Flag Day, 1914: A century ago, Harrisburg celebrated a unique gift.

May 30, 2014 | by Jason Wilson

This June 14 marks the 100^th anniversary of the transfer of the commonwealth’s Civil War flags to the Capitol’s main rotunda.

It was also the last time the aged veteran bearers carried the colors that they had carried during the Civil War. They had been offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Harrisburg to be honored for their service and to transfer their beloved colors to the cases that had been designed specifically for the flags in 1911.

The flag-bearers met outside the old Library and Museum building well before the 1 p.m. assembly time, and each was handed the furled color that they had carried during the war. Many of the men wept openly upon holding the colors again, and the parade was delayed slightly while they regained their composure.

In the end, the parade began nearly on time at 2 p.m. and followed 4th Street to Market then on to Front and up State Street to the Capitol’s steps with the ceremony beginning at 3:15. As the veterans turned up State Street, the six companies of the National Guard formed an honor guard fringing the sides of the street, which were thronged with masses of people eager to see the veterans and their colors.

The ceremony began with a playing of the song “Pennsylvania,” followed by the invocation and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Gov. John K. Tener made a short welcome speech, followed by Sen. Martin of the Flag Transfer Commission.

Martin stated that the colors needed no eulogy and that their history was written in the blood of thousands of loyal Pennsylvanians who fought and died to preserve the nation. He further asked that they be preserved for all time as a tribute to fallen heroes and an inspiration of loyalty and patriotism. More music followed, as did a keynote address by Maj. Moses Veale of the 109^th PA. He recounted how truly young the men were who went off to war and assessed the contributions of the entire generation to the strength of the nation. “America” was then sung, and the benediction ended the ceremony.

As the band played a medley of Civil War tunes, the veterans placed their banners one by one in the Capitol’s main rotunda.

All told, 352 flags representing some 340,000 veterans of the commonwealth were carried and commemorated that day. The parade and ceremony were touted as among the most memorable and emotional events in Harrisburg’s history, not just for the participants but for thousands of residents who watched the procession. It was highly photographed and one of the first events to be filmed by the Harrisburg Telegraph and shown in local theaters.

Within several decades, the veterans who bore the colors would be gone, but the flags that they carried remain and were removed from the rotunda and preserved in 1985. They remain as a lasting testament and tangible connection to the valor of Pennsylvania’s Civil War soldiers and one of the largest single collections of Civil War flags in the nation.

Jason Wilson is an historian with the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee.

Instruments of Peace: At Pine Street Presbyterian, a common bond, a shared hope.

May 30, 2014 | by Paul Barker

On Monday, May 5, a few hours after the Supreme Court ruled to permit prayer at local government meetings, thereby opening another large hole in America’s rather porous wall between church and state, a modest crowd gathered in the pews of Pine Street Presbyterian, in downtown Harrisburg, to chip away at the barriers between church and church.

The occasion was the 6^th Annual Commonwealth Interfaith Prayer Service, an event that celebrates, as a promotional flyer put it, the “rich diversity of faith traditions in Pennsylvania.” Among the participants, in addition to the home-team Presbyterians, were representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faiths, a Roman Catholic, an Old Catholic, a Methodist, a Quaker, a Unitarian, a Mormon, a Baptist, two members of the Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Harrisburg and a Buddhist priest from the Blue Mountain Lotus Society.

Pine Street’s nave was hung with white felt banners—“VICTORY OVER DEATH,” “HE IS RISEN.” As people filed in, Scott Siciliano, with the Colonial Park United Church of Christ, played hymns like “For the Beauty of the Earth” on a wooden harp. Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pine Street’s pastor, offered a word of welcome, beginning with the announcement of an offering for Downtown Daily Bread and a warning about parking. “And now it is a pleasure to introduce to you two public servants who are committed to interfaith dialogue,” he said. Eric Papenfuse, mayor of Harrisburg, and George Hartwick III, Dauphin County commissioner, took their positions at the lecterns flanking the altar.

Papenfuse spoke first, saying he was “particularly moved” by the night’s theme, “Prayers for Justice and Peace.” “Pray that we seek to inspire a new atmosphere of civility in our communities and that we commit to treat each other with love and respect,” he urged. (At a City Council meeting the next night, as if to demonstrate this petition’s urgency, one of the mayor’s senior officials engaged in a public spat with the council president, while Papenfuse shook his head in a seat nearby.) He requested prayers for peaceful streets and for justice “that provides comfort for those who have suffered,” building to a characteristically ambitious conclusion: “May our united prayers bless our city, envelop our people and ignite a spiritual renaissance to make our capital a model of hope for the entire nation.”

Hartwick, who had been chatting genially with a constituent in the pews up until the service began, said the event showed “how through example we can start to rally around the fundamental principles which underlie each of our religions.” He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness does not drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Then, after a pocketful of “whereas” clauses, he proclaimed the day—“May 5, Cinco de Mayo”—as the “6^th Annual Prayers for Justice and Peace Day in Dauphin County.”

The public servants dismounted and headed for the pews. Rabbi Carl Choper, the president of the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania, spoke about “how wondrous” it was that the prayer service was “here at all.” “Many people might take our ability to gather here like this in one room very much for granted,” he said. He recalled learning in elementary school about the 1649 Maryland Act of Religious Toleration. “Only as an adult,” he said, “did I learn that what was presented to us students as an ‘act of toleration’ called in its first article for toleration of anyone who accepted the Trinity, and the death penalty for everyone else.”

The final word of welcome came from the Rev. Sandra Strauss, one of the event’s organizers and its media contact. Strauss is the director of public advocacy for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, one of the interfaith service’s founding sponsors. A perusal of the links on the council’s public advocacy website, under the heading TAKE ACTION!, gives a sense of its concerns—the gas and oil industries, women’s rights, education, torture and especially poverty. “The purpose is not really to lobby,” she said later. “It’s to get people to take action based on their faith.”

“It seems like only yesterday when a small group of intrepid folks passionate about interfaith relationships gathered around a table…to attempt to pull off an ambitious interfaith service around the theme of justice and peace,” she said from the lectern. The first event, though a success, “only scratched the surface of the richness that exists in our many traditions.” In subsequent years, the group sought additional sponsors and yet more diverse prayer traditions. “And so, here we are again,” Strauss concluded. “A tapestry woven together by our common bond of humanity and the shared hope for a better world.”

“Amen,” said a few folks in the pews. Then, quite suddenly, from the back of the church, came a series of low, twanging strikes on a drum. People turned to see a barefoot man in a white robe processing up the aisle, a stole draped over his shoulders bearing images of dragonflies. This was the Oshō Geoffrey Dunaway, of the Blue Mountain Lotus Society, which follows in the tradition of socially engaged Buddhism. He approached a small shrine on the altar, chanting, and then conducted a short ceremony to, as he explained later, “open the altar space.” He sprinkled water from a pine sprig in each of the cardinal directions, then lit incense and rang a bell, while a photographer who had accessed a loft space took photos from above.

Following the procession was a series of invocations from the Abrahamic faiths: a Jewish call to worship, blown on a shofar, an instrument traditionally made from the horn of a ram; a Christian call to worship; and an Islamic call to prayer. Ahmad Bhatti, of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Division Street, gave the latter from the lectern, hands cupped around his ears, palms outward, singing in a faintly nasal meandering melody.

Then came a sequence of prayers, songs, narrations and group responses that bore witness to the remarkable variety of the service’s more than 30 co-sponsors. A choir from the Metropolitan Community Church, on Jefferson Street near Italian Lake, sang a version of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Ashok Shukla, of the Hindu American Religious Institute, delivered a mantra: “May there be peace, peace, perfect peace.” The Market Square Ringers, a bell choir from Market Square Presbyterian, played a lovely song called “Celebration and Grace,” brass bells flashing in their black gloves. Penbrook United Church of Christ’s Rebecca Boone, constrained to a chair by a sprained ankle, offered a waist-up liturgical dance to James Taylor’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.” (Before this, there was even a nod to Nietzsche, who wrote he would “believe only in a God that knows how to dance”—or, at least, who wrote that so spake Zarathustra.)

Dave Johnston, of the Harrisburg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, which convenes each Sunday in a meetinghouse at the corner of N. 6^th and Herr, provided a meditation on what you might call supplication by subtraction. “We sit in silence,” Johnston said of Quaker prayer, “and if we’re moved to speak, we speak.” He asked the assembled to pause with him for a few moments’ silence, during which all the mostly missed noises came suddenly in range of hearing: the roar of one’s own thoughts, the pew-wood clicking.

At the end of the service, after a warm benediction by the Rev. Dr. James Jackson of Goodwin Memorial Baptist on Green Street, Rabbi Eric Cytryn of Uptown’s Beth El Temple strummed a guitar and sang “Oseh Shalom.” The prayerful dispersed from the pews, some to heed Sullivan’s warning about the garages, others for refreshments at a reception behind the sanctuary. This was the best part of the event, Strauss said later: “It’s seeing all of these people from different faith traditions, different color, different dress, talking after the service.”

“Every time we pray, our horizon is altered,” the Most Rev. Michael Scalzi of the mid-Atlantic diocese of the Old Catholic Church narrated at one point in the service. He was quoting the Scottish evangelist Oswald Chambers on the virtues of prayer, but he may as well have been extolling the virtues of a diverse society. “Our attitude to things is altered, not sometimes but every time. And the amazing thing is that we don’t pray more.”

Kiddie Ka-boom: At the Book Blast, children sparkle with delight for the written word.

May 30, 2014 | by Brigette Barto

In the back alcove of the Midtown Scholar, rows of chairs line the center of the room, filled with children and their parents. The founder and host of the program introduces himself to the eager audience before him.

“I’m Mike Srgignoli, and this is The Children’s Book Blast.”

Author Cynthia A. Sudor sits beside him in her flashy red boots and studded jean jacket. She’s here to introduce her latest book “Adventures at Green Apple Acres,” which features her star character Shiloh the barn mouse and his cast of animal friends.

With hands raised to ask questions, the children express their fascination with the story behind the book, learning that the moral of the tale reveals how we shouldn’t judge each other. Amid audible chatter between parents and children, one can’t help but feel the enthusiasm in the room.

Children’s author Wendy Latty joins the conversation halfway in, discussing her new book, “Colors in the Garden.” She reads aloud a portion, demonstrating the cadence of the wording she used. The audience is enthralled with her use of color in the story, and she explains how artists can’t replicate the colors we find in nature. Parents are eager to find out where these books are sold and how they can find similar books from other local authors.

The Children’s Book Blast began on a summer day in June 2012 and has been captivating the hearts and minds of children and parents ever since.

“I’m a huge believer in the value of reading to your children,” says Srgignoli, founder of the Book Blast.

From someone who started out driving around selling Yellow Pages books, Mike has certainly expanded his horizons. Always marketing-minded, he started this monthly event because he wanted to create a venue where writers could connect.

“All writers want to gain an audience,” Mike says. “Why beat our heads against a wall individually? Let’s do it together.”

With a passion for people and a large amount of networking, Mike quickly gained exposure for the new series.

“It’s neat that Harrisburg is behind stuff like this,” Mike says. “There are a lot of talented people here.”

Each event features two local children’s authors, who share their work with parents and children by providing background and explanations of their work.

Some read a portion of the book aloud as wide-eyed children listen in awe. The authors are eager to share their thoughts and insights with the audience, captivating the listeners with their emotion and excitement. Children are encouraged to participate and ask questions—and do so with delight.

The program showcases writers within the community who have made a worldwide contribution to writing and children. By featuring local authors, the Book Blast provides youth in Harrisburg with positive role models, encourages reading and inspires them to write.

“I am constantly looking for fun and inviting activities for my children,” says Todd Burnham, father of five. “The Book Blast is an innovative modern program for the area. My children enjoy the contemporary aspect of the program, the Skype interaction with an author who is at a different location. The Book Blast definitely was an activity that my kids are still talking about months after.”

In addition, it offers camaraderie and support for local children’s authors.

“It gives people more depth,” author Wendy Latty says. “Any time you can talk about your books, what’s behind the scenes, reasons why you did what you did, it helps.”

These writers aren’t simply introducing kids to new things; they are also inspiring them through their words and illustrations.

“There’s something about the touch of paper that people love,” Mike says. “Illustrations are better on paper than on an iPad or Kindle.”

Another benefit of the Book Blast is that it directly connects the author with the reader.

“It’s like meeting a local celebrity,” Burnham says. “My daughters now have a prized collection of books signed by the authors. More people should come to this program to meet local authors and to learn something new themselves. The children often leave the program with new books, new ideas and new friends.”

Mike runs the Book Blast on a volunteer basis, so his drive is propelled solely by his love for writing and people.

“I don’t get paid for this, but it’s really a quid pro quo,” he explains. “Everyone’s in it for the same reason. That’s why it works so well.”

His plan for the future?

“I want to keep doing what we’re doing.” he says. “Harrisburg is our hub, but I do plan to take it to various other venues across the state.”

In fact, the Book Blast recently was in Doylestown at the Doylestown Bookshop.

Mike has succeeded in creating a small community of writers and readers who truly want to engage in the literary culture.

“I’m not an introvert. I’ll talk to anyone about anything,” he adds.

The Book Blast is the perfect opportunity for Mike to utilize his love for children, books and writing. In the process, he introduces kids to local authors, shows them the writing process and encourages parents to read to their children.

Throughout the entire process of making this series happen, Mike doesn’t seem to have forgotten what most of us learned as children—that things get done when you work together.

Keep up to date by visiting the group’s Facebook page: Children’s Book Blast.

Eyesore No More: On Hummel Street, once-dilapidated townhouses soon will find new life housing the homeless.

May 30, 2014 | by Missy Smith

On the 200-block of Hummel Street sat a collection of eyesores—a situation too common in urban communities like Harrisburg.

The houses were dilapidated, a detriment to the neighborhood’s appearance, and they occupied precious space that could accommodate a portion of the city’s homeless population.

Two Harrisburg organizations stepped up to breathe new life into this neglected part of the city. In Extreme Home Makeover-style, PinnacleHealth and Brethren Housing Association (BHA) are rehabbing homes that fell into disrepair and are building modern, clean amenities for families in need that will call the townhouses home.

Back in January, PinnacleHealth, BHA and city officials broke ground on Hummel Street, where they will transform six blighted buildings into five modern houses for homeless single mothers and their children. This cooperative effort is hugely significant for Harrisburg’s homeless and BHA’s work.

“We have just dealt with an overwhelming amount of people calling and asking for help, but we are at maximum capacity,” says BHA Executive Director Steve Schwartz, explaining that, because the organization only has 16 apartments, it has been forced to turn away between 100 and 150 families. “To be able to help five more families, we will increase our traditional housing capacity by 25 percent.”

The project began after major players of both organizations began discussing how they could work together for a good cause. “Wouldn’t it be nice to develop something really meaningful that impacts our community directly?’” says Phil Guarnescelli, COO of PinnacleHealth, reflecting on how their partnership began.

At the time, Guarnescelli was successfully managing $308 million in construction and renovation projects, so BHA staff members felt that his experience and connections could be helpful with their rehab projects.

When Guarnescelli visited BHA, he became inspired to do the project, in which the organizations would gather contractors to donate labor and materials to the cause and unveil a completely rehabbed, attractive final product.

“As we walked out of the front door of our office, [Guarnescelli] looked at the dilapidated building across the street and said ‘like that building there; we would love to take that and turn it into housing for homeless families.’ Phil’s enthusiasm continued, and he got the leadership of PinnacleHealth on board,” says Schwartz. “By the summer of 2013, we were in the midst of a design process with Murray Associates, who agreed to donate their services as architect to the project.”

Then this last fall, the organization worked on acquiring the properties, which was tedious at times, as some of the owners live out of town and were difficult to track down. After PinnacleHealth purchased the homes, Guarnescelli got in contact with Michael Young, president and CEO of PinnacleHealth, who linked him with contractors that work closely with the non-profit. In March, demolition got underway.

Reynolds Construction, Pyramid Construction, McClure Company, GR Sponaugle & Sons, Edwin L. Heim Co., Murray Associates, Macri Concrete, Pennsy Supply, H. Edward Black & Associates and Carter Lumber have all signed on to donate time, labor, services and materials to the project. In addition, Benedict Dubbs, principal at Murray Associates, has worked on the demolition and architecture plans pro bono.

“Everybody stepped up to the plate and helped out,” says Guarnescelli.

Construction of the $925,000 project began this spring, and, within six months, BHA and PinnacleHealth expect to have the five townhouses finished. Once the homes are up, BHA will continue to provide rehabilitated housing in Allison Hill to help women and children transition out of homelessness.

BHA places families in their homes through referrals from local shelters, which can accommodate people for only about 30 days. Others either call the organization or walk into their offices seeking help. For families with long-term problems, BHA assists them for a year or two, working on the issues that made them homeless.

“This project is so cool. What really turned me on to it was the ‘teach a man to fish’ [philosophy],” says Guarnescelli.

This is the sentiment that BHA brings to the project. BHA works with its clients to develop career plans, gain job skills, obtain an education and increase skills in parenting and budgeting.

“The more young moms with their kids in a stable upbringing, [the healthier they will be],” says Schwartz.

This partnership is a natural fit for both organizations, as they independently support the health and wellness of the people in their community. Guarnescelli says that PinnacleHealth has a major interest in supporting families in need. “These are the kids we will be taking care of, and our goal is to keep people out of the hospital,” he says.

These organizations highlight what people can do when they’re invested in elevating the community that they love.

“There are a lot of committed people in this neighborhood who are concerned about the decline in Allison Hill,” says Schwartz. “This is a really transformative project. This is going to be a neighborhood centerpiece when it is done.”

Lend a Hand

Interested in pitching in to make this a successful project?

For cash contributions, please make out checks to Brethren Housing Association and mail to Hummel Street Townhouses, 219 Hummel St., Harrisburg, Pa., 17104.

Contractors interested in donating skills, time or materials should contact Dana Klinepeter at 717-782-3168.

Let There Be Lights: Grab a glow stick and make your city brighter.

May 30, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

A few years back, an early-morning run took a bad turn for Harrisburg resident Stacia Zewe.

The streetlight was out where she ran, so she couldn’t see the raised sidewalk in the gloomy dawn. She tripped and fell on the walkway along Front Street.

“I was all banged up and bloody,” she said.

Indeed, in Harrisburg, many lights blink out for extended periods, and a number of poles have been down for years without being replaced.

That’s why, in part, she was inspired to start a “glow run,” a race typically held at dusk in which runners wear something that glows, such as a necklace, bracelet, glow stick or object spritzed with glow spray, so they can be seen easily in the fading daylight.

This glow run, however, will have a special Harrisburg twist. Instead of running for a charitable cause or just for fun, the 5K fittingly will raise money to help the cash-strapped city pay for a basic, yet neglected service—lighting.

Zewe, who sits on the board of Historic Harrisburg Association, suggested the idea to then-Executive Director John Campbell. He brought on Matthew Krupp, who has raised money for a similar purpose through his group, Lighten Up Harrisburg—and they ran with it.

“She said it’d be a good idea to raise money for this, and we agreed,” said Campbell, who is also the city treasurer.

Harrisburg has budgeted only $69,000 this year to replace lights, though it hopes to draw from an infrastructure fund to increase that meager budget, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Across the city, Harrisburg has nearly 6,000 lights to install, and replacement bulbs cost $75 apiece, plus labor.

Therefore, every penny counts. If the Glow Run can offset some of that expense, money can be diverted for lighting needs elsewhere. The Glow Run, in fact, is focusing its efforts just on Front Street, one of the city’s most visible stretches and one plagued recently by burned-out lights and downed poles.

“We wanted to make a visible impact,” Zewe said. “Instead of fixing one or two lights in every neighborhood, we wanted to be able to point to our work, say, ‘here’s what we did,’ and move forward from there.”

Funds will go towards replacing the lights with LED bulbs, which are expected to last a decade or more. Unfortunately, organizers don’t anticipate raising enough money to buy new light poles, which cost about $4,500 apiece. Citywide, 72 poles are down, 20 just along Front Street, said Campbell.

Zewe said that, so far, the response to the idea has been enthusiastic. Runners who know of the city’s struggles have embraced the cause, she said. Some veteran 5Kers also are happy that the run will follow a different route than most other races along the city waterfront—starting in Riverfront Park, not on City Island, she said.

In addition, many businesses have stepped up to support the race through sponsorships, as they see well-lit streets as vital to a healthy, safe community. In fact, one downtown business—Sawyer’s Cantina—is hosting the after-party.

“It’s a really easy thing for sponsors to get behind,” said Zewe. “Sometimes, if you’re raising money for a certain cause, you have to have experienced that cause. But this is very relatable for everyone.”

Campbell, for one, has been impressed with the reaction both to the run and the cause.

“This is what a vibrant city looks like,” he said. “This is how I see the future of Harrisburg, people out doing things, being involved, on days, weekends and nights.”

The Glow Run steps off from Riverfront Park on June 7 at 8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children under 14. Day-of registration is $28 for adults and $15 for children. Pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt and glow gear. The after-party will be at Sawyer’s Cantina, 210 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. For more information and to register, sponsor or donate, visit https://historicharrisburg.com.

Pop-Up Activist: Immigration, politics, art: They’re all pieces of the whole for Shamaine Daniels.

May 30, 2014 | by Ann Hess Myers

Walking among the couple dozen art venues in the typical 3rd in The Burg, you go into places you would expect to visit: galleries, restaurants, cafes.

And then there’s Shamaine Daniels’ garage.

A couple of months ago, the new Harrisburg councilwoman debuted her “Uptown PopUp Art Gallery,” an art space made possible by a few extension cords she ran from her kitchen and some lights she strung up.

“There is no heat or electricity, so the weather dictates the gallery’s schedule,” she said. “Thus the PopUp name, popping up when the weather cooperates.”

Screenshot 2014-05-29 16.27.11 In honor of Women’s History Month, Daniels opened her gallery in March showcasing two female artists: potter and jewelry maker Phyllis Doherty and knitter Teresia Kuria. Mimicking European open-air markets, Daniels’ gallery brings the public to Harrisburg’s Olde Uptown neighborhood, adding a new venue for 3rd in the Burg.

The PopUp Gallery is just one of Daniels’ many interests and ventures.

Undergraduate classes in political science, international relations and sociology shaped Daniels’ philosophy and values. She developed an interest in politics and, in the May 2013 primary election, won a Democratic nomination to fill one of four seats on Harrisburg’s City Council. Knocking on lots of doors, she received more votes than any of the other 10 candidates and secured her seat on City Council.

As a city councilwoman, she hopes to help fellow residents succeed with personal and professional endeavors. She also wants to wage a war on blight, a problem that is literally close to her home, as she lives near several condemned buildings in what is otherwise a reviving urban neighborhood.

“Harrisburg has many beautiful historic buildings,” she said. “We need to preserve our history and turn our neighborhoods into safe and healthy communities. And in tackling the city’s financial concerns, I want to develop incentives that will attract businesses that pay above minimum wage.”

Arriving in Harrisburg in 2006, Daniels served as a staff attorney for the Community Justice Project, where she represented low-income citizens in state and federal courts. During this time, her most publicized case was as the plaintiff’s counsel in Lozano, et al. v. City of Hazelton, an immigrant rights case that attracted national attention.

Today, Daniels’ practice serves low-income individuals, women, immigrants and individuals with disabilities.

“I want to provide affordable legal services,” said Daniels, a native of Venezuela. “Everyone should have access to quality legal counsel, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Many of her cases are against commercial entities, specifically employers who do not pay minimum wage or overtime, or who do not abide by the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Daniels also chairs the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), advocating for women from disadvantaged communities. She assists with fundraising efforts for the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, often opening her home to host special events.

In fact, she recently ventured to the National Mall to participate in Women’s Fast for Families, a two-day fast in support of fair immigration reform.

Whether she is assisting clients in her practice of immigration law or scheduling art exhibits, Daniels said she is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in Harrisburg.

As for the future of the PopUp Gallery, Daniels hopes to continue it as long as the weather stays warm—or until she finds a space with, well, heating and lights.

“Perhaps, one day, the gallery will become more than a pop-up, a business entity with electricity,” she said.

Daniels will continue opening her garage to visitors this month during her Uptown PopUp exhibit for the next 3rd in The Burg on June 20. Drop by to visit the gallery at 2018 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg.

Beer Run: A circle of great breweries awaits, a short drive from Harrisburg.

May 30, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

The mercury is rising. The air conditioner is straining just to keep you from melting. City living is great, but, come summer, the combination of pavement and brick can turn Harrisburg into a glorified pizza oven.

Thankfully, centuries of human ingenuity have developed a number of ways to beat the heat. My personal favorite is (surprise, surprise) the aptly named “cold one.” And all of us here in Harrisburg are lucky enough to be just a short drive away from some wonderful producers of said beverages. So, if you find yourself thirsty and need to make a quick escape, here are four breweries worth the trip.

The Establishment

The central Pennsylvania craft beer scene begins with Tröegs Brewing Company, now located on Hershey Park Drive in Hershey. While founded in Harrisburg, expansion forced the brothers Trogner to find new digs, and, while I was sad to see them go, the new facility is definitely an upgrade.

Self-guided tours are always available via a glass hallway that passes through the brewery and connects the tasting room with the gift shop. However, the real treat is a guided tasting tour. For $5, you get beer tastings, a souvenir glass, and an in-depth exploration of the process of professional beer-making, along with what makes this critically acclaimed craft brewery special. Just make sure to book in advance since each tour is limited to 10 people, and they tend to fill up quickly, especially during the summer travel season.

But, even if you decide to pop over on a whim (perhaps as a reward for taking your kids on one of the roller coasters next door), the tasting room alone is worth the visit. Channeling a cafeteria aesthetic, Tröegs’ “snack bar” is anything but, with a wide menu of locally sourced and delicious foods that definitely satisfy as a complete meal. The French fries cooked in hop oil are a beer lover’s treat. And, of course, all of Tröegs’ award-winning beers are on tap (as long as they’re in season) along with the “Scratch Series,” small-batch, experimental brews that are only available at the brewery. And, if you’re looking to jump on the latest craft beer bandwagon, make sure to try one of the new sour beers.

The Underdog

Liquid Hero Brewery, located just across the street from Santander Stadium in York, has only been around for a couple of years. Like so many new craft breweries, Liquid Hero started when three guys went from being homebrew hobbyists to professional brewers.

Their current brew works are noticeably smaller than Tröegs, but with a smaller operation comes greater access. When I arrived, I was immediately greeted by one of the co-owners, Christian Quinlivan, who proceeded to pour me the first in a long line of samples and took me on a personal tour. Obviously, when you introduce yourself as a writer who wants to do a story on a person’s business, you get treated pretty well. But I definitely got the sense that Christian was giving me the standard treatment. He introduced me to many of the regulars by name, in addition to his baby daughter and wife.

Christian and his partners hand-fabricated much of the equipment in the brew works, located in a former train depot, and they approach their business with a heavy dose of creativity. Instead of shelling out for a full bottling line, they use a portable canner that arrives as needed in order to package their beers for distribution. Until recently, their beers were fermented in a climate-controlled room, powered by a standard window air conditioning unit. And since they don’t have a kitchen on site, they have an agreement with a local restaurant, allowing visitors to order food for delivery (a pizza arrived during my stay).

But don’t let these creative solutions fool you; their beers are definitely professional grade. As much as it pains me as a writer, their Irregardless IPA (I don’t know if their use of this often uttered non-word is meant to be tongue-in-cheek or not) is phenomenal. And as good as it is out of a can, I noticed that the pour I had at the brewery was even better than the six-pack I took home with me. So, it is definitely worth a trip to the source, plus you can combine a visit with a minor league baseball game for the perfect low-cost getaway.

The Upstarts

The first of two newcomers that I visited was The Brewery at Hershey. Expanding on the success of the Vineyard at Hershey, the brewery is located, somewhat confusingly, in Middletown, among the picturesque rolling farmland of rural Dauphin County.

The tasting room includes a gorgeous back deck that provides a scenic view of the nearby lush countryside, including a Mediterranean-style vista of the vineyard itself. Of all the breweries I visited, this one left me the most relaxed. I’m a very social person, so it is rare that I prefer to sit alone and quietly sip amidst my own thoughts, but I spent the first part of my visit doing exactly that.

Eventually, I headed over to the brew works to see if I could poke my head in. I was greeted by L. Paul Vezzetti, who is actually the head winemaker. But, conveniently, winemaking and brewing are done in close proximity. Due to the convoluted laws governing the production of alcohol, there can be no commingling of the two divisions, but they are located on either side of the same building. And, being a small operation, Vezzetti knew his way around the brew works, as well. As I toured, I sipped their tasty flagship IPA, Hip Hops Hooray, while sampling small tastes of other special experiments currently still in process.

The Brewery at Hershey is perfect if you are traveling with a (gasp!) non-beer drinker. While I don’t normally recommend such traveling partners, they can order wine while you taste the beer. Just keep in mind that the brewery’s tasting room is only open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Snitz Creek Brewery in downtown Lebanon is the newest addition to the halo of breweries surrounding our fine capital city. Having opened in January of this year, Snitz Creek has already been embraced by the thirsty town that it calls home. The brewery gets its name from the owner’s love of fishing, with beers named after the outdoors, fishing poles serving as tap handles, and a combination hop flower/fishing lure logo adorning the pint glasses.

Like Liquid Hero, when I arrived, I was greeted enthusiastically, and it wasn’t long before the brewer, Josh Schucker, came over to introduce himself. I quickly ordered an Opening Day IPA and followed him into the brew works located in the back of the building. And, again, like my experience in York, Schucker offered me an informal, impromptu tour, ensuring me that, as long as someone is around and available, anyone can be guided through the small brewery.

I sampled a number of the beers. The brewery offers an impressive variety sure to satisfy a wide range of tastes. The American Blonde was admittedly unadventurous, but is a tasty option for those who are yet to develop my personal love of hops. A recently released Opera Fudge Stout has that dark, chocolaty balance that makes for a perfect dessert beer, featuring locally made chocolate from Wertz Candies. And the Apple-Weiss Wheat is an excellent option for those who like a little fruit in their beer. Plus the brewery has a full menu, making Snitz Creek an excellent dinner date option.

Currently, the beers are only available on-site, so bring a growler if you want to have any at home. But, while Schucker couldn’t give me any details, he indicated that Snitz Creek will be available in more area bars soon.

Brewpubs Worth the Trip

As more places offer their own quaffs, the craft beer universe has come to be divided between breweries and brewpubs. Granted, the distinction can get muddied (Tröegs: brewery or brewpub? Discuss amongst yourselves). But, in general, the beer is the prime attraction of a brewery, while, in a brewpub, the food and overall restaurant experience steal at least some of the spotlight.

So, with deep appreciation for both business models, here are some of my favorite brewpubs within an easy drive of Harrisburg.

Pizza Boy Brewing Company at Al’s of Hampden

Nothing goes together like pizza and beer. This increasingly adventurous brewer is making a name for himself with exciting new beers that he isn’t afraid to stack next to some of the beer world’s heavyweights on his exhaustive draught list.

Market Cross Pub

Market Cross in Carlisle is the closest thing you’ll find to a true English pub experience this side of the pond. It holds a special place in my heart as the site of my 21st birthday and where I first came to appreciate craft beer. The pub offers a variety of excellent, in-house, English-style beers.

Bube’s Brewery

This historic brewery, located in Mount Joy, isn’t afraid to capitalize on its long history. It offers Mystery Dinners within the spooky confines of the 19th-century establishment and has even been featured on SyFy’s “Ghosthunters.” But don’t let the spectral ambience keep you away from this gritty gem of tasty craft beer and simple, delicious food.

Selin’s Grove Brewing Co.

This rather unknown gem is serving up some really special beers that are definitely worth the trip up Route 15. Call ahead to confirm that particular beers are available as they are having trouble keeping up with demand. There’s a rumor—keep it quiet—that some non-beer-drinkers love Selin’s Grove for the locally sourced cuisine, which includes an ever-changing selection of weekly specials.

Where to Go

The Brewery at Hershey
598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown
www.vineyardathershey.com/the-brewery

Bube’s Brewery
102 N. Market St., Mount Joy
www.bubesbrewery.com

Liquid Hero Brewery
50 E. North St., York
www.liquidhero.com

Market Cross Pub
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
www.marketcrosspub.com

Pizza Boy Brewing Co./Al’s of Hampden
2240 Millennium Way, Enola
www.alsofhampden.com

Selin’s Grove Brewing Co.
121 N. Market St., Selinsgrove
www.selinsgrovebrewing.com

Snitz Creek Brewery
7 N. 9th St., Lebanon
www.snitzcreekbrewery.com

Tröegs Brewing Company
200 E. Hershey Park Dr., Hershey
www.troegs.com

Hiker Heaven: A break, a bed and a chunk of history await the weary at the Doyle Hotel.

May 30, 2014 | by Kermit G. Henning

Postcards on display at the Doyle Hotel, sent from hikers who have past through.

“Visit the Doyle.”

That’s the word passed among hikers as they traverse the Appalachian Trail. The Doyle Hotel, “on the square” in the small Perry County town of Duncannon, is one of many places on the trail that is a must-stop for hikers, but the Doyle’s been around a lot longer than the trail itself.

Originally a three-story, wooden hotel built in the 1770s, it was a stopping point along the main route going north along the Susquehanna River and has a rich and storied history. It caught fire and burned to the ground in 1803, replaced by the current brick building. In 1880, it was purchased by Adolphus Busch of Anheuser-Busch fame, and it opened again as the Johnson Hotel in 1905. Busch died in 1913, and the building reverted to the Budweiser Company, but was quickly sold off, with many other places, when Prohibition hit in 1920.

The hotel then went through several private owners, finally becoming The Doyle in 1944 after Jim “Doc” Doyle won $444,444.44 in the Irish lottery. Doyle owned and operated the hotel into the 1990s. It again passed through two different owners until 2001, when current owners Pat and Vickey Kelly bought it.

Through the many years, The Doyle has hosted the famous (including Charles Dickens) and many ordinary folks, but its true calling came with the establishment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, known more familiarly as the Appalachian Trail.

The trail was conceived by Burton MacKaye, a forester from Connecticut, who wrote the original plan in 1921. The first section of the trail, from Bear Mountain to Harriman State Park in New York, opened in 1923. The trail was completed in 1937, from Mount Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It passes through 14 states, is maintained by 31 hiking clubs and is managed by the National Park Service.

In 1948, Earl Shaffer of York, Pa., became the first person to hike the entire length, walking south to north. He later did it north to south, becoming the first to do it in both directions. Finally, at the age of 82, he completed his third through-hike in 1998.

Approximately 1,200 hikers a year do some section of the trail. This includes between 400 and 500 through-hikers a year (though only 18 percent make their goal of the entire trail). Most hikers do the trail from south to north, starting in March or April and ending in Maine in late summer. An average through-hike takes five to seven months. The current record, posted above the bar at the Doyle, belongs to Matt Kirk of North Carolina, who did the entire 2,185 miles in 58.4 days—averaging an amazing 36 miles per day.

Throughout its course, the Appalachian Trail crosses many roads and through a lot of towns where hikers can stock up on food and supplies. Duncannon is one such town, and, when there, the Doyle Hotel is a must.

The Doyle gets hikers from all over the world.

“Germany is big,” says Pat Kelly, as almost 30 Germans a year stop by, as well as hikers from New Zealand, Australia and Japan—even a Buddhist monk from Korea. And at all times of the year. He had six through-hikers stop by in February.

All the hikers use unique trail names (very few real names are used) and leave and receive messages all along the trail. The Doyle has its own message board, along with a display of postcards sent by through-hikers who have completed the trail.

The Doyle is a no-frills hostel where hikers can get a bed, a shower and something to eat and drink. The food is great, the hospitality is unmatched, and the atmosphere is enhanced by the jukebox (programmed by the owner). There is also free Internet access and a pool table. Since the Kellys took over the hotel, they have been refurbishing the rooms with fresh paint and new beds and linens. There is even a free shuttle for the hikers to the nearby Mutzabaugh Market to stock up on food and other necessities for the trail.

Pat Kelly, originally from Shipoke in Harrisburg, retired from the cable TV industry and began cooking as a hobby. Taking over the hotel, he said, was an opportunity to share his passion with the public, and his mostly southern-inspired menu with daily specials has drawn both hikers and local diners in search of a good meal.

Kelly’s extensive menu includes popular favorites like his handmade one-third and one-half pound burgers, home-cut fries and super wings. He cooks up all his own soups, as well as a “hot” chili. Wife Vickey, a Mississippi native, serves up the generous portions and the warmest of welcomes. There are no tablecloths—just good food, a great selection of beer and fantastic people.

The Doyle Hotel is old, the building is tired, but it’s worth the trip. Rub elbows with the local crowd as well as the hikers. You might even want to visit on the summer solstice—it’s “Hike Naked Day.”

The Doyle Hotel is located at 7 N. Market St., Duncannon. Call 717-834-6789.

May News Digest

May 29, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Baltimore Named Councilman

The Harrisburg City Council last month named Jeffrey Baltimore as its newest member, filling a seat left vacant by the sudden death of Eugenia Smith.

Baltimore bested a field of 12 candidates, but not before a deadlocked vote was broken by Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

For six rounds, the council split its vote between Baltimore, accountant Alex Reber and former Councilman Kelly Summerford. After Summerford dropped out, the council remained torn between Baltimore and Reber, a key aide to former city controller and mayoral candidate Dan Miller.

Papenfuse then cast the tie-breaking vote for Baltimore, lauding him for his “dedication to education and youth,” his community spirit and his “extensive background in economic development.”

Baltimore once served in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development under former Mayor Stephen Reed. After leaving the administration in 2000, he worked for the state Department of Community and Economic Development and for the York County Economic Development Corp.

Currently, Baltimore is a postal worker, a building contractor and heads up BMORE U, a “personal training enterprise” that teaches that healthy living is key to a successful life.

The council seat had been vacant for about a month following Smith’s death on April 11.

Kim Takes Democratic Primary

Incumbent state Rep. Patty Kim is set to claim a second term after handily beating back a primary challenge.

Kim tallied 4,251 votes versus 1,172 for challenger Gina Johnson-Roberson in the Democratic primary for the 103rd legislative district, which includes Harrisburg, Steelton, Highspire and part of Swatara Township. She is likely to win re-election as the Republican Party failed to run a candidate for the seat.

In other local races, former Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson won the Democratic primary for the fourth Congressional district after running unopposed. She will face incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry in the Nov. 4 general election.

Harrisburg Councilman Brad Koplinski placed fourth in a field of five in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor. The victor, Philadelphia state Sen. Mike Stack, will run with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tom Wolf against Republican incumbents Gov. Tom Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley in November.

City Plans Light Fixes

Harrisburg plans to replace most of its streetlights by the end of the year, fixing a years-long problem that has left many streets in the dark, the city said last month.

Shortly, Harrisburg will issue a request for proposals to install energy-efficient LED lights for its 4,269 “cobra-head” light fixtures, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“I believe [the installation] can be done before the end of the year,” he said.

The $2 to $3 million project will be paid through funds from the city’s infrastructure silo, which was set up as part of its economic recovery plan.

The city also has 1,131 “acorn-style” fixtures. Those lights will be replaced in a later phase of work.

LED lights should save the city about $250,000 a year in energy costs and are as much as 10-times brighter than the existing lights, said Papenfuse.

In addition, Harrisburg has begun repairing and replacing the 72 broken light fixtures in the city, many of which have been downed by auto accidents or age. So far, seven fixtures have been fixed. This work will continue over the next few months, independent of the RFP.

Harrisburg also is asking for help from the community. On June 7, two groups—Historic Harrisburg Association and Lighten Up Harrisburg—will sponsor a Glow Run to help raise money to defray some of the cost of the light replacement. A new bulb costs $75 to purchase, plus the cost of labor, said city Treasurer John Campbell.

To find out more about the Glow Run 5K, see our story in this issue or visit https://historicharrisburg.com.

Trash-Cleanup Campaign

City Councilwoman Sandra Reid last month unveiled a new program of aggressive enforcement of Harrisburg’s trash and litter ordinances.

The program, nicknamed Operation C.O.P.E., would encourage citations for landlords and homeowners who improperly dispose of household waste or allow unsightly garbage to pile outside their properties.

“The days of you throwing out anything you want, wherever you want, whenever you want, are over,” Reid said at a press conference in City Hall.

Under Operation C.O.P.E., for “Clean Up, Observe/Organize, Provide, Enforce,” tickets would be issued for anything from leaving trash curbside on a non-pickup day to setting out garbage that is not properly enclosed in a lidded trashcan.

The program also would encourage volunteer groups to organize cleanup days in city neighborhoods.

Reid has also planned for a new position of “solid waste education enforcement technician,” who will bear primary responsibility for ticketing property owners for improper disposal.

The position, which was budgeted for in 2014 at a $40,700 salary, is currently unfilled and will remain so at least until the city lifts its temporary hiring freeze. Nonetheless, Reid said she hoped to begin stepping up enforcement in late July or early August.

City Hall Donations Received

Harrisburg last month received several donations to improve City Hall and the Public Safety Building.

Penn National Insurance donated $5,000 to help make repairs and renovations to the downtown building and will repair the flag post in the courtyard that was damaged recently when a car struck it, said city spokeswoman Joyce Davis.

Touch of Color Flooring soon will re-carpet the public hallway on the second floor, she said. Harrisburg-based Touch of Color already has installed new carpeting in the Public Safety Building’s Emergency Operations Center and walkway from City Hall, as well as in the main elevators.

In addition, the College Club of Harrisburg recently donated $100 to the City Hall Beautiful Fund, which has received other donations from individuals throughout the Harrisburg area, according to the city.

The family of the late Gov. George M. Leader has donated labor and materials to renovate the police bureau’s roll call and break rooms, in addition to providing new appliances for the break room, the city said.

“We continue to see area businesses and individuals step up to show support for Harrisburg’s recovery,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “The outpouring of local and regional support to help our capital city thrive is truly heartening. We encourage other civic-minded businesses throughout the region to join in this important program to maintain our government center.”

West Shore Hospital Opens

PinnacleHealth’s West Shore Hospital opened last month in Mechanicsburg, the first new hospital to be built in central Pennsylvania in decades.

The five-story, 188,000-square-foot facility features 108 private rooms, seven operating rooms and a 12-bed intensive care unit. Services offered include acute and emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics, surgical services and chronic disease management.

“We are excited about the opening of the West Shore Hospital and our ability to provide area residents with access to world-class care close to their homes,” said Michael A. Young, PinnacleHealth president and CEO. “The hospital represents a new chapter in healthcare that will touch the lives of West Shore residents for decades to come.”

The hospital campus offers a walking trail available to the public. The scenic, paved footpath is divided among its one-mile distance for exercise and respite.

West Shore Hospital is expected to create 500 new healthcare jobs by 2017, said PinnacleHealth.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2510: U.S. Bank National Association to Nish Properties, $35,000

Bellevue Rd., 1901: Anthony Properties LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $67,500

Benton St., 543: PA Deals LLC to L. Shoffner & T. Samsel, $37,500

Berryhill St., 1701: Unilever Manufacturing US Inc. to Philadelphia Macaroni Co., $1 million

Boas St., 302: J. Hammer to M. Cantwell, $134,900

Briggs St., 209: J. & S. Brellos to C. Delozier, $39,900

Derry St., 2336: Mahe Enterprises LLC to E. Hernandez, $48,000

Green St., 1801 & 1803: B. Winpenney to Heinly Homes LLC, $190,000

Green St., 1834: L. & A. Lara to WCI Partners LP, $55,000

Green St., 1839: SCS Partnership to WCI Partners LP, $1.8 million

Green St., 2047: T. & J. Leonard to A. & A. Selkowitz, $175,000

Hoffman St., 3221: S. & S. Keo to W. Wood, $75,000

Holly St., 2020: B. Budesheim to W. & L. Brown, $51,000

Kelker St., 435: A. Krawczyk to E. Gish, $112,500

Kensington St., 2128: W. Scott to T. & S. James, $58,000

Kensington St., 2240: S. Lascara to D. Murphy, $31,000

Kensington St., 2316: D. Andres Jr. to B. Kelley, $40,218

Lewis St., 309: H. Lonon et al to J. Laing, $65,000

Market St., 315: Susquehanna Bank to 26th Street LLC, $82,000

Muench St., 210: K. Kingston et al to WCI Partners LP, $225,000

Muench St., 236: Bank of New York Mellon Trustee to WCI Partners LP, $53,500

North St., 260, 262: R. & T. Hanna to TJC East Properties, $370,000

N. 2nd St., 1901: Pharma Enterprises LLC to WCI Partners LP, $225,000

N. 2nd St., 2131: M. Owens & S. Luci to J. & R. Miller, $87,500

N. 3rd St., 2317: Centric Bank to Sam Hill Properties LLC, $49,636

N. 3rd St., 2319: Centric Bank to Sam Hill Properties LLC, $61,091

N. 3rd St., 2419: S. Pierce to M. & S. Kreines, $138,000

N. 7th St., 1641 & 1803: Aizen LLC to US Recycling LLC, $350,000

N. 16th St., 520: Trusted Source Capital LLC to M. McWilliams, $30,000

N. Front St., 2837, Unit 201: M. Seipos to R. & L. Barry, $77,000

Paxton St., 1640: J. Booth to C. Barboza, $52,000

S. 4th St., 19: Mater & Mater to S. Mater, $175,000

S. 14th St., 361: J. Rodriguez to Urena Diaz Property, $33,000

S. 14th St., 400: D. Boyle to J. Rodriguez, $40,000

S. 15th St., 916: D. White to R. & A. Mortha, $83,000

S. 25th St., 610: M. & B. Sumy to I. Yolov, $57,000

State St., 1624: M. Guerrero to WLW Holdings LLC, $58,000

Summit St., 160: P. Bayer to J. & J. Domenico, $30,000

Swatara St., 1316: D. & J. Boyle to K. Daniel, $32,000

Verbeke St., 252: A. O’Neal to A. Kennedy-Shaffer, $169,900

Vernon St., 1451: D. & J. Boyle to J. Rodriguez, $30,000

Wyeth St., 1403: S. Guszick III to M. Miller, $116,000

Harrisburg property sales for April 2014, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Papenfuse to Perform 1st Same-Sex Wedding

May 27, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

A scene from last week’s rally at the Capitol after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse will perform his first same-sex marriage ceremony tomorrow, according to his office.

Papenfuse said that he will wed Terry F. Toothman and Joseph J. Villone, former long-time city residents who have been a couple for 38 years. Both men spent their careers working in Harrisburg.

The wedding will take place in the atrium of City Hall at 4 p.m.

“The honor is all mine in being asked to perform the ceremony,” Papenfuse said. “And I welcome all couples that would like to wed at City Hall. I have already performed several marriage ceremonies and am delighted to do so for any couple that wants to make this public commitment.”

Papenfuse has received several other requests to preside over same-sex marriages, which will take place over the next few weeks, according to his office.

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