Brush with Greatness: African-American history mural planned for side of Jackson Hotel.

June 6, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

The old Jackson Hotel in Harrisburg, including, at the right, the wall where a mural is planned.

A new mural will celebrate Harrisburg’s African-American history, adorning the side of a building that once hosted such luminaries as Louis Armstrong and Pearl Bailey.

Sprocket Mural Works announced the project yesterday for the former Jackson Hotel and Rooming House on the 1000-block of N. 6^th Street, a building that, decades ago, catered primarily to a black clientele refused service in the city’s major, segregated hotels.

“It will be an African-American historic mural, playing off the history itself,” said Sprocket co-founder Jeff Copus.

The Jackson Hotel painting is one of 10 murals that will be created during the Harrisburg Mural Festival, which Sprocket is organizing for the first 10 days of September.

Copus last night told the Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) that the mural will feature people who stayed at the hotel, possibly including entertainers like Armstrong, Bailey, Cab Callaway and Ella Fitzgerald. It may also incorporate images of important Harrisburg figures such as Ephraim Slaughter, an escaped slave who fought in the Civil War and later settled in the city.

In August, Sprocket will seek public input for the mural design, Copus said.

Sprocket is commissioning artist Cesar Viveros to paint the mural. Locally, Viveros is best known as the artist-in-residence who helped design and lead the creation of the Mulberry Street Bridge murals.

HARB voted 4-2 to support the mural, the two “no” votes from members who wanted more input into the actual mural design. While HARB must approve a mural project within the historic district, the details of the painting are beyond its purview.

As the building’s owner, HARB member Jeremiah Chamberlin abstained from the vote. Chamberlin bought the building about 18 months ago, hoping to save it from further deterioration. It has been unoccupied for almost 20 years since the death of long-time owner German Jackson, who bequeathed it Dave Kegris, owner of the Jackson House restaurant next door. Kegris eventually sold it to Kerry and Lessa Helm, who then sold it to Chamberlin.

Ted Hanson, a long-time resident of the Old Fox Ridge neighborhood, wanted assurances that Chamberlin would begin work to stabilize and restore the building.

“My concern is that the building is in serious distress,” Hanson told the HARB board. “I am very concerned if stability doesn’t happen very quickly, you’ll be painting a mural on a crumbling property.”

Chamberlin assured Hanson that he would begin work on the building “within the next couple of weeks.”

“I have no desire to see my investment lost either,” Chamberlin said.

Hanson also was concerned that the mural might impede development of the vacant lots next door, as new construction could block the view of the mural. Copus said that Sprocket would not stand in the way of the development of the empty lots at N. 6^th and Herr streets, which are owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and by Bethel AME Church, a historically black congregation that lost its church to an arson fire in 1995.

“Hopefully, this will generate interest in that underutilized lot,” Copus said.

Click here for more information on the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Love on Display: “Ah, Wilderness” presents timeless tale, fitting finish

June 6, 2017 | by Danielle Roth

A young, naïve couple, a tired marriage and an irrational pairing: Open Stage of Harrisburg honestly portrays timeless themes of love in “Ah, Wilderness,” which opened Friday.

The play follows the Miller family in small-town Connecticut in 1906 as they gather for the Fourth of July holiday. The parents—an understanding father, Nat Miller (Brian Schreffler), and nit-picking mother, Essie Miller (Emily Gray)—are busy raising four children, including protagonist Richard Miller (Michael Hardenberg).

Richard, a high school senior, has fallen for his first love, the timid and plain Muriel McComber (Erin Shellenberger). After reading scandalous love poems and Oscar Wilde books, he believes he understands the world and all its emotions. The plot primarily follows the coming-of-age story of his forbidden love.

Hardenberg’s performance was an electrifying thread that brought the entire play together. He stepped up to the challenge to portray youthful naiveté and over-confidence, sometimes simultaneously. The well-paced and long-awaited scene with his sweetheart, whose father forbids their relationship, felt surprisingly honest and intimate.

The dysfunctional couple, the alcoholic Sid Davis (Dan Burke) and “old maid” schoolteacher Lilly Miller (Lisa Haywood), contrast the young, innocent lovers. The odd pairing never married, yet they each irrationally depend on the other for emotional support. The well-cast Burke, complete with protruding belly and of-the-era mustache, was a delight to watch, especially when spewing wise lines between drunken goofiness.

The strong performances of the head-of-household couple, Nat and Essie, grounded the play’s emotional storylines. At first, the gender roles—the hands-off father and the hysterical mother—struck me as antiquated, but fitting for the era. As the play progressed, and their son Richard developed, though, their relationship and characters became more nuanced, which I appreciated.

The laughs garnered by the child actors (Jonathon Hoover playing 11-year-old Tommy Miller and Sheridan Lain playing 15-year-old Mildred Miller) are a testament to the quality of the Open Stage Studio/School started by founder Anne Alsedek. As the final play for OSH founders, Don and Anne Alsedek, “Ah, Wilderness” presents a fitting cap to their decades-long careers in local theater.

Another familiar connection brought their OSH legacy full circle. Don’s sister and OSH’s former resident costume designer, Gwen Alsedek, returned as costume designer for this performance.

The in-period dresses, suits and hairstyles included the smallest details that took the audience into the charming era. The turn-of-the-century time period offered a simplicity not found in today’s era of instant communication and constant contact. The young lovers squabble over a letter. The mother stays up until midnight worrying, not texting and calling, while she waits for her son to return. The characters are actually excited for the holiday’s fireworks.

As the play concluded and Richard learned from testing the waters, I thought to myself that this story of love and family tied a nice bow on the Alsedek’s time leading OSH.

Author: Danielle Roth

TheBurg Podcast, June 2, 2017

June 2, 2017 | by TheBurg Editor

Illustration by Brad Gebhart

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

June 2, 2017: This week, Editor-in-Chief Lawrance Binda and City Reporter Danielle Roth discuss the issues that Mayor Eric Papenfuse will face in his next term. Then, they dive into some recent beautification news in the city–dog parks, anti-litter campaigns–and touch on updates from City Council, including a proposed expansion of the Downtown Improvement District.

Subscribe to TheBurg Podcast on iTunes and Google Play.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme music. Check out his podcast, the PRC Show on iTunes.

Find the stories related to this week’s podcast:

Litter-free HBG: New trash can lids aim to reduce city-wide litter.

City Council Update: Reservoir Park Bandshell to receive fresh paint, general repairs

Pooch Paradise: Dog park proposed for Midtown Harrisburg.

City Council Update: Park updates, police contract approved.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 1, 2017 | by Sara Bozich

Happy June! Looking forward to a month of Vitamin D (let’s hope).

This weekend is my neighborhood’s semi-annual yard sale, so I’m looking forward to getting rid of some things. Please do come buy my crap. Great deals!

Unfortunately, this also means I’ll be missing my usual Saturday morning gym/market routine, but somehow I hope to survive.

On Sunday, you can check out the project we worked on over the Memorial Day holiday with the Harrisburg Vidjam 2017 Screening and Awards at Midtown Cinema.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

City Swap: Had enough of Washington? Hear me out.

May 31, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Hey, you, down there.

Yeah, you.

The guy stuck in traffic on the Washington Beltway. The woman staring up at the electronic sign, waiting, waiting for a Metro train. The couple thinking that half-a- million might be a fair price for a nothing-special apartment.

Look up here.

Sure, I understand. Perhaps you have a regular job where face time is important. Maybe you can’t imagine leaving your neighborhood or friends or just enjoy the buzz of a big metropolis, despite the aggravations.

I lived in Washington for about 25 years and loved most of my time there—with certain exceptions for the traffic, the tourists and the time I got mugged.

But it’s also possible you don’t really love it there or just want to do something crazy like afford a decent house. Maybe you freelance or telecommute or can switch your federal job for a state job. This option isn’t for everyone, but maybe it’s for 10 or 15 percent of you. To you, I say, consider coming north, due north.

I did. And so did Zachary and Devin and Ivan and Teresa and Shana and lots of others. It’s a long list. We have a little D.C. ex-pat community going on here in Harrisburg.

If you’re even a smidge interested, you’ll want to know about this place you’ve probably never thought of before, much less visited. It’s a small, complicated city, much more complex than its size would indicate. So, here are a few starting points in your research, before you begin greedily scanning Trulia for that cheap, historic townhouse of your dreams.

Harrisburg will remind you of Washington, only smaller. We have a huge Capitol building, a beautiful river, Victorian-era neighborhoods, legislators, lobbyists, corruption, nonprofits, Washington Nationals players and a longstanding feud between our local and state governments. Sound familiar? We’ve even had a turn with insolvency and receivership. And, sorry, Eastern Market, I love you, but the Broad Street Market is somewhere between five and 100 times better.

The cost of housing will make your eyes pop out. This may be the single-most compelling reason to decamp for old HBG. A renovated, 100-year-old rowhouse in a nice, historic neighborhood for under $200,000? How many do you want?

You’ll be surprised by the divisions. Washington has its deep divisions, but you usually can hide from them if you want. You can’t do that in a small city like Harrisburg, where they’re right in your face. City vs. suburbs, racial, economic, political, natives vs. newcomers, even generational, as young people begin to migrate into the city. It can get pretty tense at times. Similarly, you’ll find that even a small city like Harrisburg has problems with schools, poverty and crime, things that you’d like to leave behind in D.C.

You’ll be surprised by the sense of community: For all its divisions, Harrisburg has a strong sense of community, assuming, of course, that you choose to be part of it. Depending on your liking, you might find your people in a neighborhood group, a church, a coffee shop, a bar, an arts organization. And everyone goes to the Broad Street Market.

You’ll be surprised by the quality of the food—and the prices. Harrisburg is thick with restaurants, excellent ones. On the other hand, if you think you’re going to get a bargain, think again, as prices are not that different from D.C.—that is outside of a few old diners that may have last updated their menus in the Eisenhower administration.

Want to start a business? Give it a go. That’s why I moved here. In fact, I’m often surprised at the rate of success for small businesses, especially restaurants. The economy is much thinner than in D.C., which is challenging. However, your startup costs, especially for real estate, probably will be much lower. And you just may find a niche that needs to be filled.

Want to be somebody? Harrisburg needs smart, hard-working, creative, talented and caring people. And that applies to almost every aspect of life, from politics to business to the arts to the community. If you want, you can make an impact almost immediately. Sure, you could be a big fish in a small pond in a thousand other places, but there are two things that give this city an edge. First, it’s close enough to D.C., Baltimore and Philly that you’re still in the same general neighborhood. Secondly, assuming you like city life, you can slip right in. Your neighborhood coffee roaster is now Little Amps or Elementary; your favorite bistro is now Note or Home 231; your craft brewery is now Zeroday or the Millworks; your funky arts venue is H*MAC; your indie bookstore is Midtown Scholar. And I think I’ve already expressed my feelings about the Broad Street Market. One unique thing about Harrisburg is its nearness to other wonderful little places like Lancaster, York, Carlisle, Elizabethtown and Hershey, as well as the legendary PA Dutch/Amish countryside.

Well, I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea: cheap real estate, great amenities, terrific location, comparatively little traffic. And some problems. It’s a nice place, but it’s certainly not nirvana.

But maybe it’s for you. Do some research. Email me. I’ll fill you in.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Breezy Listening: Music, theater in the spotlight at DeSoto Amphitheater.

May 31, 2017 | by Don Helin

As I stood on the back steps watching a pink streak across the sky from a lovely sunset while listening to a band do its sound checks, I wondered what the Ned Smith Center’s namesake would have thought of this amphitheater.

Would Smith, a talented artist and writer, be happy with just wooden benches and a concrete slab? Or would he prefer a state-of-the-art stage, sound system, lighting, stadium seating and dressing rooms?

The DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts actually falls between these two extremes.

“The idea for an amphitheater was part of the original conceptual dream for the center building itself,” Executive Director John Booth said. “The Ned Smith Center opened in 2004, but the amphitheater was yet to be started. Frankly, the two biggest challenges were funding and design.”

It was not an easy path, requiring years of planning, scaling up and down, fundraising and final design and construction. However, the amphitheater finally opened to its first performance in 2014.

“Throughout this long cycle, we continued to believe this was yet another opportunity to merge the arts with the natural world and foster a celebration of both,” Booth said. “On the amphitheater stage, performers can share their talent in an outdoor environment, bringing together the values of art, nature and conservation.”

With several years now under their belts, amphitheater staff looks forward to an exciting 2017 season, Booth said.

“It’s ambitious to say the least,” he said. “We have scheduled 10 different performances, ranging from the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet to an Irish rock band.”

The music kicks off on June 3, as Lester Hirsh, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist and all-around troubadour, arrives. Performing on Spanish six-string and acoustic 12-string guitars, his style ranges from classical, country and folk to Brazilian jazz and flamenco.

On June 17, children’s performer Jim Rule will feature songs and stories ranging from toe-tapping tunes to inspirational anthems. Local favorites, the Ryan Alan Band, will stop by on June 24 with a country-infused rock sound.

The concerts will continue through September, with the season wrapping up on Oct. 14 with the annual Fall Family Fun Day. This event is designed to increase awareness of the natural world and will include a live animal presentation at the amphitheater.

Plenty to Do

For much of the summer, Gamut Theatre will conduct a summer theater camp at Ned Smith, extending their work into this rural community.

Through eight sessions over four weeks, students will study theater, acting and voice. Students and guest artists also will work on a play for presentation.

The camp culminates on July 21 and 22, when the young participants will perform the play they rehearsed over the course of the camp. The play will be presented at the amphitheater just prior to “Romeo and Juliet,” Gamut’s selection for its “Shakespeare in the Woods” program.

“Gamut’s executive director, Melissa Nicholson, has played an integral part in the planning of this project from the very start,” said Sue Frederick, the center’s grants coordinator. “Gamut’s troupe will donate additional time to develop lesson plans, write the script and consult on the evaluation and assessment of the project.”

Whether going to see professional artists or your own kids perform, attendees should arrive early, Booth said.

“There is plenty to do before a performance,” she said. “The center sits on 535 acres of prime forestland located on and around Berry’s Mountain. There are over 12 miles of hiking trails, a picnic grove, fishing opportunities and bird feeding stations.”

You also can visit the three galleries at the center. In the Olewine Gallery, “Wild America,” the Roger Tory Peterson exhibit, will be on display through Aug. 27. In the Romberger Gallery, Rich Metzger will host a woodcarving exhibit until July 4, and the always-popular “Youth Art Contest” winners will follow from July 4 to Oct. 1. As always, the Ned Smith Gallery has a display of his original art.

This year, Armstrong Valley Winery will offer tastings and sales at a number of shows.

So, stretch your legs and hike the trails Ned Smith walked, go fishing in his beloved Wiconisco Creek, and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy. You might even be inspired, like Smith, to jot down field notes or sketches chronicling your visit.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is located at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For more information, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

Author: Don Helin

Bittersweet “Wilderness”: The Alsedeks’ final play is, rightly, about family.

May 31, 2017 | by Laura Dugan

It seems so fitting.

It seems fitting that the final play for Open Stage founders Don and Anne Alsedek is one featuring a close-knit family, Eugene O’Neill’s “Ah, Wilderness.”

“Ah, Wilderness” is a story about the Miller family as they celebrate the 4th of July while coping with the usual drama of teens in love, family values and political differences. While set in the early 1900s, the themes of the show are timeless.

Though a comedy, “Ah, Wilderness” has actually been a bittersweet experience for several of the actors who have worked over the years with the Alsedeks, who are retiring after the conclusion this month of the theater’s 31st season.

“I’ve been walking around in rehearsals thinking, ‘This is the last time’,” said Lisa Haywood, who portrays Lily Miller. “I wouldn’t even be in theater if it weren’t for Don and Anne. They encouraged me and helped me to grow as an actor. There are a lot of really special connections here.”

Haywood has been in numerous shows at Open Stage, with Don directing nearly every one of those productions.

Brian Schreffler, who portrays Miller family patriarch Nat and who has been featured in “Anne Frank” for eight years, agreed with Haywood.

“I’m certainly going to miss both of them,” said Schreffler. “They have been near and dear friends for 40-some years.”

Another Open Stage veteran featured in “Ah, Wilderness” is Dan Burke, who was in one of the first Open Stage productions, “And a Nightingale Sang.” Burke plays Sid Davis.

“I love working with Don because he gives the actor freedom to explore in every rehearsal,” said Burke. “Don gives the actor respect. He gives you the opportunity to play, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Burke, who also directs and provides fight choreography for several local theaters, said that Don’s style has impacted how he now directs.

Dave Olmstead, scenic designer for “Ah, Wilderness,” is another local director whose directorial style has changed from working with Don.

“I would say Don’s style of directing has greatly influenced the way that I now direct,” he said. “It’s more hands off, trusting the actor and guiding their natural instincts.”

Olmstead has acted in multiple shows directed by Don and has starred across from Anne in a variety of roles.

“The Alsedeks had this idea of professionally producing plays in this area that wouldn’t normally be done,” Olmstead said. “They’re often the Pennsylvania premier for a lot of these shows. I applaud Don, Anne and Open Stage co-founder Marianne Fischer, to not only create this vision but to maintain it for so many years.”

Stuart Landon, current associate artistic director, will step into the position of artistic director on July 1.

“I think Stuart Landon is going to do a remarkable job,” said Schreffler. “I’m sure Stuart will respect the tradition that Don and Anne have built. I’m definitely looking forward to Open Stage’s future.”

Returning for this production is former Open Stage resident costume designer, Gwen Alsedek. Gwen, Don’s sister, retired in 2015.

“It’s nice that Gwen and I get to go out together,” said Don. “It’s also great to work on my final show as artistic director with actors who have been with Open Stage for a long time.”

The cast of “Ah, Wilderness” also features Emily Gray, Patrick Stoner, Michael Hardenburg, Sheridan Lain, Jack Hoover, Jim Lewis, Erin Shellenberger, Lucas Haywood, Madison McCann, Caroline Chronister and Aaron Bomar.

“Ah, Wilderness” runs June 2 to 25 at Open Stage of Harrisburg. Tickets and information on show times are available at www.openstagehbg.com.

Upcoming Theater Events At Open Stage of Harrisburg
www.openstagehbg.com

“Ah, Wilderness”
A classic romance by Eugene O’Neill
June 2 to 25

Auditions for Music Theatre Workshop
Saturday, June 10 by appointment ‬
July 10 to 28 theater camp for students ages 12 to 18‬‬
email: [email protected]

Disney’s “Aladdin Kids”
June 29 & 30, 7 p.m.

Subscriptions on Sale for Season 32 for package of plays 2017 to 2018

Author: Laura Dugan

Carnal Knowledge: What it is HPV, and how to prevent it?

May 31, 2017 | by Jose E. Misas, MD

Patient education and vaccine awareness campaigns are helping more people understand the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and reproductive cancers like cervical cancer. But fewer people understand the relationship that also may exist between head and neck cancers and this sexually transmitted infection.

About 80 million Americans are infected with one of the many types of HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus can infect the anus, genitals and oropharynx (tonsils and back of throat) as a result of genital, anal and oral sex. Certain HPV types can cause genital warts, which are considered low-risk.

But other types of HPV can cause cancer in different areas of the body, including the genitals and throat, and are considered to be high-risk. More than one in five adults in the United States has the type of HPV that can cause cancer, according to an April 2017 CDC report.

The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been gradually increasing over the last three decades. About 7 percent of Americans have oral HPV, which is three times more common in men than women. In some people, oral HPV infection leads to HPV-OSCC (HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer) many years after contracting the infection.

Both head and neck cancers are treated similarly—whether or not they are caused by or related to HPV. Treatment decisions are based on:

Size of the tumor
Location of the tumor
Stage of the disease
Overall health of the patient
Patient wishes of the patient

Researchers are studying to determine whether cancer treatments should be changed based on the presence or absence of HPV. About 30 to 40 percent of HNSCC patients present with early stage I/II disease, usually using single modality treatments such as radiation or surgery alone. HPV-driven tumors are more sensitive to radiation and to Cisplatin or chemo-based therapy.

The vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix have been shown to help prevent cervical cancer. Gardasil also helps prevent vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers, as well as genital warts. To date, there are no conclusive studies that show similar protection against oropharyngeal cancer. However, with the availability of these vaccines, physicians are hopeful that the incidence of HPV-related throat cancers will decrease over time.

In all cases, vaccines are designed to prevent HPV infections and are recommended for boys and girls before they become sexually active. An open dialogue between patients and providers about HPV, testing and vaccines can mean a better prognosis.

Understanding how the infection spreads is important for prevention. HPV is not spread through touching or kissing. HPV is contagious through genital and oral contact, so the sexual partners of a person diagnosed with HPV also have been exposed. However, since some infections clear up on their own and not all viruses become cancerous, the chance of a partner getting an HPV-related cancer is low.

Still, precautions should be taken. Contracting the virus is avoidable when men and women practice safe sex and communicate about their health and partner history.

Symptoms of HPV may not be present, but this chronic disease stays with a person for a lifetime. So while treatments and breakthroughs can help manage the disease, there is no cure. Using a condom, understanding HPV and knowing one’s own and a partner’s health history is crucial—especially in avoiding a possible cancer diagnosis.

If a partner is female, she should follow normal women’s health guidelines, which include having a routine Pap test. If a partner is male, he does not need any special exams or tests, because there is no routine or standard HPV screening offered for men. Additionally, there is no effective screening test for head and neck cancer.

For more information about HPV or to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider, visit pinnaclehealth.org.

Jose E. Misas, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at the PinnacleHealth Women’s Cancer Center.

FAST FACTS

HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses.
High-risk types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis and throat.
The type of cancer HPV causes most often is cervical cancer.
Men can get penile HPV cancer.
In women, HPV infection can also cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar HPV cancers.
Most HPV infections go away by themselves and don’t cause cancer; however, abnormal cells can develop when high-risk types of HPV don’t go away.
Genital warts appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can range in size and shape.

Author: Jose E. Misas, MD

Kale & Ale: Match your salad with a saison at the Vegetable Hunter.

May 31, 2017 | by Cathy Jordan

There’s a little brick café in downtown Harrisburg filled with surprises.

At the Vegetable Hunter, not only can you order veggies and smoothies and organic coffee; you can also sit back and enjoy a handcrafted beer.

Owner Kristin Messner-Baker, an attorney who once feared being stuck in her first job as a waitress, seems surprised at her double success—first opening a vegan and vegetarian café in meat-and-potatoes country, then following that up with a boutique brewery offering a line of crisp, clean craft beers.

Messner-Baker first opened her restaurant in June 2014 with her husband John Baker and their kids.

“I realized no one else in the area was targeting vegans and vegetable lovers,” she said.

Despite her fear of failing, she plugged away, pleasantly surprised when folks kept coming back and, a bit later, when her café won several local awards for organic and vegetarian cuisine.

Messner-Baker’s café kept evolving, but people wanted more, and someone mentioned that a brewery might be a good addition. She secured a brewer, but, by the time the zoning and licensing came together, the brewer had left.

That’s when her friend, Derek Markel, also a home brewer, came to mind.

“I knew Derek made great beer,” said Messner-Baker. “And I knew he’d won all kinds of awards.”

In fact, Markel had received numerous accolades for home brewing, including first-place prizes. He’s also cofounder of the All-Grain Gangsters homebrew club, the homebrewer liaison for Harrisburg Beer Week and the co-organizer of the 2017 Battle of the Homebrewers.

When the Bakers approached Markel about their brewery project, he was hesitant because he already had a full-time job as a computer programmer.

“However, I always kind of had ambitions to take my brewing to another level, and I felt this may be the best opportunity I would have to be able to brew professionally without leaving my full-time job,” he said. “I knew the size of the equipment we would be using would not be much larger than what I was using as a home brewer, so that made it a little less intimidating. I also really enjoy the artistic side of brewing.”

Markel guided the Bakers and their staff through everything needed to get the boutique brewery up and running. The basement of the snug eatery now hosts the brewery equipment, and Markel brews on the weekends.

“Our goal is to have a variety of styles on tap at any given time,” said Markel. “So, I take that into account when planning the schedule for the beers we brew. I think about what seasonal ingredients may be available and would work well with the beers. I am also trying to utilize some ingredients which complement the food available in the restaurant.”

There are both advantages and disadvantages to brewing on a very small scale, Markel said.

“The main disadvantage is that it takes about the same amount of time to brew a half-barrel batch as it would take to brew a much larger batch size,” he said. “With nano-brewing, there is a lot of time and money invested, and the end result is a few kegs that you can go through very quickly in a busy restaurant or taproom.”

The advantage, though, is that it allows for flexibility—the ability to experiment and to release new beers quickly.

“Nano-brewing allows us to have a constantly changing lineup, which I feel is important in today’s craft beer market,” he said. “There are a lot of craft beer drinkers who are always seeking out new beers to try. This trend has partially been fueled by social media and mobile phone applications such as Untappd.”

I had the pleasure of tasting several of Markel’s brews: the Veg Halen Coconut Porter (playfully taken from the band, Van Halen), the Drink Floyd IPA (another take from a great band) and a unique, pink-colored Punk Rock Girl Hibiscus Saison (after the popular 1980s Dead Milkmen song). Markel said that he plans to utilize local fruit, vegetables, hops and honey during the summer months.

I also found that the beer complemented perfectly what was on the menu at the Vegetable Hunter, items like a walnut lentil burger, vegetarian sandwiches, homemade hummus and innovative salads.

“A positive atmosphere in the kitchen is reflected in the food, and in everything we serve,” said Messner-Baker.

The Vegetable Hunter is located at 614 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.craveandco.com or the Facebook page: The Vegetable Hunter.

Author: Cathy Jordan

Red Meat, Red Wine: Bold flavors for bold summer menus.

May 31, 2017 | by Steve Juliana

Summers in Pennsylvania are three glorious months bracketed by two major holidays.

This is the time when meals move outside and the backyard grill takes center stage. To me, this means the menu turns toward beef in its many forms, and red wine is the perfect beverage to complement this style of culinary indulgence.

The naturally occurring tannins in the skin of the grapes match with the fat of the bovine to produce a flavor on the palate that, if not magic, is at least alchemy. My choices for this all-American meal are quaffs from the southern hemisphere. These wines are usually on the chewy side, but who needs elegance in a season where casual is the word and buttoned down is for serious dining?

Shiraz is the Aussie moniker for Syrah, the main grape in the Rhone Valley. Known for its fruit-forward personality, it deserves a place on everyone’s table to go along with the products of the grill. The biggest fruit bombs come from the Barossa Valley with their typically high-alcohol content. I prefer wine from the McLaren Vale, which is more nuanced and textured. Since most Shiraz comes from southeast Australia, look for bottles that have better balance and not so much bang for the buck.

Malbec started life as one of six grapes from France’s Bordeaux region, where it was blended to give more personality to mediocre vintages. It was taken to Argentina, where it thrives in the volcanic soils and high Andean altitude. In recent years, it has become an international superstar. Most bottles come from the Mendoza region, a huge geographical area, which means that there are many variations of this spicy quaff. Try to find young wines at reasonable cost, since the expensive reserves usually need aging. It may seem a difficult task with all the selections available, but, once you find one that suits the menu, it is a welcome addition to your outdoor feast. After all, this is the country that invented the asado, perhaps the ultimate cookout.

The country of Chile contributes two wines to our grilling meals. Cabernet sauvignon is known worldwide as the king of red wines. The ones from this narrow nation are simply wonderful. Situated on land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the grapes develop in a way that makes for totally unique flavors with pronounced fruit and subtle tannins. My favorites are the ones from the Maipo Valley. Look closely on the bottles.

Carmenere is the grape that nearly vanished after the phylloxera plague destroyed the European vineyards in the 19th century. It was discovered again in the 1990s after DNA testing on odd “merlot.” It is one of Chile’s great wines with its own character of smooth fruit and lighter tannins. You should give it a try, especially with its reasonable pricing and unique character. In fact, try one now!
Keep sipping, Steve

Author: Steve Juliana

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