Student Scribes: “The Crime Scene of Nicole Simpson”

September 30, 2016 | by Zarah Light

It is 1:06 a.m.

I gather my keys before I open the car door and step out with a grunt. “I’m getting too old for this,” I mutter as my leather shoes touch the sidewalk, and I am engulfed with the warm LA air. As I walk along the long stretch of pavement lined with tall, thick shrubbery, thoughts of my wife Samantha cloud my tired brain. She is most likely fast asleep, undisturbed by my absence. She too has grown used to the late night calls that whisk me away just as swiftly as they arrive. It wasn’t always like this. When we were first married, the shrill chirp of the telephone would cause her eyelids to flutter open revealing her emerald eyes, masked with worry. She would regularly sit up all night waiting for me to return even if I was gone for hours. “I can’t sleep without you next to me,” she had told me once when I asked why she continually forced herself to stay awake while awaiting my return. But as the years passed, my absence failed to disrupt her slumber. Even the phone’s high-pitched ringing had become merely white noise to her.

My mind is still lingering on Samantha when one of my colleagues greets me on the sidewalk. Kyle is dressed, as usual, remarkably well for being woken up 1 a.m. His slacks are pressed, his tie is straight, and his hair is perfectly styled. He’s young and eager. “Double homicide. Victims are male and female. A neighbor found the bodies while she was walking her dog,” Kyle states in a rush. I look down at my crumpled pants, wrinkled shirt, and crooked tie. I give a weak attempt to make myself look more presentable as I try to make sense of Kyle’s dizzying words. “The female victim was found on the walkway at the bottom of the steps that leads up to the residence. The male victim was found in the bushes about five feet away from the female,” Kyle continues. I crane my neck searching for a glimpse of the crime scene, but the dense bushes block my view. We reach a condominium that is awash with police and detectives. No doubt a murder took place here. As I walk closer to the gated entrance of the condo, I listen to my shoes hitting the concrete as if they are counting down the seconds to my arrival. Five, four, three, two, one; get ready folks for the main attraction. When I turn to face the condo, I am greeted by a long carpet of crimson.

As I’m turning the corner onto the tiled walkway of the lavish condo, I immediately am hit with the sight in front of me. Down this long stretch of pathway is a river of blood. The precisely cut stones are so caked in blood that I can’t even make out the color of the tiles. I stand motionless as I follow the blood to its point of origin. My tired eyes land on a woman almost delicately lying at the bottom of the condo’s front steps. Before I can even comprehend what had happened to this woman, my vision blurs with a visual memory of a specific painting. A painting that I had learned about so many years ago in a community college art history course. I see this painting so clearly in my head it’s startling. The painting has the face of Mae West, but she is also made to look like a surreal room. I see it as clearly as the day I viewed it on the projector as a student.

In my mind, I see a tomato red wall. Affixed to that wall are two framed pictures of eyes. Together, they make a pair. Below those pictures is a cabinet shaped like a nose. Atop that cabinet sits a golden clock that elegantly tells the time in this fictitious apartment. Traveling down below the cabinet is a red sofa that resembles a puckered pair of lips positioned ever so delicately on the wood floor. Curved stairs act like a chin, and the voluptuous white curtains that are delicately draped from the entryway to the apartment is the hair that frames the surreal face.

It’s almost astounding how I can recall this painting. Never after that class have I given it the slightest thought and, only a minute ago, its existence eluded me. I only took that art history course to appease my advisor and yet the voice of my art history professor drones in my head. “The iconic painting titled Mae West’s Face was painted by Salvador Dali in the years 1934 to 1935.” That voice that rattled off those words in my head sounded as if each syllable was coated with dust.

I shake my head desperately trying to clear it. For God’s sake, I’m at a crime scene. A dead woman lays 10 feet away from me, and I’m reminiscing on 1930s art. I mentally push the image of the painting to the very back of my skull and continue down the walkway. The blood is sticky under foot; it makes the rubber of my soles peel up, leaving behind the sound of kisses. Those red cushion lips dance across my vision. I blink.

When I approach this unnamed woman, I can’t shake this uneasy feeling that the scene in front of me looks wrong. This woman is beautiful, and her slender body is positioned perfectly in front of the house in plain view of anyone who cared to pass by. The memory of the painting strokes the lobes of my brain. She wears a short and strapless black dress that perfectly showcases her blood smeared legs. Her golden blonde hair covers her face and, even though several strands are matted with dried blood, it is still shiny and glossy as if she just washed it. Her legs delicately lay one on top of the other, and her arms are tucked close to her chest. She could be sleeping.

Kyle joins me and briefs me again. “The female victim has several knife wounds to the throat, no doubt cause of the death. Whoever did this practically decapitated her.” I want to interject. An act this violent will call for a much more chaotic crime scene. Nothing like this perfectly crafted painting. I can start to feel tiny beads of sweat forming on my forehead. “The male victim suffered multiple stab wounds as well,” Kyle continues as he jots information into his pretentious, leather-bound notebook. I look to my right and see a young man who was carelessly tossed aside. His back pushed up to the white metal fence under a bed of dirt, crumpled leaves and worms.

I turn back to the butchered women but, instead of seeing her, I just see Mae West’s glaring framed eyes. I feel my heart start to pound in my chest like a frightened bird trying desperately to flee its cage. I blink several times trying in vain to unsee the painting. The painting has become my reality. I want to yell at those framed eyes, let the spit fly from my mouth and bark, “What about this insignificant painting is so damn important?” My hands are shaking now as I raise them to cover my eyes. Have I gone insane? Have years of scavenging over mad men’s leftovers finally poisoned my brain? I can hear Samantha’s worried tone in my head, “When you looked at that poor murdered women, you saw artwork?” I can feel her fear. I can feel the distance she will put between us.

I can no longer bear it. Blindly, I turn around and stumble down the sticky, scarlet carpet. I need to get away from this hell, as far away as I can get. With each lunging step, my vision clears. I can see the street now along with the worried faces of the men and women I know by name. I push past, getting farther away. I fumble in my pocket for the familiar shapes of my car keys. When I reach my car, I am overcome with relief. I open the car door and hurriedly get behind the wheel. In another moment, I am flying down the street not caring that I am pressing the gas pedal to the floor.

* * *

I open the door to our bedroom. Samantha is sleeping, her body half-covered with the thin, white sheet. I gravitate to her; she is the glowing light that I’m drawn to. I reach out my hands to her sleeping figure. She will calm me, I tell myself. She’ll make this all go away. My hand hovers over her. I can almost feel a magnetic push; something small within me is telling me not to touch her. The blaring noises inside my head dull as I look at her. Those familiar eyes flutter open, those emerald-green irises that I have stared at for so many years. There is something different in those eyes, something I’m not used to seeing. She’s looking at me with fear; she is frightened by me. Out of all that has happened tonight, this is what is starting to terrify me.

She lets out a hushed whisper, “What happened to you?” In the chaos that is my fractured brain, I find the only response that I can muster.

“I don’t know.”

Zarah Light is a junior majoring in American Studies at Penn State Harrisburg.

Student Scribes: “Hesitance”

September 30, 2016 | by Sami Kak

The young waitress, a blonde, was back.

Have you made your choice?

She seemed impatient and indifferent to the both of us.

– Just coffee, I said. – Black. Without cream.

– I need something stronger, Jenny said. – Do you have wine?

The waitress nodded, chewed her gum, and stared at her fingernails. – Red.

– A Chardonnay, Jenny said. – The house wine will be fine.

The waitress walked away without saying a word. Jenny studied the wall behind me, her hazel eyes fixed solemnly on the wallpaper in pastel shades. We were the only guests in the area.

– What? she said, finally meeting my gaze, provocative and distraught.

– Nothing.

– Well, it’s hard.

I said that I knew how hard it was.

– No, you do not know. She is not your mother.

Jenny stared at the wall again.

The waitress brought us our drinks. She put the wine in front of me, coffee – with cream – before Jenny and left a note on the edge of the table. The wine was a rosé, not a Chardonnay, so then I would remind the waitress, but Jenny stopped me. – No matter, she said.

By sharing drinks, I made a nod to the waitress. – I hope Miss Kindness does not depend on tips to survive.

– Huh?

– Nothing, I say.

Jenny sipped her wine. – I’m not sure I can do it, she said, a pink color mounting to her throat.

– Well, go back there and tell her. I made a nod toward the hospital across the street.

– I cannot, she said, sipping again.

– Listen, if you cannot, you cannot. Your mother will understand. You’re not the first not to be able to.

– I do not see how anyone can do it.

– I could do it. I could do it because it needed to be done. When something needs to be done, it is best to go and do it.

– I am not like you.

– So do not do it.

– I would be remiss if I did.

– So do not do it for the love of God. Go there and tell her. The train will leave in an hour.

– First, I will finish my wine. She took a sip. – Maybe if I drank enough wine I could do it.

– Do it and then drink. It will give you a good reason to drink.

– I already have a good reason to drink. Can you order me another?

– Memory and judgment are the first things alcohol dims.

– The memory is already well, she said.

– As you wish. I called the waitress.

– Wait, Jenny said. – You are right. I need to have a clear mind for that. She pushed the glass. It was still almost full. – What time is it?

– Seven o’clock. I made a sign toward a large white clock framed on a wall nearby.

She grimaced. – Will you go tell her for me?

– Tell her what?

– You know, she said.

– No I do not know.

She reached out to grab my coffee. – May I?

I pushed the cup and saucer to her. The cream as well. I had not touched it.

Stirring the cream, she said – This is the best thing to do, do you not think?

– What I think does not matter here.

She took a sip of coffee, now a caramel brown. – I cannot do it. It is my mother.

I reached out to grab her glass of wine. – One more reason for you to do, I said. – For that you want to.

– Is it what it was like with your mother?

– No.

– You see.

– It does not prove anything.

She shrugged. – You are right. What time is it?

I finished her wine while watching the clock. – Twenty minutes past seven.

– Do not be silly at a time like this.

She grimaced again and then sighed. – Very well. You are right. I will do it.

She started to get up. I thought I saw a tear. – Are you sure?

– I’m sure. As sure as I’ll ever be.

She stood up, smoothing the folds of her navy blue skirt.

I stood up too. I left enough money on the table to cover the bill and give the waitress a good tip.

Sami Kak, a junior, is a Schreyer Honors student who is studying chemical engineering.

Harrisburg Council Weighs Broad Street Market Contract

September 23, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

The Broad Street Market took a step towards a long-awaited restructuring last week, as City Council held a hearing that could lead Harrisburg’s historic market to become a nonprofit entity.

Most council members seemed to favor the proposal, which would permit a new nonprofit, called the Broad Street Market Alliance, to enter into a lease agreement with the city, which owns the 150-year-old market. The lease would run for five years with an option for a 10-year extension.

Under the agreement, the city would rent the two market buildings for $1 a year to the nonprofit, which then would be responsible for maintenance and repairs. Under this structure, the market would be eligible to apply for numerous grants reserved for nonprofits and also could raise money, said market Manager Beth Taylor, who estimates the buildings have $1.5 to $2 million in deferred maintenance and capital improvement costs.

Currently, the market operates within a complex structure, in which the city owns the market, but the for-profit Broad Street Market Corp. manages it under the supervision of the Historic Harrisburg Association. The city also charges $1 per year in rent, but is obligated to pay for maintenance and improvements.

Under the restructuring, the alliance would have a 13-member board, and its efforts would be supplemented by the creation of a new support and fundraising group called Friends of the Broad Street Market.

Council has yet to schedule a final vote on the lease agreement.

Author: Lawrance Binda

New Federal Courthouse for Harrisburg Clears Major Hurdle

September 14, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

The site of the proposed federal courthouse at N. 6th and Reily streets in Harrisburg.

A proposed new federal courthouse for Harrisburg has taken a significant step forward, as U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta said he has secured the remaining funds for construction.

In a statement, Barletta said the House Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, on which he sits, approved full funding for the $194.4 million courthouse at N. 6th and Reily streets. Congress has already appropriated about $55 million for land acquisition, feasibility studies and design.

“Today marks the culmination of a lot of hard work by this committee, the judiciary, and the people of Harrisburg,” Barletta said in a statement. “This has been a long time coming, with various baby steps along the way, but now the Harrisburg courthouse will finally become a reality.”

The full House and Senate still must pass a final bill appropriating the money, but Barletta spokesman Tim Murtaugh called House committee approval the greatest obstacle.

“This was the major hurdle,” he said.

After many years of searching for a location, the federal government selected the Midtown site in 2010, acquiring the land and razing a few old buildings. However, the site has sat empty since, as the project has awaited funds for construction.

Barletta said that he had re-considered the scope of the project, perhaps in favor of an annex to the existing federal courthouse downtown. However, upon the advice of Judge D. Brooks Smith of Altoona, who sits on the 3^rd Circuit Court of Appeals and serves as the chairman of the federal judiciary’s Committee on Space and Facilities, he finally agreed that a new facility was needed.

The 243,000-square-foot building will contain as many as eight courtrooms, including three for district judges, two for senior district judges, two for magistrate judges and one for bankruptcy judges. The plan also calls for about 43 parking spaces.

Assuming that Congress appropriates the money, several years will likely pass before construction begins. Earlier this year, the U.S. General Services Administration released a priority list for new courthouses and annexes around the country, putting eight other projects ahead of Harrisburg. After funding is appropriated, it will be up to GSA and the U.S. Courts to determine the actual construction schedule.

“A new courthouse represents an economic boost for the city of Harrisburg,” Barletta said. “There will be jobs created directly related to the construction of the building, as well as economic development that will continue to grow around the activity centered at the courthouse. This will benefit a lot of people.”

Author: Lawrance Binda

Gov. Wolf Announces State Grant for Moose Lodge Redevelopment Project

September 7, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Gov. Tom Wolf (right) today announced a state redevelopment grant for a major project on a key block of Midtown Harrisburg, joined by state Sen. Rob Teplitz, Adam Porter of st@rtup Harrisburg, Alex Hartzler of WCI Partners and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

A key renovation project in Midtown Harrisburg is expected to move rapidly to completion, as the state announced today that it will release funding to help finish the block-long historic rehabilitation at N. 3^rd and Boas streets.

In a press conference, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the developer, WCI Partners, will receive $3.5 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a state initiative that focuses on culturally and historically significant projects.

“We’re going to make sure that this project works, that courageous, hard-working people succeed,” said Wolf, who praised WCI for taking a risk to restore the long-vacant properties along the 900-block of N. 3rd Street. “We’re not going to let you down.”

The $8 million project consists of four buildings—the historic Harrisburg Moose Lodge Temple and three smaller townhouses, as well as a large parking lot.

WCI acquired the properties last year for $900,000 from Atlanta-based Mosaica Education, which had operated the Ron Brown Charter School there for five years. After its charter was not renewed in 2005, the school shut down, and the buildings have sat empty since then, boarded up and increasingly dilapidated.

WCI expects the 92-year-old, 38,000-square-foot Moose Lodge to open later this fall as a fully renovated, mixed-use building consisting of 33 one-bedroom apartments and commercial space. The 6,500-square-foot ground floor will be occupied solely by st@rtup Harrisburg, the city’s first co-working space, which is relocating from the 1500-block of N. 3^rd Street.

WCI Principal Alex Hartzler said that much of the RACP money will go towards finishing the project, especially the renovation and expansion of the three townhouses.

The back portions of the townhouses were chopped off years ago to expand the Ron Brown School’s parking lot and provide a children’s play area. However, the buildings were not properly sealed, Hartzler said. In addition, they’ve sat empty for a dozen years, resulting in extensive water and infrastructure damage, he said.

“This has been a vacant spot in Midtown Harrisburg for over a decade,” Hartzler said. “With our team, we’re bringing it back to life.”

More than 100 years ago, the townhouses were constructed with commercial space on the ground floors and apartments upstairs. WCI will return them to this mixed-use format, and TheBurg plans to occupy the ground floor space of two of the townhouses, which should be ready for occupation early next year.

Hartzler said that the project appeals especially to the “creative class,” creative professionals like graphic designers, illustrators and content providers who might want to work in st@rtup’s space downstairs and live in the apartments upstairs.

“If you’re a part of the rapidly expanding freelance workforce, if you’re a budding entrepreneur thinking, ‘I have an idea, now what?’ we’re here to help,” said Adam Porter, st@tup Harrisburg co-founder, who stressed the area’s walkability and proximity to the Capitol complex as key assets.

The state had not released RACP money since 2014, even though it’s intended as an annual awards program. Several other Harrisburg-area groups, include Gamut Theatre Group and the Harrisburg City Islanders, have applied for RACP funds. Wolf said that funding for other projects will be announced soon.

The Harrisburg Moose Temple lodge was built in 1924, designed in the Beaux Arts style by renowned Harrisburg architect Clayton J. Lappley.

Disclosure: Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Ideas Worth Spreading: TEDx has some thoughts to help Harrisburg “Thrive.”

August 31, 2016 | by Kate Morgan

Ashleigh Pollart has spent her whole life in the Harrisburg area, and she’s eager to see her community flourish. When the 25-year-old set out to organize the city’s first TEDx conference, the theme seemed obvious: “Thrive.”

TED (“Technology, Entertainment and Design”) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote “ideas worth spreading.” What began as a four-day conference in California three decades ago has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. The two annual TED Conferences feature “TED Talks” from scientists, philanthropists, politicians and other great thinkers on a vast variety of topics.

The TEDx program supports individuals and groups in planning and hosting local TED-style events, and Pollart worked with a team of organizers to craft Harrisburg’s first-ever TEDx Conference, which will be held next month.

“Living in Harrisburg over the past few years, I think we’ve noticed the need for something like this,” Pollart said. “The city is really going in a great direction. I think we’ve been climbing up and up, but we also realize that, if just a few key players stopped their community engagement, Harrisburg could easily fall back to where it was.”

Pollart feels that this event comes at a perfect time in the city’s development, so the theme of “Thrive” is both a celebration of Harrisburg’s progress and an investment in its future.

“I think right now is a really good time to hold an event like this to encourage learning and to highlight the great minds and efforts we have in our small community,” she said. “We hope to empower people to form relationships and keep Harrisburg moving forward along that trajectory.”

Different Perspectives

Months ago, Pollart and the organizing committee put out a call to the community, soliciting applications for speakers. She said she was overwhelmed by the positive response.

“Going into planning, we were unsure of how people would react, since this is our first time doing this,” she said. “We received maybe triple the applications we anticipated, which was a great problem to have.”

The conference’s 12 speakers run the gamut from the founder of a public art-based nonprofit to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

“There’s one gentleman who runs a school in Harrisburg,” Pollart said. “His talk will focus on the need to teach students to love learning from a young age. Another speaker came here from Bhutan, and he’ll be speaking about the refugee experience. All the talks center around the theme of ‘Thrive,’ but they all have very different definitions and perspectives on thriving.”

Stephanie A. Jirard, a professor of criminal justice at Shippensburg University, will give a talk titled, “Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things.” The longtime attorney and former federal prosecutor and public defender will discuss the importance of pursuing social justice—and finding the courage to do so.

“Essentially, the subject of my talk is how people can find the intestinal fortitude to speak out about things they care about, specifically social and racial justice,” Jirard said. “How is it that, for some people, speaking out when they see something they consider wrong comes so naturally, while others are afraid to?”

Her talk will touch on major civil rights moments in history—women’s liberation, civil rights, LGBTQ equality—and the involvement of what she calls “ordinary people.”

“The success of these movements was dependent on ordinary people,” Jirard said. “Take the civil rights movement, for instance. Dr. King was the figurehead of course, but, really, it was everyday people who decided to sacrifice and to face all the societal ills to get us where we are today.”

Jirard said her talk’s central themes of courage and societal justice are well suited to Harrisburg’s inaugural TEDx conference.

“I find that, in Harrisburg, you have a phenomenally disenfranchised African-American community,” she said. “Throughout the state, there are all these resources, and then there’s Harrisburg, which seems like a community stuck in time. It’s like a throwback to a different era. What I would like is to bridge the gap between the communities I see, because the success of Harrisburg is the success of all of us.”

City resident Andy Enders will host the Oct. 10 event. The current HYP president, Enders said he feels a responsibility to begin conversations within the community—and keep them going.

“I think it’s a really beautiful opportunity for us as a community to figure out how others are leading this momentum forward,” Enders said. “I have to be an ambassador for that, to help portray this concept of ‘Thrive’ in a way that engages others. My singular goal is to drive conversation, before, during and after the event, to force the community to reflect on the things we’re talking about.”

Pollart said she hopes Harrisburg’s first TEDx conference won’t be its last. She’s anticipating a sold-out crowd, and ideally, she said, each attendee will leave inspired to help their community thrive.

“I honestly hope the audience leaves with more questions than answers,” she said. “I hope they get a sense of purpose to take action on the things they’ve learned throughout the course of the day. I hope we have a full audience, engaged in the day, and that we’re able to offer TEDx Harrisburg again in the future. One of the most beautiful things the TED brand brings is a sense that it can grow, and people will want to keep coming back.”

TEDx Harrisburg will be held Oct. 2 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.tedxharrisburg.com.

Who, What

The following speakers and topics are planned for TEDx Harrisburg:

Al Chiardonna
“Life Work Integration”

Secretary Pedro A. Cortes
“From Carolina to the Capitol”

Josh Crain
“How to Talk to Anyone”

Tika Ram Dhungana
“Refugees Are Not the Garbage, They Are the Assets”

Brant Hansen
“Forgiveness in an Age of Anger”

Stephanie A. Jirard
“Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things”

Bailey Richert
“Life Crisis? Start A Business”

Chuck Russell
“Innovate Harrisburg”

Lynn Shiner
“The ABCs of Dealing with Death”

Bryan Speece
“Virtue of Public Art”

Dr. Melissa Vayda
“What’s Your Story? Family, Addiction and the Brain”

Dr. Eric Waters
“Learning is Breathing”

Author: Kate Morgan

Savaged by the Bell: Pro Wrestling Empire is bringing the drama, the fun–and the damage–back to Harrisburg.

August 31, 2016 | by Ashleigh Pollart

Illustration by Aron Rook

“I was blown away.”

This was the answer that Colin Bright, owner and general manager of Pro Wrestling Empire, gave when I asked about his first impression of the central PA professional wrestling scene. That impression was formed at a show held in New Cumberland.

“I was expecting to see, you know, guys in cutoff jeans and tank tops bouncing around in front of 40 or 50 people,” Bright said. “But it was a legitimate show.”

Bright, so impressed with what he saw, jumped feet first into the ring and gave the semi-professional world a spin.

“I wouldn’t have gotten involved if I didn’t see something real, and I’m really proud of what we have done,” he said.

By “we,” he means the five main team members that make up Pro Wrestling Empire. What they’ve “done” is build off of that initial show to organize wrestling events from the ground up: a ring manufactured by the same company that works with the WWE, big personalities, big drama and all.

Case in point: in October, the team will welcome one of wrestling’s true legends—Ric Flair (aka “The Nature Boy”)—to their next show, “Clash of the Titans.” It will be held at the historic Zembo Shrine, which has a history of hosting some of the biggest names in wrestling, especially in the 1960s and 1970s.

“There’s a long list of very well-known Hall of Fame-caliber wrestlers that have been in that building and wrestled under the same lights that we get to perform under,” Bright said, citing as examples Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka.

Spectators and fans attending the show can expect an entire wrestling experience, complete with vendors selling goods such as protein shakes, comics and more. It’s being organized as a true fan experience. The creative juices and passion behind the project are enhanced because the Pro Wrestling Empire team is not only fans, but some are also performers.

A few of the team members even appeared in the last show, threw some punches, and, in the case of Bright, took a very hard hit.

“I got double-crossed at our last show, and a guy almost took my head off with a cheap shot—and the crowd just went nuts,” Bright recalled, showing me a video on his phone. “That’s what’s really rewarding, too. We’re putting on shows that, if I was watching them on TV, I would be pumped!”

A Lineage

Bright considers Pro Wrestling Empire a second chance at a dream. After college, he strongly considered attending a professional wrestling school.

“There’s a well-respected school out in Allentown that’s run by the Wild Samoans that are from the family of the Samoan dynasty,” he said.

For those not in the know, the Wild Samoans are a famous tag-team wrestling pair and members of the WWE Hall of Fame. Since the 1970s, their camp has trained some of the sport’s best-known wrestlers.

“It’s a pretty distinct lineage in professional wrestling, and I was about set to go,” Bright said. “It just didn’t work out. My career got in the way. You know, being an adult.”

He laughed.

“I’ve played it safe if that’s what you want to call it,” he added referring to his regular-guy career in financial planning. “I wanted to take an opportunity before it passed me by again.”

That opportunity isn’t just bringing professional wrestling to more people in central PA. It’s also the opportunity to create and tell a story to the audience.

“That’s another thing that distinguishes us from other companies,” he said. “We do it like they did it in the ‘90s. We run soap opera-style storylines that have multiple pieces to them.”

A Believer

“Clash of the Titans” will be a continuation of the last story shared at a Pro Wrestling Empire show—a story that 800 people came to see.

Besides Ric Flair, there will be thrills like a “Six Pack Challenge” (six wrestlers at once) and a “Hell in a Cell”-style match they’ve dubbed “Chamber of Hell” (a giant cage placed over the entirety of the ring).

With a goal of ensuring the entertainment was not financially out of reach, the team priced tickets at a level more affordable than some movie tickets. Pro Wrestling Empire also provides the Salvation Army in Harrisburg with complimentary tickets and donates a portion of their proceeds to the organization.

“You think professional wrestling, and some people have their opinions about it, but it doesn’t change the fact that it still has to be treated like a real business and run,” Bright said.

I may have had my own pre-conceived notions about professional wrestling, but I’m now a convert. After hearing what this team has in store, even I’ll be making an appearance at “Clash of the Titans.”

“Clash of the Titans” takes place Oct. 22 at the Zembo Shrine, 2801 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.prowrestlingempire.com or follow “Pro Wrestling Empire” on Facebook.

Author: Ashleigh Pollart

Taste & Tradition: At Greystone Public House, a side of history is served with every meal.

August 31, 2016 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Photo by Waxman Photography.

A stately stone structure situated high on a hill just off Linglestown Road has long commanded the attention of passersby. The historic building dates back to 1798, when Godfrey Fritchey purchased land from Andrew Berryhill and began construction of the fieldstone house.

In a time when simple log-home construction was the norm, this must have been an impressive sight. Fritchey was said to have designed the house to resemble his former home in Bavaria, leaving little doubt that he was, as they say, “a man of means.” The home became known as the Fritchey Mansion, and Godfrey and his wife raised 13 children there before establishing a tavern onsite. Sanctioned in 1805 by Gov. Thomas McKean, the liquor license reads:

“Whereas Godfrei Fritchey hath been recommended to me, as a sober and fit person to keep a House of Entertainment and being requested to grant him a license for the same, I do hereby license and allow the said Godfrei to keep a Public House in the Township of Paxton Dauphin County for selling Wine, Rum, Brandy, Beer, Cyder and all other spirituous Liquors.”

Until just last year, the Fritchey property operated as the Mount Hill Tavern under the eye of Doug Neidich, CEO of Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development. When, after seven years, Neidich decided it was time to part with the property, he went on the record stating that he hoped that it would continue to operate as a restaurant. As it turns out, his wish was granted.

The property caught the eyes of John G. Frisch, owner of Higher Information Group in Harrisburg, and well-known local chef Jason Viscount. After purchasing the establishment for $1.65 million, the real work began. The two collaborated on extensive renovations, initially announcing a February opening date. As is often the case, the work took longer than expected. By the time the restaurant opened its doors in July, customers rushed the place, and business has been brisk since.

“We’re exceeding our expectations,” said Viscount, with a smile.

Inside, several seating areas accommodate about 135 patrons or guests can make the most of the waning days of summer by dining al fresco on the large patio. A handsome, gray, imposing concrete bar situated in the middle of the action overlooks the main dining room, which is bathed in sunlight during the day from large, geometrically shaped, oversized windows. Wooden tables, sans linens, tie in with the casual “public house” atmosphere, and attractive, handcrafted, custom chandeliers that resemble tree branches hang from high ceilings to further illuminate the area. A gray rug that runs throughout wasn’t quite adequate to douse the din of the diners, so something had to be done, according to Viscount.

“We had to install a rubber sound barrier beneath the carpet,” he said.

A separate seating area features bright yellow banquettes that are illuminated by large, hanging, rust-colored open spheres containing colonial-style candles.

Viscount describes the décor as “soft industrial with a modern touch” and points out special details along the way. As we ascend the steps to a private, but open seating area, he mentions the staircase leading up to the cozy room.

“They use red and white oak and employ a technique using vinegar and rust, which reacts with the tannins in the wood to create that charcoal black color,” he said.

A Twist

Viscount said he created a menu designed to attract a range of customers.

“We try to do dishes with a bit of a twist, but would also appeal to the entire family,” he said.

Appetizers include mussels, roasted oysters, crispy Brussels sprouts and hearty selections like onion soup and French fries with short rib gravy.

Five choices of salad range from Caesar to chopped for those who prefer lighter fare. The popular Greystone salad includes pears, butter lettuce, bleu cheese and candied walnuts and is topped with a champagne vinaigrette.

Handhelds include cheeseburgers, a lean bison burger, a veggie burger and a house-made pastrami sandwich served with sour red cabbage, whole-grain mustard and “Smoked Signal” cheese from Calkins Creamery in Wayne County.

Dinner dishes run the gamut from crab cakes to pork chops, prime rib, fish, day boat scallops, duck ragu with sage pappardelle and a dish that ranks number one among customers—the braised beef short rib.

“The crab cakes and the Salisbury steak aren’t far behind,” said Viscount.

Meant to Be

Shelle Roberts of Harrisburg said she enjoys both the atmosphere and the food at the restaurant.

“The scallops are my favorite because they’re fresh and delicious,” she said. “I also enjoy the décor, which is beautiful.”

She also likes that she feels comfortable bringing her 4-year-old daughter, Evelyn, who plays with an old-fashioned Etch A Sketch with a children’s menu affixed to the back.

“It’s more fun than crayons, and it allows her to be creative,” Roberts said.

Ed Dunlap recently took his family to Greystone Public House and said everyone was pleased.

“My daughter is picky, and she was happy, plus the service was fantastic,” he said. “I don’t think there is a better restaurant in the Hershey/Harrisburg area.”

Joe Wiles from Watts Township said he has followed Viscount since he left Bricco, where he was head chef for many years, and that his favorite dish is the sage pappardelle with duck ragu.

“He brought that one over from Bricco, along with the pork chop, and I’m’ glad he did—it’s a nice alternative to steak,” said Wiles, adding that his wife Rebecca enjoys the pan-seared diver scallops, and he’s looking forward to returning for the braised short rib.

Viscount said that, while the planning and renovation have been a lot of work, it’s been satisfying because of the enthusiasm of the public. After so much time searching for space in Harrisburg, Hershey, the West Shore, Lancaster and York, he finally found the place where he was meant to be.

Fritchey would be proud.

The Greystone Public House is located at 2120 Colonial Rd., Harrisburg. To learn more, call 717-829-9952 or visit www.greystonepa.com or their Facebook page.

Author: Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

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Stand Up, Take a Walk: Sitting is the new smoking.

August 31, 2016 | by Christina J. Persson

Whether at school, in the car, at the office or at home relaxing, it’s no secret that Americans spend a lot of time sitting. In fact, we sit an average of 9.3 hours a day—more time than we spend sleeping.

Scientists believe that people who sit more than six hours a day are at greater risk of developing serious health issues. Researchers continue to find evidence that prolonged sitting increases the risk of developing several serious illnesses and chronic diseases. Not only has sitting been linked to a variety of cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and depression, but it also leads to obesity—a condition that causes numerous health problems on its own.

According to William Beutler, MD, FACS, medical director of the PinnacleHealth Spine Institute, sitting also affects people’s spines, putting 40 percent more pressure on the spine than standing. Poor posture like slumping or slouching causes even more damage. When blood is not circulating and feeding muscles, it results in the weakening of the bones of the spine, an increased risk of osteoporosis, and other problems such as disc degeneration and pinched nerves.

Sedentary lifestyles are impacting more and more people. The American Cancer Society studied 123,000 Americans over the course of 14 years and found that women who sat at least six hours per day were 40 percent more likely to die during that period than those who sat less than three hours per day. Men were 20 percent more likely.

Improve Overall Health

Too much sitting creates an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It affects a person’s lipid profile, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Sitting can also make people more prone to weight gain, which adds additional risk for other health conditions, like heart disease and cancer.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect the body from some of the primary consequences associated with sitting too long. Tips to get people moving to combat the effects of prolonged sitting include:

Take a few 15-minute breaks during the day to walk the halls or stairs.
Walk briskly for 30 minutes during a lunch break.
If possible, avoid being seated for more than two hours.

A Healthy Spine

“Roughly eight out of 10 people suffer from some sort of back pain,” says Beutler. “Prolonged sitting can be bad for your bones and spine if you don’t take proper precautions.”

In order to protect one’s back, he recommends:

Get the angles right. Adjust the height of a desk chair to ensure a right angle at the knees. People should sit up straight with a right angle at the waist/back and arms extended with right angles at the elbows. The lower back can be supported with a small pillow or pad.
Look straight ahead. The top of a person’s computer screen should be level with the eyes. Computer users should only look down about 10 degrees to view the screen. If it’s lower, the user moves his or her head downward, which can lead to back and neck pain.
Stand up and stretch. Some companies offer specially designed desks that allow workers to stand. Some employers do not offer this option, so computer users can prop computers up on a stack of books, a printer or even a cubicle divider. The goal is to spend time upright and on one’s feet.
Make a move. Workers should change positions frequently. That can mean walking to a coworker’s desk instead of calling or emailing. Drinking water throughout the day can get workers on their feet for periodic restroom breaks. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator should become a standing habit.

Even if a person exercises before or after work, it doesn’t prevent the negative effects of sitting all day. According to Dr. Beutler, everyone should make the time during the day to get moving and ensure his or her workstation is set up for good posture and safe computer use. While sitting at the office may be inevitable, making it a priority to get moving and taking the stress off the spine can prevent serious health problems over the long term.

For more information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.

Author: Christina J. Persson

Academic Achievement: Marking its golden anniversary, Penn State Harrisburg takes a glance back then marches forward.

August 31, 2016 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

When Kenshay Kerr began considering colleges, the Long Island resident could take his pick from a list of nearby schools in the greater New York area.

Kerr, however, didn’t want to stay in New York. He wanted to attend a high-quality, popular college, one that was out of state. This led him to Penn State Harrisburg, where he now is in his senior year.

“Originally, I was going to spend my first two years of college at the Harrisburg campus and finish my last two years at Penn State’s University Park campus,” said Kerr, a business marketing major with a minor in human resources management. “Then I found out that Harrisburg had everything I wanted.”

So what did Kerr want?

“I was looking for a sense of community,” he explained. “I loved the idea of how comfortable you felt and how it felt like a home away from home. I like all the people, the professors, students, friends. Everybody has a strong bond together.”

Since that day, Kerr has made the most of his decision. He’s a resident assistant and the campus’ current Student Government Association president.

That same sense of community has helped carry Penn State Harrisburg into what is now its 50^th year.

The campus opened in 1966, the same year that The Beatles performed their last tour, Adam West was TV’s Batman and the Vietnam War raged. Penn State University purchased the 218-acre parcel off of state Route 230 in Lower Swatara Township from the state for $1. Previously, the land was the site of the former Olmsted Air Force Base. Before that, it was the Keystone Farm.

“The campus used to be a pickle farm, so we will have a ‘Pickle Day’ as part of our 50^th anniversary celebration,” said Marissa Hoover, Penn State Harrisburg’s associate director of development and alumni relations. “One of the people on campus will make pickles and give them to the students.”

Of course, Penn State Harrisburg is celebrating with much more than pickles for its 50^th year. There’s a “We Are Weekend” on Oct. 14 to 15 that’s chock-full of events and a 50^th anniversary movie series in January, among many other events.

When the campus opened in 1966, its enrollment totaled just 18 students and offered courses only in humanities and social sciences. Since then, it’s swelled into a full-fledged, comprehensive graduate and undergraduate school of nearly 5,000 students.

Today, the campus offers more than 65 degree programs ranging from associate to doctorate levels, as well as NCAA athletics, club sports and intramurals, plus more than 70 student clubs and organizations.

In commemoration of the 50^th anniversary, a new, 70,000-square-foot Student Enrichment Center just opened. The three-story building includes a 400-seat auditorium and stage area, bookstore, food service area, convenience store, spiritual center, student service offices, and a large living room area for students to gather.

Hoover, who first came to the campus 12 years ago as a major gift officer and has served as the women’s head basketball coach, said that she was there when the campus first opened its doors to freshmen.

“Today, we’re starting to be a destination,” she said. “We have everything they want in a smaller campus. We’re like a plane at the end of the runway. There’s so much more we can do for people in the region. We offer career services and cultural enrichment. We’re looking for an influx of partnerships. We’re growing so fast, but we have the capacity to be even bigger.”

So, after 50 years of continuous growth, what does the future hold for Penn State Harrisburg?

Hoover said that campus administrators are “looking to build a soccer stadium,” as well as initiating lacrosse and field hockey sports.

“With only one athletic building, we need more athletic space,” she noted.

The school hosts international students, but Hoover said that administrators want more U.S. students to travel and study abroad.

“If I could change anything about our school, it’s that we’re a hidden gem,” Hoover said. “We want the region to know how much we have to offer.”

For more information about Penn State Harrisburg, visit www.harrisburg.psu.edu.

Let’s Celebrate

Penn State Harrisburg has events planned throughout the academic year to mark its 50^th anniversary. These include:

Sept. 6 to Nov. 4: 50^th Anniversary Lyric Writing Contest for students

Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: United Way Golf Tournament, Sunset Golf Course

Sept. 27 to Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: “1+1 Penn State Harrisburg History” interactive installation

Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: “Penn State Harrisburg” book signing with Heidi Abbey Moyer at bookstore

Oct. 6, 8 to 11 p.m.: “Bonfire in the ‘Burg” with free food, giveaways, entertainment

Oct. 14 to 15: “We Are Weekend” celebrating the campus’ anniversary, including an alumni awards dinner, time capsule opening, concert, reunions and more

Oct. 27, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.: Lion Ambassador’s Ghost Tours

Jan. 20, 7 to 10 p.m.: 50^th Anniversary Movie Series, Student Enrichment Center

Feb. 9, 12 to 3 p.m.: “Pickle Day,” a pickle tasting to commemorate the campus’ origin as a cucumber farm.

Feb. 16, all day: “Advancement of Entrepreneurship in Central PA” discussion

Feb. 20, 7 to 9 p.m.: American Studies presentation by original faculty member Henry Glassie, library

March 23, 5:30 to 9 p.m.: MBA Group reunion, Capital Union Building

April 8, 6 to 9 p.m.: “Once Upon Our Campus,” Student Enrichment Center

April 20: 50^th Anniversary Time Capsule Closing

For a full schedule of events, visit www.harrisburg.psu.edu/50th-events.

Author: Phyllis Zimmerman

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