E. Verbos, $135,000

N. 4^th St., 1336: M. Reed to R. & F. Armetta, $80,000

N. 4^th St., 1620: Keech Equity Investments LLC to Acharya Rentals LLC, $60,000

N. 4^th St., 3116: L. Deatrick to G. & J. Desgres, $90,000

N. 6^th St., 930 & 932: K. & N. Galoyan to R. & F. Armetta, $170,000

N. 5^th St., 3024: J. Olan to C. Geis, $95,000

N. 6^th St., 3020: S. McCutcheon to L. Harris, $70,300

N. 7^th St., 2301 & 2327: Sam Hill Properties LLC to DF7 LP, $410,000

N. 17^th St., 28: V. Rivas to I. Mirambeaux, $35,000

N. Cameron St., 1301: J. & J. Salinger to R. Chatue & H. Tambo, $295,000

Oakwood Rd., 2301: PI Capitol LLC to J. Swetlick, $280,00

Penn St., 1721: PA Deals LLC to L. Myers, $129,000

Pennwood Rd., 3120: S. McCoy to J. Mohler & J. Suter, $38,000

Pennwood Rd., 3143: F. Travitz to T. Marhon, $85,500

Rolleston St., 1033: V. Clyde to L. Le, $35,500

Rudy Rd., 1959: E. Ripka to J. & M. Weaver, $66,500

Rumson Dr., 2627: G. & G. Chacon to L. & M. Holston, $81,000

Rumson Dr., 2956: A. & M. Berra to R. Gonzalez & M. Cabrera, $68,000

S. 14^th St., 1407: R. Williams to City of Harrisburg, $51,000

S. 14^th St., 1417: J. Vogelsong to City of Harrisburg, $49,000

S. 14^th St., 1421: S. Mosley to City of Harrisburg, $57,000

S. 14^th St., 1425: J. Coleman & A. Dannar to City of Harrisburg, $48,500

S. 14^th St., 1430: L. & C. Matter to City of Harrisburg, $51,000

S. 14^th St., 1438: A. & M. Reuveni to City of Harrisburg, $51,000

S. 14^th St., 1444: Atlantic North Star Properties to City of Harrisburg, $55,000

S. 14^th St., 1447: C. & F. Randolph to City of Harrisburg, $46,000

S. 14^th St., 1451: C. Colon to City of Harrisburg, $57,000

S. 14^th St., 1454: J. McFarland to City of Harrisburg, $52,000

S. 25^th St., 736: M. Anderson to L. Crowder, $44,500

S. Cameron St., 130: Goldman Sachs Mortgage Co. & Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to D&F 130 Cam LLC, $161,500

State St., 1326: Arthur A. Kusic Real Estate Investments to C. & T. Semancik, $100,000

Susquehanna St., 1635: R. Drakeford to S. & D. Williams, $99,900

Susquehanna St., 1932: St. Glecos to J. Gallant, $82,450

Swatara St., 1518: Tri County HDC Ltd to D. Kiser, $68,000

Sycamore St., 1625: T. Price to K. Fields, $79,042

Verbeke St., 208: M. Barrette to C. Malloy & K. Sica, $89,999

Wayne St., 1517: R. Palmer to J. Alvarado, $40,000

Harrisburg property sales for October 2017, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

The Old Soul Ragtime Show: Young pianist strikes a chord with old-timey music.

November 30, 2017 | by Karen Hendricks

Domingo Mancuello says people constantly call him an “old soul”—and he’s the first to admit that they’re right.

“Every day, it feels like I’m living in the wrong time period,” said the 25-year old Lancaster resident. “I love to tell people I wanted to be a steam locomotive engineer, but that wasn’t practical, so I had to go into theater instead. But playing ragtime piano isn’t practical either.”

The practicality of his career choices aside, Mancuello is making a name for himself in central Pennsylvania’s theater, musical and art circles. This is his second season as a production assistant at the Fulton Theatre, which he describes as a “dream job” following his apprenticeship at Philadelphia’s Walnut Theatre and graduation from the University of the Arts.

His hobby and side gig as a pianist sound logical for a young guy immersed in the theater. But his specialty—ragtime and popular music from the 1890s to 1940s—puts Mancuello’s “old soul” directly in the spotlight.

Bouncy, Happy

“I always wanted to play ragtime because my grandfather was a singer in a barbershop quartet, and I was exposed to songs from the 1920s from a young age,” Mancuello recalled.

Growing up in suburban Philadelphia, one of his childhood memories includes a life-changing trip with his grandfather to an antiques shop during a search for phonograph needles. Mancuello said that he was transfixed by a player piano “magically” playing ragtime music.

When Mancuello was 4 years old, his parents gave him a tiny Wurlitzer piano for Christmas, and he taught himself how to play “When the Saints Go Marching In” by ear. At the age of 6, he began piano lessons but encountered several obstacles—dyslexia and vision issues affected his ability to read music. His mother regularly “blew up” his music on a copier so that he could better focus on the notes.

By fifth grade, his parents granted his wish for a player piano, and he began collecting rolls of music. Today, his collection includes about 200 rolls, rivaled only by his early 1900s sheet music collection, which numbers close to 5,000. Perhaps music is in his genes, as well. In addition to his musically inclined grandfather, Mancuello’s cousin is a successful pop singer in Paraguay—his father’s native country.

What is it about ragtime music that captured him from such a young age?

“There is an old-timey charm to it,” Mancuello said “Ragtime is bouncy, happy music. The easiest way to describe it is as speakeasy music coming out of a bar or saloon in an old movie, at its simplest.”

Its name, “ragtime,” describes its syncopated or “ragged” beat.

Despite his challenges, Mancuello said that he has an edge over most pianists who attempt ragtime.

“There’s a lot of chord-jumping from one octave to another that’s super-fast in the left hand,” he said. “So, the fact that my dominant hand is my left, I can just let it go, and focus on the melody in my right hand.”

In Mancuello’s sophomore year of college, he stumbled upon the 1920 song, “Whispering,” which inspired him to create his own arrangement and start playing “seriously.” So much so that he competed in the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest, placing fourth in 2013 and third in 2014. He looks forward to returning to the 2018 competition on Memorial Day weekend.

Does he listen to any popular music today?

“I’m more and more tolerant of it,” he said, with a smile.

Charm, Innocence

Mancuello recently played his largest solo concert, an invitation-only event at Theatre Harrisburg hosted by Jay and Nancy Krevsky.

Within the first few minutes, his music had the audience tapping their toes, smiling, clapping and, finally, bursting into song during “It Had to Be You” and several other old standards. In between tunes with colorful titles such as “12th Street Rag,” “Down Where the Sun Goes Down,” “Sweet Sugar Man” and “Happy Days are Here Again,” Mancuello regaled the crowd of nearly 100 with stories of little-known facts (Did you know Johnny Maddox is the only ragtime pianist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?) and tales about charming themes (such as the moon) found in ragtime and in turn-of-the-century tunes.

“Anyone recognize that tune?” Mancuello asked at the end of one number.

When hands shot into the air, he looked excited enough to bounce right off his piano bench. His own charm, innocence and energy seemed to match the evening’s selections.

“It was extremely encouraging,” Mancuello said. “It was the best-received concert I’ve ever done. I’ve never had a room just burst into song like that.”

Jay Krevsky first heard Mancuello play piano at the home of friends Mary Ann and Richard Morse of Mechanicsburg.

“When he started to play, I couldn’t believe my ears,” Krevsky recalled.

He knew he had to introduce Mancuello to more Harrisburg-area arts aficionados.

“He was fantastic—he exceeded my expectations,” Krevsky said, following the Theatre Harrisburg concert. “Could you keep your foot still? That’s what’s great about ragtime.”

The buzz continued long after the final notes, as attendees posed for photos with the pianist, chatted with him and thanked the Krevskys.

“Not only does he play ragtime well, but he charms people, too,” said Mary Ann Morse. “I’m a pianist also, but he’s a phenom.”

A tragic national news story had broken earlier that day, and Krevsky acknowledged it was “the elephant in the room” that evening. But he felt it best not to mention it during his welcoming and closing remarks and simply let Mancuello’s music lift the audience and their spirits.

“Music unifies people,” said Nancy Krevsky. “The age of the music doesn’t matter. Instead of dwelling on the differences between people, music creates harmony, and that’s what we need in this world.”

You can watch videos of Domingo Mancuello play on YouTube. To contact him about performances and bookings, email [email protected].

Teacher, Student, in Tune: In Mechanicsburg, an ancient skill is passed down through generations.

November 30, 2017 | by Rachael Dymski

Jim Hess and Daniel Haubert in Hess’ shop.
Photo by Dani Fresh.

I step into Jim Hess’s piano shop and breath in.

It smells like spruce, pine and hard work. Hess stands over the “belly” of a piano—the world that exists beneath the keys. With the skilled hands of a surgeon, he points out to me the soundboard he just built.

“I actually bought a spruce plank—2 inches thick and 10 inches wide— so I basically started from the tree to build it,” says Hess.

I look at his hands and don’t doubt him.

“It’s very rewarding work,” he says.

The result is a flawless, perfectly constructed soundboard most piano players will never see. A piano technician’s work is essential but often invisible.

“A piano is made up of 11,000 parts,” says Hess. “And 9,000 are moving. So we don’t want to mess this up.”

All around me are pieces of pianos at various stages of construction. Many of the pianos here have been brought in by families hoping to preserve a part of their family’s identity. This shop could be the Mechanicsburg version of the North Pole. The shop holds an unmistakable sense of wonder and restoration.

At Hess’ side, witness to all of the magic that happens here, stands his 31-year-old apprentice, Daniel Haubert.

Life Coach

In a world where apprenticeships are largely a thing of the past, Haubert demonstrates wisdom and a proactive spirit in his desire to learn from Hess.

Piano tuning has a reputation for being an ancient art. How did someone as young as Haubert get into it, and how did he end up at this particular piano shop?

The answer has almost as many moving parts as the piano itself.

Haubert studied journalism at Temple University, with a focus on sports management. After graduation, he worked for the Travellers, a Minor League baseball team in Arkansas. That job led to another one with the Harrisburg Senators in 2010.

“ I was the organist for the team,” says Haubert. “That really helped to seal my interest in and love of music.”

Eventually, Haubert left the Senators to work for a construction company. When it went out of business, Haubert realized he had to find a different career path quickly.

He remembered his love of piano and enrolled in the Butler School of Piano Technology. He learned a lot during that time, but something was missing.

“On paper, I knew everything I needed to know, but I knew that paper could only get me so far,” he says. “The best way to learn how to be a good piano technician is to work with someone who’s dedicated themselves to learning pianos.”

Enter fate.

At a traffic light in Camp Hill, a car pulled up next to Haubert’s with the name Jim Hess on it. Hess had a sticker on the back of his car that said “Registered Piano Technician.”

“I thought, ‘That guy really knows what he’s doing,’” Haubert said. “I called him, and he was willing to meet me. Now, we’ve started this apprenticeship on tuning, life issues, (piano) belly work and finding clients. I’ve worked with a lot of coaches. Jim is my life coach.”

Endless

Hess became interested in pianos years ago after buying an old piano for his wife.

“I began tinkering with it, trying to figure out how everything worked,” says Hess.

When he and his wife moved back to this area in the 1970s, he decided to explore the piano technician field.

“I really got a kick-start to my career,” Hess says. “One Friday evening shortly after we moved back, I received a call that the piano tuner scheduled for an event that night had died suddenly of a heart attack. I tuned the piano for that evening’s event. That night, the artist stopped in the middle of the concert and remarked on what a well-tuned piano it was. A reporter heard and put in the paper, which really got things moving.”

Through diligence, study and Hess’s help, Haubert is well on his way to a successful career as a piano technician himself.

Both Hess and Haubert are asked all the time if they play the piano.

“Playing is an art; tuning is mechanics,” says Haubert. “We’re mechanics. We have to understand everything about how this works so that the artist can do their job.”

People also ask what a piano technician does besides tune pianos. The answer: everything.

“People think piano technician means piano tuner,” says Haubert. “But tuning, as difficult as it is, is just the introduction to the industry. There’s tuning. There’s repairing. There’s restoration and refinishing. It’s endless.”

Pianos have a habit of staying in families and are usually of great sentimental value to the clients Haubert works with. He tunes his pianos by ear, and the result, according to client Andy Joos, “is pretty stunning.”

“The harmonies are all in excellent tune, regardless of the key that I’m playing the hymn in,” Joos said.

As Haubert continues to learn from Hess, it is clear that he is well on his way to creating his own magic in this profession.

“I love the mental focus that it requires,” Haubert says. “You have to block out everything else in your mind to focus. I also like working with my hands, using them for such a skilled project.”

For more information about Daniel Haubert, call 717-877-6430 or visit www.haubertpianocare.com.

For more information about Jim Hess, call 717-697-4111 or visit www.hesspiano.com.

Lights! Camera! Act Sick! Fake patients aim to help the real ones.

November 30, 2017 | by Joanne Kaldy

Keith McLaughlin has had a rough few years.

First he had progressive, degenerative diabetes. Then he was experiencing a rather embarrassing genital discharge. He also was a victim of an explosion, and he was in a bus accident. Then a few months ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He’s spent a lot of time at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. But, in the end, he got a clean bill of health and even got paid for the time he spent at the hospital.

In reality, McLaughlin isn’t a patient but a performer. He is part of the Standardized Patient (SP) program at the medical center’s Clinical Simulation Center. Several times a year, he gets a script to follow, and he portrays a patient with a particular condition or problem. The SP program is one of several initiatives at the simulation center aimed at improving patient outcomes by promoting and enhancing practitioner skills, clinical competence, teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Like most of the 100 or so people who portray patients in the program, McLaughlin isn’t a professional actor. He actually is a retired accountant.

“This doesn’t come naturally to me,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and preparation.”

He reads through the scripts he is given and makes notes of key points to remember. SP participants also often must prepare to portray various emotions associated with the situation—such as anger, frustration or fear. Sometimes, the script calls for them to confess an embarrassing secret or to try to convince the doctor or nurse not to share bad news with a spouse. While they aren’t expected to give award-winning performances, they have to be convincing in these roles.

Participants often present the same case several times a day with different groups of students, which leads to more complications.

“After a while, it can be challenging to remember what you’ve said and to who,” said McLaughlin.

Nonetheless, it’s worth the time and energy.

“I want to help patients get the best possible care, and I want to help practitioners to feel more comfortable and confident interacting with patients,” he said.

It’s clear that he’s good at his job. After a multi-session program where he portrayed a patient with diabetes, he received a thank-you card signed by several of students who participated.

“Thank you for taking the time to teach us more about communication,” wrote one student. Another remarked, “It was clear that you really wanted to help us improve,” and another wrote, “I’ll always remember what you reminded all of us—that ‘before a patient is a patient, a patient is a person first.’”

While McLaughlin gets paid for his work in the SP program, helping medical practitioners get better at their jobs is a personal mission.

“My wife had breast cancer,” he said. “She was fortunate to have great doctors and nurses. I want to give back a bit for that. It makes me feel good. I want to do everything I can to make these simulations real for them.”

In Awe
Nursing student Caroline Farrell said that the SP program will help make her a stronger, more confident practitioner.

“It is useful to have the opportunity to mimic as closely as we can what we will see in the real world,” she said. “We’ll be able to pull from these experiences and apply them in our work.”

The program also helps to quell anxieties, said nursing student Natalie Sullivan.

“To be able to try things in a safe environment is tremendously helpful,” she said.

Not only are the simulations themselves useful, but, afterwards, the students get written feedback on their interactions. For this, they can learn first-hand from the “patient” what they did well, what information they missed, and what areas they might focus on for improvement.

Stacey Carmo, SP Program manager, said that she is constantly in awe of the quality of the simulations.

“It’s jaw-dropping how real some of them are,” she said. “We are fortunate to have great people involved in this program. Some of them have been doing it for as long as 15 years.”

The people, plus the mission of transforming students into excellent practitioners, help to make Carmo’s job a joy.

“Coming to work, I get excited every day,” she said.

School of Bock: Yes, you can “major in beer” as HACC, local breweries team up for a certification program.

November 30, 2017 | by Robert Naeye

Burg in Focus: HACC Brewing Science Program from GK Visual on Vimeo.

If you love bold and flavorful beer like I do, the Harrisburg metro area is the place to be. Every few months, a new brewpub opens up, giving beer aficionados a multitude of options.

The craft beer craze has spread so far and deep that it has even caught the attention of academia, including, locally, HACC.

In the summer of 2015, HACC President John Sygielski emailed the college’s director of continuing education, Abigail Peslis, instructing her to look into the craft brewing movement.

“Our college president is extremely innovative and forward thinking, and he said I should check into this, but that I had no need to respond,” recalled Peslis.

Sygielski’s message found the right audience. Peslis is herself a craft beer fan.

“When I had an opportunity to delve into that industry, I grabbed the bull by the horns,” she said.

Peslis called Dan LaBert, executive director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania, the major brewing guild in the commonwealth. He told Peslis that such a program was exactly what the state’s brewing industry needed and connected her with a number of local experts.

She next called Zeroday Brewing Co., which had recently opened just a block down Reily Street from her Midtown office. Zeroday co-owners Theo and Brandalynn Armstrong eagerly expressed interest in helping HACC develop a program in brewing science.

“It’s almost like the stars aligned,” said Peslis. “There was a need for a trained workforce because the brewing industry was exploding.”

In less than a year, HACC’s Brewing Science Certificate Program was educating its first cohort of students. The goal is to make the program sufficiently robust so students come away with all the foundational skills they need to enter the brewing industry’s workforce. But HACC wants the program to be short enough that students can complete it within a year.

Peslis involved local breweries to develop the curriculum. These included Zeroday, Tröegs Independent Brewing and Appalachian Brewing Co. (ABC).

“This program was absolutely created for the local central PA region,” Peslis said.

Full Spectrum

Today, six local brewers provide instruction and expertise: Zeroday, Tröegs, ABC, Boneshire Brew Works and the Millworks, all based in the Harrisburg/Hershey area, and Old Forge Brewery in Danville. The students also visit Sunny Brea Hops, located just outside of Carlisle, to learn more about the high-quality hops used for craft brewing.

“We do a lot of hands-on learning, so our students visit all of those facilities,” Peslis said. “Our students get the full spectrum of everything.”

In return, HACC gives local brewers qualified applicants to join their teams and to raise the standards of brewing in general.

Anybody who is 21 or older can enroll in the HACC program. No background in brewing or biology is required.

Earlier this year, the first cohort of 11 students, ranging in age from 21 to 60, completed about 250 hours of coursework and earned their certificates. They took evening classes in a wide range of topics relating to the brewing business, including safety, sanitation, culinary math, marketing and microbiology.

And, most importantly, the students selected a style of beer to brew, worked with vendors to choose the ingredients, and brewed it from scratch. With guidance from Zeroday, they decided to brew a coffee oatmeal stout, a popular winter beer.

“The students got hands-on experience and recipe design,” said Brandalynn Armstrong. “They got to have some fun and get their hands dirty.”

But as Armstrong is quick to point out, the program is not just about brewing good beer.

“We asked students to think: How are you going to sell the beer after you make it?” she said. “So, we added a marketing component.”

The students had to look at their product from a business angle and come up with a name, a sales strategy and a pitch. Several local brewers and restaurant owners judged different names and decided upon HACChiato (like a macchiato from Starbucks) because the stout contained coffee and milk. The students even worked with an attorney to make sure the name was commercially viable and didn’t infringe upon any copyrights.

HACChiato was unveiled at a launch party at Zeroday. More than 300 people came that day to taste the beer, including Sygielski.

“The stout turned out very lovely,” Armstrong said.

Cutting Edge

Peslis said that it’s essential for local brewers to recognize the credentials that the students receive. And thanks to HACC’s partnership with the Brewers of Pennsylvania, the program guarantees that all graduates can receive a 40-hour volunteer internship at a local brewery.

Some of the recent graduates plan to start their own breweries. Others are mainly interested in brewing better beer at home. And one of the recent graduates is now the tasting room manager at Tröegs.

“They are moving into nice roles in the industry,” Peslis said.

Marc Michaud of Carlisle is one of the home brewers who recently graduated. He was the one who came up with the name, HACChiato. Michaud found out about the program from his wife, who thought he would be interested.

“I wanted to at least be a little better than what I was doing at home,” said Michaud, who did his internship at Molly Pitcher Brewing Co. in Carlisle. “It was a great experience. I learned a lot of different things, a lot more on the business side of brewing than I thought, which was awesome.”

Michaud recommends the program to anyone who is interested in going into the industry, who home brews or who just likes beer and wants to learn more about the industry.

The program is currently educating a second cohort of 13 students, who will graduate in February. At the time of this writing, the students had not yet decided what style of beer to brew, but their HACC brew will be available at Zeroday around the time they graduate. HACC plans to can the 2018 beer, which means the students will have to come up with catchy artwork, as well as a name.

The program has made several changes since last year and will continue to evolve to remain cutting-edge, Peslis said.

“It was nice being a part of creating that program with all the guidance and amenities of HACC,” said Zeroday’s Armstrong. “For us, it was really awesome to be part of it.”

The next HACC Brewing Science Certificate Program runs from May 2018 to February 2019. The cost is $4,500, which includes all books and materials. To learn more about the HACC program, visit www.hacc.edu.

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