Bologna & Beauty: For a great day trip, look no further than neighboring Lebanon County

May 29, 2025 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

When planning a vacation as the weather warms, you may dream of far-off destinations. But sometimes there are interesting experiences located less than a tank of gas away. Such was the case recently when I took a trip to Lebanon County and was surprised to uncover a wealth of attractions that were entirely new to me.

Walk This Way

Most of us are familiar with Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna, but did you know that you can tour their facilities located on Railroad Street in Palmyra? Guests can begin their experience at the outlet store where Lebanon bologna is sold in every iteration—from hot or sweet jerky bites to pre-sliced packets and the newest product, double-smoked slices. If there’s a bologna lover on your list, there are gift boxes available as well.

After visiting the shop, guests will move to a second building to view a short film where they will learn about the story of Harvey Seltzer, an entrepreneurial German immigrant who founded the business in 1902.

The tour continues with a visit to a small museum of company artifacts, followed by a walk to the rear smokehouses located in a narrow alley where employees produce an impressive 100,000 pounds of bologna a week.

Fun fact: 750,000 end pieces are donated weekly to local charities.

Another walking tour takes place at the Cornwall Iron Furnace, where guests learn about the only surviving intact charcoal cold-blast furnace in the western hemisphere. The 45-minute tour of the complex offers a glimpse into the iron industry’s role in American history where iron was produced to make everything from household tools to Revolutionary War cannons. During the tour, guests will also learn about the people who played a part in the industry.

Fun Fact: The furnace consumed an acre of trees a day to fuel its operations.

History lovers enjoy yet another tour—this time at the Lebanon County Historical Society. The three-story museum is packed with local artifacts like an antique printing press, old organs, a selection of elaborately decorated fire engine hose carts, vintage photos of Haak’s Department store once located in downtown Lebanon and so much more.

Fun fact: On display is an iron cradle from Cornwall (of course). It was made for Margaret Coleman Buckingham, who was the last owner of the Cornwall Mansion. Beneath the cradle is a compartment for a heated stone to be placed, which radiated heat to keep the baby warm.

Metal Mania

Who says malls aren’t happening? At the Lebanon Valley Mall, you’ll find The Drunken Smithy, where you can take on the role of blacksmith. The forge area spans about 2,500 square feet and provides all the tools necessary for customers to create their own metal projects under the guidance of skilled blacksmiths. Tools like hammers, tongs, anvils, power hammers and hydraulic presses are all available for customers to bring their projects to completion.

Outside of the forge area are stalls where customers can try their hand at hitting a target with an ax, before retiring to a picnic table to enjoy hand-crafted mead, ciders and other beverages.

Fun Fact: One of the owners formerly worked at the Renaissance Faire and is planning a Viking Mead Fest to take place this summer. Slated for the end of July, it will feature street performers, scavenger hunts, vendors and more.

Look Up

Nature lovers will enjoy the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area located at 100 Museum Rd. in Stevens. The sanctuary for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts is a prime area to view birds, ducks, dragonflies, butterflies and more. A wall of windows inside the visitor’s center enables guests to view the action from a seat that comes equipped with its own set of binoculars.

Fun Fact: Up to 200,000 snow geese stop here in the spring on their migration heading north to Arctic breeding grounds.

Speaking of beauty, one of Lebanon’s most stunning landmarks is St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The walls of the church are made of native bluestone from the Carmany Quarry in South Lebanon and red sandstone from quarries in Schaefferstown and Cornwall. The great tower rises to 85 feet above the pavement. A turret on the east rises an additional 17 feet, making it the highest point in the city of Lebanon. Construction on the church began in 1879 and services are still held there today.

Fun Fact: Eight red sandstone gargoyles extend four feet from the building and act as spouts directing water away from the structure.

Fans of history, nature, architectural beauty and hands-on adventures will more than likely enjoy a getaway to this special area, which reminds us that often the most interesting and enriching activities are found in our own backyard.

Lebanon Bound

Before heading off to Lebanon County, you can get more information on the places in this story.

Cornwall Iron Furnace, 94 Rexmont Rd., Cornwall
www.cornwallironfurnace.org

The Drunken Smithy, 2236 Lebanon Valley Mall B13, Lebanon
www.drunkensmithy.com

Lebanon County Historical Society, 924 Cumberland St., Lebanon www.lebanoncountyhistory.org

The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, 100 Museum Rd., Stevens
www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc (search for Middle Creek)

Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats Store, 209 Railroad St., Palmyra www.seltzerssmokehousemeats.com

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 S. 6th St., Lebanon
www.stlukeslebanon.org

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Hiker Haven: Museum shares stories of the famed Appalachian Trail

May 29, 2025 | by Alex J. Hayes

Plaque marking Center Point Knob in Boiling Springs.

Hikers of the Appalachian Trail have a saying: “The Trail Provides.”

Those who attempt to traverse the 2,190-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine, commonly known as the AT, believe the challenging journey gives one the opportunity for self-discovery, growth and resilience. Additionally, the trail provides literal resources, such as food, shelter and company.

The founders of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Gardners kept the mantra in focus while developing the project over the past 31 years.

“That was certainly the case with the museum,” said Larry Luxenberg, museum board president. “People showed up when we needed them.”

Luxenberg hiked the famed AT in 1980 with no hiking experience, a method he would not recommend to others. The journey and the people he met along the way changed his life, and, in 1994, he set out to write a book. While completing research for “Walking the Appalachian Trail,” Luxenberg noticed that, although people had been hiking the AT since 1923, no one had systematically cared for the many artifacts that told the trail’s story.

When his book was published, he set out on a new project—opening a museum. He publicly proposed the idea in 1998, the 50th anniversary of Earl Shaffer becoming the first person to thru-hike the trail. Hikers are goal-oriented and persistent, skills that proved to be necessary for opening a museum.

“For 12 years, I would tell my wife that I was going to a museum meeting,” Luxenberg recalled. “I imagine sometimes she thought it was my imaginary friend—or worse.”

One of Luxenberg’s biggest challenges was finding a suitable location. He approached the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2009 about taking over a 200-year-old building in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, near the trail’s midpoint, that initially served as a grist mill. A year later, more than 750 people attended the museum’s grand opening.

What initially began as a place to store artifacts evolved into a full-blown museum as volunteer plumbers, museum designers, gardeners and public relations experts began donating their services.

One of those many volunteers is Ed Riggs of Gettysburg, who hiked the trail over two years in 2013 and 2014. A heart issue paused Riggs’ first attempt. While he followed doctor’s orders, he began volunteering at the museum to maintain his connection with the land. Like his AT hike, Riggs has met many interesting people while volunteering. When he set back out to complete his quest, he saw nine people on the trail he had first met at the museum.

“Everyone who comes in here is here to talk about the trail,” Riggs said. “I can talk about the trail all day long and not feel bad that I am blabbing on and on about it.”

One day in early spring, Riggs was painting window frames outside the museum, which had not yet opened for the season. A woman asked if she could see the museum. Riggs originally said “no” but then learned he was talking to Heather “Anish” Anderson, who had hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail in one year. A large exhibit now highlights Anderson’s feat, known as the “Triple Crown” of hiking.

The museum also gives hikers an opportunity to reflect on their journey. A large contour map showing the entire trail is Riggs’ favorite exhibit.

“You could pick any part on here, and I would have a story about it,” he said.

The three-story museum also features Shaffer’s trail shelter, which was once on nearby Peter’s Mountain in Dauphin County. The museum collects artifacts from anyone willing to share. Sometimes, treasures are unearthed from unlikely places.

Sometime between 1940 and 1948, someone stole a plaque marking Center Point Knob in Boiling Springs as the trail’s mid-point. The sign depicted a hiker and was labeled Center Point Knob with the AT symbol. In 1994, builder Bruce Dunlavy found the sign in a client’s home and knew exactly what it was. The homeowner, Wilmer Harris, said he found it while digging fence post holes in his yard. Eventually, Dunlavy convinced Harris to donate the long-lost artifact to the museum.

The museum’s primary audience consists of trail enthusiasts such as Riggs and Luxenberg, but it also encourages others to join their ranks. A children’s museum gives future hikers the opportunity to try on trail boots and learn the answers to important questions, such as how to eat and relieve yourself along the trail.

As the museum celebrates its 15th year, Luxenberg is excited to see how it evolves. He is certain that, as more people complete their hike, the trail will provide new opportunities to share stories.

“Most of what has happened has come from ideas from our volunteers,” Luxenberg said. “That’s the way the whole Appalachian Trail Museum project has been since the first day.”

The Appalachian Trail Museum is located at 1120 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners. For more information, visit www.atmuseum.org.

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Fun & Fellowship: Bethel AME Church plans its first-ever community block party

May 29, 2025 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Bethel AME Church

For Rev. W. Ouemonde Brangman, pastor of Bethel AME Church, a brand-new event will help the church “enforce a sense of community.”

This month, the historic Harrisburg church hosts its first-ever community block party at N. 5th and Kelker streets. The community fellowship event will be filled with music, children’s games, prizes, raffles, a flea market, UPMC healthy living workshops, and, of course, an on-site prayer tent for individual or directed worship.

Available vendors include Coco’s Smokehouse featuring “Harrisburg’s own Courtney Randolph back from Louisiana and firing up the grill,” according to event organizers.

“If they want to shop at the flea market, vendors will be onsite,” said Myra Blackwell, a member of a church planning committee for the event. “If they want popcorn, we will have a popcorn machine. If they want face painting for kids, that’s available as well.”

Brangman said that he was approached around a year ago by “a group of (Bethel AME) ladies who said they wanted to do their own block party.” Blackwell said that the process sparked from an idea presented by parishioner Nanette Burney-Mitchell, who chairs the planning committee, with Brangman okaying final signoffs.

Blackwell said that Burney-Mitchell “came up with the idea as a way to reach out to the community post-COVID and to have a safe and healthy gathering.”

“Because we are a church, we promote a safe way to gather in the community,” Blackwell said. “With all the gun violence taking place in the City of Harrisburg, there needs to be something to uplift spirits and a space where people feel safe to gather.”

She added that healthy living is also important.

“We need to do a better job in reaching out to the community and doing things like blood pressure monitoring, effective weight loss programs, how to eat healthy, and so forth,” she said.

Bethel AME Church has been a fundamental part of the Harrisburg community for a very long time. It was founded in 1835 as “one of the premier Black churches in Harrisburg. It was a meeting place for people of color back then,” Brangman said.

In fact, the church is renowned for once serving as a conduit for the Underground Railroad and protecting abolitionist Frederick Douglass during a visit to Harrisburg when his life was threatened.

The church first was located on Meadow Lane before moving to a location on Short Street in 1839. In 1873, it moved to State Street until relocating to Briggs Street in 1913.

In 1953, Bethel AME relocated to 6th and Herr streets, where it remained until the building was gutted by fire in 1995. The congregation then settled into its current spot.

In 2021, the church partnered with RB Development, Paladin Development, a branch of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, and Gardner Capital Development to develop Bethel Village, comprising 49 affordable housing units for low-income seniors age 62 and over.

The completed four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building at 6th and Herr streets was built on a parcel that includes the former site of the Bethel AME Church that was destroyed by fire 30 years ago.

The block party will take place near the church’s current location at 1721 N. 5th St., where both adults and kids will find a wide variety of things to do.

“Block party attendees can expect a fun-filled day with different activities,” Blackwell said.

The Bethel AME Church community block party takes place June 7, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at N. 5th and Kelker streets in Harrisburg. For more information, visit Bethel AME Church on Facebook or call 717-234-6505.

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Dreams of Capri: With burrata, you’ll enjoy a taste of the sunny Mediterranean

May 29, 2025 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

In 2010, my husband and I traveled to Italy with friends who had lived there for quite a few years. We let them plan the itinerary as we had no idea which were the best places to visit, and they had years of first-hand experience.

One afternoon, we found ourselves in a fairly deserted restaurant overlooking the Bay of Naples. The server paid us a lot of attention! We let him order for us, and the result was an enormous platter of pasta in tomato sauce, with fresh lobster (and lobster roe for my husband) and mounds of cheese I initially thought was mozzarella.

It was wonderful and incredibly rich. I knew the cheese was different from mozzarella, but I didn’t know what it was.

Our waiter shared with us that the cheese that distinguished our pasta that sparkling day in Capri was burrata. And he swore the lobster was so fresh it was swimming offshore that morning.

I have since learned a couple of things about burrata cheese.

Burrata originated in the region of Puglia, which was my father’s birthplace. Puglia is in southern Italy on the eastern side of the “boot.”
It was introduced to America in 1996 at a restaurant in Los Angeles (where it was made onsite) and later found its way to New York City.
Apparently, it was not initially well received by the dining public. Today, it appears frequently on contemporary restaurant menus and is widely available in grocery stores.

Burrata is a thin, spherical shell of fresh mozzarella cheese that encases what Italians call “stracciatella” or “little rags.” Stracciatella is simply shreds of mozzarella soaked in heavy cream. It’s the surprise that awaits when you cut into what appears to be an ordinary ball of fresh mozzarella.

For years, I have been making a tomato and baked ricotta cheese appetizer garnished with toasted pine nuts, fresh basil and lots of olive oil. Served with crostini, it has always been a hit with guests—and so easy to make. I decided to substitute fresh burrata cheese for the ricotta: no baking required and something definitely different.

Burrata Cheese Appetizer with Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

2 pints red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (a mix of red and yellow is nice)
2 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces burrata cheese (Bel Gioioso makes a readily available product in grocery stores.)
Crostini made from an Italian or French baguette
Optional: toasted pine nuts to sprinkle on top
Optional: capers to mix in with the tomatoes

Directions

Put the ¼ cup olive oil in a medium skillet and warm gently over medium heat.
When the oil is warm and slightly shimmering, pour in the cherry tomatoes and stir gently to cover with the oil. Add the smashed garlic cloves.
Season with salt and pepper and sauté until the tomatoes are soft and the juices are “syrup-y.” Then remove from the heat and remove the garlic cloves.
If you happen to like capers, add a ¼ cup to the cherry mixture.
Drain the room-temperature burrata cheese from its container, pat it gently with a paper towel to dry. Place the cheese on a pretty round platter.
Gently spoon the cooked cherry tomatoes all around the cheese.
Sprinkle chopped basil over the whole dish along with toasted pine nuts, if you like them.
Serve the appetizer with your favorite crostini or even plain baguette slices if you are short on time.

Summer is upon us. If you have a porch or deck or patio, take this colorful appetizer outside to your family or friends with a chilled bottle of Prosecco or white wine. I think it could become your go-to starter for a special meal. Tell everyone you have discovered burrata and are dreaming of Capri!

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Bartender’s Choice: At Rubicon, thoughtful food deserves thoughtful cocktails

May 29, 2025 | by Randy Gross

Dylan Simon

No one is going to argue with bartender Dylan Simon when he describes the food at Rubicon as “wonderful and thoughtful.”

In fact, when sampling any of master chef Qui Qui Musarra’s delightful dishes, one might even say those words are an understatement.

But this article (to some readers’ disappointment) isn’t about Rubicon’s food. Rather, the focus is on giving the famed downtown Harrisburg restaurant’s cocktails equal time.

To put things in simplest terms, thoughtful food deserves thoughtful cocktails, and Simon, one of two full-time mixologists at Rubicon, lives up to any presupposed hype.

“Cocktail creating is a lot like cooking,” he said. “Small changes can be made to profoundly change the outcome. And like cooking, there are generally no wrong answers. We’re kind of challenged by Chef (Musarra) multiple times to pair something.”

Simon paused for a moment to point out how the drink I was sampling, the Seoul-Stice, pairs well with the buck-a-shuck oysters available during happy hour at the bar.

“Plus, there’s just something fun about it, especially here,” he said. “You kind of get to play like you’re on stage.”

Simon, a Central Dauphin graduate, started bartending at Rubicon back in 2014, and then, after a hiatus, returned to the upscale North Street eatery 1½ years ago. He clearly has fun behind the bar, evident in his innate talent for friendly banter and even more so in the presentation and taste of his drinks.

On our visit, he masterfully demonstrated his skills while mixing up two “wonderful and thoughtful” concoctions.

First, the aforementioned Seoul-Stice, very accurately described by Simon as having “just enough spice to let you know about it,” is a refreshing mix of Gochujang white balsamic vinegar (from Seasons in Lancaster), a Plymouth gin infused with cucumber, Copper Bonnet sugar kelp gin (which, he adds, “has a wonderful salinity”), all topped with a visually appealing chiffonade of lime.

This was followed by the Squadron 99, a Prosecco float borrowing the best elements from a whiskey sour and a Seelbach, comprised of Uncle Nearest 1884 Whiskey (a Rubicon bar favorite ingredient), Aperol, plum bitters, pomegranate molasses and lemon.

All of which brings us full circle, back to Rubicon’s very thoughtful food. When pressed to single out just one or two dishes that are must-tries for any newcomers, Simon put things succinctly, with his customary good nature:

“This is one of those menus that you could throw a dart at, and wherever it lands, you’re gonna be happy,” he said.

Rubicon is located at 270 North St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.rubiconhbg.com. Photos by Will Masters.

Dylan’s Choices

Words of advice to home mixologists

My best word of advice for anyone with a home bar is to get comfortable making classic cocktails and not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You would be surprised how many craft cocktails start from being a derivative of the classics.

Favorite spirit straight

I’m going to talk about my love for whisky. Scotch whisky is so distinct from region to region and distillery to distillery that a single person might detest an Islay for its peatiness but love a Speyside for its spicy fruit.

Recommendations for two or three spirits to try

I have always loved Dalwhinnie 15. It is the highest distillery in elevation and its smooth flavors of honey, vanilla and citrus are appealing to a lot of palates. Penelope Toasted is my latest favorite bourbon.

Most commonly ordered drinks at your bar

We have a few staples here at Rubicon. The Di’s Addiction is a grapefruit and citrus martini while the Firefly is a margarita/martini hybrid featuring habanero and lemon infused tequila with Midori and mango. If you sit around my bar, you’ll hear Di’s and Flys goin’ across the bar all night.

DRINK FOR JUNE

Corpse Reviver #2
The perfect adult lemonade

1ounce lemon juice
1ounce Old Tom Gin
1ounce Lillet Blanc
1ounce Cointreau
Shake with ice
Rinse glass with absinthe
Expressed lemon twist to garnish

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Eco-Educate: Kids are never too young to learn about conservation, and local educators and programs are here to help

May 29, 2025 | by Gina Napoli

I can thank my proactive Girl Scout leaders back in 1980-something for prying my couch potato buns off the sofa to drag me through the woods, with the hopes that I would appreciate nature.

Back then, “conservation” wasn’t a trendy vocabulary word in our societal lexicon. But every permission slip contained nods to a smaller carbon footprint, like walking and carpooling to destinations, and my favorite adage: “Take only pictures. Leave only memories.”

Today’s scout leaders and other educators have a stellar range of conservation programming in the Harrisburg area designed for children pre-K to age 18, and an internet browser to easily connect with those programs. Looking beyond Harrisburg’s big backyard, there are scads of state and local parks, and national parks if you’re willing to road-trip.

But even if you take the “shoe leather express,” a.k.a. my scout leader’s clever phrase for “walking,” you don’t have to trek far to find green spaces for fun activities like fossil hunts, nature hikes and outdoor sports like kayaking, rock climbing, clay shooting and even disc golf.

Anthea Stebbins, director of Dauphin County Parks & Recreation, who is just as proactive as my former scout leader, keeps the community calendar overflowing with low-cost and free events focusing on Pennsylvania ecology and environmental literacy. For every age and level of adventurer, you’ll find a steady stream of interactive workshops and presentations focused on nature topics kids can feel excited about.

Emily Rosmus, director of educational programming for the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg (another proactive educator), swears by water as the hot conservation topic that most stirs excitement in the kids she teaches. Learning about water doesn’t just happen in a classroom through worksheets and coloring pages. Kids go into a creek to catch debris downstream, pH-sample to test water’s contents and quality, and observe dragonflies in their lifecycles while creepy-crawlies swim around their ankles.

It’s small group sessions that Rosmus considers core for outreach on good conservation practices, fostering kids’ curiosity and a love for the environment.

“We connect with many of the same kids year to year, over and over, connecting them with their surroundings,” she said. “We want them to take their lessons home with them and apply them to their own lives—recycling, mindfulness, openness, planting pollinators in their own yards.”

Educators present age-relevant lessons that strike a balance between trying to remove kids’ fears, keeping them safe, inspiring curiosity, and teaching kids not to disturb animals’ homes. This can be a challenge when teaching about natural things that might be dangerous, like snakes or mushrooms.

“If kids understand how those scary things fit into the overall ecosystem, they may feel less fearful,” Rosmus said.

On water or on land, the most important lesson to impart to children is, “Respect whatever we come across. There are plants and animals living in the trees, rocks, the cracks,” Rosmus said. “When we enter someone else’s home environment, it’s a privilege to explore that space.”

Planting Seeds

For an enriching experience that fosters a true sense of stewardship, Dauphin County Parks & Recreation offers community gardens. By renting a pre-tilled, 900-square foot plot for only $20 per season, your child can take their food through its entire lifecycle, creating their very own farm-to-table experience. And they can use so many of the lessons and materials they’ve collected from other complementary programs. Sustainability, yes?

Michelle McKeown, program and community engagement manager, sees many families gardening together—even one great-grandmother who bonds with her great-grandchildren while they all bond with mother nature.

“Teaching kids about conservation through our community gardens helps them connect with the earth in a hands-on way,” she said. “It turns abstract ideas into real-life action—planting seeds, saving water, composting—and shows them that they have the power to care for the planet, right where they live.”

Speaking of bonding together, Dauphin County Parks & Rec partnered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission recently to offer an all-ages program on the importance of responsible stewardship and preserving Pennsylvania’s natural habitats. As an interactive part of the lesson, kids were able to touch the different animal pelts inside Warden Madeline Delly’s “fur bag.” Delly also shared a lesson on safety on state game lands, her responsibilities as a game warden, and a special lesson on springtime.

Whether a conservation organization is government-based or nonprofit, all strive to keep costs low to keep their programs inclusive and accessible. For their own sustainability, they rely on a combination of grants, fundraising donations, volunteers and partnerships. So, when you see that bucket by the door on your way home from making a bird box, please give as you’re able.

Looking back, I’m grateful my scout leader prodded me outside, even if their encouragement started out as a pitchfork wedged into my back. Want to chase your own kids outside and encourage them to be conservation-minded? These are some suggested sources for free materials and diverse environmental programming. (Psst… In addition to free educational materials and natural art supplies, you may even be able to borrow specialized equipment, like binoculars, outdoor equipment or raingear, if you ask the right people. If you want to borrow a pitchfork, contact my Girl Scout leaders.)

For more information on the Ned Smith Center, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

Dauphin County’s two community gardens are located at 1501 Elmerton Ave. and at the corner of Sycamore Drive and Dogwood Avenue, Harrisburg. To find out more about the county’s programming, visit www.dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/parks-recreation.

For more information on the PA Game Commission, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc.html.

To learn more about conservation, visit the PA Wildlife Federation at www.pawildlife.org.

Stories on environmental topics are proudly sponsored by LCSWMA.

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State Stride: Local runner completes marathons in all 50 states

May 29, 2025 | by Rachel Curry

Jess Hayden

It’s never too late to set and achieve intimidating goals—at least, that’s how Jess Hayden, who recently finished her project of completing a marathon in all 50 states, lives her life.

Hayden, the retired executive director of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society, started the project in her 50s, and it took 11 years to complete. That’s an average of more than four marathons per year, an impressive feat for someone of any age.

“For me, goals and projects are really important,” Hayden said. “They empower us, and just moving them forward makes us feel so good.”

This project turned Hayden into what’s called a “50-stater” in the marathon community. No matter if she were in Maryland, Montana or Alaska, she often ran into fellow 50-staters who she recognized from other races.

The marathoners she met were diverse, ranging from their teens to their 80s, in all shapes and sizes.

“That’s one thing I really like about running in marathons in particular,” she said. “If you’re physically able, through some really strategic planning and running a little bit every day, and using a good marathon plan, just about anyone can run a marathon.”

Hayden, who lives in New Cumberland, completed her first marathon in 2014 right at home in Harrisburg. She wanted to keep at it, and instead of doing the same marathon every year for the rest of her life, she decided to see the country and experience the myriad cultures that make up our 50 states. With the help of running friends, family and—most of all—her husband John, Hayden raced in places like Salmon, Idaho, Storm Lake, Iowa, and Hilo, Hawaii.

For Hayden, her husband was an integral part in the success she had reaching her goal, though it wasn’t through running that he helped her achieve it.

“My philosophy about exercise so far in life is when the urge to exercise hits, I lay down until the feeling passes,” John said.

Still, having spent his career as a mechanical engineer, John’s knack for logistics was extraordinarily helpful. Ahead of races, he would help her map out her course, ensuring she’s training for the right kind of elevation and terrain. Sometimes, she’d run two marathons in one weekend to keep travel costs down, so he made sure she was eating enough at the right times.

“If you’re burning 5,000 calories in a weekend, it’s hard to imagine how much food you have to eat,” he said.

On the ground, John would drive her to the start line, pick her up at the finish line, and support her in between. He’d take her to packet pick up the day before the race and generally make sure all her ducks were in a row so she could focus on being healthy and finishing her goal.

For Hayden, that all made a difference.

“I can say this now that I was never injured in a marathon,” she said. “I never had to stop a marathon. So, I was really happy about that, because there were definitely people I saw that were pulled off the course for injuries.”

Hawaii was Hayden’s last race, completed earlier this year. Her husband retired in January, so it was a double celebration, with a dozen or so friends and family staying with them at an Airbnb near the course. Her daughter even surprised her by running the race with her (it was her first marathon). By the end of the race, the news spread.

“There was another 50-stater beside me that was finishing up,” Hayden said. “So, everybody on the course knew who we were, and, at the end, there were people there cheering.”

For Hayden, running marathons was never about finishing fast.

“Most of the time, I just wanted to be comfortable,” she said. “I wanted to keep on going.”

Not all races were great. Those with less crowd support, or those in poor weather, stick out to Hayden as some of her least favorites. A marathon in Detroit, running through a divided highway and industrial warehouses, wasn’t as interesting as, say, running through bucolic terrain or interesting architecture. But regardless of the locale, Hayden learned a lot about herself along the way.

“Towards setting and achieving goals, we show ourselves and others what we’re capable of,” she said.

Now that she and her husband are retired, new projects are coming into play. Hayden hasn’t run long distances since her last race, but she still does CrossFit daily, is working on a big gardening project, and is even planning on traveling for swing dancing.

For his part, John is spending more time organizing in the community, an effort informed in part by his travels around the country. Take Storm Lake, for example. There, the meatpacking industry has helped employ a range of diverse refugees and immigrants. “There’s a lot to learn from a place like that,” he said.

He learned a lot about his wife through the process, too.

“Jess has a lot of grit and endurance and stick-to-itiveness,” he said. “She put her doubts aside, which are actually relatively persistent, but overcame those and continued to run.”

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Adventure Together: The Appalachian Trail is calling, and our writer’s family ventures out

May 29, 2025 | by Natalie diSanto

Duncannon AT Festival. Photo courtesy of The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community

From downtown Harrisburg you can get to the Appalachian Trail within 20 minutes, maybe less. The 2,190-mile trail is the longest hiking-only path in the world.

You may not regard Harrisburg as overwhelmingly unique in the world, but our proximity to the AT plus the Rockville Bridge, which is the longest stone masonry arch railroad viaduct ever built, positions Harrisburg as an important place to be. As icing on the cake, these two one-of-a-kind assets are also great places to entertain the family. The Appalachian Trail is perfect for exercise and exploration, and the Rockville Bridge is next to the gorgeous riverside Fort Hunter Park and Playground. Every now and then, there’s a chance to reflect on how lucky we are to live and raise our families here.

Across the river in Duncannon, a designated Appalachian Trail Community, they’re throwing a party. On Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the 2025 Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival will feature live entertainment, food trucks, educational wildlife presentations, crafts for kids, hiking and volunteer clubs and arts vendors. The festival will take place on High Street between Cumberland and Ann streets. Festivities will cater to the interests of both adults and children and admission is my favorite price: $0.

Peak Fun

Hawk Rock, a popular hiking spur off the AT, offers a spectacular view at its peak in Duncannon. To reach the trailhead, park at the Duncannon Borough Watershed. If your family is up for a longer hike, try the Eagles Edge Vista loop, which also culminates in a breathtaking, though slightly less popular, overlook of the Susquehanna. The combined loop is about two miles long with over 700 feet in elevation gain, so it can be challenging. As self-aware nerds, my family likes to pretend that we are hiking to the top of Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, which makes the task infinitely more exciting. With your family, maybe imagine that you’re climbing the tallest tower to destroy the dragon and rescue a prince or princess, training to ascend Mount Everest, or that you’re a bunch of ants trying to make it over a pebble. Whatever use of imagination gets you up the mountain, be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water. AllTrails estimates this hike takes just over an hour but expect that to double with little legs trailing along.

Duncannon is home to some cute eateries and breweries to refuel at after excursions. The Doyle Hotel has operated since 1905 and still makes a mean cheeseburger after 120 years. Parents, check out their bar top, a gorgeous carved wooden map of the Appalachian Trail. Lindgren Brewery is also fun, as it’s housed in what was once a bank. My kid had a blast in the vault room, complete with old security boxes, where he and some other kids made up games and played while I could keep an eye on, but didn’t have to entertain, him. Any brewery that has space for both kids and parents to find their niche is a 10/10, in my opinion.

Trail TLC

With the Appalachian Trail and its surrounding communities on the tip of our tongues, let’s talk about ways that you and I can get involved. The Keystone Trail Association is dedicated to protecting hiking trail lands through support, advocacy and public education for the responsible use of trails and our natural environment. From June 12 to 15, KTA is hosting a Trail Care event in, what I mentioned in a previous column as my favorite region in PA, the Everett region. Volunteers may work in the Buchanan State Forest or Tenley Park in Everett. On June 18, KTA volunteers will work closer to home with volunteers in Greg’s Woods or Port Royal Wetlands in Juniata County. To learn more about events and volunteering, reach out to KTA through their website.

Trail Care consists of a variety of activities that range from painting blazes, clearing fallen limbs, removing trash and debris, or other upkeep and improvement for trails. Caring for trails helps more than the environment. It demonstrates the importance of stewardship of our wild lands, helps children learn responsibility, and offers immediate gratification while being outside, which can reduce stress and improve both physical and mental health.

As parents raising a new generation of people in Harrisburg, it is our responsibility to demonstrate the value that natural resources, like the Appalachian Trail, play in both our region and the world. Environmental stewardship can be as reciprocal as caring for our families, as we give and take, explore and learn together, and work to create something beautiful that lasts in the future.

For more information on the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival, visit https://duncannonatc.org/2023-duncannon-appalachian-trail-festival/.

To find out more about the Keystone Trail Association, visit www.kta-hike.org.

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What’s Love Got to Do with It? An ’80s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” for 2025

May 29, 2025 | by Francesca Amendolia

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” cast

You don’t have to have lived through the 1980s to know the vibe: girls just wanted to have fun, the boys were back in town, and everybody wanted to rule the world.

Cuffed blazers, neon socks, rubber bangles, pin-covered denim jackets—there’s something wonderfully whimsical about that decade, especially when we can pick and mix it 40 years on, and that makes it the perfect setting for one of Shakespeare’s fluffier plays.

And “Love’s Labour’s Lost” is pretty fluffy. The play opens with four young men—one of whom is Ferdinand, king of Navarre—swearing an oath to spend three years studying philosophy while also completely avoiding women. The ink isn’t quite dry on their pledge when someone reminds Ferdinand that the beautiful princess of France and her three-girl retinue are scheduled to arrive that very day on a diplomatic mission. Whoops.

However, while no relationship in this play is particularly deep or complex, “Love’s Labour’s Lost” does offer food for thought. Through the developing connections among the eight young people, the play explores that liminal time between childhood and adulthood, when the weight of adult responsibilities grows ever greater but the tools for coping with that weight are still new and fragile.

For director Clark Nicholson, that makes a college campus a natural and resonant setting for this story.

“Those years at college are very formative,” he explained. “People are just figuring out who they are, what they think is important, who they’re attracted to, and what their values are.”

For example, Ferdinand really wants to be a good king, and his friends want to do right by him, even if he is inclined to take things a little too far. The oath he imposes—not just on himself and his friends but on his whole court—might be extreme, but it comes from an honest desire to improve.

Setting the play in the ’80s makes thematic and design sense in several ways, says Nicholson. Perhaps most obviously, the music and fashions are familiar and charmingly appealing. Costume designer Victoria Wojciechowski has imaginatively combined the two by asking the cast to send her three ’80s songs that each actor believes define their character. Using that collaborative playlist as inspiration, her aim is to design a clear look for each character.

Another way the setting makes sense is because the ’80s is both the very recent past and a world away. Directing Shakespeare, Nicholson points out, means staying sharply aware of how societal attitudes have changed.

Of course, a 400-year-old script feels antiquated in places, but it can be shocking to see just how much the world has grown since “The Breakfast Club” came out 40 years ago. That film didn’t age too badly, but other John Hughes movies, like “Pretty in Pink,” are painfully out of step with current values. Giving show audiences a double lens to peer through—40 years, 400 years—subtly poses important and timely questions about where we’ve come from and where we’re heading.

That some questions don’t have simple answers is the philosophical heart of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” Unlike other Shakespearean comedies, this play doesn’t end with a wedding or any other kind of firm resolution. Instead, it looks to an uncertain future that is yet to be shaped, acknowledging that our choices, the ones we make every day, are what essentially determine our characters, our lives and our loves.

Of course, a play about young love set on a college campus in the ’80s is also just appealingly nostalgic, replete with the kind of silly fun that makes for great outdoor Shakespeare. Whether you come for the will-they-won’t-they romantic energy, the antics of the very commedia dell’arte clowns, or the wise-cracking Beatrice-and-Benedick prototype of Rosaline and Berowne, you’ll find something appealing to while away a moonlit summer night.

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” runs May 30 to June 14 at the bandshell in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, with shows Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/fsip.

“Shakespeare in the Park” is always free. Gamut Theatre recommends that patrons bring a chair or blanket for seating, remember sunscreen and bug spray, and arrive early to claim a great spot. They will also be accepting canned goods for the Bethesda Mission.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

“Love’s Labour’s Lost”
Harrisburg Shakespeare Company
Free Shakespeare in the Park
Reservoir Park
May 30 to June 14
Wednesdays to Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.

At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

“The Colored Museum”
May 31 to June 19

A satirical and provocative exploration of Black American identity
In partnership with Sankofa African American Theatre Company

Black NewsBeat

Dr. Kimeka Campbell leads conversations on culture and activism.
Wednesday, June 11, 7 p.m.

Open Stage Gala

Celebrating Season 40
At King Mansion
Sunday, June 22

EFF Live!

A night of outrageous, comedic erotic fan fiction readings
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.

OSHKids Summer

“Finding Nemo Kids”
Enrolling now for class starting June 9
Performances June 27 & 28

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Have Art Will Travel: “We Art Penn State!”

May 29, 2025 | by Bob MacGinnes

The Palmer Museum of Art. Photos by Jana MacGinnes

The above title is a slight variation on the instantly recognizable fall chant, “We are Penn State!” the familiar roar heard throughout the college football season. And here are two other reasons: The Palmer Museum of Art and the Arboretum at Penn State.

As a graduate student back at the turn of the century (the 21st), I was fortunate to review a special art exhibit at the original Palmer, clandestinely cloistered in the heart of the Penn State campus. The museum then was in a railroad car-size of a building, narrow and long on Curtin Road. Just a little shy of a quantum leap (two dozen years) later, the newly opened Palmer is a dream destination well worth the 90-minute drive from Harrisburg. Today, “the little museum that could” is a massive, two-story granite, glass and blond wood shrine to art celebrating its one-year anniversary in its new locale at the Arboretum.

In its first three months from June through August of last summer, over 25,000 art lovers walked through its doors. That is pretty heady stuff, even for a university the size of Penn State. The Palmer is known as “the museum for academics” as well as the largest museum between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Designed by Allied Works, the museum houses 20 galleries on two floors with inspirational views of the grounds of the Arboretum next door.

On our visit to the Palmer this past fall, we were astounded at the breadth of art before our eyes. First and foremost, the building itself is its largest work of beauty—a testament to farsighted visionaries, patience, perseverance and time. The Palmer celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 knowing that, in just a few years, the new museum would be finished. It opened its doors on June 1, 2024, to a resounding response, especially given that the summer school season sees fewer students, activities and events. However, as part of the arboretum’s grand appeal, there was much fanfare and built-up anticipation for its grand opening. Like the “Field of Dreams,” “build it and they will come,” and they did, in record numbers. Now, a full year later, there is much to celebrate as the Palmer is a must-see stop from Wednesdays through Sundays, its days of operation.

During our pilgrimage, we were blessed with an uncommonly warm early November day. Sally Kalin, our art ambassador, graciously gave us a tour, representing the museum in the very best light. Sally readily shared her own “best of” picks, giving us an erudite assessment of the history, relevance and meaning behind many major American paintings. She has served as board president during her 12 years at the Palmer, and present day finds her doing what she does best—sharing the back stories, “a true labor of love,” she divulged. As for her personal favorite work, it is George Luks’ oil-on-canvas, “Thompson and Bleecker Street,” painted in 1905 and later donated by the Palmers themselves. If that wasn’t the best museum experience we’ve had in our seven years covering art, I’m not sure what is. We also spoke at great length with Penn State student Sophia Heltman, on desk duty that Sunday as a visitor’s associate and tour guide.

“Working at the Palmer at its new home next to the Arboretum has been exciting,” she told us. “Getting to tour visitors and see their reactions to the new space has been fulfilling. It’s great to see the turnout and everyone’s engagement with the collections.”

Located in University Park, this modern monument to art is chockablock full, floor to ceiling of one gallery after another. It boasts its own museum store and café. As a key component of Penn State’s land grant mission, the Palmer is a cultural conduit serving scholars, faculty and the university’s 85,000 students. The 11,000 works of art span the globe and cover periods from the Renaissance to the 21st century, with mediums ranging from paintings and sculptures to prints, drawings and photographs. In addition, there are collages, works on paper, pastels, contemporary studio glass, watercolor and ceramics. Joyce Robinson, interim director, weighed in on what the new museum and arboretum mean to her.

“Our new location at the Arboretum has already greatly expanded access to the Palmer and it’s exceeding expectations,” she said. “There is always something new to see in our light-filled galleries.”

Sarah Wharton, the museum’s marketing and communications director, estimates that 75,000 people will visit the new museum over its first year of operation.

Perhaps the best complement to your visit is the 395-acre Arboretum at Penn State, adjacent to the Palmer. This is the perfect time of year to visit, as spring and summer provide the lushest scenery with sunflowers, black-eyed Susans and cone flowers in bloom, in addition to roses, clematis and irises. The beautiful, serene setting is perfect for picnics with benches throughout the grounds, as well as hidden nooks and crannies. Walking trails include the 1.3-mile Bellefonte Central Rail Trail. Be sure to spend time at the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden, Pollinator Garden and Bird Garden. A magical encounter on the verdant grounds leads one to the H.O. Smith Botanic Garden and 10 acres of themed garden spaces with another 14 acres of walking paths and rolling meadows to explore. Our favorite part was the iris walk and garden bower bathed by wisteria. Be sure to pack water for the adventure, and comfortable walking shoes are a must. With seasonal activities taking place on most days, the Arboretum has classes geared for children from early June through the end of August. A family pumpkin festival is held in October with a winter version set for the holidays in December.

No matter the time of year, the Palmer Museum of Art is high on our list of art museums anywhere. This summer is perfect for a getaway road trip or overnight stay. The campus is less congested, the art and arboretum await, and the weather forecast is nothing but blue skies. So, hop in the car, put the top down, and cruise on to State College. When you pull up outside the museum doors, be sure to cheer, “We are Penn State!” For us, art is something to roar about!

The Palmer Museum of Art is located at 650 Bigler Rd., University Park. For more information, visit www.palmermuseum.psu.edu. The Arboretum at Penn State is located at E. Park Avenue and Bigler Road, University Park. For more information, visit www.arboretum.psu.edu. Admission to both is free.

Special thanks to the staff of the Palmer Museum, including Sally Kalin, Sophia Heltman, Sarah Wharton and Joyce Robinson.

Photos by Jana MacGinnes

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