His Back to the Wall: The tough road behind, ahead, for Howard Henry.

November 30, 2016 | by Danielle Roth

Howard Henry fixes things.

Since Nov. 15, 1998, he has fixed automobiles at Howard Tire & Auto on Cameron Street in Harrisburg, the business he built from the ground up. Nearly 30 years ago, he pulled himself out of homelessness and addiction. At the age of 9, he mowed lawns in his trailer park for cash after his father left for Vietnam.

But he can’t fix this.

On May 5, a wall holding up the parking lot for The McFarland apartments collapsed. Gravel, asphalt and a silver Nissan Altima came plummeting onto the roof of his warehouse. Nevertheless, he kept his main garage operating. Then, in June, after a heavy spring rain, the mass of debris crashed further into the warehouse. The Altima slid down another two feet into piles of bricks. The red fence that circled the parking lot pushed up against what was left of the ceiling, now in shreds.

Two days later, Harrisburg condemned his warehouse and eight apartments in The McFarland. Still, Henry slogged on until mid-October, when an engineer he hired said his property was no longer safe to inhabit. He was forced to close up shop and let his employees go.

Eight months after the initial landslide, the damage continues to lay open and exposed to the elements. Whenever rain falls, washing out more dirt and debris, he worries, and he is now concerned about winter’s freeze and thaw.

To make matters worse—no stakeholders want to take responsibility for the million-dollar damage.

Owners of The McFarland have distanced themselves from the cleanup. Owner Isaac Dohany appealed the city’s condemnation order. During the appeal—a code hearing to determine if the order was given properly—attorney Adam Klein attempted to place blame on PennDOT.

However, PennDOT’s internal investigation found that its contractor’s work to the adjacent Mulberry Bridge did not contribute to the collapse.

“For us, it’s not about assignment of blame,” Henry said. “We have always felt like, if we can get people to the table and begin to talk about the challenges that the community as a whole faces as a result of that hill, then blame and money would be put aside for safety concerns.”

He rallied staffers from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, as well as Rep. Scott Perry. He’s been in communication with the mayor’s office. Engineers, lobbyists and lawyers have come out of the woodwork to help him.

Meanwhile, he’s returned his inventory of new tires to the manufacturer. Most of his 15 former employees have found new jobs. Photos of grand openings and family still hang on the yellow paneled walls. Whenever he visits the shop, he makes sure to give the fish in the waiting room’s tank extra food.

“I am minimizing and reducing costs at every turn, but I’m staying,” he said. “I’m staying in an empty store, but me and the fish are staying.”

Holding onto Hope

Henry says he cannot afford to move into a new space. After eight months of financial strain, his company did not even have the funds to throw an annual anniversary dinner, which was planned for Nov. 15.

“While we are not broke, we are at the threshold of prudent reserve,” he said.

This isn’t the first time Henry has seen financial strife. In 1998, before he opened the shop, he slept on a mattress in a warehouse while going through a divorce. He’s come full circle, he said.

“I just feel like, if God did this,” he said, waving his arm to indicate the auto shop, “with the last 20 years of my life, He must have something really huge in store.”

Then he added, “It must be enormous.”

Henry’s faith guides him through trying times. About 28 years ago, he fought an addiction to alcohol. After burning every bridge and attending rehab four or five times, he resorted to living in a box behind a Dillsburg grocery store.

On Oct. 22, 1989, he pulled himself to sobriety.

The weight of the debris destroying his business has challenged his fortitude. On Sept. 13, he had alcohol for the first time since 1989. He drank a few swallows of beer in an attempt to cope with the weight of the damage laying on his warehouse.

“I just wanted to stop the pain,” he said. “The pain I feel is not for me. It’s for my employees. It’s for my family. It’s for all those who looked at me and asked me to fix this, and I can’t.”

Immediately, he regretted those sips. He threw the beer away. That’s when he knew he hit a spiritual low.

This experience has challenged him beyond his imagination, but he has emerged victorious, he said.

“I believe, maybe for the first time, in my gut in a way that I’ve never experienced, that nothing—absolutely nothing—in this life can happen to me, and I would be left alone,” he said. “I’ve come to a point of peace with all that.”

Hearts that Wrench

Two days before he officially closed his doors, Henry received an important letter in the mail. It was notification that his personal ministry had become an official nonprofit, which he calls Heart Wrenched.

It all started back in 1998 when a single mom driving a beat-up car with three babies in the backseat pulled into his new shop. Henry and his original business partner, Troy Hughes, decided they needed to act. They fixed her car for free then cobbled together an A-frame sign out of coroplast. They spelled “we fix flats free” in duct tape.

For the next 18 years, Henry continued serving the less fortunate, quietly given away more than 500 cars, thousands of tires and countless hours of service. He has only met a few of the people who have received his good will. He stayed purposefully busy when someone came to the shop for free services, he said.

“I didn’t want them to thank me for it, but I wanted them to thank God,” he said.

Henry now is executive director, chairman of the board of four members and nearly every other position of Heart Wrenched. He has the business model, marketing materials and even the corporate bank account.

It’ll work like this: Local nonprofits and ministries will identify a person in need. Then they will connect that person with Heart Wrenched, which will provide the parts.

“We will recruit garages just like myself who have the heart to fix something for someone who cannot afford it,” he said.

That’s right—Henry believes, one day, he’ll reopen his shop, despite the fact that engineers have warned him that the condemned section of The McFarland could collapse, which would be an even bigger disaster. Still, he holds out hope that the owners eventually will take responsibility and start cleaning up.

When talking about his life, Henry points to all the things he’s already endured and overcome—homelessness, divorce, alcoholism—which leaves him with the resolve to remain optimistic despite the mountain of dirt and debris that crashed into his roof, destroying his building and his business.

“I’m excited about the possibilities of what God’s about to do in my life,” he said. “I can’t wait. I just can’t wait.”

Author: Danielle Roth

Trimmed with Fun: Spirit meets silly with “Merry Kitsch-mas.”

November 30, 2016 | by Kari Larsen

It’s been a rough year for many, as the extended political season often served more to divide than unite us.

Locally, the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus offers the perfect antidote, as people try to mend wounds, come together and even have some much-needed fun during the holiday season. “Merry Kitsch-mas,” the chorus’ annual holiday show, allows audiences throughout central PA to inhale a breath of fresh air and exhale a few laughs.

“It’s all the bad Christmas songs that you are too ashamed to admit you like,” said Artistic Director Adam Gustafson, who worked on a number of ideas for the show before “a cheese-ball Christmas” came to mind.

The theme is more than something that informs the choice of songs—it binds them together in a narrative that runs throughout the show. The storyline of “Merry Kitsch-mas” is, according to Gustafson, “a young millennial coming out to his father” under the guidance of the “Three Wise Queens.”

The experience of millennials is not remote to the HGMC. The 20-odd members in the chorus range in age from late 20s to 70s. And some of the older members have belonged nearly as long as the chorus, which was founded in the late 1980s.

“There is work,” says Doug Wentz, a 55-year-old member who joined shortly after Gustafson started three years ago. “There’s a lot of misperception that, when you join a chorus, it’s going to be easy. I think it’s a little more than what some people bargain for. But some are up for the challenge, and they seem to enjoy it.”

Since joining the chorus, Wentz has had a blast.

“It’s more of a social outlet for me, because I work from home,” he said. “It’s a bunch of great guys, and we have fun.”

Fun is exactly what is in store for “Merry Kitsch-mas.”

“We’re going to do everything from ‘Not My Father’s Son’ from ‘Kinky Boots’ to a little song called ‘Magic Snow,’ which explains why Santa Claus is able to fly around the entire world in 24 hours. You can imagine what that’s about,” said Gustafson.

The story has a tonal variety that makes its cheerier selections pop.

“Our repertoire really does run the gamut this time around,” he said. “We’re doing ‘Prayer of the Children,’ which is a really gorgeous piece about peace and acceptance and these kinds of issues.”

Gustafson arranged many of the pieces, including a Ben Folds song that will be featured in “Merry Kitsch-mas.”

“He really does focus on the harmony side of things,” said Wentz. “So, when possible, there is a lot of a cappella [in this show]. And he works us, so in the end, it’s very much worth it.”

The chorus recently put on a show at the Heidelberg United Church of Christ in York, where they previewed some of the numbers.

“We had a couple of members of the congregation come up to us afterwards who said they had tears in their eyes,” said Wentz. “That’s how you know you touched somebody with the music. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Heidelberg United Church of Christ is one of the churches that will host “Merry Kitsch-mas.” The other churches are the First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lancaster, the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg and Unity Church of Harrisburg in Enola, which is the chorus’ “home” church.

“This is a show that’s going to really engage with cheese hardcore, but it’s also going to go to a very serious spot,” Gustafson said. “But it’ll all come out on the other side OK, I hope.”

For more information about the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus and its “Merry Kitsch-mas” concerts, visit www.harrisburgmenschorus.org.

Ring In the Kitsch

The Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus plans four “Merry Kitsch-mas” concerts throughout central PA:

Dec. 3: First Reformed United Church of Christ, 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4: Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1280 Clover Lane, Harrisburg, 4 p.m. (special appearance by Baltimore Men’s Chorus)
Dec. 9: Heidelberg United Church of Christ, 47 W. Philadelphia St., York, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: Unity Church of Harrisburg, 927 Wertzville Rd., Enola, 4 p.m.

Author: Kari Larsen

New Kid in Town: Rabbi Friedman brings youth–and fresh ideas–to Kesher Israel.

November 30, 2016 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Congregation Kesher Israel has experienced a rabbinic changing of the guard.

Rabbi Akiva Males, who shepherded the Uptown Harrisburg Modern Orthodox congregation for nine years, accepted a position this past summer at a synagogue in Memphis, Tenn. Enter Rabbi Elisha Friedman.

This is a first full-time pulpit for the 29-year-old Friedman, who received his rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in June 2013.

Some might find a smaller community like Harrisburg daunting, but Friedman, a native of West Hartford, Conn., is like a fish in water. After his engineer father changed fields to the rabbinate, the family lived in various places in New York and Israel.

“So, I grew up in very small Jewish communities,” Friedman said.

And, coming here, it wasn’t the first time that he had spent time in Pennsylvania’s capital city.

“Years ago, my father came to Kesher Israel as a scholar-in-residence, and I was with him,” Friedman said.

Obvious Strengths

Founded in 1902, Kesher Israel is based on the “observance and study of Torah, prayer and acts of loving-kindness,” according to its website.

“The people are warm and down to earth and really care about heir shul (Yiddish for ‘synagogue’) and community and appreciate what the rabbi does,” Friedman said. “Unlike in some larger communities, I really feel I am making a difference in Jewish life and playing an important role in the [wider] Jewish community.”

He also acknowledges that he’s taken on a lot of responsibility.

“Considering my young age, it’s something I wasn’t sure I’d be trusted with for a few more years,” he said.

Friedman’s sentiments are reciprocated.

“I’ve been hearing repeatedly from many congregants how pleased they are with our choice, that we definitely made the right one,” said Dan Grabenstein, synagogue president. “People appreciate Rabbi Friedman’s friendly and upbeat personality, in addition to his interesting and meaningful divrei Torah (Torah teachings).”

And Friedman appreciates the small city where he’s landed. He points to “obvious strengths” in central Pennsylvania—beauty, affordable housing and “all the amenities a religiously observant person would need,” including kosher food, a Jewish day school and a ritual bath, not to mention proximity to New York, New Jersey and Baltimore—and other major Jewish centers.

“The community also has a lot of unity between the various synagogues and rabbis,” he said.

But Friedman derives enjoyment, too, from the quiet lifestyle.

“There is almost nothing I can imagine I would prefer doing than being an out-of-town rabbi,” Friedman said. “You can ask my wife. I say it all the time.”

His wife, Yamit Friedman, was a charter school teacher in New York and is now working on a master’s degree at Penn State Harrisburg in urban education. She is also a graduate assistant at Penn State.

Of course, there are challenges, as well. Kesher Israel’s “major one” is membership.

“Both building our membership more generally, and, specifically, attracting young families to the area,” Friedman said.

The Harrisburg Jewish community overall is aging, so attracting younger members to the synagogue is a high priority.

“Many of KI’s members have passed away or are getting older and less active,” he said. “We’d like younger families, which would also greatly help the Silver Academy”—the community day school founded by the late Rabbi David L. Silver in 1944.

Natural Fit

The attempt to attract new residents to Harrisburg predates Friedman’s tenure, as

Kesher Israel has been conducting a project called “KI Recruiting.” It seeks employers who might offer job opportunities for Jews relocating to Harrisburg and assists their integration into the community.

Friedman believes these efforts will tally well with Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s program to attract people to Harrisburg, since Orthodox Jews need the amenities the city offers.

Plus, there’s the rabbi’s age.

“Part of the reason KI chose me is my relative youth and the hope I can use it to connect with younger families,” he said.

Friedman’s career choice was influenced by his father, but not exclusively.

“I’ve always been very into my Judaism and kind of obsessed with religious and theological themes,” he said. “So, the field seemed a natural fit.”

He also loves rabbinic “multitasking.”

“The rabbinate requires public speaking, programming, quiet study and erudition, schmoozing, writing and, of course, some politics,” Friedman explained. “It feels like a field that exercises and challenges a lot of talents, which I think is somewhat rare in this age of specialization.”

Not to mention counseling, which Friedman embraces due to his affinity for psychoanalysis.

“I consider it one of the great truths that guides me,” he said.

On a lighter note, Friedman also likes pop music, which helps pass the time while he drives.

“Some of the songs can be moving in a kitschy way,” he said, laughing.

Kesher Israel Congregation is located at 2500 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.kesherisrael.org.

Author: Barbara Trainin Blank

A Night at the Opera: Harrisburg may not be the opera town it once was, but you can still find maestros, divas and even prima donnas.

November 30, 2016 | by Gina Napoli

“King and I,” Dallas Summer Musicals, 2015.

Not long ago, you could clasp your binoculars in your opera gloves and set out to a local venue to watch performers sing and perish to foreign arias. Around this same time, WITF played Saturday broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera House.

These days, it seems that opera in Harrisburg is almost as hard to find as a happy ending for poor Madame Butterfly. However, several opera companies still perform locally, giving fans a few opportunities a year to experience the song, spectacle and drama. And, while local opera’s profile may seem pianissimo, the enthusiasm, following and quality often hit high notes.

Ageless Themes

Capital Opera Harrisburg has been around since 2000, averaging one or two performances per year. COH focuses on the classics. “La Traviata” played this past June, and “La Boheme” will be performed next summer.

Its founding general director, Kathleen Torchia Travers, emphasized the importance of helping artists polish their skills to a professional caliber.

“They need roles on their resumes, so they are willing to come to Harrisburg from larger cities for the experience,” she said. “For local artists, there is potential to grow through roles in traditional operas.”

Coordinating an opera behind the scenes is its own type of learning experience, with responsibilities like publicity, programs and press releases. One of the greatest lessons may be how to make do with a lot of passion but scant resources (did you hear about the recent opera flash mob at the Maserati dealership on the Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg?).

Kathryn McCarney Foster, Center Stage Opera’s founder, director and producer, also underscored the mentorship experience.

“At this point in my life, I want to train other singers and keep opera alive culturally,” she said.

Based in New Cumberland, CSO performs a roving opera in a variety of local and regional venues three times per year using singers from around the East Coast. Many seasoned performers move on to larger opera houses from CSO, while some established singers from elsewhere come here.

“All performers are in various stages of their careers,” Foster said. “Some artists come for internships.”

CSO’s traveling show packs light, with sets, props, costumes and small scenery pieces. An orchestra accompanies, when available.

Foster said that, while the form may seem intimidating, opera still appeals to people, because modern audiences can relate to ageless themes like love, deception and tragedy.

“Storylines haven’t changed throughout civilization,” she said “People haven’t changed. Their trappings change.”

Lack of Love

The Harrisburg Opera Association, on hiatus since 2010, has an enthusiastic artistic coordinator poising to revive the company.

Tami Swartz is a professional performing artist and director based in New York. She is building her resume in singing and acting, including in opera houses in larger U.S. cities and Europe. To her, acting deserves the same theatrical emphasis as singing in opera.

“Harrisburg has a symphony, a top-class jazz organization and venues, multiple theater venues, adult and youth ballet companies and a wealth of visual artists and galleries,” she said. “We have a few quality local opera companies still in existence, but none in the higher regional category.”

A common death in many operas is lack of love. While Harrisburg’s opera scene isn’t completely dead or unloved, it is staggering from stage right with a dagger plunged into its purse.

Travers, Foster and Swartz agreed—the demographic doesn’t have enough wealthy people in Harrisburg interested in opera. This holds true both for underwriting performances and filling audiences. After the Great Recession, potential audience members had even less disposable income.

Foster cited another influential event producing a shift in opera.

“Americans started competing with singers from eastern European countries when the [Berlin] Wall came down,” she said. “Then, in 2008, when the economy collapsed, many opera companies folded. Large productions became too expensive.”

Moreover, opera is simply less visible or heard than it once was.

“WITF no longer broadcasts Saturday broadcasts from the Met, which is a big loss for Harrisburg,” said city resident Annette Mathes.

That regular broadcast was Mathes’ gateway to becoming an opera aficionado. She values the complexity of opera, comparing its many integrated components to intellectual athleticism.

To get her opera fix, she now ventures to the moviehouse to watch, “The Met Live in HD.”

“The Met Live in HD productions are a fabulous way to see live opera streamed from the best opera house in the world,” she said. “The camera work is fantastic. So are the behind-the-scenes interviews and set construction during intermissions.”

Met Live has been held in local cinemas for the past decade. The more popular productions fill the theaters.

Swartz attributed part of Harrisburg’s opera decline to the availability of the Met’s broadcasts. The unintended consequence and convenience of seeing opera in a local cinema theater have replaced live attendance.

“Access to professional live opera performances with full costumes, sets, lights, props, special effects, full orchestra, in professional venues enrich people’s lives in a way filmed performances cannot,” Swartz said. “Opera is interactive, auditorily stimulating and provides a gateway to the imagination.”

To make live opera more accessible for the community, COH and CSO often perform in local theaters and churches, offering affordable pricing structures. Travers also mentioned fundraisers and charity productions.

Opera aficionados tend to be a passionate people. They write, sing and speak with a lyrical timbre and with a sense of mission importance. That mission is to breathe life back into Harrisburg’s opera scene and to grow its presence and fan base.

So, while Harrisburg opera may be struggling, the fat lady hasn’t sung either.

Opera Near You

Would you like to experience opera right here in central PA? For more information on local opera, visit:

Center Stage Opera, www.csopera.org

Harrisburg Opera Association, www.harrisburg-opera.org

Capitol Opera Harrisburg, www.capopera.com

Met Live, www.metopera.org

Author: Gina Napoli

Primary Care Options: The doctor will see you now.

November 30, 2016 | by Christina Persson

Illustration by Cambrea Roy

When a sudden illness or injury interrupts your day or night, you may think you need to be seen and treated immediately. Unfortunately, many adults unnecessarily choose the emergency room (ER) for an issue that could be handled in a doctor’s office, health care center or other setting.

Seeking care in the ER for something like a sprain or cough takes valuable resources from someone with a serious, life-threatening condition. Plus, if your situation isn’t an emergency, you’re likely to wait a long time before you’re seen.

So, if you don’t have an emergency, where you can you go? Often a primary care provider (PCP) can help.

Right Care, Right Setting

Establishing an ongoing primary care relationship is beneficial in the short- and long-term. Providers emphasize disease prevention and offer screenings, immunizations and early intervention programs for chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

“There is no need for patients to wait hours in an emergency room for when it’s not an emergency,” says Nickeea Reeves, RN, MS, BSN, business manager, Kline Health Center.

Receiving the right care in the right environment is important to patients and providers alike. Knowing a patient’s history, lifestyle and personal preferences allow patients and physicians to work together ensuring better health.

When you find yourself unexpectedly ill, calling your PCP should be your first line of defense. Doctors are on-call even after hours to help patients determine when and where to seek care.

Other Options

If you’re in need for quick, expert advice, you may have options short of calling your PCP.

For instance, locally, the PinnacleHealth Nurse Advice team can help. These registered nurses can provide answers to health questions, connect you with your doctor’s office and guide you to the right place for care 24/7.

You also have the option to visit PinnacleHealth Express or a FastCare Clinic. Both are convenient options when you can’t get in to see your regular doctor. All locations are open until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Information is valuable, which is why it’s important to know when to rush to the ER and when appropriate care can be provided elsewhere. While exceptions occur, most of the following are not serious and can be treated in a primary care or urgent care setting:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Colds
Cough
Flu
Lice
Sore throat
Pink eye
Pregnancy or STD tests
Sprains
Sinus infections
Earaches

Whether it’s the ER, your PCP or another alternative, there’s a correct option for every ailment. It’s just a matter of knowing—and choosing—the right one.

PinnacleHealth Medical Group is accepting new patients at its east and west shore locations. To find the one closest to your home or office, call 231-8900 or visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/phmg.

For more information about walk-in care options and finding the right care for you, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/rightcare.

PinnacleHealth Nurse Advice team can be reached at 1-866-9-NURSE1 (1-866-968-7731).

Author: Christina Persson

Wine Course: For the PA Wine Society, learning is a pleasure.

November 30, 2016 | by Cathy Jordan

I wish I had known about the Pennsylvania Wine Society when I first became interested in wine.

I remember thinking, “What’s to know, other than what I like?”

Then more questions arose. What do I prefer, red or white? How about rosé? And does it matter that this bottle of Pinot Grigio comes from Italy, or that this other one comes from France? Then it came down to price. I figured that more expensive would be better. But is it?

I bought a wine book. The cover, pasted with wine bottles and lush grapes hanging on vines, evoked romance, vineyards, Paris and Italy. It hadn’t even dawned on me that I was on a quest. Somewhere along the way, I got sucked in, wanting to learn and experience more.

Recently, I sat down with Averill Shepps and Dave Williams, president and vice president of the Pennsylvania Wine Society. In 1986, the society began as the area’s only group that conducts tastings for educational purposes. So, how did it all start?

“I’m a foodie,” said Williams.

Sunday was a big meal day in the home where he grew up, and wine was a part of that meal. As he grew older, he had the chance to travel through Europe, where he made an observation.

“More people spent their time celebrating,” he said. “They shared wine and had conversations. In Europe, a meal without wine is called breakfast.”

Back in the states, Williams had bumped into a friend at the liquor store. They started talking about wine and realized they both had more questions than answers. Williams decided to get a few people together at his house, open some wine, and dissect it to compare and contrast, discussing appropriate food pairings with each glass.

“It goes back to the taste buds,” said Williams. “People who like food appreciate the wine that goes along with it. It has a dance partnership with food.”

What began in a home on a Friday night with only a few people grew into a regular event at a large, licensed venue, consisting of about 200 people.

“Our homes weren’t big enough, and now, with over a hundred people at each tasting, we need enough glasses to taste the seven or eight bottles,” he said. “And a dishwasher that can handle all those glasses.”

Tastings are generally held at the Hilton Harrisburg, and, over the years, renowned speakers have been brought in, such as influential wine critic Robert Parker, wine importer and writer Terry Theiss and educator Mark Chein. The society also hosts dinners, festivals, offsite tastings, winery visits, social events and out-of-state trips to locations like Virginia and the Finger Lakes.

Questions, Answers

Sunil Khanna, director of operations at Hand Picked Selections, guided the tasting that I attended, which featured French wines.

As I sat down, eight empty glasses were laid out before me on a detailed paper mat, which showcased each selection. To accompany the wine, water, bread and a cheese platter also were set out. While the wine was poured and tasted, Khanna demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of the soil, climate, fermentation and grapes, which elicited several gasps of approval from the audience. Khanna also commented on the wine’s character, finish and pairing.

Along the way, I asked my hosts several questions, unmasking my amateur status—at least compared to the rest of the room.

“What would you say to someone like me, who doesn’t like certain wines, like Chardonnay?” I asked Shepps.

She shrugged and said, “You just haven’t had a good one.”

“Well, where would I find one?”

“In my cellar,” she answered with a laugh.

Shepps went on to say that the society has introduced people to wines they never would have tasted otherwise, both traditional and cutting edge—most affordable.

The society does not push particular wineries, areas or importers. Although a membership fee is required and tastings aren’t free, the society has no monetary motive. Its goal is to provide educational events to help its members appreciate wine and understand how to pair it with food. You have questions; they have answers.

It’s really an opportunity to take in sensory pleasures, while adding academics, in a friendly environment with people who like to converse. Or you can just sit and take it all in.

“We have a collection of personalities,” Shepps said.

Williams added that the society has allowed him to grow. He compares himself to an artist who once had three colors, but now has 300 to play with.

“And it continues to grow,” he said. “What could be more enjoyable?”

For more information about the Pennsylvania Wine Society, including upcoming events, visit www.pawinesociety.com.

Author: Cathy Jordan

November News Digest

November 30, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Martin-Roberts Declares for Mayor

The race for Harrisburg mayor got off to an early start last month, as former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts threw her hat into the ring.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 at the National Civil War Museum, Martin-Roberts said she would seek a unified, prosperous city. She said she hopes to build better community relations with the police, support small businesses and encourage home ownership.

Her platform, with the slogan of “A City of Unity,” aims to include parts of the city that she said have been left out of Harrisburg’s economic growth.

The Harrisburg native, self-described as “homegrown,” grew up in the Allison Hill and Uptown neighborhoods and graduated from John Harris High School. She said she seeks to serve all of the Harrisburg community.

“I do not have a favorite neighborhood,” she said.

Martin-Roberts retired after two terms on City Council in 2011, including one term as council president. In 2012, she ran for 103th district seat in the state’s House of Representatives and lost to now-state Rep. Patty Kim. She also served on the city’s school board.

Shortly after Martin-Roberts declared for mayor, city resident Lewis Butts announced his candidacy. Butts unsuccessfully ran against Mayor Eric Papenfuse in the last mayoral race.

The mayoral primary is slated for May 16. Papenfuse has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term.

3^rd Street Repaving Set

Come next spring, Harrisburg will begin repaving much of 3^rd Street, a major thoroughfare now marked by potholes, bumps and uneven pavement.

Three sections of the lengthy street will be repaved: from Chestnut Street north to State Street, from Forster Street north to Muench Street and from Maclay Street north to Seneca Street.

In addition to street paving, crews will plant more than 150 trees, install sidewalk ramps and expand sidewalks. The changes will ensure walkability for pedestrians, enhance the cityscape and update water infrastructure, said city Engineer Wayne Martin.

Construction will run from April to October, finishing in 2018.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse acknowledged that there will be disruptions due to the project. Parking will be restricted at points along 3^rd Street and construction crews will work during select periods at night.

“This will be a short term inconvenience with long-term benefit,” Martin said.

The project, a partnership between Harrisburg and Capital Region Water, is funded in part with a $6 million grant from PennDOT. Other funding comes from Impact Harrisburg and the city’s general fund, which has contributed about $1 million over multiple years to the project, Martin said.

Papenfuse encourages property owners to make gas line or water infrastructure improvements during the time of the repaving project. Making such improvements will be easier and cheaper for property owners while the city is repaving the road, he said.

Cop Cleared in Shooting

A city police officer will not face charges following the August shooting death of an Uptown Harrisburg man.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said that he will not file charges against Officer Tony Elliott, saying that the shooting was justified.

Elliott shot and killed 20-year-old Earl Shaleek Pinckney after officers were called to the 2300-block of Green Street for reports of a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they saw Pinckney with a knife to the throat of his mother, Kim Thomas, Marsico said.

Thomas has denied that her son was threatening her with a knife.

Marsico also said that police have responded to numerous domestic calls at the house over many years involving Pinckney allegedly threatening family members.

Following the announcement, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said he would independently review police files of the incident to confirm “that the investigation was done fairly.”

Water Rates to Increase

Expect to pay more for water and sewer service, as the Harrisburg area’s water authority plans significant rate increases for 2017.

Capital Region Water proposes to raise 2017 drinking water rates to $8.80 per 1,000 gallons, compared to $7.88 this year, an increase of 11.6 percent. Sewer rates will increase to $6.53 per 1,000 gallons versus $6.05 in 2016, a hike of 7.9 percent.

The monthly “Ready to Serve” water charge also will increase, up to $6.95 from $6.22 this year for most customers.

For a typical residential customer consuming 4,500 gallons per month, these changes will result in an increase of $7.07 per month, according to CRW.

“Our board of directors does not take rate-setting lightly, but the water systems that our families, local economy and environment depend on every day were long ignored,” CRW CEO Shannon Williams said in a statement.

The 2017 budget includes a $12 million investment in the drinking water system and a $31 million investment in the combined wastewater and stormwater systems, with many of the projects driven by compliance with regulations, according to CRW. This work includes renewal and replacement of Harrisburg’s aging, buried pipes and treatment facilities.

“After years of deferred maintenance and lack of investment in our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, we continue to make long overdue improvements to our aging infrastructure to prevent the even higher costs of failure,” said Williams. “Public health and safety is our highest priority and governs the decisions we make.”

Sewer Project Starts

A sewer pipe replacement project that began last month will continue throughout much of December.

Capital Region Water began a $1.3 million project to replace and renew aging sewer infrastructure at 10 locations to protect against sinkholes and ensure reliable wastewater service, said Andrew Bliss, community outreach manager.

The work affects relatively small sections of Green Street, N. 4^th Street, Oxford Street, Crescent Street, Bailey Street, Maclay Street and Parkway Drive.

Potential impacts of the construction include street closures, parking restrictions, construction noise and temporary sewer service interruptions, Bliss said. When pipe replacement is complete, the road will be temporarily patched until repaving next spring, he said.

No Smoke Zones

Harrisburg last month put up 45 new signs in city playgrounds, deeming them as “tobacco-free zones.”

The statewide “Young Lungs at Play” initiative aims to eliminate the exposure of second-hand smoke to children in public places. Those who violate the tobacco-free zone are subject to a $50 fine.

“Even a brief exposure to second-hand smoke can be dangerous,” said Deborah Brown, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.

Roughly 11 percent of Harrisburg’s infants, children and teens have asthma. About 7 percent of adults in Harrisburg have chronic lung conditions, Brown said.

Harrisburg joins the ranks of cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in implementing this initiative in its 27 parks and playgrounds, said Dr. Loren Robinson, deputy secretary of health promotion at the state Department of Health.

So Noted

Aroogas Grill House & Sports Bar has purchased a building at 1591 S. 19^th St., just outside Harrisburg, for a new headquarters, training facility and central kitchen. As the restaurant chain has expanded, it has needed a larger facility and the ability to centralize certain labor-intensive food preparation, according to a news release from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, which helped Aroogas secure a $673,440 PA Industrial Development Authority low-interest loan for the project.

Boneshire Brew Works joined the rapidly expanding Harrisburg craft beer scene last month, opening at 7462 Derry St., a few miles outside the city. A large crowd greeted the new brewery, which offers a wide selection of both traditional and non-traditional beer styles.

The Federal Judiciary last month declared a new courthouse for Harrisburg its top priority for the next round of construction funding. Congress is expected to fully fund the $194.4 million project at N. 6^th and Reily streets next year, after which a timeline will be set for the building phase.

Lyft launched its car-sharing service last month in central Pennsylvania, including in Harrisburg, Lancaster and York. Lyft competes against Uber, which has been in the local market for almost two years.

Ougi’s Cocina debuted last month in the stone building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. The eatery offers home-style Latin food, such as pork, chicken, plantains, empanadas and rice and beans.

Third Street Café last month purchased the building next door, the former home of the Taproom. The Taproom closed last year after Harrisburg revoked its business license. The city also targeted the Third Street Café for closure. However, that bar has remained open following a so-far successful court fight.

Changing Hands

Berryhill St., 1619: R. Deitzel Jr. to Slatehouse Group LLC, $40,000
Berryhill St., 2416: D. & M. McNaughton to D. Tran, $37,000
Boas St., 410: I. Rosenblum to F. & V. Piscioneri, $36,000
Brookwood St., 2633: T. McGarrity Jr. to M. Rodriguez, $108,000
Cumberland St., 218: M. Myers to D. MacGregor, $117,000
Green St., 1123: R. Kushner to C. Stephens Sr. & T. Lott, $109,900
Green St., 1732, L1: AJ Fedore and Co. Inc. to A. Christian, $144,500
Hamilton St., 633, 635, 637 & 639: M. Allen to Commonwealth of PA, Dept. of General Services, $71,988
Harris St., 344: PA Deals LLC to MidAtlantic IRA LLC FBO & Phillip Sachs IRA, $55,000
Harris Terr., 2469: Dobson Limited Family Partnership to J. Sparkman Jr., $64,000
Holly St., 2014: T. Poole to M. Diallo, $52,000
Hudson St., 1246: PA Deals LLC to G. & J. Modi, $123,000
Kelker St., 236: T. Jackson to D. Zurick, $195,000
Kelker St., 628: PA Deals LLC to S. Orr, $55,000
Kensington St., 2220: A. Roland to IRA Club LLC & T. McDougal, $42,500
Marion St., 1414: J. Stauffer to T. Andrews, $72,000
Meadowlark Pl., 3000: US Bank NA Trustee to P. Murphy, $33,000
N. 2^nd St., 29: Woori America Bank & S. Moon to C. Yi, $170,000
N. 2^nd St., 2137: R. Alexander to M. Larkins, $79,900
N. 2^nd St., 2633: M. Weldon to C. & D. Peter Fritts, $310,000
N. 6^th St., 1500, Unit 502: A. Gulotta to P. Stier, $400,000
N. 6^th St., 2983: PA Deals LLC to G. & J. Modi, $119,900
N. 6^th St., 3116: G. Peck to F. Arkhipov & A. Holmes, $97,900
Sassafras St., 261: M. Doyle to E. Shultz, $106,500
S. 3^rd St., 15: M. & S. Yeh to Dewberry LLC, $135,000
S. 13^th St., 1417: H. Nguyen to HT Properties LLC, $30,000
S. 19^th 20: S. Orellana to J. Gonzalez, $55,000
S. 28^th St., 700: C. & J. Bernard to Y. & A. Caro & R. Melchor, $133,000
S. Front St., 25: Dauphin County General Authority to County of Dauphin, $2,610,000
Southfield Rd., 2217: J. Brown to R. & J. Alpert, $278,000
State St., 1727: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to N. Holvick, $42,900
Susquehanna St., 1608: C. Frater to P. Klein, $140,000
Susquehanna St., 2136: TLG Investments LLC to E. & R. Killeen, $41,000
Swatara St., 2104: V. & M. Cecka to J. Riggs, $38,500
Swatara St., 2113: PA Deals LLC to S. Orr, $56,000
Verbeke St., 212: Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC to Kingdumb Properties LLC, $43,000
Verbeke St., 224: J. & J. Woland to S. Crossin, $125,000
Vernon St., 1347: D&F. Realty Holdings LP to Urban Lighthouse Ministries, $92,000
Vernon St., 1356: R. & C. Schwartz to J. & C. Peters, $35,000
Wayne St., 1616: J. Strickler to C. & J. Caraballo, $64,900
Wyeth St., 1417: D. Drabik to PA Deals LLC, $89,900

Author: Lawrance Binda

A Bottle under Every Tree: Unwrap your Christmas quaff.

November 30, 2016 | by Steve Juliana

As we approach the holiday season, it can be difficult to match the gift with the person on our list.

For wine-lovers, though, it’s easy. We just want more wine! Zircon-encrusted corkscrews look nice but usually end up in a drawer while the reliable old double-pull does yeoman’s duty.

To make things easier this season, Fine Wine & Good Spirits held a Chairman’s Selection® tasting that I was invited to attend. I jotted down some tasting notes and pass them on to you with the hope it will make your holidays and those of your loved ones merry and bright.

Keep sipping, Steve

White Wine
Comte de Saint Aignan Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Code 78308, $9.99: Clean, unoaked palate-scrubber with flavors of citrus and peach. Tasty.

Montague Family Estate Chardonnay 2012, Code 78293, $11.99: Easy-drinking, lemony quaff from California.

Steven Kent Chardonnay Winemaker’s Selection 2014, Code 78300, $15.99: Buttery Cali wine with balanced fruit and a long finish.

Rosé Wine
Raimat Castell de Raimat Rosé 2015, Code 78314, $9.99: Beautiful Spanish wine with strawberry flavors and clean finish.

Clair Diamant Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015, Code 78250, $12.99: Easy-drinking French quaff with floral nose and citrus/strawberry flavors. Matches turkey, ham or shrimp.

Red Wine
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011, Code 78239, $14.99: Rich and spicy with notes of leather and raisins in a traditional Italian wine.

Nacido del Quorum Selección 2011, Code 78241, $14.99: Spanish Monastrell (Mourvèdre). Jammy fruit and good acidity. Great chance to try a solitary wine with unique personality.

Altocedro Finca Los Gallegos Malbec 2011, Code 78285, $19.99: A hearty wine that has this grape’s good points in spades. Big and fruity with a great finish. Worth the cost.

Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée Red 2012, Code 78288, $12.99: California blend of seven grapes. Savory spice and cherry cola.

Clos du Bois Marlstone 2012, Code 78321, $24.99: A blend of five Bordeaux grapes a la California. Perfumed nose gives way to mouth-filling fruit. Round and luscious.

Vineyards Found Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Code 78301, $29.99: Napa Cabernet with all the personality at a reasonable price. To lay down.

Heitz Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard 2004, Code 78431, $99.99: A huge Cali Cab from a storied winery. Mature and ready now with fruity complexity ending in a eucalyptus finish.

Shirvington Shiraz 2008, Code 78359, $39.99: A wonderful Aussie Shiraz from my favorite down-under region, McLaren Vale. A huge fruit bomb with amazing plush smoothness and loads of spice.

Shirvington Shiraz 2010, Code 78360, $39.99: Little brother to the 2008 vintage. More subtle and balanced with nuances closer to a good Rhône wine, but still has the Aussie fruit.

Dessert Wine
Feuerheerd’s Colheita Porto 1990, Code 78257, $34.99: It’s hard to find such a well-aged wine. The sweet fruit tapers off into flavors of hazelnuts.

Author: Steve Juliana

Reaching Resolution: Got a problem? Don’t take ’em to court.

November 30, 2016 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

For years, Susanne Conner found herself in an extended child custody dispute with her estranged husband.

She wanted the problem resolved, but thought that going the traditional route would lead to even more complications and big legal bills.

“(My husband) was trying to get custody of our daughter, and I knew that he was doing it out of anger,” said Conner of Lower Paxton Township. “I knew that if we took it to the lawyers, it would just be business and anger and not a lot of negotiations.”

That’s when Conner discovered Neighborhood Dispute Settlement, or NDS, a nonprofit community mediation center based in Harrisburg since 1978. The free service helps residents in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

Conner and her estranged spouse each were assigned an NDS mediator, and a meeting was scheduled at a church located between their homes. When each party was given a turn to speak at the session, Conner was done “in about two minutes,” she said, while her husband took for the floor for about 45 minutes.

“I had a specific goal,” she said. “My husband had a lot of things he wanted to get off his chest. He needed to be heard and had some stuff to say and after that, our relationship improved. After two hours, things were settled. We were able to negotiate an agreement, and we were both very happy with what happened.”

Program Administrator Jacob Kanagy said that, like with Conner and her husband, resolutions often are reached quickly just by bringing the parties together, along with some skilled intervention.

“Many cases come out of miscommunications and people not understanding each other,” he said. “They often have assumptions about each other that are not true.”

Besides custody issues, NDS offers mediation for landlord-tenant, business, neighbor and family disputes, Kanagy said. NDS is funded through Dauphin County, local townships and boroughs, the Kline Foundation and other area organizations, and local police departments and district justices refer many of the cases.

“We see people of all ages throughout the economic spectrum,” Kanagy said. “The most common disputes are between landlords and tenants or neighbor to neighbor.”

In total, Neighborhood Dispute Settlement’s 22 volunteer mediators oversee a total of about 500 cases each year. Hearings usually last two hours and are held in a neutral location, such as a neighborhood church. If a matter isn’t resolved within two hours, a second session is offered.

Bob Aims started volunteering as an NDS mediator two years ago after moving to Lake Meade in Adams County. He served many years in a similar position while living in Harford County, Md.

“The service is very valuable and can save court time,” he said. “In Maryland, the judges sometimes requested mediation before court. It’s a great savings and makes sense for people.”

Aims said that he underwent 40 hours of training to serve as a mediator. He was taught that the job involves three principles: don’t give clients advice; remain nonjudgmental; and an agreement between parties is the ultimate goal.

During sessions, mediators work to remain focused on the topic, as well as on respecting clients’ feelings and values. At times, it’s a fine balance, Aims acknowledged.

“In the beginning of mediation, it’s not uncommon for (the clients) to shout,” he said. “We expect that each party will respect each other, but sometimes they need to vent, too.”

Kanagy acknowledged that sometimes emotions can get high.

“Part of mediation is to control how far things go,” he said. “But, in a way, it’s healthy to express emotions.”

As a volunteer mediator, Aims has overseen all sorts of conflicts—from neighbors with property disputes to landlord/tenant problems. He’s also overseen business cases and custody disputes, which he finds the most unpleasant.

He does like the “sense of accomplishment” he feels when dissenting parties are able reach an agreement through mediation, which is usually the result.

“I don’t care what the agreement is,” Aims said. “But, as long as (both parties) come to an agreement, then we were successful in that process.”

Kanagy said he enjoys seeing the positive impact that NDS has.

“I hope that people can walk away from this with a sense that conflict can be solved in a constructive manner,” he said. “I hope they realize that violence shouldn’t be the initial reaction to conflict and that there is an alternative. Positive things can come out of conflict.”

For more information about Neighborhood Dispute Settlement, visit www.disputesettlement.us or call 717-233-8255.

Author: Phyllis Zimmerman

Christmas Day Trip: The season is on display at Koziar’s.

November 30, 2016 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Every year at this time, the sleepy little borough of Bernville springs to life, attracting thousands to a winter wonderland that offers up a holiday helping of Christmas spirit.

Excitement builds as cars approach the crest of the hill that leads to Koziar’s Christmas Village. The blinking tableau of more than a million lights elicits wide-eyed amazement as sibling’s squabble for the best window position to lay eyes on the scene below.

The popular attraction, about 50 minutes from Harrisburg, has been bringing families together for 69 years.

“I grew up in the area and enjoyed Christmas Village as a tradition,” said Wayne Hoffman, who has since relocated to Florida. “It’s one of the fondest memories of my childhood.”

Hoffman returned to Bernville a few years back to take his mother on the pilgrimage for old time’s sake.

“I was happy to fly across the country to return and reflect on the past as I sipped on hot chocolate and viewed all the fun displays,” he said.

At Koziar’s, visitors are led on a journey around the village via painted arrows to view both indoor and outdoor displays, while music changes with each exhibit and Christmas characters like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman greet children for photo ops.

“It all started as a ‘labor of love,’” said Sonia Koziar, recounting the story of how her father, William, would decorate the property known as Spring Lake Dairy Farm. “People started referring to our property as ‘The Christmas House,’ and, before long, people were parking on the hill and walking across the fields for a closer look.”

Each year, the project grew bigger until the family ended up planning their chores around it.

“We had to milk the cows before turning on the lights because we didn’t have enough electrical power to do both,” she said.

At the end of each year, the family would gather around the table to plan what new attractions they wanted to add the following year.

The tradition of adding items has continued since, and this year introduces a life-sized brontosaurus and a light show that takes place in the middle of the pond, which features a 30-foot-high twinkling tree that reflects off the water.

They join spectacles like Santa fishing off the pier, dolphins leaping out of the lake and a gargantuan American flag that lights up an 80-foot-high silo.

“We took the flag down temporarily to fix a few bulbs, and I asked our workmen to count the lights, and they counted 2,000,” said Koziar.

The “Kissing Bridge” is also popular, and, if it could talk, it would probably have a few romantic tales to tell.

“A lot of people meet here on their first date, and some return a few years later to pop the question,” Koziar said, with a smile. “We’ve even had a few weddings on it, which we now try to discourage, because, as you know, it’s freezing this time of year.”

Scores of handcrafted, wooden characters dot a landscape featuring a plethora of scenes in genres ranging from fairy tales to children’s books to farmsteads and Americana.

“We employ a full-time artist just for touch ups due to sun damage,” Koziar said.

The self-guided tour leads visitors to miniature buildings that feature various Christmas themes, many of which are just the right size for little ones to peer into via a picture window.

“The four of us donated our childhood toys for various scenes and most are still there,” she said.

Larger buildings are open for visitors to duck in out of the cold to view other attractions, such as train displays. If you get hungry, you can snack on hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos and hot chocolate, which are available for a reasonable price in the refreshment barn.

Of course, no Christmas Village would be complete without Santa Claus, who has his own headquarters and is ready to hear the wishes of all the girls and boys who visit.

After the first of the year, Koziar’s goes through the annual ritual of tearing everything down again.

“It takes us four months to put it up and two to three months to tear it down,” said Koziar, adding that the property is used as a working farm during the year.

She said the family enjoys the enthusiasm of the crowd the most.

“We all love Christmas. It’s the pleasure we get from the people who come,” she said. “The children are ecstatic because they know Santa lives here, and we hear so many stories of people returning, year after year. That’s what makes it so rewarding.”

Koziar’s Christmas Village is located in Bernville, Berks County, at 782 Christmas Village Rd. To learn more, visit www.koziarschristmasvillage.com.

Author: Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

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