Text Neck Check: Smart phones can be a real pain in the neck.

November 30, 2015 | by Christina J. Persson

We love texting.

The average American sends between 250 and 2,000 texts per month—that’s nearly 70 messages a day at the high end of the range, says Dublin-based Experian, a leading credit reporting and research company.

Even when not reading or sending texts, you may still look down at your phone for other reasons. According to the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of American adults own smartphones, using the devices to do everything from online banking to applying for jobs.

All this looking down is bad news for your neck, says Dr. William Beutler, medical director of the PinnacleHealth Spine Institute.

“Your head weighs between 10 and 11 pounds, so when you bend your neck forward and down, you’re increasing the weight on the cervical spine—sometimes up to 60 pounds of pressure,” he said. “The cervical spine consists of the vertebrae under the skull, and they are thin, delicate bones.”

The range of problems that develop based on chronic smartphone overuse often is called text neck.

Text neck can result in pain in the neck and upper shoulders, headaches and a change in the curve of the neck, said Beutler. Like other overuse issues such as tennis elbow or runner’s knee, it can also lead to problems that can get worse over time, he said, including:

Herniated and bulging discs
Arthritis
Muscle strain
Pinched nerves

Over the long term, poor posture can cause permanent changes and damage to the cervical spine.

“People are surprised that poor posture can be a problem, and if prolonged, it can lead to long-term issues,” says Michael L. Fernandez, assistant medical director of the PinnacleHealth Spine Institute.

“People think that neck pain and spine problems only happen to adults,” added Beutler. “But with people starting smartphone use at early ages, combined with a significant amount of time dedicated to smartphone use each day, it’s no wonder we’re seeing younger patients with complaints, including teenagers.”

Like many health problems, text neck is preventable.

“It’s hard for some people, but cutting back on using your phone is the best thing you can do. If you need to do extensive Web surfing, a smartphone is not the best place to do it,” said Beutler. “But if you must, hold the phone higher, close to eye level.”

Fernandez agrees that face height is the better option over angling your neck to look at the screen.

“Awareness is a big part of the battle,” said Fernandez. “Don’t adopt bad postures when using your phone, laptop or computer. Make sure you hold your smartphone properly and that your workspace and computer area are ergonomic.”

According to Beutler, taking frequent breaks can help too. Walking away from the phone and stretching can relieve discomfort.

You can also perform these exercises to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders, he said:

Roll your head gently from side to side.
Press your head against your hands, first pressing forward, and then pushing your hands to the back to press backwards.
Stand about two feet back from a corner. Place your left arm on the left-side wall and your right arm on the right-side wall, and then lean in as far as possible without any pain. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds to work your shoulder muscles.

“People have raised concerns about the environmental impact of smartphones, and the radiation given off by cell phones is of great interest and the subject of many studies,” said Beutler. “But device users are really underestimating the impact of smartphones on spine health.”

Fernandez added another bit of caution.

“Be smart when you use your smart phone,” he said. “Take prevention seriously so that you can avoid chronic pain and long-term consequences.”

To learn more about neck, shoulder or back pain, visit pinnaclehealth.org/spine or call 1-877-499-SPINE.

Illustration by Aron Rook

Health Column Proudly Sponsored by:

Happenings: Our December Calendar of Events

November 30, 2015 | by Burg Editor

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
Facebook: 3^rd Street Studio

“Artisans Market,” through Dec. 18.

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Cars & Christmas,” through Jan. 3.

“It’s a Small World: Micro & Mini Cars,” through April 22.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Five Artist Invitational,” featuring Louise Herring, Charlie Hubbard, Rebecca Pollard Myers, Emmanuelle Wambach and Marti Yeager, Dec. 4-Jan. 7; reception, Dec. 4, 5-8 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Rose Roth

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

“Toy Train Exhibit,” a display by the Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society; Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20.

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-233-2498; galleryatsecond.com

Works by Jon Tritt and Mark Allison, through Jan. 9.

Hershey Gardens
170 Hotel Rd., Hershey
717-534-3492; hersheygardens.org

“Santa’s Secret Garden,” Dec. 4-12.

The Hershey Story Museum
63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

“Chocolate Workers Wanted,” life in Hershey’s chocolate factory from 1905 to 1925, through spring 2016.

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4^th St., Newport
717-567-7023; www.perrycountyarts.org

“PCCA’s First Juried Exhibition,” showcasing original artwork in a variety of media and offering visitors the chance to vote for People’s Choice, through Jan. 22.

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

“Consumed,” an art exhibition examining holiday over-consumption, through Jan. 1.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“The Negro Leagues in Harrisburg,” a baseball exhibit highlighting videos, memorabilia and rare cards, through Dec. 31.

“The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls,” the story of a man born into slavery who rose to the U.S. Congress, through June 2016.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“Pennsylvania Artists: A Tribute,” yearlong exhibition featuring eight Pennsylvania-based artists on a rotating basis, concludes with a showing of original acrylic paintings by acclaimed wildlife artist Gerald W. Putt, through Dec. 19.

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
perrycountyarts.org

“Artisan Marketplace of Perry County,” featuring a holiday shopping display of locally made fine art and handcrafted gifts by emerging and professional artists, through Jan. 2.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Student Honors Photography,” through Dec. 11.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson,” featuring bird prints and first-edition volumes of the 200-year-old “American Ornithology” series by Alexander Wilson, through Jan. 3.

“Pennsylvania Modern, A Juried Photography Exhibition of Midcentury Modern Architecture,” honoring iconic and modern architecture, through Feb. 2016.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“Towards A New/Old Architecture,” an exhibition exploring modern architecture, through Jan. 17.

“Les Diners de Gala by Salvador Dali,” featuring artwork from Dali’s cookbook, through Feb. 2016.

Whitaker Center/The Curved Wall
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

“As We See Ourselves,” an exhibition of portraits of artists by artists, through Jan. 8.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Photography Contest Display,” exhibition of photographs entered in the Friends of Wildwood’s annual contest, Dec. 16-Jan. 17.

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Jenny England, through Dec. 13

Artwork by Christina Heintzelman, Dec. 15-Jan. 13

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

“Undefined,” the art of Brook Ramsey, through Dec. 17.

“smoke.grind.paint,” works by Todd Williams, Dec. 18-Jan. 14.

Read, Make, Learn

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Dec. 8, 9: “Feast of the 7 Fishes,” 6-9 p.m.
Dec. 16: “Holiday Appetizers,” 6-9 p.m.
Dec. 30: “Night Before New Year’s Eve”, 6-9 p.m.
Dec. 31: “New Year’s Eve Dinner,” 6-9 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Dec. 1: Curl Up With the Classics—“Skipping Christmas,” 1 p.m.
Dec. 1: Beginner Ballroom for the Holidays, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5: Yarn-Wrapped Wreaths, 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 6: Elves in the Making, 2 p.m.
Dec. 7: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 14-17: Library for Lunch, 12 p.m.
Dec. 15: Fredricksen Reads, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16: Adventure Crafts: “Outerspace,” 4:30 p.m.

Healthy Living Kitchen
16 S. Rosanna St., Hummelstown
717-512-0077; healthylivingkitchenpa.com

Dec. 3: Holiday Cookie Class
Dec. 12: Open House—Make and Take Foodie Gifts

The Hershey Story
63 West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

Dec. 6, 13, 20, 26-30: Little Elves Workshop, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Snowball Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dec. 31: Rock Around the Clock, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The LBGT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Dec. 1: Women’s Group, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Weekly Meditation Practice, 11 a.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 p.m.
Dec. 10: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Dec. 1: Sci-Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
Dec. 1, 9: Meet-Up, 9 a.m.
Dec. 2: Market Place HOA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
Dec. 7: Midtown Writer’s Group, 6 p.m.
Dec. 8: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10, 17: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 12: Story Reading w/Cynthia Sudor, 11 a.m.
Dec, 12: Poetry Reading & Signing w/Jesse Waters & Melanie Simms, 2 p.m.
Dec. 13, 27: TED Talks, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16: Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18: Coffee Tasting with Café Staff, 12 p.m.
Dec. 18: Tea Tasting w/Café Staff, 2 p.m.
Dec. 19: Coffee & Critique—Designer Workshop, 8:30 a.m.
Dec. 20: Midtown Writer’s Group, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
Dec. 22: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 28: Feminism Book Club, 7 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Dec. 3: Beginning Knitting

Perry County Council of the Arts, Landis House
67 N. Fourth St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Dec. 1: Get to Know Your Sewing Machine, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 2: Learn to Knit, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 5: Free Kids’ Drop-in Art Classes, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 9: Machine Sewing Basics, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Rubicon
270 North St., Harrisburg
717-317-9027; rubiconhbg.com

Dec. 3: Central PA Youth Ballet Charity Bartending Event, 5-7 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

Dec. 6: Family Paint Party, 1-3 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

Dec. 5: Wreath Making Workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 12: Scout Workshop: Bears. “Sharing Your World with Wildlife,” 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 19: “Cabin Fever Walk,” 1-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 19-Jan.3: “Winter Discovery,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Dec. 4: Start Making Sense, a Tribute to Talking Heads
Dec. 5: Dr. Slothclaw
Dec. 11: Scythian
Dec. 12: Rivers w/Indian Summer Jars
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Extravaganza

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Dec. 1: Daniel Sheehan
Dec. 2: Deborah Anderson
Dec. 3: Jessica Cook
Dec. 5, 19: Chris Emkey
Dec. 8: Maria Batista
Dec. 10, 13, 17, 27: Anthony Haubert
Dec. 11, 15, 26: Roy Lefever
Dec. 12, 16, 18: Noel Gevers
Dec. 22: Corinna Mazzitti
Dec. 31: Ted Ansel

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

Dec. 4: Girlfriend in a Coma
Dec. 5: A Scent Like Wolves
Dec. 6: Rusted Root
Dec. 9: Burn Halo, Black Tide, SycAmour
Dec. 12: Brent & Zach from Shinedown
Dec. 13: Andrew W.K.
Dec. 16: All That Remains
Dec. 19: Fuel & Trapt
Dec. 20: August Burns Red
Dec. 27: Texas in July

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Dec. 4: Jeanine & Friends
Dec. 5: Dan Zukowski
Dec. 6: Erik Bohn
Dec. 11: Antonio Andrade
Dec. 12: Steven Gellman
Dec. 13: Coco & The Bug
Dec. 17: Mark Santana
Dec. 18: Kevin Kline
Dec. 19: Joe Cooney
Dec. 20: Womack & Lowery
Dec. 26: Ellyot H. Ray
Dec. 27: Devix

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19^th Street, Camp HIll
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Dec. 14: Harp and Handbells Concert

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Dec. 4: First Friday w/Vetour Productions
Dec. 5: Pitch Blak Brass Band w/West Philadelphia Orchestra
Dec. 10: Strangest of Places
Dec. 11-12: Party Line Music Festival
Dec. 18: Rivers, That Girl, Limbo Jimbo
Dec. 19: Jingleball with Timmy and the Creeping Thyme & Headache with Pictures
Dec. 26: Jeffrey Gaines

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5^th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Dec. 19-20: “The Nutcracker” w/CPYB (Hershey Theatre)

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Dec. 5: Hershey Symphony “Holiday Spectacular”
Dec. 6: Straight No Chaser

Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill
5327 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2254; johnnyjoesbar.com

Dec. 4: Adrian Blitzer
Dec. 5: Stomp’d
Dec. 11: Jughead
Dec. 12: Steel
Dec. 18: Dirt Cheap
Dec. 19: Penntera
Dec. 26: Wooly

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Dec. 4: Overholt, Meg and the Right Sound, Bea Troxel
Dec. 11: Olds Sleeper
Dec. 18: GypsyGrass members of Colebrook Road & DeAngelo Trio

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Uptown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

Dec. 12: Tiger Saw & Viking Moses

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Dec. 3: Celtic Woman
Dec. 10: Paul Anka

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Dec. 4: Wind Symphony

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Dec. 4: Ian Fitzgerald
Dec. 18: Mike Miskie

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Dec. 4: Author
Dec. 17: Very Americans & Marathon

MoMo’s BBQ and Grill
307 Market St., Harrisburg
717-230-1030; momosbbqandgrill.com

Dec. 4: Back Rhodes
Dec. 11: Visitors Duo
Dec. 17: Chaz Depaulo

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

Dec. 2: Acoustic Stew Open Jam
Dec. 3, 10, 17: Open Electric Jam
Dec. 11: Marissa Elise & The Groove
Dec. 12-13: Don Johnson Project
Dec. 18: Shawan and the Wonton
Dec. 21: River City Big Band
Dec. 28: CPFJ Tribute to Ron Waters

Rubicon
270 North St., Harrisburg
717-317-9027; rubiconhbg.com

Dec. 19: Aortic Valve

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

Dec. 4: Mitch Gregory
Dec. 5: Shea Quinn & Steve Swisher
Dec. 11: Maria Wilson
Dec. 12: Song Smith
Dec. 18: Music Thru Science Lite
Dec. 19: Josh Krevsky
Dec. 26: Wally DeWall

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

Dec. 4: Jazz in the City
Dec. 4: Danú: A Christmas Gathering

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

Dec. 26: Nate Myers & The Aces

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
sfmsfolk.org

Dec. 5: Wil Maring & Robert Bowling
Dec. 13: Holiday Jam Session

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Dec. 3: LSO Holiday Brass
Dec. 4: QuintEssentially Brass
Dec. 4: Steve Rudolph Trio
Dec. 5-6: Glorious Sounds of the Season
Dec. 8: Irish Christmas in America
Dec. 10-11: Jeremy Kendall
Dec. 18: Alice Tan Ridley

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Dec. 4-5: Get the Led Out, Led Zeppelin Tribute
Dec. 16: The Manhattan Transfer
Dec. 23: Todd Rundgren
Dec. 29: Wizards of Winter

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Dec. 10: The Boys Under the Stairs

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Through Dec. 30: “The 2015 Christmas Show”
Dec. 31: Cirque Musica & Lancaster Symphony Orchestra

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Through Dec. 31: “A Christmas Story”

Gamut Theatre
15 N. 4^th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Dec. 2-19: “A Popcorn Hat Christmas Carol”
Dec. 11-12: “Hear the Voice, Be the Verse”
Dec. 18: TMI Improv
Dec. 31: “The Princess and the Pea”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Dec. 4-5: J. Jay Boyd
Dec. 11-12: Grandma Lee
Dec. 31: Dustin Diamond

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Dec. 4, 11, 18: Harold Hour
Every Saturday: Improv Comedy & Free Improv Mixer
Every Sunday: Open Mic

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

Dec. 3-13: “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Dec. 17-20: “Charlie Brown Christmas”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Dec. 8-9: “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer”
Dec. 19-20: George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmonline.net

Dec. 4-12: “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Dec. 10-20: “A Christmas Carol”

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Dec. 5: Carraig School of Irish Dance
Dec. 18: Comedy Night

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-732-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Through Dec. 13: “Peter, Hook & the Darlings”
Dec. 13: “A Christmas Carol” staged reading
Dec. 17-23: “The Santaland Diaries”

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

Dec. 5: “The Hip Nut” (Greater York Dance)
Dec. 6: “Peppa Pig Live!”
Dec. 12-13: “The Nutcracker” (Midstate Ballet)

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Dec. 19: “Amahl and the Night Visitors”

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Dec. 12-13: George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 31: “The Princess & the Pea” (Popcorn Hat Players)

York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-5715; ylt.org

Dec. 11-12: “Sinatra Centennial”

Musical Notes: Songs for the Season

November 30, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Typically, this column is focused on rock and pop music. However, sometimes, I just can’t resist getting into the holiday spirit. And seeing as Harrisburg is home to many superb holiday concert events, it seemed only fitting that we take a break from the guitars and drums and focus on a more seasonally appropriate sound. So, put a scarf around your neck, sip a little eggnog and gather the family for some of our most joyful celebrations of the holiday.

HARRISBURG GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 12/6, 4PM, UNITARIAN CHURCH OF HARRISBURG, $15: The Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus has been combining a love of music with a mission for presenting gay-positive entertainment for 29 years. Although they are a mainstay of Harrisburg cultural events, they have also performed across the country alongside such ensembles as the Manhattan Philharmonic and the Turtle Creek Chorale. This year’s holiday concert, “Just Say ‘Yes’ to an ‘80s Christmas!” is dedicated to Nancy Reagan and the rest of her esteemed decade. The chorus encourages all attendees to wear their most audacious shoulder pads and spray up some big hair in the spirit of the former first lady. Expect a lot of holiday spirit with just a dash of tongue-in-cheek.

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER, 12/16, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $47.50-$65: This famed vocal ensemble traces its roots to 1969. Founded by Tim Hauser, a former marketing executive and New York cab driver, the group has gone through numerous line-up changes while always staying true to its swinging doo-wop roots. The Manhattan Transfer has recorded with some of the greatest vocalists and songwriters in the history of pop, including Bette Midler, Tony Bennett, James Taylor and Smokey Robinson. The group will be performing a holiday-themed concert that is sure to be a treat for the whole family.

SUSQUEHANNA CHORALE: 12/18, 8PM, MESSIAH COLLEGE, PARMER HALL, $20/$25: The Susquehanna Chorale is the ensemble-in-residence at Messiah College. The 36-member chamber choir has received national accolades, and their annual holiday concert has become a central Pennsylvania tradition. This year’s performance, “A Candlelight Christmas,” features a rendition of Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity.” Their performance will take place within Parmer Hall, the remarkable centerpiece of the college’s High Center for Worship and Performing Arts. Considering the chorale’s track record, this should prove to be an evening of peerless artistry.

Mentionables: Tomáseen Foley, 12/2, Rose Lehrman Arts Center; Pitch Blak Brass Band w/the West Philadelphia Orchestra, 12/5, H*MAC; Rivers w/Indian Summer Jars, 12/12, Abbey Bar; Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 12/18, Giant Center; Jeffrey Gaines, 12/26, H*MAC; Wizards of Winter, 12/29, The Forum

Curtains, not Candy: “Sweetest Place on Earth” also offers theatrical treats.

November 30, 2015 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Hershey Theatre

For many, the name “Hershey” conjures up a world-class amusement park, a huge sports arena and America’s best-known chocolate.

But those looking for theater in the town named for magnate Milton S. Hershey won’t be disappointed.

The two best known are, in fact, a study in contrasts.

Hershey Area Playhouse is an intimate community space, born out of grass-roots efforts and housed in what was once a barn that was 136 years old when its conversion to a theater began in 2002.

Meanwhile, Hershey Theatre is a majestic professional venue with more than 1900 seats, envisioned by Milton Hershey as far back as 1915. Completed in 1933, it recalls the opulence of 20-century European theaters—with high ceilings and walls faced with four different types of marble.

Therefore, audience members have two spectacular choices depending on their interests and moods.

Everyone Welcome
Hershey Area Playhouse traces its roots to a meeting at the Hershey Public Library on Jan. 13, 1999, organized by founder Skip Becker.

The meeting was shut down prematurely by an ice storm, but not before a group of community supporters elected a board of directors and chose a name. “Hershey Area” referred to the fact that the founders wanted to encourage theater lovers from around the area, not just the town, to participate.

And that expansive vision continues today in how the theater operates, said Susan Cort, a member of the original board who currently serves on the marketing committee.

“Everyone is welcome, whether you have no theater experience or 40 years of experience,” she said.

At first, the community theater was without a permanent home, and it traveled “from venue to venue to perform,” said Cort.

HAP’s vagabond status ended in 2002 when Michael Leader, CEO of Country Meadows, offered the use of the barn on the edge of the retirement/nursing home campus for a new permanent community theater—at the cost of just $1 a year.

“It was extraordinarily generous,” said Mark Douglas Cuddy, a member of the artistic (play-selecting) committee at HAP.

To enhance the community experience, HAP was built as a ¾-round theater, which means that the stage extends into the audience on three sides. This set up, plus the fact that the theater itself is small, provides great intimacy and connectedness between audience and players.

The theater, in other words, is perfect for putting on community productions, said Cort.

Not Sitting Dark
In contrast to HAP, the Hershey Theatre is far more traditional and ornate, as Milton Hershey built the theater to “wow,” not to offer intimacy.

The magnificent structure is festooned with marble, intricate tile-work, bas-relief images and paintings with classical themes. The sides of the auditorium were built to resemble a Byzantine castle, while the stage itself has design elements of a Venetian canal.

In addition, the theater was built not as ¾-round, but as a proscenium, a classical design in which all the action takes place directly in front of the audience. It’s also quite sizeable, seating 1,904 people.

Until the recent past, Hershey Theatre was best known for touring shows from the Great White Way. In 1954, a Broadway tour of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit musical “The King and I” came to Hershey with its original star, Yul Brynner.

Things have changed somewhat since 2007, when the M.S. Hershey Foundation began to partner with the theater.

“Programming is much more diversified,” said Melissa Stradnick, public relations manager for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.

Touring shows still arrive at Hershey Theatre, such as the upcoming revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” in January. And, despite its connection with Hershey, not all shows are family oriented; the theater also presents more adult fare like “Avenue Q” and “Spring Awakening.”

Then there is the occasional “PG-13”-type show, like “Matilda,” which played in November, said Dennis Norton, the theater’s entertainment programming manager.

“Our mission is to present the current state of what’s opened on Broadway,” he said.

“Ragtime,” based on E. L. Doctorow’s novel and scheduled for April, is part of the educational component that Hershey Theatre also embraces.

Aside from Broadway-type fare, you’ll find comedy shows, children’s shows and Hershey Symphony concerts.

“One thing we stay away from is heavy rock concerts,” said Stradnick.

Whatever is presented, Hershey Theatre is much more active than it used to be.

“It’s such a beautiful theater, that we don’t want it to sit dark,” said Stradnick. “We also try to make sure not to saturate the market with the same thing.”

All Imaginations
Although Hershey Area Playhouse has offered some controversial shows, such as “That Championship Season,” recent programming has focused on family-friendly material. These include musicals, comedies and dramas, like this past year’s “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Oliver!” noted Cuddy, who is also a board member.

This month features two holiday-related shows: “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“We made the made a decision early on to attract and integrate young actors and directors,” Cuddy said. “We want to be welcoming. We’re not just for audiences, but a community theater for actors, directors and those who want to work behind the scenes.”

Aside from five main stage shows, Hershey Area Playhouse also offers less-traditional fare.

A play called “Drifting,” about traumatic sports brain injuries in sports, was to be performed at the Hershey Medical Center, but was done instead at HAP. Then there was “Edges,” a rock opera about bullying, heartbreak and other subject matter geared to young people.

HAP also has “dark night offerings,” which have included appearances of Molasses Creek, a contemporary folk band from North Carolina that holds fundraisers for the theater; Sweet Sounds concerts featuring students from Hershey High School and Milton Hershey High; and staged readings by Playwrights Alliance of Pennsylvania.

“Our mantra is, ‘All imaginations welcomed,’” said Cuddy.

For more information, about Hershey Area Playhouse, visit www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com. For more information about the Hershey Theatre, visit www.hersheytheatre.com.

“Nutcracker” Christmas

One of the staples of Hershey Theatre is the annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” by Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

This year, performances will take place Dec. 19 and 20, with the participation of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Stuart Malina.

It’s a long-standing relationship. The Carlisle-based ballet school and company first performed “The Nutcracker” at the Hershey Theatre in December 1977, with choreography and staging by Marcia Dale Weary, CPYB’s founding artistic director.

Later, the school earned the license to dance the Balanchine version.

Since CPYB performs the beloved Christmas confection at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts as well, why Hershey Theatre?

Several reasons, said Weary, including Hershey Theatre’s orchestra pit.

“It’s also one of the most beautiful theaters in the whole world and very large,” she said. “Some of our performances get full houses, or nearly so.”

Plus, she added, the large stage gives room for the Christmas tree to “grow” and for “snow” to fall.

“Some people think if they don’t see ‘Nutcracker,’ it’s not Christmas to them,” Weary said. “Some people come to see it every year.”

Holiday Spice: Something sweet, with a little bite, for Christmas.

November 30, 2015 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Every Christmas, I leave my Italian cooking heritage behind and take a culinary journey to Sweden, where, in early December, children help make a spicy ginger cookie known as pepparkakor.

Tradition dictates that the cookies are not eaten until Dec. 13, which is the feast of St. Lucia and the start of the Christmas season. The feast of St. Lucia is also celebrated in many regions in Italy, where “Santa Lucia” is known as the patron saint of light.

For me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without my ginger cookies. I have been making them for more than 35 years using a timeworn and tattered magazine page that I safely keep in a book the rest of the year. Because these cookies are rolled and cut, they involve a little more effort than everyone’s favorite chocolate chip, but the recipe makes a lot and the cookies keep a long time. I usually am still eating them well into January with my afternoon tea or “dunked” in a glass of milk after dinner.

If you think you might like to give these cookies a try, there are some things to consider:

You will need a good mixer to make these. I use a KitchenAid. It is possible a heavy-duty hand mixer will work, but the dough is fairly firm.
After mixing, the dough needs to chill overnight in the refrigerator.
You will need cookie cutters. Pick some in your favorite Christmas shapes. I often only use one type like stars or hearts but always make a few gingerbread boys to use as decorations around the house. They can be tied to a Christmas wreath or placed in a bowl of fresh greens.
The thinner the cookie dough is rolled, the crisper the cookie will be.
Your house will smell like Christmas!

Ingredients

3 ½ cups of un-sifted, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup butter softened (sweet butter is best)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¾ cup light molasses
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Directions

Measure un-sifted flour and sift with the baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves onto a large sheet of wax paper.
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and egg on high speed until light and fluffy.
Add the molasses and lemon peel and beat until well blended.
With a wooden spoon, stir in the sifted flour mixture.
Mix with your hands until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is well blended and smooth.
Cut the dough into 4 equal parts, wrap each piece in waxed paper and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, lightly grease several cookie sheets and pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Roll out one section of the cookie dough at a time, keeping the others refrigerated. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
Cut the cookies with your desired cutter and place 1 inch apart on the greased cookie sheets.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly browned. (Let your oven be your guide and at first watch them carefully as they bake.)
Remove cookies to wire racks to cool.
When cool, store the cookies in a pretty Christmas tin and keep in a cool place (like the garage).

The cookies make a nice little gift for work friends or to take to a friend’s house for dinner. Place them in clear cellophane bags and tie them with some Christmas ribbon. When crumbled, they are delicious over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert. And you can crush them as a substitute for graham cracker crumbs in a holiday cheesecake.

Now, if you ever have the opportunity to do a little research on the Feast of St. Lucia (why wouldn’t you?), you will learn that tradition also holds that, on the morning of Dec. 13, the eldest daughter of the family dresses in a white robe and places a wreath with lighted tapers on her head. She then brings sweet rolls to the other members of the family who are still asleep. I have never gone that far, at least not yet.

Buon Natale!

Student Scribes: Three Poems

November 30, 2015 | by Alanna Dougherty

Doctor Bowtie

Doctor Bowtie blinks at me from his large leather chair.

…Am I supposed to say something?

It’s cold in his office
I take notice
That all the degrees on the wall
Don’t make it any warmer

His usual clientele consists of
Bored housewives and impotent guys
He’s selective,
Catering mostly to white wealthy pill-heads

Plus, he’s expensive.
I pay him with stories
And manic mood changes

His sheepish demeanor tells me
I’m the most excitement he gets all week
So I try to be a good shepherd.

He searches my eyes for ghosts
His question is a spinning compass;
My answer often points north-north-west.
Maybe I’m lying?

That’s why my file says “Borderline”
But there’s no fix,
There’s only medication

So I shake his hand and say goodbye,
And skip off with prescriptions signed “Dr. Bowtie”

St. Michael

St. Michael, the angel, he’s not the same
Does he talk to himself or is he just praying?
‘Says he speaks to angels who know him by name

St. Michael, out on the roof in the rain
Play-fights with demons, but he’s not playing
St. Michael, the angel, he’s not the same

St. Michael, my uncle, they said drugs were to blame
Curled up in a stupor, muttering, what’s he saying?
‘Says he speaks to angels who know him by name

St. Michael, he’s different. They call him insane
Medicated so much, he’s clearly decaying
St. Michael, the angel, he’s not the same

St. Michael, the genius, we all see his pain
His beautiful mind is the price that he’s paying
‘Says he speaks to angels who know him by name

St. Michael, the angel, one day the rest came
They took him back home where he reigns entertaining
St. Michael, the angel, he’s not the same
‘Says he speaks to angels who know him by name

Untitled

And thus, the Lord spoke to me from an open
Bottle of Jack Daniels: “I am the Lord your God,
Creator of all things—including the alcohol you currently
Drink.” Indeed, one could say I was drunk. But who would try to make such a claim?
Even Jesus wouldn’t drudge up such an issue with me—we’ve had our problems.
For I was only as drunk as a harmonica sings softly from the
Ganges, where one probably wouldn’t hear
Harmonicas. Unless Indians have harmonicas. Which I doubt because
Indian instruments are uncommon to me. Although just because
Justice lies in the bottoms of peaches or maybe their pits,
Keyboards never sound as grand as pianos. While I’m
Lying about loitering down by the liquor store; it sounds like truth to
Me. Maybe I won’t escape alcoholism that runs through my family name like
Nuns running to stop a virgin from a deflowering defamation.
Only God can judge you.
Polonius said, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” Yet Hamlet still
Questions why his father couldn’t go out like Caesar, killed by an honorable,
Righteous man, right? The righteous man will inherit
Something, although I can’t recall the psalms or beatitudes.
Thus says the Lord:
“Until you know why, you’ll never know how.” I made that up. Like how
Virgins get pregnant. Or how Walt Whitman
Weaves together words like water turns to wine. No need for
X-rays. It’s already established I’ve got no spine. Soon no Liver to live. Why ask why I’m
Yellow? From too much booze. Good times turn sour with drinks made of sours. I believe in the
Zodiac, which supposedly makes me crazy. In all fairness, I’m a Libra.

Alanna Dougherty is a junior studying liberal arts at Penn State Harrisburg.

Keeping It Real: Made to Keep sticks to an ageless formula: paper, ink, design, fun.

November 30, 2015 | by Alexis Campbell

Even in the so-called digital age, Melissa Rhoads believes that there’s nothing like getting a handwritten card.

“People appreciate getting a card, they get really excited,” she said. “And I think they appreciate the art of card-making, and the extra effort of sending a card.”

And that’s a good thing, too. Rhoads owns Made to Keep, a unique stationery and gift shop in Linglestown’s historic Plot 40. Made to Keep started as a custom stationery and graphic design business in 2006, when Rhoads was a college student in Philadelphia.

A lifelong arts and crafts aficionado, she began creating Christmas cards and valentines for her family. She slowly started selling them to friends, and a business was born. Fast-forward to May 2015, and a sweet boutique opened in the first floor of a 225-year-old building, greeting card shelves hanging on the original logs.

“I opened the retail shop because I saw a need for a boutique like this,” she said. “We have a wide variety of stationery and jewelry, and we try to use local artists as often as possible.”

Indeed, the shop offers many hard-to-find-elsewhere items, such as quirky decorated wine glasses and hand-lettered mugs, as well as unique paper products, including invitations and event notices. However, cards remain closest to Rhoads’ heart.

“Our cards are quirky and funky, and, when people come in, they have fun just browsing or laughing at the cards,” she said. “It’s really neat.”

In addition to the quality of the cards themselves, people appreciate finding specific cards for special relationships, like a birthday card from one twin to another.

One of those local artists is Rhoads herself.

“I recently started getting back into creating cards and designing new things,” she said. “I try to create things that are unique and fun.”

Rhoads uses time-honored processes like letterpress and gold foil, in addition to digital printing, and also does a good deal of hand-lettering in her designs.

“Letterpress and hand-lettered work is on trend now,” Rhoads explained. “Even a few years ago, back in 2010 or 2011, you weren’t seeing a lot [of hand-lettered or letterpress].”

In other words, what’s old is new again.

“It’s really important to us that we stay current with what people are looking for, and that we give them something special,” she said.

Made to Keep Boutique is located at 5922 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg (Linglestown). For more information, call 717-579-7723 or visit www.madetokeep.com. Made to Keep is also part of the newly formed Linglestown Artisan Trail, a consortium of area businesses. Get more information at their Facebook page: Linglestown Artisan Trail.

On the (Future) Job: Once a year, West Shore students flock to a mammoth career day.

November 30, 2015 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Allen Middle School students Breanna Hooper and Andrew Schlegel were among the 600 or so West Shore School District eighth-graders who toured a Career Awareness Fair held on Nov. 4 at Crossroads Middle School.

When you were in the eighth grade, did you know what you wanted to do as an adult?

If the answer is no, then maybe some of the answers from eighth-graders attending a Career Awareness Fair sponsored by the West Shore School District might surprise you.

The annual event, held last month at Crossroads Middle School in Fairview Township, offered a total of 37 presenters representing a wide spectrum of local careers, from child care to modeling to mortuary science.

“I think it’s nice you can learn all about different jobs here,” said Crossroads eighth-grader Jacob Strausbaugh, 13, who mentioned that he’d like to become a graphic designer or an engineer.

About 600 West Shore eighth-graders from Crossroads, Allen and New Cumberland middle schools took turns that morning filing through career information displays. Each student was required to interview at least five career representatives, said Crossroads guidance counselor Stacey Ehrig.

This is the third year that the West Shore School District has sponsored a Career Awareness Fair for its eighth-graders, according to Ryan Argot, the district’s spokesman and director of federal programs. Derived from the district’s strategic planning process, the career fair is intended to give students an opportunity to learn about and consider future careers before they enter high school.

Andrew Schlegel, 14, an Allen eighth-grader, said, so far that morning, he had visited information displays for physical therapy, engineering and banking and was about to do a dental hygienist interview. Of all the displays, he liked engineering the best, he said.

“My older brother is an engineer, and I like math,” he said. “I like creating and designing stuff, too. I was thinking about being a lawyer, but I could be an engineer as a backup.”

Allen eighth-grader Breanna Hooper, 13, visited the law enforcement, counseling and mortician information displays, with two more on deck. Her favorite was the law enforcement, she said, because she is considering a career in either that or graphic arts.

Hooper said she stopped at the Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services display because she was curious about mortuary science.

“Before, I thought it was kind of scary,” she admitted, but added that the career seemed much less so after interviewing Gib Parthemore and Red Land High School senior Katelyn Fahnestock.

Parthemore runs the family business with brothers Bruce and Steve in New Cumberland. The West Shore School District is near to his heart because he’s a former district school director and a member of the West Shore Foundation.

Fahnestock, who plans to become a mortician, is job shadowing at the business for her senior graduation project. While shadowing, Fahnestock watches the Parthemore brothers in action and takes plenty of notes. Her ultimate goal is running her own mortuary business, she said.

“I wanted to go into this because I like to help people,” she explained. “This is a way that I’m helping the grieving. I plan on going to college for business and then to mortuary school.”

So what do middle school students want to know about mortuary science?

“The kids want to know how much you make, what a typical day is like,” Parthemore noted.

Bill Whale, who runs the Whales, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Child Care Center in Etters with wife Judy, said he heard the same types of questions from students.

“The kids want to know what sort of credentials you need for this job and how much is the pay,” he said. “Daycare is not all about the money. You have to love the work. If you’re working in daycare, you can be right there in the center where your kids are. You don’t have to be away from them all day working somewhere else.”

Whale said that he had seen “at least a dozen” of his former daycare students come through his display that day. “They all have a story to tell me,” he noted.

West Shore School Board President Ron Candioto was on hand to tell students about Hershocks, Inc., of Lemoyne, a construction contractor specialty service. Candioto, the company’s vice president and senior estimator, was passing out foam stress balls shaped like hard hats.

“What’s the worst thing you have to do at your job?” asked one of the many students gathered around Candioto’s table.

“The worst thing is when I have to tell people they don’t have a job anymore,” Candioto answered candidly. “It doesn’t happen often, but as a vice president of the business, I have to do that.”

Another student asked what school courses were vital to the construction business.

“Math is critical, especially algebra,” Candioto replied. “I use it every day. Also, you need good communication skills. That’s very important. You need to look someone in the eye when you’re talking to them.”

Other businesses and organizations featured at the Career Awareness Fair included Barbizon, an acting and modeling school in Lemoyne, the Fairview Township Police Department and Diakon Family Life Services. Susan Ryder, a communications professional and freelance writer for TheBurg, was on hand to talk about writing careers.

“The kids enjoy it. The adults enjoy it,” said West Shore Superintendent Todd Stoltz. “I think it’s a wonderful way to expose kids to a variety of careers.”

November News Digest

November 30, 2015 | by Admin

New Council Members

Harrisburg City Council will have a fresh look next year, as voters last month elected three newcomers to the city’s seven-member legislative body.

Cornelius Johnson tallied 3,383 votes, while Westburn Majors took 3,343. Jeffrey Baltimore, the only incumbent running, earned 3,563 votes.

All three were running unopposed for the three, four-year seats after topping a crowded Democratic field during the May primary. No Republicans ran.

Destini Hodges tallied 3,514 votes running unopposed for the lone, two-year council seat.

Three council seats were open after councilwomen Susan Brown-Wilson and Sandra Reid decided not to run and Councilman Brad Koplinski lost in the primary.

For city treasurer, Tyrell Spradley earned his first full term, taking 3,545 votes in the general election.

School Board Shakeup

Harrisburg voters last month elected several new members to the district school board last month.

Meanwhile, newly re-elected board President Jennifer Smallwood announced her resignation from the body.

Ellis R. Roy, Lionel Gonzalez, Matthew Krupp and Melvin Wilson Jr. each earned four-year seats, as did Smallwood. Judd Pittman, who recently was appointed to the board to fill an opening, took the lone two-year seat.

The candidates all ran unopposed for their seats after emerging victorious in the May primary. Krupp was the only candidate on the Republican ballot, having been nominated by both parties.

The board now must appoint a replacement for Smallwood. That person will serve until the next school board election in 2017.

County Commissioners Re-Elected

The makeup of the Board of Commissioners will be unchanged as Dauphin County voters last month retained the three incumbents.

Voters returned Republicans Jeff Haste and Mike Pries, as well as Democrat George Hartwick, to office. Democrat Tom Connolly lost his challenge.

In other competitive county races, Republican Nick Chimienti beat Democrat Tim Carter for county sheriff, and Republican Timothy DeFoor defeated Democrat Eric Gutshall for county controller.

Several incumbents won re-election running unopposed, including District Attorney Ed Marsico, Clerk of Courts Dale Klein and Treasurer Janis Creason.

Water Rate Hiked

Customers of Capital Region Water will pay 9.7 percent more next year for drinking water, as the board last month passed a rate increase.

The new water rate will be $7.88 per 1,000 gallons, as opposed to $7.18 in 2015. The “ready to serve” charge also will increase 9.7 percent

“We don’t take rate increases lightly, and our board of directors is sensitive to the burdens already placed on the people and places we serve, but the systems that our customers rely on to deliver safe drinking water every day and to clean wastewater before it reaches the Susquehanna River were long ignored,” said Capital Region Water CEO Shannon Williams.

Sewer rates will remain unchanged at $6.05 per 1,000 gallons.

“After years of deferred maintenance and lack of investment into our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, we continue to build up to necessary staffing levels and to make long overdue improvements to our aging infrastructure to prevent the even higher costs of failure,” Williams said.

County Taxes Steady

For the 11^th straight year, Dauphin County property taxes are expected to be unchanged, the county commissioners said last month.

The county portion of the property tax should remain at 6.876 mills for 2016, according to a statement by the commissioners.

The county commissioners are expected to pass a 2016 budget this month, which will affirm their tax plan.

Managers Get Payouts

Five Harrisburg department managers will receive payouts for unused off-time following approval last month by City Council.

Council authorized the city administration to spend almost $29,000 to compensate these managers for unused sick and vacation time from 2013. It was about $7,000 more than the administration was requesting.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that, following negotiations, the managers had agreed to take 75 percent of the amount owed them for the unused time. Council, however, authorized Papenfuse to reimburse them for up to 100 percent of that time.

Sinkhole Relief Denied

Harrisburg received disappointing news last month, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected its application for sinkhole relief funds.

FEMA notified Harrisburg that it had turned down a request for $4.1 million to buy out homeowners in a sinkhole-ravaged area of S. 14^th Street.

In the competition for funds, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency had ranked Harrisburg’s request first in the state, but, instead, FEMA approved a $2.1 million application from Palmyra, which was ranked second.

PEMA appealed the decision, and Mayor Eric Papenfuse also wrote a letter asking FEMA to reconsider.

Housing Data Strong

Home sales showed continued strength in October, sustaining a yearlong trend in the Harrisburg area.

For the month, 791 housing units sold, compared to 671 in October 2014, with the median price increasing to $162,900 from $156,500, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors.

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 245 units versus 229 units in the year-ago period, with the median price inching up to $139,000 from $138,000, GHAR reported.

Cumberland County sales actually dropped slightly, to 297 units from 303, but the median price increased to $185,000 from $175,000, said GHAR. Perry County followed a similar trend, with sales decreasing to 28 units from 43, but the median price rising to $129,250 from $115,000, GHAR reported.

In addition to all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, GHAR’s coverage area includes parts of York, Juniata and Lebanon counties.

So Noted

Little Amps Coffee Roasters last month opened its third location, a kiosk on the main floor of Strawberry Square in Harrisburg. Little Amps was founded in 2011 at a location on Green Street in Olde Uptown and later opened a downtown café at N. 2^nd and State streets.

Allen Distribution has signed a 321,333-square-foot lease at 100 Capital Lane, part of the newly renovated Capital Logistics Center in Middletown. The logistics company has leased the entire building, one of six comprising the 1.55-million-square foot industrial complex.

Level 2 is making changes going into 2016. The popular Latin Night will move to Friday and combine with the monthly Latin Fuzion party to create Fuzion Fridayz. Level 2 also is responding to increased demand for private events, with the space available for fundraisers, rehearsals, receptions and more. For information and updates, visit www.level2.us or their Facebook page.

Changing Hands

Alricks St., 638 & 651: Central Dauphin Realty Co. to Coho Spawning Industries & Meridian Recycling LLC, $650,000

Boas St., 235: L. Dempsey & B. Hartlage to C. Guy, $171,500

Calder St., 115: L. Paige to A. & M. Anselmo, $42,500

Derry St., 2436: M. Miranda to M. & I. Collins, $63,000

Forster St., 416 & 418: Pennsylvania Psychological to ITSM Specialties LLC, $145,000

Forster St., 1844: D. & D. Hall to S. Martin, $75,000

Fulton St., 1400: C. Krobath to PA Deals LLC, $90,000

Green St., 1617: A. Doherty to A. Calvano, $124,000

Green St., 3214: M. Traxler to D. Bartels, $105,000

Hale Ave., 397: J. & G. McCarchey to J. Gonzalez, $62,000

Hamilton St., 235: R. Swartz to G. Huggens, $168,900

Hamilton St., 238: LSF8 Master Participation Trust to J. Manzella, $63,900

Hamilton St., 326: K. Stratton to R. Hadrick, $110,000

Hanover St., 1701: C. Cheam to S. Chen, $400,000

Hoffman St., 3206: Skynet Property Management LP to J. Ostrander, $75,000

Kelker St., 315: N. Schock to C. Clymire, $109,900

Kensington St., 2313: Skye Holding LLC to J. Meas, $45,000

Locust St., 110 & 112: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to Locust Company LLC, $140,000

Market St., 1811: B. Vorndran to HE Pressley Properties LLC, $33,000

N. 2^nd St., 717: M. Hilden & S. Farzin to BCRA Realty LLC, $150,000

N. 2^nd St., 806: Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women to H. Fang & K. Zhu, $77,000

N. 2^nd St., 1200: W. Moyer to Harrisburg Second Street Apartments LLC, $65,000

N. 2^nd St., 2403: CNC Realty Group LLC to AON LLC, $470,000

N. 2^nd St., 2517: 8219 Ventures LLC to AXL Realty Group Inc., $42,000

N. 2^nd St., 3002: B. & K. Elgart to E. Stailey, $152,000

N. 3^rd St., 1100 & 268 Herr St.: Triple Ace LP to AON LLC, $352,000

N. 3^rd St., 2248: M. Coleman to N. Hartwig, $85,000

N. 4^th St., 2737: T. Murphy to Mountaincrash Investments LLC, $37,000

N. 5^th St., 3208: W. & R. Bragunier to K. & D. Roberts, $61,760

N. 6^th St., 2610: S. Wright to J. Shutter, $34,650

N. 18^th St., 120: G. Neff to D. Geiger, $35,000

N. Front St., 2233: Mancke and Wagner Real Estate to J.A. Hartzler & K. Werley, $300,000

Penn St., 1110: G. Latasha to A. St. John & R. Wagoner, $180,000

Penn St., 1111: D. Cooper to H. Landenberger, $114,000

Rolleston St., 1013: R. & A. Showers to W. & J. Wirfel, $30,000

S. 13^th St., 240: NJR Group LLC & Touch of Color to A. Radon, $460,000

S. 19^th St., 1111: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to K. Saqib, $31,500

S. Front St., 315: JGPA Realty LLC to S. Eicher, $146,650

S. Front St., 605: B. Glazier & E. Tsumura to J. & C. Fabian, $152,000

Valley Rd., 2313: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to K. & E. High, $78,000

Waldo St., 2708: Freddie Mac to Tassia Corp., $30,000

Wilson Parkway, 2734: PA Deals LLC to G. & C. Rodda, $80,000

Wiconisco St., 611 & 2641 Agate St.: Thompson LLP to Stop & Store Inc., $175,000

Wyeth St., 1417: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to D. Drabik, $71,000

A 3rd Act on the 2nd Floor: Lawrence Knorr may have retired, but, pursuing his passions, he’s busier than ever.

November 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Lawrence Knorr has been enthusiastic about art since a young age.

“I picked up a camera around the age of 10, and it changed my world,” he said.

Over the years, Knorr has worn many hats, from chief information officer at the PA Liquor Control Board to director of strategy information at Ahold to his current position as president of the nearby Sunbury Press and economics professor at Wilson and York College.

As if that weren’t enough, he’s added another job to that impressive list—owner of the 2^nd Floor Gallery in Mechanicsburg.

The sturdy, brick building located in the heart of town dates back to the 1800s and has been through several incarnations over time, once operating as a Union field hospital and more recently as a Presbyterian Church.

When the congregation relocated in the early 2000s, local art aficionado Jeffrey Van Boskirk set plans in motion to repurpose the building and transform it into a showcase for art lovers. Since then, the gallery has not only survived, but thrived, winning numerous awards, including the “Simply the Best” award from Harrisburg Magazine for the past four years.

When Van Boskirk decided that it was time to move on, he contacted Knorr, and the two struck a mutually beneficial deal. Knorr hit the ground running on Sept. 1 with plans to make the 5,000-square-foot gallery an East Coast art destination.

One of Knorr’s first moves was to bring in Ashley Walkowiak as a partner to assist with marketing and publicity. Since then, the two have been working in tandem to move the gallery into its next phase.

The front of the building has been spruced up with new landscaping, and the interior has been given a fresh look with new paint. Gone are the first floor rugs, which gave way to refurbished hardwood floors. Dull, plastic weatherproofing, which stole some of the dramatic thunder from the glorious, turn-of-the-century stained glass windows, will soon be gone, and copious amounts of light will illuminate the fine art.

Knorr has shown his photography at 2^nd Floor Gallery for years and once owned the West Shore Gallery in Wormleysburg. So, he’s no stranger to the art world.

“I’ve always had this desire to try it again,” he said, only now he will have more time to focus on the project, having recently retired from Ahold.

The gallery currently houses about 500 pieces of art and plans are afoot to put a call out for new work.

“We want to have a nice collection of art that appeals to the West Shore community with an eclectic collection of portraits, landscapes, country scenes, contemporary and abstract art,” said Knorr.

An international art competition is also in the works, an endeavor that worked well for Knorr in the past.

“When I owned the West Shore Gallery, I ran a competition called ‘River Art: Susquehanna International Fine Art Competition,’” said Knorr. Today, those 438 works from artists from seven different countries are memorialized in a book of the same name.

Entries in the upcoming competition will go on display at the gallery from March through May 2016 and will be moved to the state Capitol in July.

Knorr will work with a committee to assist him in making decisions on what is displayed at the gallery.

“There are five on the jury who will guide us in determining what to hang here,” he said. “I, myself, tend to think about marketability.”

A commission service is also planned.

“If someone wants a portrait of a family member, house or pet, we’ll have artists who can do that, as well,” said Knorr.

Pat Koscienski has been showing her work at the 2^nd Floor Gallery for about 10 years. The Lewisberry artist works with oil, acrylic and pastel when she creates her paintings, which include landscapes, pets and still life. She is optimistic when discussing Knorr’s plans.

“I’m looking forward to the energy, enthusiasm and new ideas that he will be bringing to the gallery,” she said. “This area has a lot of great, talented artists, and everyone’s excited about the new changes.”

Knorr, who himself has authored several books, said that the Sunbury Press will eventually be integrated into the 2^nd Floor Gallery.

“We now have about 400 titles and 200 authors under management, so we’ll likely be bringing the bookstore into the first floor of the gallery, where we’ll hold author events,” he said.

As possible movie deals based on Sunbury books make their way through the pipeline, Knorr may have even more on his plate in the future. But, for now, the relentless multi-tasker said he’s just happy to have more time to pursue his passions.

“It’s nice to be at a point where I can decide what to do with my time, rather than having others decide that for me,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed creativity and have a lot of energy for it.”

2^nd Floor Gallery is located at 105 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, call 717-766-1825 or visit www.2ndfloorgallery.com.

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