Harrisburg Magazine December 2020

CONTENTS DE C E MBE R 2020

b enchmark Media, LLC.

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December 2020 • Volume 26 No. 11

PRESIDENT/CEO Darwin Oordt doordt@benchmarkmediallc.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Christina Heintzelman cheintzelman@benchmarkmediallc.com EDITOR Jacqueline G. Goodwin, Ed.D. jgoodwin@harrisburgmagazine.com

INSIDE

26

4 8

ON THE COVER

December 2020

Celebrate the

Season

WALKING WILL GIVE YOU A HEALTHIER HOLIDAY SEASON NEW PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKE STORE CRUISES INTO HARRISBURG

12

DECK THE HALLS WITH GREENS, GOLD AND OLD

16

SIMPLY THE BEST 2021 CATEGORIES

22

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LOCAL CHRISTMAS

26

ARTFUL INSPIRATIONS AROUND US

31 32 36

TASTES OF DISTINCTION

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jo Ann Shover jshover@benchmarkmediallc.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlie Wohlrab Diane White McNaughton Christina Heintzelman

BARTENDER'S BEST

CORPORATE SPONSORS:

from the staff at Harrisburg Magazine

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Mike Jurosky mjurosky@harrisburgmagazine.com

TASTE THIS

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE'S "SIMPLY THE BEST" 2019

Happy Holidays

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laura Reich lreich@benchmarkmediallc.com

Harrisburg Magazine® is published monthly at 3400 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg, PA 17110. Phone: 717.233.0109; Fax: 717.232.6010; harrisburgmagazine.com. Subscriptions, $10.95 per year. Single copies, $3.75. Back Issues, $4.00 at office or $7.00 by mail (postage and handling included). Send change of address forms to Benchmark Group Media, 3400 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg, PA 17110. This issue or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Harrisburg Magazine®, Inc. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, photographs and disks if they are to be returned, and no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. All rights in letters sent to Harrisburg Magazine® will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as such are subject to a right to edit and comment editorially. Name and contents ©2020, Harrisburg Magazine, Inc. Printed by Freeport Press, Freeport, Oh.

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WALKING

Will Give You A Healthier Holiday Season

By Jacqueline G. Godwin, Ed.D.

G

ood news. This could be your healthiest holiday season ever.

That is, if you get up off the couch and walk.

It’s no surprise that this holiday season will be quite different from last year’s. With COVID-19 still in the news and the usual holiday stress, battle of the bulge, financial concerns and those wintertime blues playing havoc with our minds, experts say our greatest weapon to improve our health and attitude can be achieved by walking.

And there’s no cost. We can walk when we want and where we want. And we don’t need a designated space or track to do so.

Simply walking inside our homes or our places of work will do the trick.

Hippocrates was a Greek physician who is often referred to as the “Father of Western Medicine.” Along with creating the Hippocratic Oath, his wisdom and sage-like advice, such as, “walking is the best medicine,” remains a timeless nonpharmacological prescription for well-being and longevity. Besides Hippocrates, Charles Dickens also got it right when he wrote, “Walk to be healthy, walk to be happy.”

A recent study by Oregon State University (OSU), found that older adults who regularly performed light-intensity exercise like walking were 18 percent healthier than their peers who were less active. People who were regularly active had lower body mass index (BMI), smaller waist circumference, better insulin rates, and were less likely to have chronic diseases.

The OSU researchers emphasize that small amounts of exercise—such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator, shopping at a mall versus online, or walking into a restaurant instead of using the drive-thru window—can make a huge difference. If a person’s one to two-minute increments of exercise add up to a total of 30 minutes per day, the benefits appear to equal 30 minutes of continuous movement.

The OSU study of more than 6,000 American adults found that an “active lifestyle approach” in which you “Make 4 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

activity part of your lifestyle” has broad appeal and excellent success rates.

Another study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that, compared with taking 4,000 steps per day, taking 8,000 steps per day was associated with a whopping 51% lower risk for all-cause mortality. Taking 12,000 steps per day was associated with a 65% lower risk compared with taking 4,000 steps.

Researchers also found that the cardiovascular benefits of walking are “biologically plausible.” They found, “like other forms of regular moderate exercise, walking improves cardiac risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, vascular stiffness and inflammation, and mental stress.” A conclusion that warrants putting on your walking shoes and walking for walking’s sake.

Health and Wellness author and contributor to (Forbes), David DeSalvo gives five reasons to walk. He states:

1. Walking boosts your mood even when you’re not expecting it. In a recent study, researchers conducted three experiments on hundreds of college students to find out if they’d experience a positive mood boost while walking, without knowing that walking could be the reason.

The researchers disguised each experiment as an alleged test of something else, all the while tracking mood changes linked to the simple act of taking a stroll. They found that just 12 minutes of walking resulted in an increase in joviality, vigor, attentiveness and self-confidence versus the same time spent sitting.

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 5

2. Walking enhances creativity, especially when you’re seeking a solution. A Stanford University study found that walking increased creative inspiration by an average of 60% versus sitting. The effect was evident while and shortly after walking anywhere between five and 16 minutes. The enhancement was specific to a flavor of creativity called “divergent thinking,” defined as a thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions.

3. Walking sparks connections between brain cells. Never underestimate the power of walking when it comes to sparking communication between neurons and improving brain health. Such were the results of a study on older adults that included walking along with other forms of exercise, finding that: One year of walking increased functional connectivity between aspects of the frontal, posterior, and temporal cortices within the Default Mode Network and a Frontal Executive Network, two brain networks central to brain dysfunction in aging.

4. Walking improves working memory. If you want to sharpen your recall, lace up and hit the sidewalk. A German study found that performance on challenging working memory tasks improved for participants allowed to walk at their own steady pace, as opposed to a slower pace set by the researchers. The results were more pronounced for the youngest of the study participants, but everyone’s working memory improved enough to give walking yet another smiley face.

5. Walking yields the right rhythm for thinking. One of the more intriguing areas of walking research delves into effects of its steady rhythm on how we think.

Studies have examined everything from the brain-spinal-cord connection with respect to this rhythm to the interplay of neurological function, biomechanics and the forces of gravity. The bottom line here is still equal parts science and intuition, but all signs point to walking inducing the right rhythm for getting thinking done.

So give walking the priority it deserves.

Whether you walk in business clothes or a sweat suit, on city streets or country roads, at home or the gym, it's still the same left, right, left for health. In fact, it's not a question of either/or, since every walk you take is a step toward good health.

Bottom line: Walking will get you away from the demanding routines of daily life; a nice plus for mental health during this holiday season. 7 6 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 7

New Pedego Electric Bike Store Cruises Into Harrisburg

By Jacqueline G. Goodwin Ed.D.

T

he tagline for Pedego Electric Bikes is “Hello, fun,” which is something Michael Soisson, wife Denise and son, Drew—co-owners of Pedego Electric Bikes—know firsthand.

The Soissons wanted to run a business together and found that Pedego was the perfect choice. Being a dealership rather than a franchise gave the three more flexibility in making their store their own and allows them to uniquely cater to their customers.

The Soisson’s shop has the distinction of being the first Pedego Electric Bike retailer in Pennsylvania and is located at Strawberry Square at 17 N. Third St. in Harrisburg. The three opened their shop in early September and already have exceeded what they expected in sales and rentals.

“People are coming in to learn more about electric bikes since they’re very curious,” says Michael. “We explain what they’re all about and tell them to take one out and experience it for themselves. When they come back to the shop they’re sold.”

Michael, who is an avid cyclist, says he’s happy to switch from a traditional bike to an electric one.

“Pedego Electric Bikes work just like any bicycle, with the addition of a battery for backup power,” explains Michael.

“There are three things that you can do with these electric bikes,” he says. “You can ride them just like a regular bike, and if you just want to pedal you can.

But they also have a throttle, so, for example, if you’re at an intersection and you want to make sure you can get through it really quickly, you can use the throttle and get energy on demand. And then the third feature, which is kind of in between, is called pedal assist.

And that means you pedal like normal, and then when you feel resistance, like you’re going up a hill, it automatically will add power.”

Michael says the pedal assist feature has six levels so a person can do as much work as he wants and the throttle goes up to 20 miles an hour.

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“We explain what they’re all about and tell them to take one out and experience it for themselves. When they come back to the shop they’re sold.”

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“So going up a hill becomes easier, so you don’t struggle with pedaling and getting up the hill and putting a lot of stress on your knees and feet. Riders can set their desired level of assistance, and the electric motor will kick in for some extra speed while pedaling or just from turning a throttle. It’s an individual thing.”

“A Pedego Electric Bike battery takes about 2-5 hours to charge,” explains Drew, who doubles as the shop’s manager and mechanic. “The battery can be charged in a regular outlet” he adds.

He says Pedego Electric Bikes come in a variety of styles for road surfaces and off-road.

“Our shop offers a variety of models including cruisers, commuters, fat-tires, mountain bikes, cargo bikes, and an electric folding bike,” says Drew.

“We even have a tandem model for folks who want to bicycle two-by two,” adds Michael. “Owners can also add accessories from helmets to baskets to trailers, and the bikes are available in hundreds of color combinations.”

“The bikes come with 250 to 500 watt motors,” explains Drew. “The bikes can cover distances up to 60 miles on a single battery charge.”

Drew says all Pedego Electric Bikes come with a 5 year warranty on parts and battery.

“There’s also a 5 year anti-theft protection warranty, plus a lifetime frame warranty,” Drew adds.

The shop offers rentals, sales and service.

Bike rentals begin at $25 an hour.

From the store, riders can take downtown Harrisburg’s bicycle lane and decide where they would like to explore.

From the shop, Pedego riders can cruise with ease for miles along beautiful Front Street south to Shipoke or north to Fort Hunter, as well as pedal up to the Civil War Museum and follow the Greenbelt Trail.

“Distance and terrain are no challenge for Pedego’s powerful motors,” says Michael.

For additional information about the shop including hours and rental rates go to www. pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/harrisburg/ or call (717) 857-7993. 7

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 11

Deck the Halls with Greens, Gold and Old

By Diane White McNaughton

I

t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas— from back in the day.

While technology has dazzled us with lawn-sized synchronized light displays, prelit artificial Fraser fir trees with LED lights, and apps that allow you to control your twinkling light displays from your office, many season-loving central Pennsylvanians are opting for a more traditional holiday vibe, with fresh evergreens, vintage ornaments, and gold and silver accents.

Musical snowglobes, country Santas, natural pinecones and berries, cascading ribbons, nutcrackers, and tinsel are also making a return appearance. Aluminum trees, color wheels, Shiny Brite ornaments, Bubble Lites, and retro snowmen are also de-Grinching our days. Ceramic lighted tabletop trees, kissing balls, old-time jingle bells, handmade painted Santas, and retro stockings are also re-emerging to re-create a winter wonderland and take us on a walk down Memory Lane.

Yes, these ARE your grandmother’s ornaments.

But these ornaments are more than just bright baubles.

Psychotherapist and author Amy Molin, featured on GoodMorningAmerica.com, says that Christmas decorations can take families back to a simpler time and help people understand their own identity. We reconnect to our childhood when we put up decorations, and may help us feel more connected to a lost loved one, she says.

Studies also show that those who decorate early are also says to be happier people. In this day of uncertainty, illness and isolation, it sure can’t hurt.

Vintage ornaments don’t have to be only those handed down through the generations from your great-grandmother. Replica ornaments from our Wonder Years can be found both online and in person, including at Pottery Barn, Etsy, Amazon, Christmas Tree Shoppes, Lowe’s, Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill, Blooms by Vickery, The Garden Path, Paper Moon Flowers, and more.

The Shiny Brite company produced the most popular ornaments in the nation throughout the 1940s and 50s. First produced in Germany in the early 1900s and imported to the U.S. until the late 1930s, businessman F. W. Woolworth and German immigrant Max Eckhardt then collaborated 12 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

with U.S.-based Corning Factory to perfect the traditional ornament-making methods and make them available stateside, according to Better Homes and Gardens.

Though tinsel itself dates to the 1600s, tinsel surged in popularity in the 1960s, just before the lead-based decoration was revamped for safety reasons.

In 2001, Christopher Radko, producer of fine, hand-painted ornaments, began reproducing Shiny Brite ornaments and packaging them in vintage styled boxes.

Today’s vintage Santa figurines come in all shapes and sizes. However, blow mold Santas, made popular with the new-fangled plastic technology of the ’60s, and fun-size Santa mugs, popularized by Holt Howard company, are deemed to be highly collectible.

The Civic Club of Harrisburg on 612 North Front Street is getting into the vintage holiday spirit by decorating their historic home together Dec. 1.

According to Mary Beth Lehtimaki, Club president, white, green and silver dominate their color scheme in the riverfront Mansion known as Overlook, built in 1903.

“Many hands make light work,” and also guarantee a fun time for socializing, she says.

In past years, the club hung a fresh wreath with red poinsettias on the front door.

Green and red plants are also placed under every archway outside. Inside, the fireplace

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 13

mantels are dressed up in holiday glam.

One mantel features all silver, with white lights, small trees and reindeer. A stained glass ornament hangs in a window.

The Christmas tree in the main lobby is adorned in reds and golds.

Another mantel holds Santa figurines and reindeer, in a bed of cottony snow.

Dauphin County’s Fort Hunter Mansion in Susquehanna Township also dresses up its home, erected in 1814, with evergreen and evertimeless ornaments.

“In the Fort Hunter Mansion, we focus on traditional, fresh decoration, with a nod to the kind of decorating that might have been done by the last residents of the Mansion,” Park Manager Julia Hair says.

“Christmas decorating wasn’t the all-consuming exercise in the late 1800s/early 1900s that it is today. The Mansion decorations are basically the same every year in that they are natural materials and are traditional, but within that framework, each decorator has some freedom to use different materials or add a different twist,” she adds.

In addition to the Mansion, Fort Hunter sponsors a popular Festival of Trees display, which will be held in the Centennial Barn this year.

Several different tree decorating styles are showcased. And for creative interpretations of the holiday spirit, the Fort Couture (Christmas Tree Dress) exhibit in the Stone Stable, “adds bling, innovation and inspiration,” Hair says.

Fresh greens are donated by members of the Civic Committee of the Garden Club of Harrisburg, who do the actual decorating in the Mansion, she says. The committee trims the branches in their own backyards to provide materials for the decorations, bringing “different evergreens for variety and interest.” Hair says.

In the Mansion, candles in the windowsills and on mantels sparkle, as do the hand-blown glass ornaments on the tree. On the decorated

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trees and dress forms, “there is much sparkle to behold – ornaments, bedazzled ribbons, tree lights,” Hair says.

“There are vintage ornaments on the tree,” she says. “Only a few are original to the residents of Fort Hunter Mansion; they are very fragile these days. Many of the ornaments are reproduction vintage, which we sell in the Fort Hunter Museum Shop, which are also available online this year.

“Only one tree is in the Mansion, and this year we are contemplating a tabletop tree which is more accurate to the Victorian period than the larger trees that we are accustomed to,” Hair says.

Like Overlook, Fort Hunter Mansion is decorated by Dec. 1. Fort Hunter is open for guided tours Tuesday – Sunday through Dec. 23.

Tours are by pre-paid reservation only and are offered at a COVID-19 discount price of $5 per person.

Tour times and capacity are limited to ensure visitor and staff safety. Face masks, social distancing and hand sanitizing are required of everyone.

“I have learned that old buildings have a beauty and grace that very often do not need a lot of adornment to be enchanting,” Hair says.

“Candlelight and evergreens are simple and are enough.

“Simple elegance can sometimes take your breath away,” Hair says.

“Experiencing a lovely building like Fort Hunter has a kind of magical quality to it with the candlelight, beautiful trimmings, the feeling of connecting to the past. It seems to capture people of all ages. I think younger children may have trouble understanding Christmas in a time before blinking lights and electronic gadgets!

“Some families visit every year as a part of their holiday tradition.

That tells me that being in this place is something they want to repeat. Visitors are often intrigued with the different kinds of dried flowers that are used in the decorations and leave the tour full of enthusiasm to do something like that for themselves. Sending folks

off with inspiration might be one of the take-aways.”

While some of the decorations are more modern, most are time-honored.

“Decorations seem to reveal the personality of the residents,” Hair says.

“In Fort Hunter’s case, the simple natural elements reflect what looks to us like a simpler time. And this year especially, we all need to be surrounded by the nostalgia that holidays often bring, whatever that nostalgia is for each one of us.” 7

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 15

TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

SIMPLY THE BEST 2021!

1. It’s Bigger than Ever! We have about 275 categories this year.

2. We have added close to 100 new categories like Soul Food, Fence Company, Veteran Owned Business, and Photographer (Session).

3. We have over 40 categories devoted to Best People. These are categories where individuals, not businesses are nominated.

4. Nominations begin January 1, 2021. You can nominate one business per category per day.

5. Nominations can be done online at https:// harrisburgmagazine.com/simply-the-best-2021/

HOW TO NOMINATE A PERSON IN SIMPLY THE BEST 2021 Nominations begin January 1, 2021 and ends February 21, 2021.

You can submit one nomination per category per day.

Go to the voting page at https:// harrisburgmagazine.com/simplythe-best-2021/

6. Nominations end February 21, 2021.

7. The FIVE businesses with the most nominations will be listed on the voting ballot.

We decided to have fewer nominees this year, but more categories.

8. Voting will begin April 15, 2021.

9. Businesses must register online. The link to register is found at https://harrisburgmagazine. com/simply-the-best/register/ 10. You must use your own email address to nominate and vote. You will be sent a link that you will need to use to login after casting your initial nominations.

16 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

This year, we are including Simply the Best People categories with our regular ballot. We have over 30 categories where you need to nominate a person and not a business. These categories are will state “(Name and Workplace)” in the category heading.

Our people categories will not have a drop-down of names to select as the business categories do. That’s because people are not listed in Google Business, which is how that happens.

To ensure your nomination counts, it is essential that you include the first and last name plus the business where they work. If it is not clear who you are nominated, the nomination will be discarded.

SIMPLY THE BEST 2021 CATEGORIES AUTO & TRANSPORTATION

BEAUTY & FITNESS

Auto Body Shop Auto Customization Auto Dealer (New Domestic) Auto Dealer (New Foreign) Auto Dealer (Preowned/Used) Auto Detailer

Martial Arts Massage Personal Trainer Pilates/Barre Classes Place that Helps You Lose Weight Yoga

Auto Repair Shop Car Salesperson Car Wash Mechanic Transportation (Limos, Taxis, etc) Transportation Service

Child/Day Care Center Computer Repair / IT Services Dry Cleaners Family Owned Business Funeral Home Insurance Agency Insurance Agent Real Estate Agency Real Estate Agent Real Estate Brokerage Real Estate Team Specialty Service Staffing Agency/Services Travel Agency Veteran Owned Business

BEAUTY & FITNESS Aesthetic Physician Office Barber Shop Beauty/Hair Salon (East Shore) Beauty/Hair Salon (West Shore) Dance Studio Facials Fitness Center / Gym Fitness Classes Hair Removal Services Hair Stylist / Barber Laser / Skin Care

BUSINESS

DENTAL Dental Assistant Dental Hygienist Dentist General Dentist (East Shore) General Dentist (West Shore) Oral & Maxillofacial Clinic Orthodontist Clinic Specialty Dentist

DRINKS & NIGHTLIFE Coffee Local Brewery Local Distillery HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 17

DRINKS & NIGHTLIFE

HARRISBURG COMMUNITY

Local Pub Overall Bar Place for a Craft Beer Place for a Night Out Place for a Specialty Drink Place for Happy Hour Sports Bar Vineyard / Wine Store

Large Business (51-100) Local Hero Medium Business (11-50) Nonprofit Organization Place to Volunteer Police Officer Quality Small Business (Under 10) Teacher Value

FINANCIAL Accountant Accounting Firm Bank Bookkeeping Company Credit Union Financial Planning Company Investment Company Mortgage Company Stockbroker Tax Preparation

FOOD Bakery Barbecue Breakfast Burger Desserts Ice Cream Organic & Health Foods Pizza Delivery Salads Sandwiches Soul Food Steak Sunday Brunch Sushi Sweets & Treats Takeout Vegetarian / Vegan Wings

HARRISBURG COMMUNITY Community Activist Community/Charity Event Customer Service Extra-Large Business (101+) Firefighter 18 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

HEALTH SERVICES Acupuncturist Alternative Medical Specialist Chiropractor Chiropractor Office Counseling or Therapy Office Counselor or Therapist Eyewear & Opticians Hospice Care In-Home Health Care LASIK Surgery Ophthalmologist or Optometrist Physical Therapist

Psychologist or Psychiatrist Office Senior Living

HOME BUILDING Architect Building Supplies Contractor / Remodeler Countertops & Cabinetry Decks & Porches Door & Window Company Fence Company Flooring Sales & Installation Garage Door Company Gutter Company Home Builder / Developer Masonry / Concrete Roofing Company Siding

HOME IMPROVEMENT Home Accents Company

HOME IMPROVEMENT

LOCAL FAVORITES

Home Improvement Specialist (Without a Category) Home Organizing / Closets Interior Design Company Kitchen / Bath Remodeling Co. Moving Company Painters Paving / Sealcoating Renovations & Restoration Services Security Company

Artist/Artisans Church College/University Farmers Market Hidden Treasure (Not Nominated Elsewhere) Local Television Personality Must See Place in Harrisburg New Business (2020) Photographer (Session) Place to Work (101+) Place to Work (11-50) Place to Work (51 to 100) Place To Work (Under 10) Radio Personality

HOME MAINTENANCE Carpet or Floor Cleaning Chimney Services Electrician Heating & Air Conditioning Company Home Repair / Handyman Junk Removal Service Lawn Service & Landscaping Maid / Cleaning Service Nursery / Garden Center Pest Control Plumber Pool / Spa Service Pressure Washing Company Tree Service

LEGAL Bankruptcy Attorney Business Law Attorney Corporate Attorney Criminal Defense Attorney Divorce Attorney Employment Attorney Estate Planning Attorney Family Law Attorney General Practice Attorney Law Firm Personal Injury Attorney Property / Real Estate Attorney Tax Attorney Workman's Comp Attorney

Radio Station TV News

MEDICAL Dermatologist Dermatology Office

General or Family Physician Clinic Hospital Medical Doctor Medical Specialist Clinic Nurse Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic Orthopedics Pain Specialist Clinic Pediatric Clinic Plastic Surgeon Plastic Surgery Clinic Podiatry Walk-In Urgent Care Facility

PETS Animal Rescue or Charity Doggy Day Care Pet Adoption Agency Pet Boarding Pet Groomer Pet Sitter/Dog Walker Pet Supply Store Pet Training Veterinarian Veterinarian / Animal Hospital HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 19

RECREATION & LEISURE

SHOPPING

Art Gallery Entertainment Center Fun While Learning Golf Course Historical Site Hotel or Bed & Breakfast Kid's Classes or Education Library Museum Park Place for Kids to Have Fun Place to Spend a Day Off Place to Take a Date Place to Take a Tourist

Jewelry Store Local Store (Without A Category) Pharmacy Place to Shop for Gifts Place to Shop for the Home Specialty Shop Supermarket Thrift or Consignment Stores

RESTAURANT

Event Coordinator Event Venue Florist / Event Decor Local Band Party Rentals Photographer (Wedding/Event) Wedding Cakes Wedding Planner

Affordable Place to Eat American Restaurant (East Shore) American Restaurant (West Shore) Chef Chinese Deli European (Other than Italian) Indian Italian Latin American Restaurant Overall Dining (Downtown) Overall Dining (East Shore / Suburban) Overall Dining (West Shore) Pizza Place Place to Eat with Kids Restaurant Service Seafood Restaurant Steakhouse Thai

SHOPPING Antiques Book Store Clothing Boutique Framer 20 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

WEDDING & EVENTS Birthday Party Services Bridal Shop / Formal Store Caterer DJ/Event Entertainment

Don't Forget Nominations Begin January 1, 2021!

HOW TO NOMINATE A BUSINESS IN SIMPLY THE BEST 2021 Nominations begin January 1, 2021 and ends February 21, 2021. You can submit one nomination per category per day.* Please note there are different instructions on how to nominate a person.

1. Go to the voting page at https:// harrisburgmagazine.com/simplythe-best-2021/ 2. Find the category you’d like to nominate a business in. Type in the name of the business. Once you start typing, a list of businesses with that name will show up based on your current location. Find the business with the correct address and select it.

Then, type in your email address and click on the green “Continue” button.

4. You will be taken to a new screen where your nomination is grayed out where you will be asked a couple of questions and some additional information. This year we added a question that requires you to confirm that you are using your own email to vote. Casting votes with an email that does not belong to you is against our rules. Those votes will be eliminated and businesses could be penalized or even removed from the competition if caught. When finished, click on the “Nominate” button.

5. If you did everything right, you will get a confirmation message and the ability to move on to the next category. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do this each time (just the first time you register to vote). If you wish to change your vote, you will have that option. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t show the address you selected on this screen.

6. If you are coming back to nominate on another day, you may need to login. To login, you will need to access a link sent to your email. The email will be titled “Login to Simply the Best 2021.” If you can’t find it, you can attempt to login without it and the system will resend it. *We allow you to nominate one business per category per day. This is to allow people to nominate more than one business for the ballot. We reserve the right to select the nominees with the most unique nominations.

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 21

Have Yourself a

Merry Local Christmas

By Diane White McNaughton

“Daddy, we have to walk slow, so we don’t miss anything.”

These words of wisdom from a jubilant four-year-old in a puffy coat and sneakers about sums it up when strolling over 8,000 square feet of hardwood floors and jam-packed shelves in Hummelstown’s Toys on the Square.

Permitted to buy one toy from tens of thousands of options, the boy’s excitement at the possibilities, and the magic of shopping local, were as clear as the twinkling lights in the storefront window.

The window also showcased a giant stuffed giraffe, straddled by Arthur the Aardvark, a tall pink stuffed flamingo, and a vintage train display with an authentic village, like the light-up platforms of yesteryear. Books, Barbies, dolls, dress-up clothes, activity and craft sets, puppets, Playmobil sets, Lego’s, vintage toys from the ‘60s, and more—it’s all there for festive gifting. A pottery classroom is also tucked in the back.

The one-of-a-kind store is truly FAO Schwartz meets Mayberry RFD. Nothing makes you feel like you are starring in a Hallmark Channel holiday special quite like a walk down the wind-swept, snow-covered streets of smalltown America in search of the perfect gift. Duck inside a quaint local shop with a chatty store owner, in so many walkable retail districts in Lititz, Hummelstown, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and more. Our local Main Streets deliver a winter wonderland, offering up trendy fashion boutiques, toy stores, local artisans, gourmet pastries, and top-notch eateries.

Amazon may help us quick-click items on our loved ones’ wish list.

Target and Costco may feature everything from appliances to zucchini bread under one roof. But during a time that has tried our souls, why not shop “home” for the holidays?

Shopping local is a triple victory. You can find unique gifts for your loved ones, support your local business owners/neighbors and their families during a very unmerry financial time, and ring up some free 22 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

homegrown charm and nostalgia for yourself.

Margaret Miller, owner of Three Little Birds Boutique in Mechanicsburg, Hershey and State College, says, “More than ever, we are battling online shopping.” With the pandemic, many customers now have ample time to scroll through screen after screen of national retailers from home.

“You are going to spend money anyway,” she says. “Why not spend it where someone invests in you?”

“When you walk in our store, we are excited to see you,” Miller says. Even though they offer online buying options and free shipping, “Shopping local is like shopping with family, shopping with friends.”

She knows what kind of pants would be dressy but comfy enough for an active teacher or a first-time mom. She can help hapless husbands shop for their wives —she knows their size and style— and she has seen three generations of shoppers all come in to find something perfect.

This holiday season, business owners welcome you with incredible deals and open doors, if not open arms. From clothing, candles, coffees and candies to trinkets, toys, and technology, local stores have the magical gifts for the holidays: diamond rings, downy robes, TVs,

weighted blankets, delicious edibles, and more for under the tree.

You can also find furniture, olive oil, original art, plants, fine literature, sports memorabilia, and the coveted product of the times: antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer.

Just a short stroll up Main Street in Hummelstown rests Rhoads Pharmacy, two floors teeming with Hallmark items, women’s clothing, jewelry, and decorating ideas. Operated for decades by David B. Lutz, the store just seems to go on and on into room after room of the beautiful, fragrant and sparkling. Whether you want patriotic items; something for the pet-lover, gourmet cook, or fashionista in your life; farmhouse décor; seasonal decorating items; clever mugs and signs; blankets; purses; or bath and body products, the shop is a veritable giftapalooza.

Accessed by an elevator, the second floor is now full of clearance items, up to 75 percent off, including women’s clothing, wreaths, Yankee candles, wall hangings, frames, baby clothes, and more.

You know you are in for something special when you see a life-size reindeer in the window, “Santa” sitting by the back fireplace, slender evergreen trees with white lights, and white birch trees with lights wrapped around their bare branches. Thick white snowflakes dangle from the ceiling.

“What brings you in here?” asks the cashier as he rings up a patron.

She came with her husband for breakfast at Bill’s across the street, and stumbled upon the shop.

“It’s so beautiful in here!” she marveled.

Also on Main Street is Bowser’s Furniture, operated since 1932, a flower shop, a candy shop, a pizza shop, and a jewelry shop, serving up gift options galore.

If you want something to delight the taste buds, many mid-state chocolate and coffee shops are ready to give you the caffeine and sugar fix your loved ones crave.

The founder of Frederic Loraschi Chocolate, on Hillcrest Road, Lower Paxton Township, learned his craft from some of the greatest chefs in Europe.

From southwestern France, he worked at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel as assistant pastry chef, and as executive pastry chef at the Hotel Hershey. In 2005, he started his chocolate company in Hershey. He now owns a 5,000- square-feet facility in Harrisburg, with five employees producing approximately seven tons of chocolates a year. Selected “Best Chocolatier in North America” in 2011 and second best at the US Selection for the World Chocolate Masters in 2010, Loraschi was one of the first chocolatiers to have pioneered and created the trend of handpainted chocolate bonbons.

One day a week, he wakes up at 4 a.m. to travel to New York City to pick up his premium ingredients.

He came to America in late 1999 “with nothing in my pocket,” he says, sleeping on the bare floor of his apartment.

One of his proudest moments, beside marrying his wife and the birth of his two boys, was becoming an American citizen.

He learned chocolate in France, Spain, Luxembourg, and Singapore, home of the finest chocolate in the world.

“Small businesses are suffering” at the hands of Amazon, he says. “I know my customers, I know their names. I know what they like, and I have a relationship with them.”

Popular holiday items include his signature gift HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 23

Checkout Out These Shop Local Goodies Henderson Jewelers

Unearthed in the Mahenge region of North Tanzania, Lotus Garnet was only recently discovered in late 2015. Found in alluvial mines, the amount of rough is unknown and each production is small and has a variation in color with every pocket produced.

Lotus garnet is a member of three garnet families, pyrope, spessartine, and almandine. It is usually found in conjunction with rhodolite garnet and spinel. It is best viewed in sunlight and has a slight red fluorescence which can give the appearance of color change.

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box, in packs of 8 and 16.

From chocolate bars as a stocking stuffer, up to a massive $200 gift box, “It’s important for me to have something for everyone,” he says.

“You can see us working,” he says, thanks to the store’s glass windows. The candy is not massproduced in China.

Loraschi has been perfecting his artisan chocolate since the age of 14. He is now 46.

What makes his chocolate unique?

“It’s not the brand of chocolate, it’s who’s making it,” he insists.

Other delectable holiday sweets can be found at Macri’s, Little Essie Mae Sweets Shoppe, Brittle Bark, and the new Cocoa Creek Chocolates in Camp Hill. Also, Zimmerman’s Nuts and Candies and Mantagos Chocolates in Harrisburg have quite a selection for those with a sweet tooth.

For coffee lovers, gift them a jolt of java from the new Fix Café by the Capitol, Lonely Monk in Lemoyne, Little Amps, Elementary Coffee, and Cornerstone Coffee in Camp Hill.

Clothing is also a great way to give someone a merry little Christmas.

Miller, a mother of three in Mechanicsburg, has operated three locations of Three Little Birds Boutique for the past three years.

Her favorite gift ideas include: • Loungewear. With so many people teleworking today, pajama sets are selling fast. They are “super soft and cozy, and the prints are fun,” in patterns such as dogs, stars, and hearts.

• Stickers. For teens and college kids, $3 stickers show off their personality for their Yeti bottles and hydroflasks.

Abrams & Weakley General Store for Animals

Looking for the perfect gift to give your dog or cat?

With a superior selection of high quality, human grade, holistic and nutritious pet foods, treats, and supplements from which to choose, Abrams & Weakley is the place to shop for those four-legged friends on your holiday gift list.

• Slim can cooler sleeves for seltzer wines like White Claw and Cuzzies with funny sayings are an inexpensive buy at $10 or $12 each.

• Cozy socks • Candles with a winter theme • Face mask chains. Miller says, while they don’t want to profit from face masks, they do sell mask chains to help busy ladies not lose their masks.

“It’s a place where not only clients feel valued, but our girls feel safe. It feels like home. We take care of each other. We take care of our clients.”

She emphasizes that this is not Target; they know their customers. It is a “true boutique experience.”

24 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Three Little Birds offers a Day with Daddy this year, where 80 percent of their jewelry is reduced to $10; tops are $20; kids could drink in some deals for mom then drink in some hot chocolate at the end.

“A click of a button is always easy on the internet, but taking the time to go out and specifically look with that person in mind means so much more,” Miller says.

“Shopping small is finding cute little presents you just don’t see anywhere, and there’s that brief moment that you realize, “She thought of me when she bought it,” reflecting “the time and effort you put in.”

Both mom and daughter can shop together for Girls Day, and Black Friday will span multiple Fridays this year.

“Everyone leaves with something,” Miller says.

She herself loves to shop local also, at venues like The Shoppe on Chocolate in Hershey, the woman-owned One Good Woman, and “Swedish,” a delightful candy shop in Lancaster.

For other original gifts, experienced shoppers recommend the Millworks and its 32 artisans, along with the stands at the West Shore Farmers’ Market and historic Broad Street Market.

And give a delicious gift that lasts long into 2021.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association asks that you buy gift cards to restaurants, which can be used for take-out, and don’t have to be used immediately.

“Those whose holiday shopping list includes gift cards from local taverns and restaurants will not only give their loved ones and friends wonderful gifts, but they’ll also bring hope for better days to an industry that is fighting for survival,” wrote Chuck Moran, the association’s Executive Director, in a recent letter to the editor.

Gift cards from Alvaro’s. Greystone, Gabriella’s, Progress Grille, and the new Watershed Restaurant bring special holiday joy to the world.

Back at Toys on the Square, a slender employee in a colored dress shirt, jacket, and tie covered with colorful billiard balls, was zooming around the store aisles on a scooter.

“I could buy everything in this store,” one shopper told him.

“We’ll let you do that!” he replied enthusiastically.

But in the end, volume doesn’t matter.

At this most wonderful time of the year, we are not just buying gifts. We are buying an experience. We are conjuring up childhood memories and making new ones. We are giving. We are helping.

We are walking slow, so we don’t miss anything. 7

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 25

Artful Inspirations Around Us

By Christina Heintzelman

A

s 2020 comes to an end it is a great time to focus on things that have made our lives happier, richer, and more meaningful in a year filled with doubt. The Harrisburg area has a wide variety of artisans, some who are known more widely than others, but all being an important part of what makes our lives more joyful, inspirational, and complete. Harrisburg Magazine is excited to introduce just a few of our local artisans by giving some insider information about them with the hope of an ongoing relationship between artisans and our readers.

Vivian Sterste Brandler (Vivi) and Jackson Emery Boyd (Jeb) are the owners

of Vivi on Verbeke in Midtown Harrisburg.

They are a driving force in the arts community of Harrisburg and co-own the Facebook page, Creative Midtown Harrisburg, which has over 1,000 members within the creative community.

Jeb and Vivi have known each other almost their entire lifetimes. Vivi first met Jeb when she was in 7th grade and received an art award from Jeb’s mother who was art judge on the first Earth Day celebration at The Harrisburg Academy. They both moved on with their lives for 35 years and re-met ten years ago at a Third in the Burg event.

Jeb is a well-known master in the restoration of British cars and owned his own restoration business for many years.

His love of photography comes from his mother who was a talented amateur photographer. Jeb still works in car restoration and spends his spare time in photography. He has no genre and photographs all things which he finds unique and interesting— landscapes, clouds, the river and its bridges, local musicians, portraits, a moment in time. His photography always has a story to tell— his story or better yet your story. “Pragmatism is antithetical to the creative and artistic process as it is impossible to reach into your soul and be pragmatic,” says Jeb. Vivi is a well-known local potter as well as a painter. She holds a B.S. in Art Education and Elementary Education and has taught K-12 art 26 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

in various schools, summer camps, and workshops. She also taught ceramics in The Governor’s School for the Arts at Keystone College and has maintained private students for over 45 years.

Currently, she has several young people who have expressed interest in using her studio in exchange

for assisting her with studio chores. She then provides them with demonstrations, clay philosophy, and firing of their objects. Her goal is to feel as creative with clay as she does with her brush. If you have seen her work, you know that she has accomplished this. Vivi comes from a creative family, her mother was a painter, and her father was a well-known pianist and teacher. For years she saved half of what she earned with art to put toward having her own creative space.

She constantly strives to find that mix of bringing her vision to the community and embracing the vision of others. She, like Jeb, always question how to bring people across the bridge from left brain to right brain for them to think outside the box around art and the artistic process.

When Jeb decided that he and Vivi should have a building in

Midtown, he researched the area, visited local galleries, and watched how they operated. They finally settled on their current location of 258 Verbeke Street and realized that the space was perfect for their home on the second and third floor and Vivi’s clay studio in the basement with the studio sales space on the first floor. Jeb very much wanted for Vivi to have the chance to have her own studio because he had taken so much pleasure in having a business site of his own. Because they live there, they think of their shop as an exhibit of their works as much as it is a place for art sales. They both work continuously to bring their creativity to the area while maintaining the ongoing community vibe that has risen in that area.

Vivi and Jeb can be reached at their studio on Verbeke St, Facebook page Vivi on Verbeke, www.nikonjeb.format.com and vivionverbeke.com.

Reina Wooden (R76) and Charlie Feathers (Bootleg) have joined forces

to become prominent in Harrisburg’s Outsider Art community. They work in mixed media, acrylics, papier mache, and found objects. Nothing is off limits as they believe that anything can become art.

Charlie, a 10-year resident of Harrisburg was a tile installer who took a clay class at HAAC and became a convert to the artistic movement. Reina, a 15-year resident of Harrisburg, went to college for business management with the goal of becoming a restaurant manager. She was a victim of domestic violence but when a friend gave her a gift certificate to AC Moore to help her move on from her dilemma, her passion for art began as a way of moving through her emotional pain.

Both Charlie and Reina’s work have been exhibited at Art Association of Harrisburg and HMAC. Reina has exhibited at The Atrium of WITF. She also shares a space with artist, Andrew Guth, at The Millworks. Charlie has shown his installation, “The Blue Chair,” in The DeSoto Family Vault Gallery at SAM at the Marty. Charlie has done Facebook and Instagram “how to” videos showing some of his art techniques.

Reina and Charlie often have a pop-up

gallery invitation only gathering at their home on Green Street in Harrisburg. They also use fliers around town to showcase their upcoming exhibits. You can reach them via Facebook and Instagram at Reina Wooden or Charlie Feathers.

Last words: if you are in Harrisburg for Third in the Burg on Friday Dec. 18, Charlie and Reina will be part of an exhibition with ten other artists at the Civic Club of Harrisburg located at 612 N. Front Street.

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 27

Jonathan Frazier, a member of The Seven Lively Artists, is well known for his luminous plein air scenes along much of the northeastern United States and as a singer/songwriter, musician performing in local restaurants and coffee houses.

His interest in art goes all the way back to his early youth, and by the time he was in high school he had won many art awards including an award in the National Scholastic Arts Program. He studied art at Harrisburg Arts Magnet School during his senior year and then attended Maryland Institute College of Arts later transferring to Kutztown University where he received a BFA with a studio concentration in painting. After his graduation it was a hard landing into the post college world of job hunting. He enlisted in the US Air Force as a medical lab technician. His first mural was done at Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB. Another of Jonathan’s murals exists on the wall of the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, in the Bridges Lounge. What makes this mural so unique is that it is done in oil rather than acrylic paints, which is the most used way of creating murals.

Although Jonathan works primarily in oils, he is also well known for his pen and ink renderings of area homes. These pieces are often commissioned by the homeowners or through local realtors.

Jonathan’s works can be seen on a regular basis at local galleries, such as Art and Soul Gallery at the West Shore Farmer’s Market, Gallery 30 in Gettysburg, Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts, and the Art Association of Harrisburg.

You can follow Jonathan on Facebook at Jonathan Frazier or reach him through his website jonathanfrazier.com Jonathan will also be part of the Civic Club art exhibit on Friday, Dec 18 as part of Third in the Burg.

Alex Catizone (Alexandra Supertramp) moved to the Harrisburg area from Austin, Texas two years ago. She was an English major in college but always an artist at heart. Her goal is to integrate the left side with the right side of her brain by connecting art and utility first and foremost by working with her hands. In the past, she has worked at a Montessori school as both an office manager and a summer camp counselor.

She tried her hand at print making and still uses this as an artistic outlet but her first real challenge in the artistic world was totally remodeling a trailer which she purchased as a living space.

She ran waterlines, built countertops, and sealed leaking roofs and windows.

Alex is an artist who puts together various jobs to have the necessary funds to work on her artistic projects while providing for her financial wellbeing. Currently, she is an assistant facility manager for The Parkway in Harrisburg and creates and teaches yoga classes at Community Yoga Space. And in any spare time, she paints exteriors and interiors of homes because she feels that this type of painting exhibits forward motion almost immediately.

Alex’s main medium is wood, and she focuses primarily on local Pennsylvania hardwoods. Her cutting boards and charcuterie boards are made primarily from black walnut and red and white oak.

She also makes earrings using only spalted maple. Spalting occurs in wood when a fungus begins to attack the wood, giving it dark, contrasting streaks that add to the beauty of the design.

Alex exhibits her work exclusively on social media using Facebook and Instagram. Her plan is to branch out to an Etsy store and build her own website. Through word of mouth, Alex has managed to sell out completed work rather quickly. She does accept commissions.

The best way for you to reach Alex is through her Facebook page Alexandra Supertramp (Harrisburg PA) and her Instagram site Owlexandra Supertramp. Alex’s mail contact is alexandra.catizone@gmail.com.

28 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Steve Wetzel is an artisan who has lived most of his life in the Harrisburg area. Drawing has always been a large part of his life, right from the moment he bought his first drawing kit from the Jon Gnagy TV show. He studied accounting at York College and after 2 years decided that this just was not for him. He joined the Navy and for many years created his cartoon work for All Hands, the Navy magazine. After his Navy stint he went back to college at Bloomsburg University and studied special education. He taught special education classes for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and later worked for many years at the Selinsgrove Center, with the knowledge that he would be gearing up for his retirement when he would become a full-time artist.

In the past, he has also created cartoons for local newspapers, one of them being the Patriot News. His first cartoon for the newspaper was one featuring Mayor Stephen Reid and Governor Tom Ridge. From cartoons, Steve moved onward to oils in the 80’s through a class with Carrie Wissler-Thomas and then studied with JD Wissler’s plein air group, which is where he found his niche as a plein air artist. He taught landscape painting for many years at the Art Association of Harrisburg. Steve, like Jonathan Frazier is a member of the Seven Lively Artists, a group originally founded in 1956 and the longest continually running painting group in the United States. Their number now exceeds well over seven lively artists. This group has exhibited nationally, as well as, in the Pennsylvania State Museum, the Governor’s residence, and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Steve’s primary medium is oil, and his main style is plein air.

Steve’s art can be found in many local galleries including Art and Soul Gallery in the West Shore Farmer’s Market, the Art Association of Harrisburg, Lebanon Picture Framing and Fine Art Gallery, and the Gallery at La Cigale in Mt. Gretna.

All proceeds from Steve's artwork is donated to Saint Jude Childrens Hospital.

If you are interested in viewing more of Steve’s art, you can find him at steve-wetzel.com or on Facebook at Steve Wetzel.

Sean Matthews has appeared in Harrisburg Magazine twice before in 2013. Originally from Boone NC, he and his family moved to the Mechanicsburg area eleven years ago. Sean’s interest in art started as a young boy when he discovered Legos and he still acknowledges how the parallel between Legos and the concept of advanced design are tightly interwoven. He often helped his dad with chores and came to an understanding of how holding the flashlight for his dad assisted him in grasping the concept of focusing into the smaller area in order to allow the completed project to come to fruition. In his senior year of high school, he rebelled against art and spent a few years wavering between various jobs including construction and ballroom dancing instruction. Jamie, his wife, and partner of over twenty years, convinced him of his need to re-enter the art world and he enrolled as a non-traditional student at Appalachian State University and received his BFA in Studio Arts. He then went on to study at Towson State University receiving an MFA in Sculpture. After receiving his MFA, he rejoined Appalachian State University as an adjunct professor. During this time, he was featured in David Nash’s 2003 DVD Discovering Heartwood: The David Nash Residency. He also was part of the Whitney Museum’s Art-O-Mat 2003 calendar where his work “Junkyard Lily” appears not only as a printed part of the calendar but also as a permanent piece is Whitney Museum’s private Art - O - Mat collection.

His focus on Christian/Catholic based art led him to Messiah University where he is now an Associate Professor of Art, teaching construction and assemblage with the focus on three dimensional design, the space around it, and the materials needed to bring the object to fruition.

That entry level class builds up to advanced sculpture and installation art in public spaces. His works are in mixed media sculpture where he investigates the aesthetic relationship between form and material.

Sean is a full-time artist, teacher, and father and these roles exist simultaneously. He works in his classroom, but also in his personal workspace, Strawberry Alley Studio and Artist Overnight, a unique environment where fine art meets family life. This two-floor atelier combines sculpture, installation, and works-in-progress with comfortable living in the everyday space.

Sean’s work has been exhibited in many galleries and museums. He can be reached through Facebook and Instagram at Strawberry Alley Studio. 7 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 29

Grove Financial & Associates is your local insurance company Andy Grove established a local insurance agency in 1999, Grove Financial & Associates, Inc (GF&A). Over the years the agency has experienced outstanding growth. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of organic growth and enhanced our expansion with 14 mergers and acquisitions,” says Grove, owner and CEO. “We now have 6 locations and 40 employees.”

Grove, who possesses numerous designations and certifications, including Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant, says that his agency is an independent agency and offers a full array of insurance and financial products.

“We offer all lines of personal insurance including auto, home and life insurance, as well as unique insurance products such as pet, wedding and travel insurance,” says Grove. “We also offer commercial insurance for all types of businesses and business owners. We have a number of experts in our agency who specialize in different lines of insurance including farm and agriculture, contractors, habitational risks and cyber insurance.”

GF&A was a Nationwide Insurance captive agency for 20+ years but transitioned to a fully independent agency over the past several years. “As an independent agency we can now act as an advocate for our customers and are not tied to any one specific carrier. This means we have the ability to shop for the best products, coverages, and value in the marketplace for our clients,” says Grove.

According to Grove, his agency assists clients with claims and advocates for their interest. “The time of a loss is one of the most stressful times for a client and being able to pick up the phone and call your GF&A Account Manager for direction is a major benefit,” says Grove. “Our clients can call our agency and we can direct them on the necessary steps to file their claim. While we don’t adjust the claim or make any decisions regarding the claim itself, we are able to help facilitate resolution and we are that friendly familiar voice on the other end of the phone that brings comfort during a stressful time.”

Grove says the benefits of entrusting your insurance needs with a local business like Grove Financial & Associates instead of a larger national or online company are paramount. “We offer all of the benefits that our insurance carriers bring to the table like technology capabilities, products, convenience

30 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

and 24/7 service numbers. In addition, we add value for our clients by offering dedicated account managers,” explains Grove. “When our clients have a problem or need advice, they know they have a person with whom they’ve established a relationship to call and talk to, a person who knows them and understands their needs.”

Our home office is located in Mechanicsburg, but we have multiple offices located throughout the central Pennsylvania marketplace,” says Grove.

“We are also licensed in many states, so we can help our clients with personal or business needs outside of Pennsylvania.”

“Grove Financial & Associates is a business committed to financially protecting our community and building a team culture of giving back to the communities that support us,” adds Grove.

“We are very big supporters of our community. We donate and support various local charitable organizations such as Speranza Animal Rescue, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, Canine Rescue of Central PA, New Hope Ministries, Central PA Food Bank and United Way to name a few. We are always looking for ways to be involved and help our community.”

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TASTE THIS! It’s Friday. What’s for lunch?

Harrisburg Magazine staffers still think Friday is the best day of the week. Why? Because we know that lunchtime will be special. It’s the time we can relax and put our editorial taste buds to work by sampling items from local restaurants and offering our candid reviews in return.

We’re still practicing social distancing and wearing our masks, and we’re just as hungry as ever. We look forward to sampling what’s out there look forward to accurately conveying the taste, texture, smell and presentation of the food items before us for our readers.

While we started out with three local eateries—Soul House Café, Hong Kong Ruby and Market Street Deli, we’re proud to state that in all, we’re up to twenty local eateries who have become part of Taste This! We would like to thank them for allowing us the opportunity to sample real food instead of relying on our brown bag lunches from home.

If your eatery would like to be featured in Harrisburg Magazine then reach out to us.

Contact your sales representative directly, call the main office at 717-233-0109, or contact Jackie Goodwin, editor, at jgoodwin@harrisburgmagazine.com.

ISAAC’S

Since 1983, Isaac’s has been known for its uniquely grilled sandwiches named after birds and flowers for its vegetarian selections. The restaurant still has 11 sandwiches from the original flock of 29 on its menu today. And while the menu has changed a little bit over the years, Isaac’s commitment to making the best made-to-order handcrafted sandwiches, made from scratch soups and deli salads out of the freshest ingredients has not. Order a boxed meal and you’ll receive an individual full sandwich or salad with chips, cookie and mini dill pickle. But don’t forget about Isaac’s wonderful selection of desserts.

Isaac’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is delicious and so is Isaac’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Brownies. Your taste buds will be thanking you if you order any menu item. And Isaac’s commitment to great taste continues with its specialty brews that bring out the best in its menu items. Now pouring original craft beers at its Mechanicsburg or Downtown Lancaster locations, check out Isaac’s website for a listing of its specialty brews.

Rossmoyne Business Center 4940 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-1111 www.isaacsrestaurants.com

HERE’S WHAT WE SAY ABOUT ISAAC’S

“I had the Salty Eagle—ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and mustard on a pretzel role. It was so good. I also tried the Black Bean Salad with fresh cilantro. That, too was delicious. And the Pepper Jack Tomato Soup, was so “Isaac’s provided our staff with an abundance of menu items. creamy and spicy. What a combination.”

The Shrike Sandwich, with its cranberry-almond chicken salad, —Christina Heintzelman, Director of Operations provolone, tomato and spinach on a Kaiser roll was fantastic.”

—JoAnn Shover, Account Executive “Little things make all the difference and Isaac’s Pasta Salad and crispy pickles are just a great touch. The Pepper Jack Tomato Soup is a local classic and it did “The Penguin Club Sandwich was piled high with turkey breast, not disappoint. The Finch Sandwich with turkey, bacon, Muenster and may ham, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato and mayo. It was very satisfying and tasty. I’m full. ” on marbled pumpernickel was terrific.”

—Mike Jurosky, Account Executive —Ned Teter, Account Executive 32 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

MOEZ PIZZERIA

Moez Pizzeria is one of the only spots in the Harrisburg area that does a credible and delicious New York style pizza. It’s thin enough that you can fold it, and thin enough that it holds the cheese, toppings, and grease and that’s a win. Moez’s, located behind Lowes off Union Deposit Road on Londonderry Road, has a devoted group of regulars for good reason. It’s earned the love — with timeless, authentic Italian food. Besides the regular Italian fare of pizzas, strombolis, calzones and subs, Moez also features salads, wings, and appetizers. Full dinners such as Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce, Ravioli with Red Sauce, Baked Ziti, Manicotti, Stuffed shells, Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Parmigiana, and Fettuccini are also available. So stop your bellyaching that there isn’t a legit New York-style slice shop in the area. Head to Moez Pizzeria and “fugghetaboutit!”

4083 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 (717) 541-1400 and (717) 541-1401 www.moezpizzeriaandcatering.com

HERE’S WHAT WE SAY ABOUT MOEZ PIZZERIA “The Grandma Pizza was fantastic!”

—JoAnn Shover, Account Executive

“The Grandma Pizza was amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a pizza that tasted so good and was also healthy at the same time. And the House Salad was also delicious. I could have eaten the whole thing.

Moez is absolutely the best!”

—Laura Reich, Graphic Designer “Best Grandma Pizza ever! The crust was perfect—just the right amount of crispiness. The House Salad was a great combination of cheeses, greens (including basil) and tender grilled chicken with a grilled flavor.”

—Christina Heintzelman, Director of Operations

“Ok. Where do I start? This is the best New York Style pizza in Harrisburg by far. Moez gets the cheese, the sauce, the ratio and slice length right. Plus, Moez’s crust is nice and thin but still chewy. Just like the pizzerias in New York City make. Moez, you made my day.”

—Jackie Goodwin, Editor

“One of the best tasting Cheese Pizzas I’ve had in a while. It had a great crust. You can tell the sauce is homemade. Moez will be my new go to place for pizza pie.”

—Mike Jurosky, Account Executive “I loved the Stromboli. It was so tasty. I brought some home for dinner.”

—Darwin Ordt, President/CEO “If a basic cheese pizza is the standard, then Moez passes the test. The Cheese Pizza had just the amount of cheese and sauce, and the texture of the crust was great. Excellent!”

—Ned Teter, Account Executive

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 33

VALLEY BISTRO

While Valley Bistro is one of the new kids on the block as far as restaurants go it’s already quite popular. And with good reason. Everything tastes fresh and delicious. The salmon BLT is a fantastic choice with grilled salmon, crispy bacon, avocado, tomato and a tangy lemon-dill aioli served on toast. The shortrib grilled cheese sandwich and the classic benny is also worth a trip. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or weekend brunch. Valley Bistro also offers specials every day as well as gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan entrees. Bon Appetite!

4520 Valley Road, Enola, PA 17025-1572 (717) 695-7673 www.valleybistroenola.com

HERE’S WHAT WE SAY ABOUT VALLEY BISTRO

“ The Crab Rangoon Pizza was a very interesting combination—a little cream cheese, some sweet chili sauce and lots of crab. Delicious! Jacqui’s Inferno—8 ounces of ground beef with bacon, cream cheese, jalapeno, peppers and pepper jack cheese and a side of Cajun fries was terrific.

—Christina Heintzelman, Director of Operations “The Salmon BLT was so good. I give it 5 stars.”

—JoAnn Shover, Account Executive “Valley Bistro, I will be visiting soon. The MacDaddy Sandwich was the bomb. Even though it was a large sandwich I ate the whole thing! And the Crab Rangoon Pizza was a great appetizer. So good.”

—Laura Reich, Graphic Designer

“Love, love, love, Valley Bistro! Pappou’s Authentic Greek Gyro, a combination of lamb and beef shaved, homemade tzatziki yogurt sauce, tomatoes, onions, warm pita, stuffed with French fries was so tasty.”

—Jackie Goodwin, Editor

“I had the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and it was wonderful. The meat was so tender and the sauce and the Texas bun just added to the experience.

The Shrimp Habanero Pizza was amazing. Just the right amount of heat.”

—Mike Jurosky, Account Executive

“I had the Fried Apple Bacon Burger and it was one of the top 5 best burgers I’ve had, and I’ve tried a lot.”

—Darwin Ordt, President/CEO

SIMPLY TURKEY AND MORE

If you’re one of the many people who love the taste of turkey, you’re in luck! From turkey sandwiches and turkey wraps to turkey soups and turkey salads, Simply Turkey offers something on the menu for all turkey lovers. One of the restaurant's most popular turkey dishes is its Hot Turkey Platter—freshly oven-roasted turkey breast, our homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish (or spiced apples), choice of veggie and bread. You'll definitely be reminded of Thanksgiving while eating this dish. For something that's not quite as filling, but just as delicious, you'll want to try Simply Turkey’s Sandwiches and Wraps. One good choice is The Original, the sandwich that started it all—a combination of freshly sliced oven-roasted turkey breast (chicken or ham also available), crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes. The Apple, Cranberry, Walnut Chicken Salad Wrap is also a fan favorite. With freshly roasted chunks of chicken breast mixed with fresh apples, dried cranberries, and walnuts in a special sauce you can’t go wrong.

4455 North Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 909-2013 www.simplyturkeyandmore.com

HERE’S WHAT WE SAY ABOUT SIMPLY TURKEY AND MORE

“Simply Turkey and More provided us with tasty wraps and an assortment of sandwiches. My favorite was the Apple, Cranberry, Walnut Chicken Salad Wrap.”

—JoAnn Shover, Account Executive.

“I loved Simply Turkey and More’s Roast Beef Sandwich. The “Simply Turkey and More lived up to its reputation of serving great sandwiches roast beef was piled high, and it was very tender. The fresh lettuce and tomatoes, tasty bread, and crispy bacon made it a winner.” and wraps that’s for sure. I especially loved the Chicken Bacon Wrap!”

—Mike Jurosky, Account Executive —Laura Reich, Graphic Designer “ I had the Turkey Spinach and Cranberry Sauce Wrap. Loaded with delicious “I am so happy that I chose the Apple, Cranberry, Walnut Chicken Salad Wrap. It was an excellent choice.” turkey, It was very tasty.”

—Jackie Goodwin, Editor —Christina Heintzelman, Director of Operations 34 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 35

Bartender’s Best

By Charlie Wohlrab

The end of the year holidays are here, the days are short, and the nights are long. It’s is time for holiday cocktails.

If you Google search “Holiday Cocktails” you will find recipes to make them by the pitcher. However, since we are in a COVID pandemic and are supposed to limit holiday gatherings, the recipes below are by the glass. These recipes also have a few spirits you may not have in your home bar, but most are available in pint bottles (375 ml. for you metric system aficionados). You can purchase a small bottle for the holidays, and it will not take up space in your home bar after the holidays came come and gone.

Peppermint Martini • 2 ounces Vanilla Vodka • 1 ounce White Crème de Menthe • ¼- ½ ounces Peppermint Schnapps Fill a cocktail shaker glass with crushed ice, add the ingredients, shake and strain into a martini glass. For an extra touch, crush candy canes, rim the glass with a lime and coat the rim of the glass with the crushed candy canes.

Add one small candy cane to the glass as a garnish and you’ll have a fine-looking cocktail. You can decide if the extra effort is necessary. Perhaps, God willing, and when we can once again have guests, I will definitely add the garnish.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini For this holiday cocktail, you’ll have to splurge and buy Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur.

• 2 ounces Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 36 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

• 1 ounce Vanilla Vodka • ¾ ounces Peppermint Schnapps Fill a cocktail shaker glass with crushed ice, add the ingredients, shake and strain into a Martini Glass. You can garnish as above or not. The garnishes add to the presentation and if you don’t have guests the call is yours. A word to the wise; this is a messy cocktail so rinse your shaker well after preparation so you are ready for the next round.

Since you now have the white Crème de Menthe you can make one of the classics, The Stinger. This is a drink whose history goes back to the 1890s. During Prohibition, the Crème de Menthe was used to cover the taste of inferior brandies. This drink was a favorite of Reginald Vanderbilt, (Gloria’s father and Great Grandson to Cornelius), and he would make them for his guests. “A short drink with a long reach. . .” as such, it was considered a drink of the upper class and has appeared in movies. As late as 1970, Goldie Hawn orders one in the movie, “Shampoo.” However, by this time the drink was losing popularity.

Initially, there was controversy as to whether this was a cocktail (before dinner) or a digestif (after dinner).

Historians say that Reginald Vanderbilt would spend three hours making Stingers for his guests for his “cocktail hour” which only added to its high society status.

The Stinger • 3 parts Brandy • 1 part Crème de Menthe (white) Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, add the ingredients, give a few gentle shakes and strain into a Martini Glass.

This is a duo cocktail; a spirit and a liqueur, but a few gentle shakes would be OK. The classic recipe calls for Brandy, but if you do your “research” you can find reasonably priced off-label cognacs which will make a smoother drink. A variation is to serve it “on the rocks” in a rocks glass with a sprig of mint. The choice is yours as to serve it as a cocktail or a digestif. I tend to side with Reginald Vanderbilt as it has a bright, clean taste and is pleasant before dinner.

Be safe. Stay home. Enjoy the holidays!

Charlie Wohlrab is a mixologist whose motto, “Drinking. . .more than a hobby” has been topmost in his mind since he first started tending bar while getting his Pharmacy degree. Now retired, when he’s not restoring his older home in New Jersey, he’s made it his goal to elevate the experience of having a daily cocktail from something mundane to something more exciting. He is now Harrisburg Magazine’s official bartender in residence.

My recipes are like my opinions,” says Wohlrab. “They continue to be refined as I try new products and work with old standbys.”

Currently working on a book about cocktails, Wolhrab welcomes comments from his readers. He can be contacted at jgoodwin@ harrisburgmagazine.com. 7