Photo courtesy of the Harrisburg Riverboat Society
Although the iconic Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat will not launch this 2024 season due to unexpected repairs, Harrisburg Magazine supports the non-profit society’s efforts to restore the boat. To donate toward repairs, visit www.hbgriverboat.org or call the Harrisburg Riverboat Society at (717)-303-8320.
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
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Introspection
There’s a buzz in the air at the offices of Harrisburg Magazine as we move into the season of barbecues, festivals and pool parties. While hard to define, it’s an intangible sense that exciting times await as the summer months unfold.
Of course, much of this electricity comes from the culmination of our annual Simply the Best initiative, in which readers cast their votes for their favorite businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania. The winners emerge as the cream of the crop, the gold standard of excellence in a highly competitive market.
Ballot tabulation is under way as I type this, with hundreds of nominees vying for honors this year to be designated as Simply the Best or as Reader’s Choice. Both awards carry prestige, so the process is painstaking to ensure complete accuracy and accountability. Results will be published in the August
edition of the magazine. Another source of anticipation among the staff here is the annual Simply the Best Gala, where the best of the best gather for a night of recognition, celebration, networking, great food and drink, and entertainment. This year’s gala, with the circus theme of “Under the Big Top,” is slated for Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill. Save the date, as tickets will be available online soon.
This issue also brings with it some changes, chief among them being me. Harrisburg Magazine has named me editorial director to assume the role of my predecessor, Managing Editor Randy Gross. We wish him well in his new pursuits.
A little bit of background: I was born and raised in the Camp Hill area and have enjoyed a 35-year career in journalism, working my way up from
reporter to executive editor at newspapers and magazines in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Vermont. I also managed to write a few books along the way.
I am thrilled to be back in my hometown working at an independently owned publication that strives to tell the stories that spotlight who we are –our neighbors, friends, entrepreneurs, unsung heroes, non-profit groups, medical professionals, musicians, artists. The list of talent in our area is virtually limitless. Hopefully, the efforts of our publication will, in some small measure, help to build community and foster togetherness in these divided times.
One last thing. I encourage you to send in your story tips and ideas. Just email them to eebeling@ harrisburgmagazine.com. It would be simply the best.
Eric Ebeling
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Entrepreneurial Spirit:
How Sweet
It Is
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
She’s the effervescent, outgoing heart and soul of Jubilee Cake Studio; her husband is the introverted, logical brains of the operation. Together, Tawwna and Shawn Dorman have found sweet success with a do-it-yourself cake decorating destination that essentially started as a flea market side hustle 14 years ago in Arizona. Now, the Dormans oversee a 9,000-square-foot storefront business at 105 Gateway Drive in Mechanicsburg, next to TJ Maxx and SkyZone. Tawwna recently sat down with Eric Ebeling, editorial director of Harrisburg Magazine, to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur.
Eric Ebeling: Could you explain your business for readers who may be unfamiliar with it?
Tawnna Dorman: I think Jubilee Cake Studio is a kind of a destination or an experience for everybody. It’s for all ages. You can stop by for walk-ins, where you would take a canvas that would be your cupcakes, your cookies, or your cake, grab your goodies, and you just hang out and decorate. It’s all
ages. We have kids coming in for Toddler Time, and we have special times just for babies, like 6 to 8 months and older. We host birthday parties. We have teen nights, and adult nights, which have gone crazy, because adult nights have turned into wine flights and BYOB. And we even kind of have a “naughty” adult night. We don’t advertise too much because it’s kind of a different side.
EE: Can I keep this in the interview?
TD: Absolutely! You must be 21 to enter, because it could be inappropriate with the kinds of things people make, but it is fun. So, we also have our birthday parties. Every kiddo will either get a dozen cupcakes, dozen cookies, or their own cake to work with. It goes from anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours long, and it comes with pizza, ice cream, all kinds of goodies. We are just now starting pretend playhouses. So, this whole side of the building is going to be covered in about 10 custom-built playhouses. Kiddos will be able to come in and do pretend play, sensory
play, imaginative play. They’re going to be like little mini-mansions in here. That’s what Jubilee wants to call them. She wants to call them mini-mansions. They are roughly 10 feet tall. There will be things like an ice cream parlor, a diner, a vet tech, a fire station with a slide. That gears to kids about 12 and under.
EE: The word Jubilee is so celebratory and upbeat. How did you arrive at that name for your business?
TD: It’s our daughter’s name, Jubilee. Our business had a different name, West Coast. When we moved here, somebody had a similar name, so we looked at our littlest child and named the studio. She’s 8 now. And just side note, any pictures you see here on the walls. That’s Jubilee. Every picture.
EE: Where did the inspiration come from to start this business?
TD: When we got married and started our own family, I worked in the medical field. I had a degree in physical therapy. Shawn wanted me to be the stay-at-home mom, and it just didn’t go well with me. So, I started making cakes on the side to stay home with the kiddos. Once that got quite busy,
we opened up small booth, a 10-by-10 booth inside a flea market where we lived in Arizona. That was in 2010. Within a month, we had the whole back of the place, which was four different booths. We kept expanding. When we came to here, we first had a spot in downtown Mechanicsburg, then we came here, and Jubilee became famous
EE: Were you always into baking?
TD: Oh, yeah. It started out as custom cakes and then it slowly moved into workshops, cake supplies, and birthday parties. I stayed with the custom cakes for a while, but once we completely switched over, it has just been birthday parties, workshops, and walk-ins now. We don’t no longer do custom cakes, because that’s a whole ballgame in itself.
EE: Do you keep track of the volume of raw materials – sugar, flour, things like that – you use in a given week or month?
TD: Yes, Sean did a program for me, because in Arizona there was such an influx of bakers that everybody was like, “Oh, I’ll do that cake for you for 20 bucks. You felt like you had to keep up with that price. One day, I was like, this is ridiculous. I’m working more than a double 9-to-5 job. I asked Sean to help me. So, he did a program. It showed that I was selling my 6-inch cakes for like $40 when they actually cost me $60, my cost, for materials, my time, everything. So, from there, I set the bar where 6-inch cakes were a minimum of $95. It was funny, because the bakers said, “You’re not going to make money. People are going to come to us. Then I sent our baker friends Sean’s little program and said, “You put your numbers in and you tell me what your cost is.” In about a month or so, everybody came up to $95. So, then it was about who has the talent and the flavor and the skill set versus just the cheapness of it. So that’s kind of how it worked with us, and I stayed firm to it.
EE: That makes sense. How do you keep up with large number cakes you have to produce?
TD: We have a manufacturer, like a warehouse assembly, that helps us out, because everything cake-wise is going to be at least times two. Your layers are times two. So, if I have 100 kids coming in, I need 200 layers for those 100 kids. As far as time, it would be impossible for just us to get that done. So, we hire a warehouse to help us out with all the layers and cupcakes and stuff. All of our specialty stuff, like, our cookies and our pizzas and mac and cheeses are done here. Some of the specialty cakes, too.
EE: That’s a lot. What’s the size of the staff here?
TD: It’s me and my daughter (Oakley), full time. I’m not on payroll. My daughter legally has to be. Shawn supports our household with his job. He owns his own (computer and technology) business. Shawn comes in and will help us quite a bit. He will do all the electronical stuff, all the technical stuff, lights. Stuff like that. He’ll build cabinets and do all the labor work.
EE: How long have you been in this location?
TD: We got here in January of 2020. We were going to take the lease in June, I believe, and they gave us a couple months to prep because there was a lot of work that needed to be done here. It’s all nice in here now, but it had to be completely gutted and redone. I painted everything by hand in here, other than my logo wall and my doors.
EE: You have hit an idea that people didn’t know they wanted or needed, and it has taken off.
TD: Yes. A funny thing is, we were qualified to go on Shark Tank, and we didn’t do it. We actually figured out you would invest almost $750,000 to get back ($250,000). We realized it just didn’t make sense. If we had $750,000, why would we need a “shark”? So, we just thought “no.”
EE: How much time can a customer expect to spend on the various activities here?
TD: The workshops are an hour, hour and a half. An hour and a half, two hours are about parties. When we get into the wine, flights and stuff, we partner with Hershey Vineyard, and she comes in and she gives a lot of wine to our customers. They also get dinner served, plus they do a cake. So usually that’ll take about a two-and-
a-half hour, sometimes, three-hour timeframe for the workshop, but that’s for adults. Kiddos can’t hang out that long. They’ll get a little anxious.
EE: Do you have set operating hours?
TD: We do in summertime. We are here Wednesday through Sunday, and we’re here from noon to six on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, we’re here until seven, and then when the playhouses come in, we’re going to open much earlier with a mac and cheese bar that will be available for delivery on GrubHub.
EE: Could you explain the addition of macaroni and cheese to the business?
TD: With the mac and cheese bar, we needed some type of cafe for the parents hanging out here with the kids in the houses playing. So, we thought, “What can both the parents and the kids eat?” We thought, “Let’s try mac and cheese bar." We have signature mac and cheeses, which already have recipes, like Crazy Chicken, where it has a buffalo sauce and jalapeno ranch. You can also create your own. You get to pick your noodles, you pick your cheeses, and you pick all of your toppings you want to go on there. Then we run it through, like a quick-bake oven so it becomes nice and bubbly. We also have the scones and the muffins and the gourmet cookies as well, because we have a coffee bar. And then we’re going to have gourmet cupcakes, where you can actually pick your flavor frosting and add all your goodies to it. So that way it’ll give more of a food selection while the parents are hanging out.
EE: Well, you described this as a destination early in the interview.
TD: Yeah, and I will tell you that we did apply for a Cumberland Valley
grant, and it’s been weird. We haven’t been, I don’t know if “recognized” is really the right word, but we kind of get overlooked in the area. On our sales report, and this is just point of sales when people are swiping cards, we have 33 percent out-of-state sales. That’s out of state and out of Cumberland County. That’s big for a mom-andpop. We have started tracking it better. We have this one family, if they come back again this summer, it will be their third year here from Switzerland. They come in here, just here. It’s not like they have family. It is so weird. We were so confused. So, the second time they came in, we made sure to clarify.
EE: One final question: Do you enjoy what you’re doing?
TD: I do. I do. It can be super, super stressful. It’s not your typical 9-to-5. I know it’s an insanity type of enjoyment, glutton for punishment kind of thing, but we do have a pretty privileged life.
128 W Broadway
Jim Thorpe, PA
Get in Tune with Your Mind, Body Using Healing Properties of Music
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for promoting physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being, and this is especially true for older adults.
Research has shown that engaging with songs, such as through music therapy, provides a range of benefits as we age, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving brain function and overall quality of life, according to Dr. Kathi J. Kemper, a professor at Ohio State University, and Dr. Suzanne C. Danhauer, of Wake Forest School of Medicine. Their work studying the effects of music on seniors proves that rhythm, melody, tempo, harmony, and dynamics can have a positive effect on well-being.
One of the key benefits of music therapy is its ability to reduce stress
and anxiety. Music has a direct physiological effect on the nervous system, helping to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and stress-related hormones. This in turn can have a positive impact on mood and emotions. The soothing and distracting qualities of music also can help people cope with the challenges and stressors that often come with aging, such as chronic health conditions, social isolation, and mental decline.
In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, music therapy has been shown to have a range of other benefits. Music can help to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and processing speed, research indicates. This is particularly important for those who may be experiencing age-related cognitive problems.
Kristyn Beeman knows this firsthand as a music therapist with WB Music Therapy in Harrisburg. For the past 13 years, she and her co-founding business partner, Melanie Walborn, have been making client’s lives better one song at a time.
“Music is a universal language. That gives us a powerful tool to address whatever the issue might be,” she said. In more serious instances of impairment, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s or stroke, music can lead to substantial breakthroughs.
“Music is processed on both sides of our brain simultaneously, so by listening to music you can bypass the region of the brain that is having difficulty,” Beeman said. “Say they’re dragging a foot when they walk. We can use music with a rhythm that encourages them to step with the beat.
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We are all innately drawn to rhythm, so we can put focus on that.”
Music therapy uses clinical and evidence-based music interventions to help people achieve specific goals with guidance, Beeman said. This type of treatment has been shown to help people enhance their memory, improve their communication, and promote physical and mental rehabilitation.
Music also can evoke pleasant memories – if done properly.
“I really have to know about the background of that person. Music is not one-sizefits-all. Sometimes a song might seem positive, but it’s not to the person hearing it. It could be a veteran with PTSD who hears “God Bless America” and has a negative response,” Beeman said. “It could be someone who hears their wedding song, and it brings back painful memories and leaves them in an agitated state. You always need to have a plan.”
sometimes, eliminate it altogether.
The evidence of music’s power to affect positive change is compelling.
As it’s been said: “Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.” Poet William Congreve was onto something when he penned that line in 1697.
In certain cases, she said, music therapy can help reduce the amount of medication used in treatment or,
To learn more about music therapy, contact WB Music Therapy at www. wbmusictherapy.com or KDWBMT@ gmail.com.
Planning for retirement can feel like navigating turbulent waters – it requires foresight, adaptability, and a steady approach. This can feel especially daunting in today’s unpredictable economic and political climate.
With uncertainties ranging from global tensions, the upcoming election, and the sunset provisions in the current tax law, individuals approaching retirement face unique challenges. With some smart strategies, you can still steer towards a financially secure retirement.
Dust off your old retirement plan and reassess your risk tolerance and asset allocation. Have major changes occurred since your last financial plan? Have you received a raise, paid off the house, or become an empty nester? Factor your life changes into the financial plan and make certain your investment allocation meets your current goals and objectives.
Inflation is the stealthy thief in the night, slowly eating away at your purchasing power. It is important to factor rising costs into your financial plan. To combat this, look into investments that historically beat inflation, such as stocks or real estate.
Health care costs can throw a wrench into your retirement plans. They seem to climb higher every year, so make sure you have factored these into your plans. Medicare is
complex. Make sure you understand the differences between supplemental insurance and advantage plans. Each policy has pros and cons. Factor these differences into your plan projections. If you have access to a Health Savings Account (HSA), take advantage of the triple tax advantages to help cover medical expenses in retirement.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a rainy-day fund! Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs; having reserve cash set aside for emergencies is crucial. Aim for at least six months’ worth of living expenses stashed away in an easily accessible account, like a high-yield savings account or a money market. It’s your safety net when unexpected expenses arise such as a car pair, appliance replacement or unforeseen health expenses.
Consider the value of professional advice in your retirement planning journey. Think of it as having a seasoned guide to help you navigate the complexities. A financial advisor can offer personalized advice tailored to your situation, from investment strategies to tax-efficient withdrawal plans. This support can set you up for a smooth transition into retirement, providing a sense of security and confidence in your financial future.
While planning for retirement in today’s uncertain economy might feel overwhelming, it’s entirely feasible. By reassessing your risk tolerance, considering inflation, planning for
health care costs, building an emergency fund, and seeking professional guidance, you can set yourself up for a comfortable and secure retirement, no matter the economic climate. With these strategies in place, you can navigate the choppy waters of today’s economy and reach your retirement goals with confidence.
Smooth sailing ahead!
Bryson Roof, CFP, is a financial advisor at Fort Pitt Capital Group in Harrisburg, and has been quoted nationally in various finance publications including CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, and Barron’s.
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Creating a Peaceful Environment for Your Cats Ensures Harmony
According to a 2022 report by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 26 percent of households in the United States have at least one cat. That’s 37 million households averaging roughly two cats each.
In her book “Cat vs. Cat,” Pam Johnson-Bennett walks cat caregivers step-by-step through the best ways to help cats thrive in a multi-cat household. It is a valuable resource for anyone considering adding another cat to the family.
Johnson-Bennett suggests, with multiple cats in a home, cat owners need to do a few extra things to create a safe and calm environment. I can attest to that. In my own work with cat owners over the last two decades, they often report that their cats “are fine,” and there is no reason for their behavior to change. It takes time to convince people that their cats may be responding to something subtle in the environment that their humans don’t notice. Cats are very sensitive, and the slightest changes can affect their behavior. Moving furniture, replacing carpeting, changing litter or food, loud noises, and improper introductions of another cat
can be extremely stressful.
Because cats are stoic and don’t show their discomfort in obvious ways, humans need to understand the signs of stress so they can intervene. When there are disruptions in a cat’s environment or routine, like adding another feline to the home, the result may include litter box problems, changes in eating habits, hiding, and destructive behavior.
Not all household cats automatically bond with each other, and when they aren’t slowly introduced, challenges can arise. For instance, when cat owners unknowingly put their cats in a position of having to compete for resources, dominant cats may begin to control everything.
They may prevent other cats from sleeping in certain places, playing with toys, eating, or even using the litter box. Submissive cats can become anxious and, while it may seem that they are OK, they may be steering clear of the dominant cat to keep the peace.
As territorial creatures, many cats don’t want to share a litter box with other cats. In a multi-cat household, there should be a litter box for the number of cats, plus an additional one. They should be situated throughout the house in quiet places. If there aren’t enough litter boxes, or if they are in a high traffic location, a nervous cat may choose to go outside of the box.
The same goes for feeding cats. When food is available all day, a dominant cat may keep others from eating by guarding the food bowl. Offering several feeding stations gives shy, less dominant cats an opportunity to eat
unthreatened. Better yet, feeding cats at a designated time each day in separate locations will cut out the threat entirely. Each cat will get the proper nutrition for their health, weight, and age, while eating in peace. Without competition, cats will also slow down and be less likely to vomit from eating too fast.
Cats thrive in an environment of consistency. As humans, we need to see things from a feline perspective, understanding that even subtle changes in a cat’s environment can have a significant impact on their well-being. Keeping the peace in a multi-cat household takes a little more effort on our part, but the outcome is better for cats and their people.
Kristen Zellner owns Abrams & Weakley General Store for Animals, est. 1986, Central PA’s first health food store for pets. She helps customers keep their pets healthy through better nutrition.
IDream of Homeownership Possible by Following Proper Fiscal Strategies
but should be no more than about 25 percent of your budget. Ten percent should go into a “rainy day” savings account and around 10 percent (more if you can) should go into investments, like IRAs and 401Ks.
I have a few clients who really have this concept down.
“When we finished medical school,” said Kasey from Hershey, “we started saving for a home. We knew we wanted something that would be low maintenance, and we were willing to wait for the right opportunity. We were very aggressive in paying off loans and setting aside money each month toward our future home. When the time was right and we found the right home, we were able to move quickly. Knowing what we wanted, having a budget, and setting goals was really important to us.”
The Rule of 72
have five grown kids ranging from 20-32 in age. In the past few months, my husband and I have been discussion finances with some of them (only when they ask, and even then, we are careful … see the book “Doing Life with Adult Children, Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out,” by Jim Burns). Anyway, being with them and their spouses led me to contemplate a few principles that will help them achieve home ownership or upsize their homes, if desired.
Here are several ways to think about money so that you, too, can become a homeowner, prosper as a homeowner, and ultimately, sell your home as part of a nice nest egg in years to come.
Needs, Wants, and Savings
Spending can be divided into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. Allocate 50 percent of your after-tax income for needs such as food, rent or mortgage, and transportation. I always counsel couples to spend around 2530 percent of their gross income on a mortgage payment and to get by on. They also should spend the least amount possible on transportation. Why? Homes appreciate; cars don’t. Wants are things you can live without that make life easier or more enjoyable
Is owning a home worth all of that saving and sacrificing? Here’s a way to figure out quickly, without a spreadsheet or calculator, what home ownership means to your personal bottom line. It’s called the Rule of 72. This formula offers insight into how long a home, or any investment, will take to double its return. You simply divide 72 by the rate of return. So, if your home appreciates at 4 percent a year, it should double in value in 18 years (72/4). If you purchased at $300,000 and paid off your mortgage, you’ll have $600,000 in equity in just 18 years.
That’s a nice chunk toward an income-producing vacation home in Bethany Beach, right? I’d say it’s worth the sacrifice.
Pareto Principle
Now let’s get back to the budgeting basics; it’s a tough subject for many. The Pareto Principle, or the 80-20 rule, tells us that roughly 80 percent of out-
comes are due to 20 percent of causes.
You learned about this in your high school econ, math, or business classes within the context of productivity, sales, or management. The 80-20 rule also helps with budgeting, too. To improve your budget, take a hard look at your expenditures and reduce the 20 percent of costs that are eating up 80 percent of your outgo. Is food costing you a fortune? Drinks? Eating out and drinking out is convenient but expensive. Cook from scratch, open a can of soup now and then, or make a salad. The overall savings when you tighten things up will pay huge dividends.
Owning a home will be a tremendous blessing. I want that for you. Do the tough stuff now so – sooner than later – you can start building equity. Trust me, your future self will want to hang out at Bethany Beach Books and grab a new release from a local author and maybe even down some fries at Thrasher’s.
Eileen S. Voyles is a Realtor with Homesale Realty, 501 W. Governor Road, Hershey, and the founder of HelloHersheyPA, a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation that promotes commerce and happy living in Hershey and beyond. You can follow Hello Hershey on your favorite social media platform. Eileen can be reached at (717) 533-6222 and (717) 508-4610 or eileenvoyles@gmail.com.
DID YOU KNOW? Facts about Independence Day
Did you know that former US presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on the Fourth of July?
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of Independence Day. James Monroe, the nation’s fifth president, died five years later on July 4, 1831.
Was it coincidence, divine intervention, or something else?
The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council reports that Americans consume 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day.
Fireworks celebrations occur annually across the country on July 4, but how much do those illuminating celebrations cost?
According to WalletHub, Americans typically spend more than $1.5 billion on fireworks. Consumer fireworks purchases account for the largest portion of fireworks sales.
Although Americans began celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1777, the date of July 4 didn’t become established as a national holiday until 1870.
Each Fourth of July, descendants of the Founding Fathers gather around the Liberty Bell to tap it 13 times to honor the original 13 colonies.
It hasn’t been rung since Feb. 26, 1846, on George Washington’s birthday, because of a hairline fracture in the bell that turned into a large crack that could not be repaired.
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929, was the only president born on Independence Day, July 4, 1872.
He served as vice president under Warren Harding from 1920 to 1923, and when Harding suddenly died in 1923, he stepped in to fulfill the presidential role. Coolidge won the presidential election in 1924, and he served for one term.
One World Trade Center’s design pays tribute to July 4.
The height of the main building at the New York City site where the former twin towers stood, is exactly 1,776 feet tall in honor of the year the nation declared its independence.
From Savory to Sweet, Yianni’s Gyros Takes Diners on a Culinary Odyssey
By Eric Ebeling, eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
Photos by Kimberly L. Morris
The Mediterranean diet is anything but a fad for the Politsopoulos family – it’s a lifestyle. For three generations, they have dedicated their lives to the restaurant industry, serving high-quality, homemade Greek food.
John Politsopoulos, and his wife, Amanda, own and operate Yianni’s Gyros, with locations in Union Square Shopping Center in Susquehanna Township and in the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square in Derry Township. They are known for their delicious gyros, souvlaki, stuffed grape leave, baklava, and other Greek favorites that has earned praise from their customers.
Yianni’s was gracious enough to provide the staff here at Harrisburg Magazine with a representative sampling of their cuisine to put to the taste test, and when the feasting was over, all of the dishes received high marks.
On the menu that day:
• Greek salad, which came loaded with crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, and anchovies, all topped with the restaurant’s famous Greek dressing.
• Yianni’s traditional gyro, which features a combination of thinly sliced lamb and beef, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki sauce in a grilled pita. Traditional tzatziki is made with strained yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, and other ingredients, but Yianni’s uses a secret recipe for perfect flavor.
• Spanakopita, a savory Greek pie stuffed with spinach, feta, and herbs in a crispy, flaky phyllo pastry.
• Souvlaki, tender chunks of seasoned chicken served on skewers.
• Baklava, a dessert consisting of phyllo pastry, syrup, nuts, and other flavorings.
• Ek-Mek, a pastry made with kataifi soaked in honey syrup covered with vanilla custard pudding, whipped cream, and toasted almonds.
The salad, entrees, and desserts all garnered rave reviews from our staff, who had only positive things to say
about the experience.
Jennifer George, the magazine’s director of digital marketing, said she enjoyed the spices used to flavor the chicken souvlaki. On the dessert side, the Ek-Mek won her over.
“It had a great combination of sweet ingredients – but not too sweet,” she said. “Overall, everything tasted homemade, seasoned perfectly and truly delicious. The desserts were so good.”
She wasn’t alone in her assessment.
Account Executive Fred Hershey said it was hard to pick a favorite, because everything served that day was delicious. “The Ek-Mek and baklava were amazing,” he said.
Danny Kilmer, graphic & layout designer, said he had not tried much Greek cuisine before the Yianni’s taste test, but he liked what he tasted. “I enjoyed everything I had,” he said. “The main food was savory but not overly spicy – just a little kick to some of it.”
Senior Account Executive Jo Ann Shover had nothing but praise for the quality of Yianni’s food in general and the Greek salad specifically. “It was very fresh with a ton of vegetables. The pita bread was delicious with my salad.”
She described the quality of the fare as “5 star” and said she planned to visit the restaurant soon.
Perhaps General Manager/Director of Sales Chris Aloia summed it up the best: “The food was fantastic. It is some of the best authentic Greek food I’ve ever had – some of the best food I’ve had, period.”
Yianni’s Gyros locations at 3911 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, and 121 Towne Square Drive, Hershey, as well as ghost kitchen in New Cumberland. Visit www.yiannisgyros.com for menu and delivery options.
Shea Quinn's The Band Who Sold the World:
Honoring the Artistry, Legacy of David Bowie
Undertaking a musical passion project that honors the legacy of rock icon David Bowie is not a task for the timid. The material represents a formidable challenge musically; factor in the vocals, and the degree of difficulty multiplies exponentially.
Shea Quinn and Scott Frange knew this when they embarked on their musical journey to pay homage to the dearly departed legend with Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold The World.
Quinn, a seasoned veteran of the central Pennsylvania music scene who is vocalist and frontman of the project, boasts a rich history that includes leading bands such as The Sharks and The Luv Gods and more. Having shared the stage with music icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, Hall & Oates, and Joan Jett to name a few, Quinn has established his place in the musical pantheon.
Frange, the co-creator of the group and an accomplished bass player, is also owner of the well-regarded vintage guitar store Players Exchange in Lemoyne. He was instrumental in advocating for and performing with Lzzy Hale and her band Halestorm early in their career, when they were laying the groundwork for a Grammy Award.
Clad in a gentleman’s smoking jacket reminiscent of Bowie’s iconic style, Quinn delivers distinctive vocals that defined The Thin White Duke’s sound, while the band meticulously recreates his timeless classics with precision and care. Other band members are Mike Heininger on lead guitar, Jennie James on vocals, James Klippel (Winter Parks) on keyboards, Logan Bedard (Teen Town) on drums, and Steve Lentz on saxophone.
Noteworthy is the fact that Frange and Quinn had been crafting this dedication to Bowie even before his passing, showcasing their unwavering devotion to honoring his legacy.
Focusing on Bowie’s music from the early 1970s to the late 1980s, the band’s attention to detail and passion for the source material shine through in every performance. Embodying the right feel and vocal sound, this event is more than just a tribute show to David Bowie – it is a joyous celebration of his works.
Their debut show at Gullifty’s in 2016 marked the beginning of a musical odyssey that has captivated audiences and industry insiders alike. With
upcoming performances scheduled, including a show at The West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland on Aug. 31, fans can look forward to a nostalgic and exhilarating journey through Bowie’s discography, brought to life by Quinn and his band. Their encore, “All The Young Dudes,” brings down the house.
Another standout moment in their performances is their rendition of “Life on Mars,” a song Quinn said is close to his heart that showcases Bowie’s musical genius and enduring influence. Quinn, Frange and company have been honored with two nominations for Best Tribute Band in 2022 and 2023 by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame.
In the vast realm of music, few luminaries shine as brightly as David Bowie, an artist whose innovative sound and fearless style left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of fans worldwide.
Bowie’s spirit lives on through the artistry of Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold the World – stalwart guardians of his musical legacy.
Amy Simpson is a highly experienced and versatile music professional with a passion for diverse musical styles. With a background in soul/R&B, Jazz, rock, hip-hop, top 40/covers, and reggae styles, she has performed in various settings, from clubs to upscale hotels and casinos, and has had the opportunity to share the stage with renowned artists such as Charmaine Neville, Tower Of Power, Average White Band, and Sean Paul. She currently is a member of The Groove Rebels band.
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