Tag Archives: New Cumberland

Culture Club: Telugu Association is dedicated to beautiful language, good deeds.

September 28, 2018 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

The air was filled with excitement and the enticing smell of Indian cuisine as the sun began to set in Harrisburg.

Car after car arrived at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, quickly filling the parking lot as hundreds of women gathered to celebrate the kickoff of Mother’s Day weekend on a pleasant Saturday in May.

Women of all ages had gathered for the first annual JUL (Just Us Ladies) event hosted by the Harrisburg Telugu Association (HTA) to celebrate community, culture and female empowerment.

The origins of HTA started with a few dozen families who shared a love of Telugu, one of six languages recognized by the Indian government as “classical.”

A smile spread across HTA President Laxman Buddineni’s face as he described the language he holds dear.

“The alphabet contains 52 letters, and all words end in a vowel,” he said. “Some call it the ‘Italian of the East’ because it is beautiful and melodic, as is any poetic language.”

Buddineni went on to explain that India has 14 official and 256 unofficial languages.

“There are many gods in the Hindu culture, and poems praising the gods are written in Telugu,” he said.

To promote and preserve the language, HTA sponsors a Sunday school at the HARI Temple in New Cumberland, where students learn to read and write the ancient language, which is predominately spoken in the southern part of India.

HTA emerged from humble beginnings, starting out in 2002 with a few dozen families.

“Our goal was to reach out to needy people, promote the culture and preserve Telugu,” said HTA board member Venkataramireddy Sanivarapu.

Today, the nonprofit has grown to include 1,000 families, with 18 committee members.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction in helping people who come to Harrisburg negotiate their way around the community,” said board member Baba Sontyana. “We work hand-in-hand with many nonprofits.”

Smiles & Laughter

During the Just Us Ladies event, attendees spent time socializing and visiting a variety of vendors who had filled the halls selling items like clothing, jewelry and accessories.

Many stood in line chatting while waiting to partake in an appealing array of appetizers before making their way to a packed ballroom to hear uplifting speeches delivered by notables like state Rep. Patty Kim and Dr. Sue Mukherjee, an assistant vice chancellor for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Speeches were followed by a fashion show, dance performances, a DJ, dinner and an audience-participation activity, which energized the crowd and tested knowledge of Bollywood favorites. A line from a song was sung for the audience, and attendees were tasked with providing the next line. Smiles and laughter filled the auditorium, and, soon, groups of ladies were on their feet singing and dancing, competing to be the first to recognize the next line.

Buddineni said that the event was created to raise money for causes at home and abroad. Thanks to Just Us Ladies, orphans in India will benefit from the $3,000 raised during the event. Harrisburg’s Shalom House received a matching amount.

Denise Britton, Shalom House executive director, said that the money would be put to use helping area women with basic health and wellness needs, shelter, life coaching and education. The organizers, inspired by the rousing success of the event, have decided to make it an annual affair.

Long-Held Values

Just Us Ladies may be the newest event, but there are many others.

HTA kicks off the new year each Jan. 2 with Ugadi, a grand, full-day celebration that attracts about 200 performers and 700 spectators.

“We wear cultural clothing and celebrate our heritage with programs designed to depict Indian art forms,” said Buddineni.

Additional activities throughout the year include a summer sports program, an annual picnic, an Adopt-a-Highway event that includes a daylong cleanup, and a floral festival called Bathukamma, when the ladies of the community gather together to celebrate the patron saint of womanhood. The group wraps up the year with a Thanksgiving food drive, where members raise money and youth volunteers serve Harrisburg seniors.

Sambasiva Ellanki, general secretary, said that the group is accepting new members and can always use more volunteers.

“Finding people with free time is a big challenge,” Ellanki said. “Everyone is busy.”

Another challenge is financial, a situation that is shared by many nonprofits.

Annual membership dues are kept deliberately low at $35 a family to attract as many people as possible. Currently, the group is working on finding grants to help keep the organization on financially stable footing.

Buddineni is optimistic that the situation will work itself out.

“We have a few commissioners in the state who are trying to find out more information on applying for grants as a minority nonprofit,” he said.

Until then, the group plans to continue to forge ahead, working with other nonprofits, helping newcomers to America integrate into the community, promoting socialization and family life, preserving the Telugu language and imparting long-held values to future generations.

To learn more, visit the Harrisburg Telugu Association website at www.ourhta.com or their Facebook page.

Forever Young: Moonshine & memories at Dead Lightning Distillery.

August 31, 2018 | by Cathy Jordan

Andrea and Eric Montgomery stand before a life-sized image of their son, Skylar

Dead Lightning Distillery, according to its storefront sign, was born on 3-3-2018 in New Cumberland, to proud owners Andrea and Eric Montgomery. Their son, Skylar, was also born on March 3.

It’s not a coincidence. Dead Lightning is a tribute to Skylar, whose life ended tragically in an accidental overdose.

“Three months before he died, we talked about starting a business for him,” said Andrea.

Skylar, a huge Grateful Dead fan, had a penchant for making moonshine—also known as white lightning. Marry the two loves, and you have Dead Lightning.

“He made flavors that tasted so good and found places to make it,” Andrea said.

She wanted to continue that practice in his honor, at “a place where friends could hang out, like his living room.”

“Skylar had a heart of gold,” she said. “He was a welder, super tall and would walk in and light up the room. As a mom, when he died, I was ready to give up. I was married to my best friend, with two children, and I couldn’t give up, but I could keep Skylar’s spirit alive.”

Andrea does that by giving a hug to almost everyone who walks through the doors, encouraging people to sit and enjoy a sample of Skylar’s vodkas.

Skylar’s likeness, in the form of a decal at his actual 6-foot-7 height, greets you with widespread, open arms.

“This picture of Skylar was taken after he won a Go Kart race,” Andrea said. “He had his arms outstretched in victory.”

His original moonshine paddle hangs on the wall over the bar. Don’t be surprised if Andrea encourages you to “shoot the boot” from Skyler’s size 15, Red Wing, steel-toe work boot that sits on a shelf. Tapestries that hung on his bedroom wall now hang from the bar’s ceiling. Street signs that bear his name, or imbed a memory, line the bar’s backroom walls. His surfboard is a cool table top. Since he loved games, ring toss and darts are a popular activity in the bar. And Skylar’s favorite music constantly fills the venue.

“It took him to pass for me to learn the importance of music,” Andrea said. “It’s uplifting.”

If this place sounds like it’s an ode to Skylar, well, that’s exactly what his mother intended. The bar is a union of Skylar’s life and how he lived.

“Skylar was a leader,” Andrea said. “He gave his time and his entire salary to others. He always had canned goods in his car to give to homeless people. And he had all these great sayings—‘Memories over Money,’ ‘Laugh at Yourself,’ ‘Don’t Judge People.’”

Those adages grace the tie-dye label of all 14 Local Legend Flavored Vodkas.

“We only sell the distilled alcohol that we make,” said Andrea.

Like handcrafted, small batch rums. Tall Boy, a 750-ml bottle of vodka distilled nine times at a whopping 100 proof, is a fan favorite. So is their cinnamon whiskey, Liquid Lightning.

“Wasabi is the secret ingredient,” she whispered, revealing that not-so-secret knowledge with a wink and a smile.

The craft distillery—an old bank barn in Lemoyne—was originally bought in 2013 as a place to store her husband Eric’s “toys”—cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

“You can eat off the floor in there now,” said Eric, about the distillery.

Head Distiller Tom Gribb, a welder and Skylar’s best friend, built the copper still. Skylar’s brother, Trevor, also distills. Maddie, his sister, is the family business social media sage. Katrina Carpenter, Skylar’s girlfriend, bartends.

“Originally, we wanted to take things slow,” Andrea said. “We were going to try selling the vodkas in farmers markets. The mayor, Doug Morrow,” an advocate in New Cumberland’s revitalization, “approached us when he heard about Skylar’s story. He invited us to check out this space, the former Coakley’s. I walked in here, looked around and walked out. I knew this was it.”

Renovations to the former Coakley’s Cigar Bar on the walk-able section of Bridge Street happened fast—in about three months.

“Our attitude was to make enough money to pay rent and to have a place for friends to hang out,” she said.

Quickly, change happened again.

“Now, our alcohol is in 14 bars and restaurants, all local places within Camp Hill and Harrisburg,” Andrea said. “It’s about working with the locals. We want to get downtown renovated again. When Coakley’s closed, it hurt the town. We want our good vodka to stay here.”

You’re invited to try a flight, throw back a smoked cinnamon shot, order a cocktail du jour, or even create your own drink. Saturday mornings are all about the bloody Mary bar and bagels. They also sell local PA wines and beers. Simple food items, like soft pretzel logs, steak tacos and tri-colored tortillas with fresh margarita salsa, fill the menu.

“My husband and I make all the food,” Andrea said. “I’ve met so many people because of this place, so many people who’ve been touched by Skylar’s story.”

She pointed to a sign over the bar that reads, “Have a good shitty day.”

“People have bad days,” Andrea said. “But Skylar would want them to have a good bad day.”

I can’t think of a better place to sit and contemplate that contradiction.

Dead Lightning Distillery is located at 311 Bridge St., New Cumberland. For more information, call 717-695-7284 or visit www.deadlightningdistillery.com.

The Show that Never Ends: New Cumberland rallies to save, revive the historic West Shore Theatre.

August 31, 2018 | by Karen Hendricks

When the West Shore Theatre’s marquee went dark, one thing was for sure. It wasn’t going to stay dark for long.

The community rallied, making it known that they wanted the show to go on at this New Cumberland landmark.

The historic movie theater has been a community mainstay since opening its doors in 1939. Nearly everyone you talk to in New Cumberland has a story about a fun time, a first date or a favorite movie they saw at there. Over the years, as movie-going habits changed, the theater’s lineup, hours and audiences dwindled.

Every Idea

The Art Deco-style theater, designed by Pennsylvania architect William H. Lee, was put up for sale by former owner Fred Bollen in December 2015. This past March, the father-son pair of Joe and Ben Kowalczyk bought it for $122,000 at a bankruptcy auction.

The Kowalczyks, aware of community interest in the theater’s revival, negotiated a lease that will allow the grassroots group, Friends of the West Shore Theatre, to outright own the old movie palace within five years, according to Doug Morrow, New Cumberland’s mayor and a Friends board member.

This public got a firsthand accounting of developments in May during a packed, standing-room-only, community meeting at the New Cumberland Fire Department’s social hall. Philip Horn, retired executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts—also a New Cumberland resident and Friends board member—led the community in a visioning session.

“What are the best uses of the West Shore Theatre for the benefit of the community?” Horn asked. “We want to squeeze every idea out of you.”

Nearly 150 community members brainstormed in small groups, presenting their ideas on notepad sheets that eventually filled the room’s front wall. Attendees envisioned the theater being used for everything from open mic nights to gallery space, corporate trainings to homeschool events. But one prevalent theme emerged—the community wanted movies to return to the big screen.

“My mom would tell me stories about she and her girlfriends going to the movies,” said Steve Parthemore, co-owner of the town’s Parthemore Funeral Home and a lifelong New Cumberland resident. “They would sit in every other seat so that, when the boys came in, they would fill in the seats.”

As business owner, Parthemore said that he sees the Bridge Street building as the centerpiece to a healthy downtown district.

“It’s wonderful that the community is coming together and there’s such interest in the theater,” he said. “I hope to see the theater reinvented but still retain its nostalgia.”

Horn recalled his own hometown movie theater in Los Angeles being torn down. He said that, locally, there are only a few classic theaters still operating, including the Carlisle Theatre and Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater.

“I’ve been in every county in Pennsylvania and have seen these kinds of things happen all over the state,” he said. “They don’t build theaters of this kind anymore.”

Without Asking

Moving forward, various directions and issues are being considered, according to Friends board member and New Cumberland resident Jennifer Zaborney.

First, the group is comparing bids and plans to improve the concessions area and remove the first few rows of the theater’s 450 seats to construct a small stage. A few minor repairs are also needed. Otherwise, the building has been deemed sound.

“A lot of thought is being put into the space and making it multipurpose,” said Zaborney, who notes that she and her husband had their first date at the West Shore Theatre.

Financially, Zaborney and Morrow said that the group is studying sustainability models, which would include revenue from movie ticket sales, venue rental fees, fundraisers, donations and corporate sponsorships.

To date, the group has received about $12,000 in community donations—“without really even asking,” Morrow said. Profits from an August fundraiser added another $15,000.

Morrow said the group, operating under the nonprofit financial umbrella of the Harrisburg-based Foundation for Enhancing Communities, may seek its own nonprofit status at a later date. They need to raise roughly $44,000 in operating costs annually, which would cover taxes, utilities and rent, he said. The group has identified potential donors to underwrite new projection equipment, estimated at $80,000.

The outpouring of community support, including knowledgeable volunteers, has helped contain costs, Morrow said. In addition to Horn’s volunteer consulting, an architect is donating services for the theater’s improvements. Retired founding director of the Whitaker Center, Tom Stone, is lending a hand, along with many others.

Community Connection

What’s going to happen as a result of all this community support, fact-finding and planning?

Morrow said that the theater will begin showing films this holiday season, with evening movies available on a regular basis in 2019. The Friends group envisions implementing community ideas for classic movies, film series, independent movies, family-friendly films, student-produced films and more. Eventually, the group hopes to hire someone to manage the theater’s calendar and bookings.

Morrow said that memories are motivating him on.

“In 1948, my father [who is now 82] went door to door delivering lists of movies that would play that evening,” he said. “He got paid by receiving free tickets to the matinees. He remembers going to the theater during World War II and the Korean War to watch war clips. The theater was the community’s connection to the war.”

It still holds the key to community connection, he said.

“When I was mayor of Camp Hill, nearly every meeting began with someone [lamenting] the loss of the downtown theater [the former Hill Theatre],” Morrow said. “I don’t want that same thing to happen to New Cumberland.”

The West Shore Theatre is located at 317 Bridge St., New Cumberland. To volunteer, donate or stay in the loop, join the Facebook group, “Friends of the West Shore Theatre.”

Chugging Along: The Station has been on the right track for 60 years.

January 31, 2018 | by Alexis Campbell

Burg in Focus: The Station from GK Visual on Vimeo.

I brought my 5-year-old daughter with me when I visited The Station in New Cumberland.

I don’t usually take her to work with me, but a model train store seemed like a place a child would enjoy. I was right.

And, besides, The Station itself is a family affair.

At the door, we were greeted by Julie Payne, daughter of The Station’s late owner, Richard “Dick” Wildman. Julie’s mother, Doris—or, Dee Dee, as everyone calls her—has been running the business with the help of friends and family since his passing a year ago.

Julie and Dee Dee were warm and open, and the store (an old reconstructed train station—more on that later) was bustling with family and customers. Julie’s nieces, Michelle and Nicole Huffer, help out at the store, as well, and Julie’s sister, Tracy Huffer, does all of the accounting and paperwork.

They offered us drinks and snacks, even allowed my daughter to sit and color at the counter with Dee Dee when she got antsy and let her try a new Hershey’s candy that isn’t on the market yet (she still talks about it).

It’s worth noting that I didn’t get special treatment because I was writing a story on the Station. Everyone is treated warmly when they walk through the door, and it’s that welcoming atmosphere that has kept The Station in business for 60 years.

“We know all of our customers really well,” Julie said. “They’re like family.”

The Station exclusively sells hobby trains and accessories, which seems pretty niche, but people that are into hobby trains are into them, and many of them have been coming to The Station for decades.

“There are people who come in here who came here when they were kids, and now they bring their kids here or even their grandkids,” said Julie.

The store itself has a fascinating origin story.

August “Gus” Wildman IV, Julie’s grandfather, was a model railroad enthusiast and began operating a hobby shop out of his home in 1945. By 1955, his business, called Model Hobbies, carried a complete line of structures and accessories, and even manufactured kits for buildings and other structures that hobbyists could rebuild on their own.

In 1957, Gus saw an ad for an original Reading Railroad station in Robesonia, Pa., that was going to be demolished. So, he bought it for a few dollars and, with the help of family and friends, disassembled it on the weekends, brought it to New Cumberland piece by piece, reassembled it in a lot next to his home, and moved his business there. In 1970, Dick came home to help his father run the business and, when Gus passed away in 1978, Dick and Dee Dee took it over.

The building, which is now more than 160 years old, is a labyrinth of sorts, with rooms upon rooms of all sorts of supplies, almost like a time capsule. Even though the shop doesn’t manufacture its own kits anymore, parts and instructions for them are stocked in the back, just in case they’re needed.

Julie and Tracy have worked at The Station in some capacity since they were kids, and after just a few minutes of conversation, it was clear how much the place means to them.

“[I used to work] as a child packing ballast, building paper and barrels for the wholesale business,” Julie said. “I remember hearing my dad hum or sing in the back as I was stocking shelves.”

The Station is truly a special place, and worth a visit even if you aren’t into model trains. It’s cozy and unique, and a welcome change from the big box stores that we tend to visit by default.

The Station is located at 213 9th St., New Cumberland. For more information, call 717-774-7096 and visit their Facebook page.

Rock On: 11-year-old starts rock hunting group with a little help from her community.

August 15, 2017 | by Allison Moody

A painted rock by Joey White.

While taking a summer stroll in New Cumberland, you may just stumble on one or more prettily painted rocks scattered around town for the passerby to find.

These rocks are more than just decoration, as children in the community have been painting and “rock hunting” all summer long.

Rock hunting has become popular in communities around the nation recently, but “NC Rocks” was the brainchild of 11-year-old Joey White. When visiting her grandparents near Scranton, she was told about “Lake Region Rocks” and wanted to start the activity in her local community.

“I like doing crafts and stuff, so I thought it’d be a cool idea to paint rocks and hide them for people to find,” White said.

In any of the rock hunting groups around the nation, the timeline of events is nearly identical. Rocks are painted and hidden around the community, with a tag for the specific rock group on its back. The hope is that those who find them will post a picture on the Facebook page and re-hide for another person.

The group was started at the end of May, with the “NC Rocks” Facebook page created for White to follow the rocks as they traveled. The page has gained nearly 350 likes, nearly the same number of rocks that Joey and her family have personally painted and distributed around the community.

“We have a little one, and we pile all our painted rocks in the back of her bike, and we just walk down the street and put them out,” said Jen Barrett, Joey’s mother. “It’s fun to kind of watch people find them as we’re walking around.”

While some of the rocks from New Cumberland have traveled as far as Wildwood, N.J., and Assateague Island in Maryland, many of the rocks have simply disappeared completely. White and her family have been painting and hiding more rocks as the amount dwindles, but it has been a challenge to keep up.

“If you find one that you really like, go ahead and keep it, but paint a couple more and put them out out there,” Barrett said. “I think the more people that know about it, they’re playing along.”

In the past few weeks, Michelle Bohrer and her daughters Kayla and Brielle have painted four-dozen rocks and go rock hunting nearly every day. While the newfound activity lets her daughters get creative and spend time away from electronics, Bohrer understands the impact it has on the community.

“Every time I paint a rock, I think of the little kid who finds it, and the look on his face,” Bohrer said. “It’s the cutest thing ever. It kind of brings the town together.”

With support from the community, White and Barrett hope to keep this going in New Cumberland through all seasons. Rock groups also have started in Mechanicsburg, York, Gettysburg and Hanover, to name a few, and can be found on Facebook.

“It’s definitely fun to watch people find them and get the big smile on their face,” said Barrett.

Find out more about NC Rocks on their Facebook page.

Pizza, Beer, Tolstoy: Grain + Verse brings culture to the humble pie.

December 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Kurt Wewer wears his heart on his chef’s sleeve, making it easy to determine where his passions lie.

The 30-something Harrisburg resident is happy to share his thoughts on the many things that interest him: exceptional food, craft beer, great music and classic literature. It then becomes obvious that Grain + Verse is aptly named.

Located inside the Clarion Hotel off Limekiln Road in New Cumberland, the casual restaurant focuses on pizza, calzones, panini and small bites just right for sharing. Craft beer aficionados, wooed to the place by the siren song of 300-plus beers that take up an entire wall, have been flocking to the establishment since it opened last spring.

“We are constantly rotating stock, and, if you’ve heard of it, well, we likely have it,” said Wewer about beers with such diverse names as Funky Monkey Wild Ale, Monkshine Belgian Blonde and Wewer’s current favorite—Sassamanash Cranberry Ale, a witbier-style quaff from Rivertowne Brewing just outside of Pittsburgh.

“Sassamanash is the native American word for cranberry,” Wewer explains.

Creativity Inside

When you first set foot in the spacious restaurant, you’ll hardly know where to first fix your gaze.

Chalk renderings of Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Edison, matched with pithy quotes encouraging indulgence, demand attention, cleverly steering the eyes to daily specials listed on butcher paper on a wall-mounted roll. Nearby is a selection of board games ready for play, along with a life-size Jenga game, an oversized Connect Four game and the ever-popular foosball.

Much of what Wewer has used for the décor has been repurposed or “upcycled.” So, whether you call it rustic or industrial chic, all he knows is that it seems to work. People enjoy the space, from the wooden cable spools he acquired and refinished into tables to the reclaimed wood from a mushroom barn that he used to frame out the windows. Wewer is nothing if not self-sufficient.

“I had a limited amount of money and knew how to do all these things,” he said, describing how he first had to remove all the nails in the spools, once used by an electric company. “So many nails.”

Little touches add visual appeal, like varnished bottle caps set in the middle of the spool tables.

With décor choices and implementation complete, Wewer set his sights on the cuisine.

“I have creativity inside of me that I need to get out,” he said.

Using that creativity, he put his own riff on dishes like pizza, adding literary names to his unique pies.

“Catcher in the Pie,” for instance, is a margherita pie with toasted barley; “Lord of the Pies” pops with flavorful pepperoni and hop sausage; and “As I Lay Pie-ing” puts a gourmet twist to the humble peasant fare, adding bacon and truffle marmalade, Millwood Farm’s blue cheese, Cascade hop sausage and hop-marinated local mushrooms.

During my visit, I tasted the popular “Jekyll + Hyde,” made with malt-braised pork, capicola, homemade pickles, shaved red onion, Keswick Tommenator cheese and house sauce. Of course, the question that was uppermost in my mind was—pickles on pizza?

Fear not folks, the ingredients work in perfect harmony to create a flavorful composition that keeps you yearning for that next piece.

Decadent & Delicious

Brad Moyer, general manager at Scotzin Brothers in Lemoyne, said that Grain + Verse filled a void in the area.

“We needed a central location for really awesome food and beer, and no one does it with an artisanal and passionate twist like Wewer.”

As for his favorite dish, Moyer opts for the Cubano sandwich, which he says pairs well with practically any of the beers, whether stouts, IPAs or even sours.

Brandalynn Armstrong, owner of Zeroday Brewing Co. in Harrisburg, vouches for Wewer’s cooking chops.

“I call him the kitchen karate kid,” she said, laughing.

The two collaborated on a firkin that came about one night when she was enjoying a cocktail at the Garlic Poet restaurant next door (which Wewer also oversees) and mentioned that she enjoyed the flavor of an Italian cherry liqueur called Luxardo.

“He suggested that it would go well with our chocolate hazelnut sweet stout, and we tapped it at Grain + Verse,” said Armstrong, who’s a big fan of the sour beer pickles Wewer makes. “They’re delicious,” she said.

As for her favorite dish, one memorable evening, Armstrong had the opportunity to try a duck egg/foie gras pizza. “It was decadent and delicious,” she said.

Wewer is committed to using as many local ingredients as possible. Besides Zeroday, he works with area purveyors like Keswick Creamery, De Glae Organic Farm, Hope Springs Farm, Hidden Hills Dairy and Strites Orchard, to name just a few. And he can’t say enough about the produce from the Steel High aquaponics program.

“I use a variety of ingredients from them—arugula, bok-choy, basil, cucamelons—very vibrant stuff,” he said. “Kids are in there every single day, nurturing it.”

As for the future, you get the idea that this isn’t Wewer’s swansong—for a restless, creative mind, there are always more verses on the horizon. He hints at an expansion, but only time will tell.

Grain + Verse is located at 148 Sheraton Dr., New Cumberland. For more information, call 717-317-3044 or visit www.grainandverse.com.

This Very Old House: Central PA has its share of antebellum buildings. Owning one, however, can be more challenging than charming.

February 27, 2015 | by Susan Ryder

On a dead-end street, blossoming cherry trees flank a small stone cottage, evoking a scene straight from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” A brick path curves to the front door; a spring bubbles up and meanders down the bank beside the residence.

Evan and Sommer Keller have lived in this 1790s home on Fetrow Lane in Fairview Township for 13 years. Known as the Fetrow Farm, it originally served as a distillery, later as an orphanage and as a summer home for a family from New Cumberland.

When asked why they decided to purchase the home, Evan replied, “When we saw it, it was a charming little cottage…it was cool and old and whimsical.”

Not everything about living in a very old home is cool, however. The Kellers said that they had to upgrade the electrical wiring throughout the house and put in a new heating system. This work was made more difficult by the plaster made of horsehair, straw and mud that covered the walls.

And nothing in this home is level, plum or square.

The home had no insulation when the family first moved in. So, until they were able to insulate their home, the Kellers slept with a heating blanket.

Bob and Eileen Young can attest to these challenges. For 38 years, they lived in an 1857 Shipoke house once owned by Civil War Gen. Joseph Knipe. Every door in the home hung askew, and the attic door wouldn’t even close.

“It helps to be young, enthusiastic and able to use a hammer,” Eileen quipped.

Caretaker of History

Indeed, home improvement projects can prove extra challenging in old homes because no building codes existed at the time, so nothing is standard. In his 30 years of renovation experience, Dave Leaman of Harrisburg-based Renovations Company has found that each old house presents its own set of unique trials.

First of all, there’s the aforementioned lack of insulation in ceilings, walls and floors. Then there are the windows and doors that leak heat and the floors and ceilings that sag because of large spans between floor joists.

Also, much of what needs to be repaired or replaced in an old home, such as moldings, trim, doors and windows, doesn’t come stock. That means special orders or unique vendors, which equals money.

Because of the costly nature of owning an old home, Leaman said that people with “big dreams and no money” should enter into a purchase cautiously.

He added that, when considering a contractor, owners should make sure that the firm has experience working on vintage homes. The Youngs concur. Homeowners, they said, should find a contractor that is willing to do the often-laborious work necessary to maintain the historical integrity of the structure.

For those who take the plunge, living in an older home often involves the desire to retain its antiquity.

The Kellers, for instance, left exposed beams in their living room. They removed the horsehair and mud stucco from the brick in the upstairs to reveal beautiful stonework.

They also wanted to refurbish the upstairs flooring, but the downstairs ceiling was attached to the floor. So, they supported the ceiling beams, at great effort; removed the floorboards; re-planed the wide pine boards; epoxied the holes; created new tongue and grooves; and reinstalled the floor.

It took two years.

However, they couldn’t keep all of the house’s aged appeal. Sometimes, practicality had to win out. For instance, they installed drywall throughout the house to run new electrical wires.

After the devastating 1972 flood, the Youngs felt strongly about keeping their Shipoke home’s original floors.

So, instead of taking the easier option of ripping them out, they cleaned them up themselves—with toothbrushes. After a project to move the furnace from the basement to the third floor destroyed some 13-inch molding, they took the extra step to have moldings reproduced by the former Snyder Lumber Mill in Harrisburg,

Eileen Young said that living in an old home made them feel like they were “caretakers of history,” a responsibility that they took seriously.

Extra Effort

Is all of this effort worth it?

Absolutely, according to the Kellers.

“It was a hobby and a joy and a love before we had kids,” said Sommer. “We didn’t go to sports games or shopping. We’d stay up all night and work on the house. We had a blast.”

It’s evident that folks live in these homes because of the special feeling it invokes.

“I love this house every time I visit something new,” said Evan Keller. “It makes you love the things that are old.”

The family has come to appreciate the house’s quirkiness—its soul. For instance, there is something extraordinary about the sound of a rainstorm on a tin roof, the Kellers said.

“When you’re in a rainstorm and hear the rain on the metal roof, you think people have basically been doing this for 200 years,” said Evan.

The Youngs echo those sentiments, saying that an old house is like living in history and that “there is always something to see,” referring to the woodwork and moldings in the home.

These houses feel distinct. The low, sagging ceilings, natural stone and wooden beams bring the past into the present. Homeowners are enveloped in history every time they walk down the uneven walkway and up the tilting steps through the crooked front door.

To Still the Mind: Students find peace, awareness at Kundalini Yoga & Wellness.

January 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Ron Stabach has experienced firsthand the benefits of kundalini yoga.

The 71-year-old Camp Hill resident suffers from bouts of depression and anxiety, along with concern for his wife, who lives in a nursing home.

“I just retired and have a lot of time on my hands, so I look forward to the yoga classes,” he said, describing a “restorative bliss” class. “At the end, I felt like my hands were sinking into sand, that’s how relaxed I was.”

Stabach attends classes at Kundalini Yoga & Wellness in New Cumberland, a studio run by partners Jaque Hanson and Angela Sheaffer.

For the uninitiated, the practice combines meditation, mantra, physical exercises and breathing techniques to achieve self-awareness and mind-body balance. Practitioners tout the wellness benefits and the peacefulness achieved by mastering the ability to “still the mind.”

Stabach has also studied “emotional freedom technique” under Hanson. The technique, which involves tapping and setting intentions, has had a positive impact.

“I emerged completely energized. Before the class, I had a lot of negative junk in my head,” said Stabach, who is looking forward to bringing his 9-year-old granddaughter to the free community classes offered most Saturday mornings.

In the Beginning

Hanson felt called to the profession to help her daughter, who struggled with depression.

“It was not random,” she said. “I learned to help heal my daughter.”

The Carlisle resident is happy to report that her efforts paid off, and her daughter, Jasmin Silva, is thriving. Silva went on to study music at Berklee College of Music and has since become a Reiki master, a certified kundalini yoga instructor and a social media personality. She now spends her time speaking at colleges and is also penning a memoir.

Hanson continues in her quest to help others by providing a variety of services from her studio, often mixing treatment modalities like yoga and acupuncture to achieve desired results. Reiki, massage and essential oil workshops are just a few of the other services she offers throughout the year.

Prior to opening the wellness center, Sheaffer and Hanson practiced yoga for years, training under Siri Neel Kaur Khalsa, who was once a fixture in the New Cumberland community and owner of Avatar, a local health food store and restaurant. Kaur Khalsa studied under the famed Yogi Bhajan, who brought kundalini yoga to the United States. Before moving out of the area, she dedicated her time to training others in central Pennsylvania.

Shaeffer and Hanson began their business in the upper floor of the New Cumberland building and soon discovered that their services were in demand. They quickly outgrew the space and moved to a larger area on the lower level of the building, which needed a lot of TLC.

The women and their friends removed carpeting to expose a beautiful 100-year-old pine floor, painted the yoga room a soft yellow, which Hanson said is designed to imbue joy, and covered the walls with tapestries, some handmade by Tibetan monks. A 3-foot-tall stone fountain provides the soothing sounds of running water and is an attractive focal point in the room.

Electrified

Many students have their first exposure to the center during weekly, free 60-minute community classes.

Starting at 10 a.m. on most Saturday mornings, people enter a peaceful, quiet space, designed to help them relax and recapture their Zen to cope calmly with the challenges of day-to-day living. At any given session, you’re likely to encounter a diverse group of people from various walks of life where seasoned yoga practitioners and newbies sit side by side.

“We meet people where they are,” said Hanson.

Harrisburg resident Rebecca Moyer was first attracted to the center by a class called “Yoga for Youth and Vitality.” After attending a few classes, she was hooked.

“It made my body feel electrified—the poses, the movement, the breathing—they all worked together.”

She was so impressed that she began a teacher training program studying under the expert tutelage of Siri Neel Kaur Khalsa. “If I can help other people feel the way I feel, the world will be a better place,” she said.

Leah Barbera who has attended many classes at the center, said she has benefited physically, spiritually and emotionally.

“Kundalini yoga, in my opinion, is the best way to quiet your mind, aside from meditation,” said the Mechanicsburg resident. “It releases so many endorphins, and you feel so great that it’s almost addictive. When you master the art of breathing, you can focus on relaxing your mind.”

Shaeffer summarizes the joy she receives from running such a unique business by referring to a quote by Yogi Bhajan: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience, so let’s make it an enjoyable one.”

“I love how this quote sums up our mission,” she said.

She said that she has seen profound changes in her students’ lives, with kundalini yoga addressing everything from emotional issues and physical ailments to fears and stress-related tension.

“It is because of my own experience and knowledge that I choose to teach this form of yoga, known as ‘The Yoga of Awareness,’ and becoming aware is the first step in growth and healing,” she said.

Kundalini Yoga & Wellness is located at 309 3^rd St., New Cumberland. To learn more, visit kundaliniyogaandwellness.com or call 717-763-8746.

Livin’ the Cream: Pastries rise to the top at Brew Crumberland’s Best.

November 28, 2014 | by Rebecca Hanlon

Laurel Weiser never wanted to work for someone else.

After finishing school and moving back to her hometown of Grantville, the pastry chef took jobs as a baker, first at the Hilton Harrisburg and later at the Hershey Hotel.

While she enjoyed the work, she dreamed of creating her own recipes and running her own business. Just when she felt she might be stuck as someone else’s employee, a speck of hope appeared at the end of her rolling pin.

Weiser’s aunt, Vicky, wanted to retire from Bridge Street Coffee Shop, the New Cumberland fixture she owned for about 15 years. Weiser decided it would be the perfect time for her to make a jump. After working alongside her aunt for several weeks, she officially took over the shop on Sept. 1.

“It suddenly felt like everything I had worked for would be worth it,” she said.

Weiser’s family helped her put her own touches on the shop décor, and she renamed it Brew Crumberland’s Best (pun totally intended). But new paint on the walls and a different furniture arrangement was just an aesthetic change. Bigger things were going on inside the kitchen.

A new espresso grinder and fresh roasted coffee beans delivered each week from Mosaic Coffee Company in Shippensburg were one part of a two-part menu redesign Weiser had in mind.

“A lot of places can offer you just one thing—either great tasting coffee or a great tasting pastry,” Weiser said. “They specialize in one thing, but I want to make sure we’re the best of both.”

When Weiser isn’t out front making specialty coffee drinks for regular customers, she’s back in the kitchen. It’s there that she finds the freedom to explore recipes she never had the chance to tackle when she worked in other places.

Her daily baked scones and muffins, most recently created with fall flavors apple cider and pumpkin roll, are her biggest sellers. Brownies and peanut butter pie are close seconds, but she soon hopes to break into more sweet breads, as well as cinnamon rolls, cheesecake and other desserts.

“I can do whatever I’m in the mood to do,” Weiser said of her creations. “The special thing to me is being able to see people’s reactions when they eat my food. I was always stuck in the back of a kitchen, making the same recipes every day. There’s something very unique to getting immediate feedback from people who eat what you create.”

The young business owner has big plans for her new endeavor. She hopes to eventually offer live music and have local art displayed on the walls.

“I really want to immerse myself in this community,” she said.

Meredith Brewster, who stopped into the coffee shop recently, said she happened to be passing through and needed something to get her through the rest of her day.

The Lower Paxton Township woman munched on a panini and snuck a scone into her purse for later.

“I never go to the big name coffee shops,” she said. “For me, the great thing about this area is that there are so many independent businesses. I always try to help them—especially when they make stuff as delicious as this.”

Jeremy Lewis of Harrisburg was on his way between business meetings when he decided to use the drive-thru for a late lunch the same day.

“I’ve come here a few times, always for the coffee,” he said. “When I find a place that makes a good cup, it becomes a regular stop for me.”

The comments of happily fed customers keep Weiser inspired. She’s always looking for something new to create, something else she can improve and another customer she can please.

“I’m exhausted every day, but I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” she said. “I’m learning a lot, and I have a lot of areas to grow in, but I’m happy to be on this path. I think great things are going to happen.”

Brew Crumberland’s Best is at 1903 Bridge St. in New Cumberland. Hours are Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 717-774-6511 or search for “Brew Crumberland’s Best” on Facebook.

Tailored to Men: Consignment shop fits male styles, wallets.

November 28, 2013 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

This year, the New York Times made a bold statement, declaring this the “New Age of Sartorial Enlightenment.” According to the article, the average male is now trading “schlumpiness for style.”

For females, who have always been held to a higher fashion standard, it’s an idea whose time has come. Some contend that people in our geographical area are anything but “early adopters,” but spend a night in downtown Harrisburg, and you will witness many a man stepping out in style, so times may be changing.

For those who are curious about what steps they can take to improve their sartorial quotient, David Wise of Top Shelf Menswear in New Cumberland is well dressed and ready to assist. Wise opened his establishment in the spring of 2012 after recognizing a need in the Harrisburg area for an upscale consignment shop “tailored” specifically to men.

According to Wise, one of his biggest challenges is dispelling the notion that his business in any way resembles the traditional “thrift” shop. All it takes to rid oneself of that pre-conceived prejudice is a trip to his immaculate, well-organized establishment. Wise succeeds in creating a space with an upscale feel similar to men’s stores like Jos. A. Banks, where he was a frequent customer. Managers there were so impressed with his good eye, they succeeded in recruiting him to work part-time, while he also worked as a farrier, specializing in equine hoof care. Wise jokes that it’s fitting since he’s known as a “clothes horse.”

Unlike most consignment shops, Wise’s business maintains a roomy feel. Shirts hang, pressed and pristine in one area, suits in another, and a wide array of colorful, lux ties are carefully folded and easily accessible, each given its own little cubby.

Shoppers can easily view a large expanse of merchandise all at once, then easily hone in on something that catches the eye and survey the article without wrangling with crowded clothing hung on too-close hangers.

In addition to shirts, suits and ties, Wise carries pants, jackets, coats, shoes and accessories like belts, tie tacks and cufflinks, along with new portfolios and even wallets.

Designer brands like Versace, Armani, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Gucci can be found for a fraction of the price customers would pay if purchased new. “Typically, you’ll save about 70 percent off retail,” said Wise.

Wise uses his customer service skills and keen eye for aesthetics to pair colors and patterns that work together to aid shoppers in looking their best. He even offers beer (hear that guys?) and wine to those who prefer to sip and shop at a leisurely pace.

Customer Carol Page Livingston of Mechanicsburg gives Top Shelf Menswear high marks. “Dave really knows style and is always eager to help a lost soul find his way through the daunting task of clothes shopping. This is our favorite place when it comes to purchasing clothing for my husband,” she said.

Marlin Yohn of Dillsburg also enjoys shopping at Top Shelf. “He carries an unbelievable selection so you can find what you are looking for at reasonable prices you can afford. The clothing is top quality, and their great tailor will make you look your best. Service, too, is top shelf service so you keep coming back.”

Wise also caters to larger customers with a “Big and Tall Room” located in the rear of the store where sizes range from 38 to 58.

Younger folks might want to check out the store as well. For college students seeking jobs, Wise offers assistance in their attempt to dress to impress, along with a 20 percent discount. Active military are encouraged to take advantage of a 20 percent discount too. “I offer the discount as kind of a thank you,” he said.

Wise is also active on social media, offering discounts on “Twitter Tuesdays” and “Facebook Fridays,” so be sure to “follow” and “like” Top Shelf Menswear to keep abreast of the latest tips on acquiring high-end fashion at a major discount.

“You’d be surprised how differently you are treated when wearing a jacket,” said Wise.

Top Shelf Menswear is located at 300 Bridge St., New Cumberland. More information is at www.topshelfmenswear.com.

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