Active, Healthy: PT strides into the spotlight during National Physical Therapy Month.

September 29, 2017 | by Andrew Zang

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time when physical therapists look to educate the public on exactly what we do and whom we help.

In short, it is our job and mission to work with people recovering from sprains, strains, aches and pains. We help people recovering from surgery, broken bones and trauma. We treat people who have suffered strokes, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, those with Parkinson’s Disease and many other conditions. We also seek to help prevent surgeries whenever possible.

As a profession, our goal is to help everyone who needs or wants assistance to move or feel better so that they can remain, regain or become more active and independent. Physical therapy is not just for athletes or old people. It can help people of all ages. In fact, there are eight different specialties one can become board certified in, including orthopedics, geriatrics, pediatrics and neurology. About 1 percent also complete fellowship-level training in a specialty area, just like doctors do.

You may encounter physical therapists working in hospitals, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics and in private homes. We routinely work with people suffering with back or neck pain, knee or shoulder pain or who have difficulty walking or are trying to prevent or recover from a fall. Basically, if it involves the human body, muscles, joints, movement or mobility, physical therapists work with it.

Given all the places you may encounter a physical therapist, the question may be asked, “How can I see one? Or do I need a referral?”

The good news is, in most instances, a referral from a doctor is not necessary in Pennsylvania (except Medicare—federal rules state you must have one). This means, should you sprain an ankle hiking over the weekend or wake up with a kink in your neck or back, have trouble climbing stairs or picking up a bag of groceries, you can call a physical therapist to be evaluated.

Therefore, you won’t need to wait two weeks for that doctor’s appointment or to have imaging done (there are exceptions, I grant you). There is no need to wait and see what happens, to delay and see if your pain gets worse.

Physical therapists can help people with almost any strength, flexibility, balance, movement, mobility or independence issue. We even help those problems where doctors tell you nothing can be done because of your age. Arthritis, for instance, is not an excuse or reason that you should be unable to do what you enjoy. Physical therapists can teach how to overcome those issues you feel are stopping you.

That’s our job as physical therapists. We help you stay active and healthy, to live with less pain and to enjoy life. And that’s the primary message that should be conveyed during National Physical Therapy Month.

Dr. Andrew Zang is board certified in orthopedics and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapists. For more information, call 717-440-6197 or visit www.zangpt.com.

Bottom’s Up: Small batches, big flavor at Big Bottom Brewery.

September 29, 2017 | by Robert Naeye

I have visited so many brewpubs over the years that I lost count long ago. I often find these small establishments uneven in quality, but I never doubt the owner’s passion for bold, flavorful beer.

So I figured I would once again put my theory to the test when I recently visited the Big Bottom Brewery in Dillsburg, which opened in June. It’s located in the rear of the building that houses Al’s Pizza & Subs, just off route 15 on the north end of town.

Moments after I walked in, owner Bob Szajnuk greeted me. After downing the first of his eight beers on tap, a very interesting saison with a pronounced cucumber taste, I assumed I was talking to a fellow beer lover. Then he stunned me by telling me that he doesn’t drink beer.

“I just never got a taste for it,” he explained later. “So, I never pursued it.”

Szajnuk has owned Al’s Pizza & Subs for about a decade, and, for years, he kept about 40 beers on tap. But he recently decided to take a bold step in a new direction by selling his own beer, taking advantage of the exploding market for locally brewed beverages.

The process of going from an idea to a reality took about a year.

Szajnuk first contacted Brad Moyer of Fermented Artistry, a firm that provides consulting services for breweries, wineries and coffee shops. Moyer explained how to set up a brewery and what kinds of costs Szajnuk could expect. But then Szajnuk was faced with the critical decision: how to find a skilled brewmaster.

“I never brewed beer in my life,” he said.

Moyer and Szajnuk ultimately interviewed five local home-brewers for the job.

“They would talk about beer, and I would talk about business,” Szajnuk said. “We wanted someone who understood that it was a business.”

Szajnuk realized it was vital for his success to find the best fit.

“Brewing is very creative, but we wanted them to understand that we’re not brewing for their buddies in the basement,” he said. “We needed to brew for large numbers of people.”

The best fit turned out to be Brad Stump, who had been brewing his own beer for about seven years. And Stump brought aboard his friend Brian Keeney, a fellow member of a local home-brewer’s club known as Sons of Alchemy.

Together, Szajnuk, Stump and Keeney decided to always keep eight of their own beers on tap, including their flagship IPA (the B3 IPA, for Bob, Brad and Brian), but to constantly rotate in new beers to keep things interesting. At the time of this writing, they had brewed 16 to 18 beers.

“We haven’t had a bad report on any of them,” Szajnuk said.

He said he never worked as hard as he did on opening night, when the brewery and restaurant were jam-packed with people eager to check out the product. Everyone got a free flight of four beers.

The plan is to brew mostly lighter beers for the summer and darker, roastier stouts and porters for the winter. Most of their beers will hover around 5 percent in alcohol content so people can sample more than one during a visit. Many will be one-offs, but as Keeney said, “If something goes over well, we’ll make it again.”

I tried 5-ounce samples of all eight beers available during my visit. These included two IPAs, two saisons, a pale ale, a cream ale and two gose beers. I enjoyed every one, and I felt all eight were solid representatives of their styles. This is in stark contrast to many newly opened brewpubs, which usually struggle to deliver consistent quality across their entire line.

Keeney and Stump often experiment at home, trying out a recipe to see if they think it will have broad appeal before brewing it for Big Bottom. But they continue brewing for themselves and friends because it allows them to express their creativity without having to concern themselves with commercial pressure. For his part, Keeney frequently brews sour beers for his own pleasure, knowing they probably will not go over well with most Big Bottom customers.

“We’re living in a golden age of beer. There are more choices than any time in history,” said Keeny. “What we’re doing is what you’re going to see in future restaurants with their own brewery, where they brew beers only for that location. You won’t see a lot of regional breweries like Troegs. It will be smaller operations opening up.”

For Szajnuk, the key to brewing success is patience. His wife, an accountant, worried that they had money sitting in their equipment, fermenting beer for months. She wondered when they would start covering their costs.

But, as Szajnuk explained, “You can’t rush it. You got to wait it out. Patience is the big word.”

And Szajnuk said opening a brewery is not just about attracting more customers to his restaurants. The experience has been professionally rewarding.

“I know more about beer than I ever thought I’d know, given that I don’t drink,” he said.

Big Bottom Brewery is located at 6 Tristan Dr., Dillsburg. To learn more, visit their Facebook page.

Discovering Boalsburg: A trove of Columbus artifacts can be found in perhaps the least likely place in the New World.

September 29, 2017 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Sometimes, the roundabout way we learn things is amazing.

It was quite by accident that I discovered Pennsylvania is home to an impressive collection of antiquities once owned by Christopher Columbus—yes, that Christopher Columbus—the one who sailed the ocean blue in fourteen hundred and ninety-two.

Last year, I embarked upon a trip to the Hemingway House in Key West, Fla. When I sat down to write an article about the place where the famous author derived his inspiration, I realized that I needed just a few more details. So, I picked up the phone to reach out to the contact listed on the website.

The lady who answered soon discovered that I lived in Pennsylvania. She then shared that she hailed from the Boalsburg area and asked me if I was aware of the astounding collection of Christopher Columbus artifacts tucked away in her small corner of the world. I was not.

The Mansion
Boalsburg is home to fewer than 4,000 residents, but has the distinction of being known as the birthplace of Memorial Day—a fact I also learned from my Hemingway House contact. It’s amazing how little I knew about the historical importance of Boalsburg, let alone the fact that a king’s ransom of priceless artifacts lies just beyond the tree line off Business Route 322.

Within two hours after leaving Harrisburg, I was making my way up a long, gravel driveway to the 200-year old Boal Estate and poking around the rustic grounds, which are home to the Columbus Chapel and the Boal Mansion.

A docent greeted me and led me through the mansion, offering up a great deal of information about the Boal family, beginning with David Boal, a Scottish-Irish pioneer. Boal, in his quest for inexpensive land and freedom, founded the village and established a popular tavern nearby. The mansion began as a simple log home and evolved over time into the grand structure it is today.

David’s son, George, became a farmer and advocated for those who worked the land after securing a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and founding the Centre County Agricultural Society. Visitors who tour the mansion will view original furnishings belonging to the Boal family, along with portraits, tools, weapons, place settings and other artifacts.

The Boal family was well connected, and it shows. Among the varied collection are five different original presidential signatures, a lock of Napoleon’s hair and items signed by the astronauts from Apollo 11. Additional artifacts on display contain items from King Tut’s great-grandparents’ tomb, courtesy of George Jack Boal, who married a woman whose brother-in-law was the Egyptologist who made the discovery.

The elegant Boal Mansion ballroom was added in 1898 by Theodore Davis Boal and features a piano once owned by Dolly Madison.

The Chapel
Located just a short walk from the mansion, the Columbus Chapel is said to contain “the most significant collection of Christopher Columbus artifacts in North America.”

For this, you can thank Mathilde de Lagarde, the wife of fourth-generation son, Theodore Boal. De Lagarde inherited the collection from her aunt, Victoria Columbus, who died childless and willed the chapel to her niece. Boal initially wanted to transport the chapel itself to Boalsburg, but the Spanish government said no. So, he decided to build an exact replica on the Boalsburg mansion grounds and moved all of the chapel’s contents to the property.

The anticipation of what lies beyond hung heavily in the air as the docent fiddled with the lock on the metal security cage. Finally, it was time to reveal the original entrance to the chapel. An ornately carved, centuries-old heavy wood door opened the way to the collection within.

There’s a sense of reverence inside the cozy structure that touts an array of ancient artifacts, like a well-used admiral’s desk that Columbus pressed into service on his four journeys to the New World, 15th-century paintings and various statues ranging in date from the 14th to 17th centuries. The Columbus family tree and coat-of-arms are displayed above on the choir loft.

The docent opened drawers of an oversized bureau to reveal silk religious vestments crafted with gold embroidery that date back more than 500 years. A yellow robe, embellished with a skull-and-crossbones, caught my eye. I was told they were funeral vestments.

A silver reliquary was stored inside a leather case and is said to contain two pieces of the “true cross” of Jesus Christ brought back from the Crusades. On the wall hangs a manuscript attesting to its authenticity as certified by a Spanish bishop.

Hidden behind large confessional doors are 165,000 pages of Columbus family papers and archives dating back to 1451. One wonders if they shouldn’t be hermetically sealed in some manner, but I was assured they’ve been cataloged for posterity by Penn State.

Making the call to Key West that day opened up doors to a priceless collection of American history. I guess you never can tell where one call will lead.

The Boal Mansion Museum and Columbus Chapel are located at 163 Boal Estate Dr., Boalsburg. Tours are conducted daily through Oct. 30. For more information, visit www.boalmuseum.com.

Tap, Tap, Tap: The baton is raised on the new HSO season.

September 29, 2017 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

The 2017-18 Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra season is upon us, which got me to wondering—how exactly are the pieces chosen for a particular concert?

“It’s a multistep process with several criteria,” explained HSO Maestro Stuart Malina. “It’s what I want to play, what the orchestra wants to play. What does the audience want to hear, and what do I think they should hear?”

Though he’s the “final arbiter,” Malina meets with Jeff Woodruff, the symphony’s executive director, other staff members, and the board’s advisory committee to make decisions.

There are other criteria. If the piece is a “core part” of HSO’s repertoire, Malina may consider how long it’s been since the orchestra played it. Financial concerns come into play, too, such as how many players will be required for a piece.

Masterworks concerts may balance large and small pieces. Plus, each Masterworks concert is likely to include a familiar piece, one that is less so, and one that may be new or fairly new to many members of the audience.

Sometimes, a decision may lie between the fame of a certain piece and its quality.

“When push comes to shove, there are reasons not to play Dvorak’s ‘New World Symphony’ because of familiarity,” said Malina. “But it’s really great music. And the beauty of live music is that every time you play it, it’s different. It feels fresh and exciting.”

This month, the opening Masterworks concert of the new season combines the Mahler Symphony No. 1 with the Brahms Violin Concerto, played by soloist Rachel Barton Pine.

“The Mahler is a challenging and gripping piece,” said Malina. “There’s a large amount of sound.”

The next concert, in November, includes something very familiar and “delightful”—Bizet’s Symphony in C, which hasn’t been done since Malina joined the orchestra 20 years ago.

The less-familiar piece on the program is Prokofiev’s “Sinfonietta.” In between, perhaps, is Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, to be played by the orchestra, and the Mendelssohn Piano Trio with HSO concertmaster Peter Sirotin, principal cellist Fiona Thompson and pianist Ya-Ting Chang.

The publicly unknown piece in the January concert is a “brand-new” one: Jeremy Gill’s “Ainulindalë” (based on the work of author J. R. R. Tolkein).

“Gill is from the area,” Malina said. “He was an assistant conductor for us, and we’ve performed a great deal of his music.”

In contrast, the concert will also include “the high-classical music” of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 5, as well as Dvorak’s “very dance-like” symphony No. 7, which some consider his greatest symphony,” he added.

In April, HSO will celebrate the centennial of the birth of composer/conductor/music educator Leonard Bernstein, with selections from his musical, “On the Town” (perhaps less known but definitely cheerier than his masterpiece, “West Side Story”) and his choral work, “Chichester Psalms.”

The second half of the program will consist of Ernest Bloch’s “Sacred Service.” The Susquehanna Chorale, Messiah College Concert Choir and Choral Arts Society will participate.

“Based on Jewish liturgical music, this was a piece championed by Bernstein,” Malina said. “It’s the most compelling choral music. It will be sung in Hebrew, with supertitles.”

The orchestra seeks input from audiences in three categories.

“We ask them how they felt about the pieces,” Malina said candidly. “Either, they really loved it, or like it but don’t care if I don’t do it again, or hate it.”

The first of the Pops Series concerts, taking place in October, recalls the historic event 50 years ago when the Beatles released their “Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band” album. Accompanied by the full orchestra, Classical Mystery Tour will perform all the music from that album, as well as other Beatles favorites.

The January Pops concert will be a tribute to Jerry Herman, the Broadway composer/lyricist of such hits as “Milk and Honey,” “Mame” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

“It’s a good time for a Jerry Herman tribute, with the wildly successful revival of ‘Hello Dolly’ (for which Bette Midler won a Tony) on Broadway now,” said Malina.

The final Pops concert of the season features Dee Daniels. She’ll be singing hits and timeless standards performed and recorded by such swing legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong.

HSO also will present two pairs of Young Person’s Concerts, one in the fall and one in the spring. They’re designed for students in grades 3 to 8 who come to the Forum—home of the symphony—from all over the capital region and beyond.

Malina hosts these 45-minute concerts, which feature excerpts from the upcoming weekend’s Masterworks program. An estimated 7,000 students experience a Young Person’s Concert each season.

Classical, pops, youth—as the leaves begin to fall this month, the music only rises.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra’s 2017-18 season begins Oct. 7 to 8 with works by Brahms and Mahler. For all the details on the season, visit www.harrisburgsymphony.org.

Hole Foods: Doughnuts–sprinkled, dipped and drizzled–arrive on Walnut Street.

September 29, 2017 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Abandon hope, all ye who diet!

That’s my advice before walking into Anna Rose Bakery and Coffee Shop, where there seems to be no end to the choices for your fresh-from-the-oven doughnut.

Should you get the cinnamon sugar coating? The maple, the lemon, the blueberry? How about adding a topping like bacon, rainbow sprinkles or Fruity Pebbles? Do you dare gild the lily with a drizzle of hot fudge, peanut butter or salted caramel?

And all this for a mere buck (actually 99 cents).

For the past few months, downtown denizens have had a new spot to visit for a sweet, affordable treat, which includes cupcakes, muffins, breads and cookies, in addition to the signature doughnuts. Heck, even the colorful, pastel-painted building looks almost good enough to eat.

You can thank Harrisburg’s nightlife king, Ron Kamionka, for all those extra calories. It was his idea to bring a bakery to what was once the back portion of Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub at N. 2nd and Walnut streets. He then turned over the creative reins to expert baker Dana Snyder.

“I’ve known Ron for about 13 years now and have worked for him for about six,” said Snyder, who grew up on a farm. “We were all very involved in our food on the farm. We grew our own vegetables, butchered our own meat. It was all-hands on deck.”

She said that she started baking at a very young age.

“When I was able to push a chair up to the table to make pie dough is when I started,” she said.

Later on, Snyder secured a job working with John Reis at the Hilton.

“Chef Reis was amazing, and I had enough sense to pay attention and learn everything I could from both him and my supervisors,” she said.

An Artist
Crystal Mace is familiar with Snyder’s baking talent, having tasted some of her creations while working at Harrisburg Hospital.

“She brought samples to our workplace and went from floor to floor with them, and they were very well received,” she said. “The lemon cupcakes are to die for.”

Cindy Klinger, who also works in Harrisburg, said she likes the convenience of picking up treats for the office or purchasing items to take home after a long day’s work.

Another downtown worker, Bruce Hironimus, added that he enjoys sharing the treats, especially taking them home to his sweetheart.

“My wife love sweets, and I treat myself to the coffee there,” he said.

The businessman describes Snyder as “a bit of an artist” who will go the extra mile for you. He mentioned a recent trip to Montreal, where he and his wife fell in love with Canadian butter tarts. When they returned, Hironimus mentioned them to Snyder, who recreated the rich, gooey pastry, much to his delight.

To Snyder, weak flavors have no business hanging out in her bakery. She only presses into service those that command attention.

“I believe in strong flavors,” she said. “For my triple lemon cupcake, I use fresh juice and zest, core out the center and pipe in lemon curd filling, then top it with a lemon buttercream icing.”

Other popular flavors are the tried-and-true peanut butter cup cupcakes, the classic red velvet and a carrot cake flavor that never seems to go out of style.

Those in the know can take advantage of an additional type of sweetness that lurks just beyond the door of the front room.

Anna Rose has teamed up with Molly’s Place animal rescue to bring an array of adorable critters to the space behind the bakery. Puppies (and kittens) romp in a fenced-in “yard” complete with faux flowers and grass.

“People seem to love it, and it helps socialize the animals, which is great, too,” said Molly’s Place Director Lori Johnston.

According to Snyder, it’s not known how long the bakery will host the “puppy café,” but, for now, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays.

“We ask those who are interested to check our Facebook page,” she said.

Another reason to check that page, according to Snyder, is to learn what tasty treats are available each day.

“I constantly mix it up,” she said, enumerating her inventory—cupcakes, bars, cream puffs, turtles, whoopee pies, eclairs, muffins, zucchini bread and pumpkin, which is a favorite this time of year.

Hmm, it’s “cake o’clock” somewhere, right?

Anna Rose Bakery & Coffee Shop is located at 205 Walnut St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-236-3149 or visit their Facebook page or website at www.annarosebakery.com.

Award-Wining: You don’t need to travel far to sample some of the best wines in PA.

September 29, 2017 | by Cathy Jordan

Wine-lovers—don’t hop on that plane just yet.

To find a great glass, all you really need to do is get in your car for a short drive to Halifax or the Newport area or down a winding road from Hersheypark. Some terrific, award-winning wines can be found within a half-hour of Harrisburg.

Linda Jansen keeps several of those wines behind the counter at CrossWinds Winery, just waiting for the next group to show up to her quaint tasting room on Hershey Road. In fact, every one of the rieslings entered from CrossWinds has won an award.

“We’re especially excited that we won four bronze medals at the Finger Lakes International Competition, which is the largest international competition on the East Coast,” she said.

The awards don’t come easy, the result of a “very mature” vineyard in Juniata County and 25 years of wine-making experience, Jansen said.

“(Husband) Ed has figured out the recipe in this mid-Atlantic weather in order to produce some really awesome wines,” she said.

October may be the perfect month to take a tour of award-winning quaffs around central PA, since it’s Pennsylvania Wine Month, suitably coinciding with a month synonymous with the harvest.

“PA Wine Month is a way to call attention to wineries,” said Dave Williams, vice president of the PA Wine Society. “Wine-making is pure agriculture, and agriculture is PA’s largest industry.”

Pennsylvania hosts more than 240 wineries and about a dozen wine trails. The state ranks seventh in the nation in winery count, according to the industry magazine Wines and Vines.

Jennifer Eckinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association, credits the number and diversity of PA vineyards to its terrior (growing conditions) and geography. She noted that the microclimate of the Lake Erie region is quite different from the southeastern portion of the commonwealth.

To sample this diversity, most wine-lovers go straight to the source. In PA, 80 percent or more of a winery’s product is sold directly from vineyards, said Williams.

“Wine is a complete agricultural product,” he said. “Most wineries have a passion from beginning to end, in terms of growing the grapes, fermenting, bottling and selling.”

Ahead of California
Venture up to Bucks Valley Winery & Vineyards, overlooking a lovely valley in Perry County, and owner Michael Pelino is certain to share with you his signature dry wines, Vanilla Fe and Olde Worlde White.

“Vanilla Fe is a chambourcin and merlot blend,” he said. “This wine has 2-percent RS (residual sugar), which pulls the cherry out from the chambourcin. The American oak gives a vanilla finish.”

Olde Worlde White is a dry white made in the style of a Burgundian wine, he said.

“The aging process releases additional mannoproteins and polysaccharides which develop improved mouth feel and sense of sweetness,” he said.

Over in Manheim, Waltz Vineyards handpicks more than 130 tons of wine grapes a year.

“We only use our own grapes for our wine production,” said Kim Waltz. “We process, ferment, age and bottle everything at our winery premises.”

Like some of the better southern PA vineyards, Waltz specializes in dry wines, utilizing state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled tanks from Italy and superior quality oak barrels from France.

“Most of our wines have received awards in national, international and regional competitions,” said Waltz. “Our Old Line Chardonnay was chosen as one of the top wines in the competition at Nectar (Restaurant in Berwyn, Pa.), judging California wines vs. Pennsylvania, scoring ahead of all California wines.”

The Finger Lakes International Competition gave Waltz’s Stiegel Rose, Baron Red and Cherry Tree Merlot all gold medals.

Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery in Halifax offers a wide selection of award-winning wines. But it’s the array of more than a dozen fruit wines that might grab your attention.

Blackberry, cranberry, apple, strawberry and Midnight Desire all have won awards at the PA Farm Show Wine Competition, the PA Winery Association Wine Competition and/or the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

“Our fruit wines and ciders are made from 100-percent of that fruit,” said co-owner Dean Miller. “We try not to filter whenever possible, to retain flavor, aroma and color.”

Total Experience
But maybe you don’t visit area wineries principally for the vino. Perhaps you’re in it more for the experience, the scenery and the general goings-on. During PA Wine Month, many vineyards hold special events that celebrate their harvests, attract leaf-peepers and just bring on the fun during one of their busiest times.

CrossWinds, for instance, is featuring events with local artists and craftspeople and wine-pairing dinners. Waltz will host events for its Wine Club members and guests, and Armstrong allows visitors to tour its historic property, particularly stunning in the fall. Meanwhile, people flock to Bucks Valley as much for the from-scratch, New York-style pizzas, strombolis and calzones as for the wines and the view.

Other wineries across the state plan everything from concerts to yoga in the vineyards to celebrations of the autumn harvest.

“People can buy a bottle of wine at a bunch of different places now, so we want to give our patrons an experience,” said Miller of Armstrong Valley. “We want them to enjoy the tasting of the wines, tell us a story, tell them a story, and give them a total experience they cannot get elsewhere.”

To learn more about Pennsylvania Wine Month and all that’s happening around the region and the state, visit www.pennsylvaniawine.com.

Skate of Mind: Rayzor launches skateboard hub in emerging skateboard town.

September 29, 2017 | by Trey Knarr

Burg in Focus: The Steelton Skateshop at Rayzor Tattoos from GK Visual on Vimeo.

“Skaters serving skaters.”

That’s how owner Ray Young describes his new skate shop, which sits conspicuously on a small retail stretch along S. Front Street in Steelton.

For years, Rayzor Tattoos was, well, a place to get a tattoo, though always with one foot in the skate world. But now, right next door, it has vastly expanded its commitment by opening The Skate Shop, featuring a variety of gear, whether you’re a ripper or don’t know an ollie from a tail grab.

The shop, with something of a steampunk aesthetic, gives the impression that it’s been around for years, when it actually just celebrated its grand opening in August. I found myself staring at the Japanese-style art adorning a back-exit door while waiting on Manager Joe Vandalle, who was tightening a set of wheels for a customer.

As I walked around, the pair’s commitment to art was clear, both in tattoos and skateboarding. And the shop itself showed a carefully curated selection of boards, parts, accessories and apparel.

“Having more space allows us to have more brands,” Vandalle explained. “We are 100-percent skater owned and operated.”

This is beneficial for two crucial reasons. First off, by having more room to work with, the pair can continue to expand their business. Secondly, as skateboarders, they have firsthand experience with the goods for sale. You wouldn’t go to a car mechanic to fix your guitar. The same rules apply here.

“We’re skaters serving skaters,” Vandalle reiterated. “We basically don’t sell anything we wouldn’t ride.”

Vandalle and Young did not seem quite the typical businessmen. Young had slicked-back hair and strutted in the casual-yet-determined manner of a rock musician. Vandalle was more clean-cut, yet wordier. Each seemed perfect for their roles in the shop.

Quite possibly the only thing they had in common with tradition was a commitment to their brand and an animalistic tendency to guard it. On the idea of other shops following suit, Young said, “They may be copying us.”

The pair is also about community, devoted to re-energizing Steelton. They were instrumental in working with the borough to replace little-used tennis courts in Municipal Park with the area’s first free skate park, a 10,000-square-foot skaters’ paradise that opened last month.

“We love skating and what it does for the community, and we’re proud for the park to be opening,” Young said. “We’re very pleased with what skating has done in our lives.”

In addition to their work with Rayzor, they also find time for Get on Board for Autism, a charity that works with autistic kids. The program teaches children the joys of skateboarding in a safe environment, away from any competitive pressure. It also hosts skateboard art exhibits, most recently at Zeroday Brewing Co., which helps to raise money for the organization.

Indeed, Rayzor has gone far beyond any old cliché of a tattoo parlor, reflecting a modern trend of commitment to art, community and family, something also increasingly seen in the skate world. On a given day, you’re just as likely to see a mom stop in with her kid to shop for a new board as a tattooed ripper.

“Skateboarding is diversity,” Vandalle explained. “People come in, in all aspects.”

Rayzor Tattoo & Skate Shop is located at 2-4 S. Front St., Steelton. For more information, visit www.rayzortattoos.com or call 717-939-2222.

Musical Notes: Chills & Trills

September 29, 2017 | by Kait Gibboney

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Smell that beautiful fall air. Breathe in the cool afternoons and crispness of the changed leaves.

October is here. This month is host to my favorite holiday: Halloween. You’d better believe Harrisburg’s got some creepy crawls prepared. If you’re looking for something spooky, we have costume parties and dances for your nightlife needs. Local talent takes the spotlight this month in popular venues around town for a more mellow time. In the spotlight this month, WXPN is bringing Grammy-winning artist Rickie Lee Jones to H*MAC for what will surely be one of Harrisburg’s biggest acts this month. There’s a lot to do during this mysterious month, so be sure to check out what the city has to offer.

OUTBREAK: THE BLACKLIGHT ZOMBIE BASH, 10/13, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, $7-$10It’s not really October unless you attend at least one costume party, right? At least, that’s my motto! River City Blues Club is putting on a night of glow, gore and glam with “Outbreak: The Blacklight Zombie Bash.” This evening of dancing, live painting and projections is accompanied by performances by Clark’s Secret Identity and Nefarious Godz with special guests DBU and Elemenetic. The headliner, Clark’s Secret Identity, is a self-titled “humble hometown rock band” with roots in prog rock, experimental, metal and punk. These guys are locals from Mechanicsburg, and they’re bringing their sick shredding skills to the stage for a truly spooky Friday the 13th.

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH RICKIE LEE JONES, 10/23, 8PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $50The hype for this show is so real. Rickie Lee Jones is gracing H*MAC’s Capitol Room stage for an intimate evening of music. This two-time Grammy winner’s long music career started in 1978, producing over 15 critically acclaimed albums so far. She has also graced Rolling Stone’s cover twice in two years and has been featured on “Saturday Night Live” several times. Her self-titled album is definitely worth a listen for her notable songs “On Saturday Afternoons in 1963,” “Last Chance Texaco” and the well-known “Chuck E’s in Love.” This show is sponsored by WXPN, and it is definitely one of Harrisburg’s biggest shows in a long time. Don’t miss this chanteuse slay the audience with her bold, yet caramel-smooth vocals and jazzy rhythms.

“THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW” PRESENTED BY H*MAC THEATRE CO., 10/27-10/28, 8PM & MIDNIGHT, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $20-$25 It’s that time of year when this cult classic makes a comeback. When I was going to college, every Halloween, I would go out for the annual screening and performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on campus. I’m glad that I can continue this musical tradition in Harrisburg the way it was meant to be watched—a live performance with an audience shouting out scripted and unscripted lines. Newly engaged and stranded in the middle of the night from car problems, Brad and Janet seek shelter in a nearby castle, only to find it full of wild and weird characters with some serious secrets. If you’ve never experienced “The Rocky Horror Show” before, now’s your chance to dip your fishnetted toes into the water. Come join me, and let’s all do “The Time Warp” again!

Mentionables:
Emmanuel Nsingani, Oct. 6, River City Blues Club; Alash Ensemble: Tuvan Throat Singers, Oct. 7, H*MAC Capitol Room; Corinna Joy, Oct. 8, Spring Gate Vineyard; Mountain Road, Oct. 14, The Abbey Bar; Crocodiles, Oct. 17, H*MAC Stage on Herr; Halloween with Enema—Blink 182 Tribute, Oct. 21, H*MAC Stage on Herr; Keel-O-Ween w/the Larry Keel Experience, 10/27, The Abbey Bar

Oasis of Hope: Paxton Ministries offers a home, a future for people in need.

September 29, 2017 | by Rachel Jenkins

A hand-painted picture of a sunflower field hangs proudly on the wall of Jodie Smiley’s office.

To an observer, it invokes an instant feeling of warmth and summertime serenity. To Smiley, it’s as much a piece of art as a symbol of the abilities in each resident under her care at Paxton Ministries.

Standing proudly on the corner of Paxton and S. 20th streets, Paxton Ministries has, for 36 years, served as a cornerstone of care for people in need. It’s an oasis of hope for those who may be impoverished, battling mental disability or seeking a second chance at new beginnings.

“Our mission from the beginning has been to care for people in need, whatever that need may be,” said Smiley, the organization’s executive director.

Along with providing a bedroom for those invited into the home, Paxton Ministries conquers the day-to-day challenge of fulfilling needs presented by the residents. That’s no easy feat, considering the immense variety in age range, education levels, mental or physical abilities and financial status.

Here’s what Paxton is not: a shelter. Residents, living communally, are there to help cope with psychological issues, overcome physical disabilities or gain financial independence. They will stay a few years or even a few decades. Smiley refers to the organization as a “safety net” for those with few options or financial resources.

Three meals a day are provided, as well as more than 100 activities each month. These are designed to cement a sense of community while creating lasting, positive memories among both residents and volunteers.

Paxton Ministries doesn’t offer direct medical care, but receives help in the form of nurse and doctor visits from PinnacleHealth and psychiatric and therapy services from Wellspan Philhaven. Additional community support includes food from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Dauphin County Technical School’s culinary program.

“[Residents] haven’t always been in life situations where they were treated with dignity and respect,” said Smiley. “Integrity is huge in everything we do. To be honest in our relationships with our residents, with each other and with those outside our walls, as well.”

In all, Paxton Ministries consists of four facilities. The Paxton Street Home, home to 85 residents, is a licensed personal care home, while the nearby Hudson Street Apartments offers independent living for people with mental health needs. The organization also runs the Boas Street Lodge and the Scenery Lodge, which employ the “Fairweather Lodge” group living model. Smiley explained the theory behind the model.

“People with a mental health diagnosis live in a peer-supported environment,” she said. “Some of the evidence shows they can speak into each other’s lives sometimes more effectively than others can.”

To maintain its status as a Fairweather Lodge, a model used around the country, the lodges need to offer employment. To that end, Paxton Ministries founded the for-profit Paxton Cleaning Solutions (PCS) and hired Michelle Rife to manage the staff and oversee job sites.

“If people can feel that they are contributing in a positive way, that affects all aspects of their life,” said Smiley.

“It’s a game changer,” added Rife.

PCS employee Jasmine came to Harrisburg for a fresh start and a second chance.

“Where I come from, everything is just really fast-paced, and no one really has time to understand about you and how it’s important to be around positive people,” she said.

Through a connection with Rife, Jasmine was introduced to PCS.

“Being here actually made me feel that I had family away from home, and I enjoy cleaning,” she said. “So, I’m doing something that I love to do.”

For so many, getting and maintaining a job is simply a part of life. For those working for PCS, it means overcoming the curveballs thrown at them by their disabilities or society’s stigma.

“We strive to make a difference for the individuals we serve, the people we employ, the families we touch and our greater community,” Smiley said.

Paxton Ministries is always looking for volunteers to assist in a variety of activities. To learn more, visit www.paxtonmin.org.

Declaring Independence: Options increase for senior living.

September 29, 2017 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Dorothy King plays bingo at Senior LIFE Harrisburg.

Let’s face it: none of us are getting any younger.

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, 75.4 million people born between 1946 and 1964 live in this country, and, last year, the first of these Baby Boomers turned 70. We are an aging nation.

Given the choice, many of us probably would prefer to live out our golden years as independently as possible. Even the prospect of moving into assisted living may seem frightening to some.

If this resonates with you, take heart. There are more options than ever before to live longer and better while preserving your independence.

Healthy and Active

One concept in independent senior living is unfolding in Elizabethtown, with a name almost synonymous locally with senior care.

Masonic Village plans to construct 48 townhomes for adults 60 and older who aren’t ready for full-fledged senior living.

“These are people 60 and older who are ready to turn the page on the family home,” explained Nicholas Mahler, Masonic Village’s director of sales, admissions and outreach. “They’re in good health and don’t want to pay for a continuum of care. They’re looking for maintenance-free living without the full plunge into retirement.”

Proposed construction on the two-bedroom units with garages would begin in spring 2018, ranging in size between 1,275 and 1,447 square feet, with occupancy expected by the end of the year. Unlike other Masonic Village residences, these homes would be geared toward empty-nesters who are still working, in addition to retirees in good health.

Residents would have “maintenance-free living” that includes automatic snow and trash removal, housekeeping services and access to Masonic Village’s wellness center, swimming pools and restaurants, said Mahler. They would pay a one-time residency fee of $299,000 to $369,000 upon ownership, with monthly service fees ranging between $890 and $1,030.

Mahler said Masonic Village directors came up with the idea for the proposed community “by listening to our customers who were getting ready to retire.”

“They’re looking for a way to have a more carefree way of living and be a resident on our campus,” he said.

Across the river, Betsy Wendlek plans to move into Messiah Lifeways’ new Village Square development, a town square concept at the heart of Messiah Village outside of Mechanicsburg. The brand-new community features 84 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Village Square is designed to appeal to healthy seniors who want maximum independence but still desire access to the amenities offered as part of the Messiah Lifeways campus, such as dining options, recreation and health services.

“I am beyond excited to never have to call a plumber again,” Wendlek said.

She hasn’t lived in an apartment for about 50 years, but, after her husband passed away, wanted a living environment that was simpler and had more amenities, such as exercise classes.

“I wanted it to be my decision, one I had made on my own,” she said. “It is a freeing feeling.”

An Alternative

Earlier this year, Senior LIFE Harrisburg opened its first facility in the midstate, one of a dozen such locations throughout Pennsylvania.

LIFE is an acronym for Living Independence for the Elderly. The home and community-based healthcare program, funded by Medicare and Medicaid, provides lower-income seniors with services to remain living in their homes. Clients also are given the option of paying out of pocket.

“Most people are happy not to be in a nursing home,” said Jordan Hantz, Senior LIFE Harrisburg’s executive director. “Most individuals want to age at home.”

LIFE program participants receive all medical, social and personal support services from under one roof, comprising an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, home care aides, therapists, social workers, dieticians, drivers and others who provide direct care and services.

“We’re pretty unique,” Hantz said. “We’re like a one-stop shop for healthcare for seniors who qualify. We’re set up so that we can provide care 24/7/365.”

To qualify for Senior LIFE Harrisburg, applicants must be 55 or older, live in Dauphin County, be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare or have the ability to self-pay. Monthly personal income must remain below $2,205 with resources not exceeding $8,000. Members also must be able to live safely in the community.

To determine these factors, the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging conducts in-person assessments.

Senior LIFE Harrisburg center manager Michele Myers said that she can name several instances in which members and families told her how the center improved their quality of life. Many, she said, fear leaving their homes, where they’ve lived much of their lives, for a nursing home.

“We have the opportunity to make a real difference in our members’ lives,” added Melanie Saul, Senior LIFE regional manager.

Masonic Village is located at 1 Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown. For information, call 717-367-1121 or visit www.masonicvillages.org/elizabethtown.

Messiah Lifeways is located at 100 Mount Allen Dr., Mechanicsburg. For information, call 717-697-4666 or visit www.messiahvillage.org.

Senior LIFE Harrisburg is located at 1910 Manada St., Harrisburg. For information, call 717-234-5433 or visit www.seniorlifeharrisburg.com. Senior LIFE Harrisburg is hosting a grand opening on Oct. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.

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