HARRISBURG MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023

PRESIDENT/CEO

Darwin Oordt

doordt@harrisburgmagazine.com

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Darcy Oordt darcy@harrisburgmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Chris Aloia caloia@harrisburgmagazine.com

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING

Jennifer George jgeorge@harrisburgmagazine.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jo Ann Shover jshover@harrisburgmagazine.com

MANAGING EDITOR Randy Gross rgross@harrisburgmagazine.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Imogene Gross imogene@harrisburgmagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

LAYOUT ARTIST

Shane Fisher (Carino) scarino@harrisburgmagazine.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Richard Eppinger

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Craig Czury

Imogene Gross

Bill Roddey

Kenneth Pobo

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Imogene Gross

Will Masters

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Brad Maurer

Kyle McHenry

Getting Involved with Breast Cancer Advocacy

Every year, new advances are being made in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Likewise, each year people from all walks of life contribute their time, money, and/or voice to the cause, making a difference in the lives of those affected. Sometimes these victories in advocacy are big – think the passage of Senate Bill 8 this spring here in PA, a bill which eliminated out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA (a gene that, if certain mutations are present, is associated with a greater risk of breast cancer) genetic testing and counseling and supplemental screening such as breast MRI and ultrasound for women at high-risk. The bill was sponsored by first female Pennsylvania Senate President Kim Ward, herself a breast cancer survivor, to improve women’s access to early detection measures. This landmark, bi-partisan effort builds on a previous bill which mandated that insurances in PA must cover these screenings, and over the years will save lives as women are empowered to catch potential cancer earlier. “I know first-hand the importance of genetic testing and supplemental screenings,” Ward advocated. “In fact, had more testing and screening options been covered by insurance when I was diagnosed, my breast cancer

by Imogene Gross, imogene@harrisburgmagazine.com

may have been caught sooner or I may have considered a different treatment option.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a 31-day event established by the American Cancer Society in 1985. The month was named to promote awareness of breast cancer, leading to its early detection through preventative screening. Since its establishment, breast cancer awareness, research, and policy has made and continues to make huge strides every year – like this year’s Senate bill.

But while the senate’s win for PA patients is huge, we ought to continue to celebrate the little victories made on a person-by-person basis. While the big leaps made towards treating and curing this disease, which affects about one in every eight women in their lifetimes, receive the most press, these markers of progress are contributed to by, and often made up of, the smaller actions of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Perhaps you’re wondering what you can do, this month, to make a difference in the lives of those affected, or who will be affected by breast cancer. If so, stick around. This article is for you.

Locally, there are many ways you can get involved. Pink Hands of Hope, a Mechanicsburg non-profit thrift store that provides goods and services to patients battling breast cancer, such as wigs, clothes, chemo port pillows, transportation, and medical bill assistance, at no cost. One of the ways they raise money is through sales of secondhand items, so one way to support them is to pay them a visit (they are open seven days a week – see their website for details) and pick out some new finds. Or, if your closet needs a good clean-out, they’re accepting donations of women’s and men’s clothing and accessories. They also accept monetary donations. Lastly but certainly not least, they’re accepting volunteers to work the register or sort clothes in the thrift store. You don’t have to be available for regular hours: you can volunteer as frequently or infrequently as you like. Find information about all of these on their website.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are also various local events already planned. Pink Hands of Hope has a few

Photos from stock

– on October 14th, they will be running their annual Bald and Beautiful Fashion Show, at the West Shore Elks Lodge, to fundraise for their organization. On the 29th, they’ll also be hosting a Heart and Hands Raffle.

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition, a nonprofit that raises money for research, provides educational outreach and advocacy for patients, and lobbies for policy change, is organizing a few events nearby. On October , they’ll be kicking off the month by turning the Harrisburg State Capitol fountain pink, which it will remain all month long. The fountain coloring will be observed with a short ceremony. On October 21st, they’ve organized Pink Out in the Park, a walk/run fundraiser for the cure in Carlisle’s Valley Meadows Park. On October 22nd, at the Woodcrest Retreat in Ephrata, there will be a Pink Party for Breast Cancer, with lunch, a silent auction, and raffle/ door prizes. In November, on the 11th, they’ll be hosting a Zombie Fun Run, a themed 5k featuring spooky obstacles and themes, at Field of Screams in Mountville. All October long, as part of the “Drive Out” Breast Cancer campaign, select auto dealership sponsors in the Greater Harrisburg area (see the “Drive Out” Breast Cancer page on the PBCC website for an extensive list) will be donating a portion of all sales to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. The PBCC is also accepting volunteers now and year-round, including volunteer County Captains to serve as leaders in their local communities.

Also on October 21st is Making Strides of South-Central PA, a walk hosted on City Island. Making Strides is a nationwide program by the American Cancer Society founded to raise money for breast cancer research and programs.

Besides donating your time or money to the cause, there’s another tool you shouldn’t overlook: your voice. Whether it’s spreading awareness on social media or word of mouth, or contacting your representatives, you can help bring about change. As Senate President Ward’s example shows, local and national government hold the power to pass legislation affecting everything from insurance policies, to research funding, to drug approval. A great resource for those looking to get involved with breast cancer advocacy is the site for the National Breast Cancer Coalition, founded in 1991, which describes itself as “a collaboration of activists, survivors, researchers,

Every year, the YWCA Greater Harrisburg serves more than 4,100 victims of domestic violence, sexual assault & human trafficking. Join us during the Week Without Violence as we honor and remember victims and survivors. We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe.

policymakers, grassroots groups and national organizations that have come together as disruptive innovators for social change.” The NBCC has resources on current policy issues, and tools and forms that facilitate locating and contacting your representatives as an advocate. You can opt to join their National Action Network, which will notify you of relevant new developments and actions you can continue to take as an advocate. They even offer advocacy education and training for those who want to take their involvement and leadership to the next level.

And lastly, one of the most important things you can do to benefit the fight against breast cancer is to look after your health – and encourage those in your life to do the same. You’re best equipped to contribute your part to breast cancer activism (and any other way you leave a positive mark on the world) if you do what you can to ensure you’re healthy and safe. Make sure to do your research on breast cancer and your risk, follow any/all recommended screenings from your doctors, and learn to advocate for yourself as a patient, especially if you have genetic or other risk factors. By the way, although breast cancer is obviously primarily a women’s health issue, it still can affect anyone, regardless of sex or gender identity. One out of every 100 new breast cancer diagnoses, on average, is a case of male breast cancer, so if you notice something new or odd, even if you’re not in the typical affected group, get it checked. Regardless of your situation, look after yourself and empower yourself to look after others. And then get out there and make a difference! 7

By the Book/Michelle Haring

Chocolate Town Book Festival

The first weekend of October, Hershey Public Library will present the Chocolate Town Book Festival. The weekend will kick off at 6:00 pm on October 6, 2023, with an event featuring Isaac Fitzgerald at Cassel Vineyards. On October 7th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Hershey Public Library, there will be fifty authors from the Northeast who will introduce their books to attendees.

Isaac Fitzgerald’s writings have appeared in various publications including  The New York Times,  The Atlantic,  Esquire,  The Guardian, and  The Best American Nonrequired Reading Dirtbag, Massachusetts:  A Confessional is his award-winning,  New York Times bestselling memoir. According to the  New York Times review of his work, “There is no shortage of similar men in American literature. Fitzgerald nestles comfortably on a bar stool beside writers like Kerouac, Bukowski, Richard Price, and Pete Hamill.” Midtown Scholar is a cosponsor with the Hershey Public Library, The Hershey Library Endowment Trust, and Cassel Vineyards.   Cassel Vineyards of

Hershey is located at 80 Shetland Drive in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. It is a working farm and vineyard that hosts events like music and grape harvest parties.

Saturday, October 7th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Hershey Public Library will host fifty regional fiction authors inside the library. The genres include mystery, fantasy, romance, children’s, and horror. The authors will have their books available for sale at the event. Attendance is free and attendees don’t have to buy books to enjoy interacting with these talented writers. The complete list of authors is available at  https://www.facebook.com/

ChocolateTownBook

Cupboard Maker Books is partnering with the Hershey Public Library to present the three featured authors. April Asher, who is also known as April Hunt, writes paranormal romantic comedies and romantic suspense. She grew up in the Central Pennsylvania area and has strong ties to the area.  Not the Witch You Wed and  Not Your Ex’s Hexes will be available at the festival. These adorable books

are wonderful to get readers in the Halloween spirit. For more information on April and her books, her website is  https://www. aprilhuntbooks.com/

Patricia Jackson attended the Chocolate Town Book Festival last year and sold out of her books quickly. For the rest of the event, she talked to readers and made new fans. Last year, she presented her debut novel,  Forging a Nightmare. This year there will be copies of her novel as well as the collection,  Star Wars Return of the Jedi: From a Certain Point of View, which has a story by Patricia. She lives in Central Pennsylvania and is a teacher in a local school district. For more information, her website is http://www.bybirthright.com/

Maria V. Snyder is a  New York Times bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction.  Poison Study  was the One Book, One Community choice for Central Pennsylvania in 2018. Maria lives in Central Pennsylvania and has published twenty-three books and many short stories. Maria has written several series including the Study Series, the Sentinels of the Galaxy and the Archives of the Invisible Sword, and the Healer Series.  For more information on Maria, her website is  https:// www.mariavsnyder.com/ 7

Michelle Haring is the owner of Cupboard Maker Books, a 6,500 square foot store in Enola,Pennsylvania, with ample parking on Routes 11/15. The store is across the river from Harrisburg and contains over 120,000 curated, unique, previously loved paperback and hardback titles including Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Children’s, History, Art, Religion, and many other genres. The bookstore cats and foster cats from Castaway Critters roam freely and love visitors. Cupboard Maker Books hosts book signings and monthly book clubs and carries thousands of new titles including fiction and nonfiction by local traditionally published and independent authors.

It’s not every day that a theatre company reaches their 10-year anniversary. Embarking on the journey of creating a company from scratch is not for the faint of heart. Next month, the Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble reaches this milestone, and they show no signs of slowing down.

I recently had the opportunity to pose several questions to Caitlin Graci, one of the many artistic innovators living and working in the Harrisburg area. Graci was recently appointed the Artistic Director at Camp Hill’s Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, she spends her weekends wallowing in the mud pit at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire as one of the Mud Skippers, and, ten years ago, she co-founded the Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble, a group that has produced Rent, Chicago, Cabaret, and other big-name musicals on the second floor of Harrisburg’s Federal Taphouse, as well as other bars and restaurants in the area.

Tell me about where the idea for Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble came from.

I had an incredible urge to produce edgier, more adult-oriented theatre, and companies in this area really weren’t interested in that type of content at the time. I decided that I was going to attempt something radically different by trying to produce quality, stripped-down theatre exclusively in bars. That was the shtick in the early days. We knew we had to tap into a younger audience that was being grossly undeserved in our theatre community. I figured what better way than to do a show in a bar!

Explain how Bare Bones came to use Fed Taphouse for shows. What is it that keeps you coming back to that space?

We have had a partnership with The Federal Taphouse for the past 8 years. The owner and I have a great relationship and their staff is always so welcoming to us. We have always done Sunday evening performances, so this gives the bar and restaurant a huge amount of business on a night that would typically be fairly dead for them. Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble has performed all over Harrisburg, but The Taphouse is truly our home!

Do you have a favorite show that you’ve produced with Bare Bones?

MILESTONE

That’s an incredibly difficult question to answer! Each one of our productions has left a little mark on my heart. If I had to choose, I would probably say ALICE IN CLUBLAND. This was a site-specific, immersive theatre experience that I created from the ground up. I wove together the stories of Alice In Wonderland and the infamous Limelight killing that took place in 1997 in Manhattan. The production transformed JB Lovedraft’s into a ‘90s club kid paradise where the audience could run amok! It was a meld of rock concert and choose your own adventure fairytale. It was a wild time!

What does the next 10 years of Bare Bones look like?

My hope is for Bare Bones to stay relevant and to keep pushing the envelope. We strive to provide a welcoming place for young artists, performers, designers, technicians, and musicians to find a home. We are a true ensemble theatre in that sense. Everyone’s voice matters.

Can you give me a sneak peek at what’s coming next for Bare Bones?

We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a Rock Musical Revue at Rubicon on Sunday, November 5, 12, 19. This is a bit of a throwback for us. The very first production that was produced under the Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble name was an original concert revue. It will be paying homage to our roots! More details coming soon!! 7

Tara Herweg (she/her) is a native of Camp Hill, a former Core Company member of Gamut Theatre Group, and a huge fan of the Harrisburg theatre scene. Now she gets to call herself a writer, too (her 8-year-old self, Care Bears fanfic in hand, can hardly believe it)! She keeps herself busy working on her novel, watching horror movies, and raising her small human.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Week Without Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 1,600 people died from domestic-violence related incidents during the last decade. To raise awareness and engage action to end the broad spectrum of violence against women and girls, the YWCA Greater Harrisburg will be promoting its campaign, The Week Without Violence.

The Week Without Violence is global movement in conjunction with other YWCA’s around the county and around the world specifically raising awareness about genderbased violence. The YWCA knows domestic violence affects individuals of all genders, ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, women tend to experience violence at higher rates than men due to a combination of societal, cultural, and structural factors. One key factor is the prevalence of gender inequality, which perpetuates power imbalances and reinforces harmful stereotypes. Additionally, patriarchal norms and attitudes often condone or normalize violence against women. Economic disparities, limited access to resources, and lack of legal protection further contribute to this issue.

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs offer a 24-hour hotline, domestic violence shelter, human trafficking services, accompaniments to court, hospital and the police station, crisis intervention, individual counseling, support groups, medical advocacy, transitional housing, prevention education in schools, professional training, employment services, immigration outreach and referral information. In Dauphin County, the YWCA provided services to more than 4,000 individuals and represented 1900 individual victims in civil legal court proceedings during their last fiscal year. Of those victims, 92% were women.

The YWCA is providing critical health and safety needs to victims through a comprehensive service delivery. Founded in 1884 to create a safe place for young working women to live and gather, the YWCA Greater

Harrisburg focuses on five general program areas: housing and homelessness, violence intervention and prevention, legal and family visitation, children and youth, and employment readiness and support.

The YWCA believes domestic violence is a public health crisis based on the consequences for the victim and our entire society. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior occurring within a relationship, where one person seeks to gain power and control over the other through physical, emotional, sexual, or financial means. It can take various forms,

services for survivors, and efforts to challenge societal norms that perpetuate inequality and violence.

Domestic violence has far-reaching impacts that extend beyond the immediate victim. It affects the entire community in numerous ways. Domestic violence places a significant burden on the healthcare system, as victims often require medical attention for physical injuries and mental health support. The economic impact is also substantial, as it can result in lost productivity, absenteeism, and job loss. Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems, which can have long-term consequences for their development and well-being. Our criminal justice system is strained by the prevalence of domestic violence cases, requiring resources for investigations, prosecutions, and victim support services.

including physical assault, intimidation, threats, coercion, and isolation. It can have severe and long-lasting consequences for the victims, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and even death. Additionally, domestic violence can have detrimental effects on victims’ social and economic well-being. It can lead to isolation, loss of employment, and financial instability. It is also known to perpetuate a cycle of violence, as it can impact future generations through intergenerational transmission. It is crucial to invest in organizations like the YWCA who provide comprehensive prevention strategies, support

It is important to recognize the signs of domestic violence and provide support to those affected, as well as work toward prevention and intervention to break the cycle of abuse. The YWCA is working at the crossroads of society’s most pressing issues. Their vision of creating a just community for all began locally 130 years ago. As the role and the needs of women have changed over time, the YWCA adapted its programs and services but its commitment to equity and equality has remained constant throughout its long history. They believe that justice is not linear, but multifaceted across a spectrum of needs for the individual and community. The YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women does so by combing programing and advocacy to generate institutional, systemic and individual change.

The YWCA is grateful to its Week Without Violence sponsors, including Capital Blue Cross. If you would like to support the mission of the Week without Violence Campaign, text STOPVIOLENCE to 41444 or visit ywcahbg. org.

For over 60 years, Goodall Pools & Spas has been Central Pennsylvania’s trusted source for everything pool and spa related. They pride themselves in creating custom backyard retreats, offering a variety of service and maintenance options for pools and spas, and providing expert level advice in their five retail stores; located in Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Lebanon.

While summer may be over, Goodall Pools & Spas still has a variety of ways to help you enjoy your backyard during the cooler months. If you want to swim, socialize, and keep the kids entertained this winter, a Hydropool swim spa is the perfect option for family fun and exercise year-round. Or, if you are interested in relaxation and hydrotherapy, Goodall Pools & Spas also has a large selection of hot tubs from Sundance Spas and Viking Spas available for delivery at each of their five store locations. Their swim spas and hot tubs are all energy efficient and easy to maintain, leaving more time for enjoyment with your closest family and friends.

If you are still dreaming of warm weather and summer 2024, Goodall Pools & Spas can help with that, too! Let them design a custom pool and entertainment space for you this winter or transform your existing pool with a

backyard renovation. Goodall Pools & Spas is honored to be a nationally recognized Top 50 Pool Builder, as well as a winner of Harrisburg Magazine’s “Simply the Best” awards. Contact Goodall Pools & Spas today to learn more about creating your perfect backyard oasis!

Breast Cancer Nutrition Therapy

Each year in the United States, about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women. While advancements in medical treatments have improved survival rates, proper nutrition plays a vital role in supporting patients’ overall health, immune function, and resilience during their cancer journey.

Breast cancer and its treatments can have a profound impact on a patient’s nutritional status. Many people with breast cancer experience some sort of change in their appetite. Some don’t want to eat at all. Others may be turned off by certain foods. The important thing to keep in mind is that good nutrition is the key to overcoming many of the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

Radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and hormonal therapies can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Breast cancer patients often experience changes in body composition, such as muscle loss and weight gain, which can further complicate their nutritional needs.

Nutrition therapy for breast cancer patients aims to address these challenges by optimizing nutrient intake to:

• Support Immune Function: A well-nourished body has a stronger immune system and is better equipped to fight cancer cells and cope with the side effects of treatments.

• Maintain Healthy Body Weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and managing treatment-related symptoms.

• Minimize Treatment Side Effects: Proper nutrition can help alleviate common side effects, improving the overall quality of life for breast cancer patients.

• Promote Healing and Recovery: Adequate nutrition aids in tissue repair and recovery.

• Reduce Risk of Recurrence: Certain dietary choices may help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

It’s important to emphasize a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health. Protein is crucial for muscle maintenance and repair. Include sources like poultry, fish, beans, and tofu in your diet. Fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains and vegetables, help with digestive health and can alleviate constipation, a common side effect of some treatments. Omega-3 healthy fats, found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, may have anti-inflammatory properties and support heart health. Staying well-hydrated is essential, especially during treatments that may cause fluid loss or dehydration.

It’s important to minimize consumption of processed and sugary foods, as they can contribute to weight gain and inflammation. Limit alcohol consumption, as it is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Some studies suggest a link between high consumption of red and processed meats and an increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer nutrition therapy is an integral part of the holistic approach to breast cancer care. By adopting a balanced and healthy diet, patients can improve their overall well-being, better manage treatmentrelated side effects, and potentially reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

Nourishing the body is not only about healing but also about empowering the spirit during this challenging journey. 7

Sumathi Suppiah, MD, DABO, is the medical director of medical weight management for the UPMC Central PA Weight Management Center. She is passionate about helping her patients achieve optimal health through good diet and nutrition, regular exercise, and mental health support. To learn more about medical weight management at UPMC in Central Pa., call 717-591-5638 or visit UPMC.com/CentralPaWeightLoss.

The Scoop on Poop

Call it an occupational hazard, but at my job, we get to talk about pet poop

A LOT. It may sound strange, but what comes out the other end of our pets can give us a lot of information about their health. It can help us identify food sensitivities, absorption problems, parasites, imbalance of gut flora, dietary indiscretions, and other health issues.

So, what should pet poop look like? Healthy stool should be firm but not hard, wellformed, and easy to pick up without falling apart or squishing. When a pet’s number two is suddenly abnormal, it is likely caused by a food change or dietary indiscretion. Transitioning a pet’s diet too quickly can cause diarrhea or loose stool. The digestive upset leads pet owners to assume that there is something “wrong” with the food. Since the first widespread pet food recalls in 2007, pet owners have become more suspicious of the pet food industry. Now, pet owners are more likely to conclude that the food is tainted, when in reality the transition to a new food is the culprit.

If your pet gets digestive upset during a food change, introduce new food more slowly by mixing it with the current diet for a week to ten days. During that time, gradually increase the new food and decrease the old. If this doesn’t fix the problem, try feeding 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin puree per day for small dogs and 2-4 tablespoons for medium and large dogs. The fiber in the pumpkin should help to firm up the loose stool.

Antibiotic usage can lead to poor quality stools as well. As the antibiotic works to rid the body of bad bacteria, it also kills good bacteria in the gut. These beneficial bacteria are essential to the absorption of nutrients, supporting a pet’s immune system and even helping prevent disease. When they are killed, proper digestion and absorption are interrupted, leading to abnormal output. Supplementing with a probiotic will help restore the good bacteria in the gut, leading to a better-balanced microbiome.

The feeding instructions on pet food packaging are simply estimates. The amount that you need to feed your personal pets will vary due to weight, age, activity level and

metabolism. Because they are estimates, it’s easy to overfeed your pets without being aware. Overfeeding can result in poor quality stool, bloating, and gas. If your pet is pooping more than twice a day, or the bowel movement is normal in the morning and gets soft later in the day, this could indicate that your pet has eaten too much and can’t absorb all the nutrients. Try reducing the amount you feed, especially if the pets are getting other treats.

When a dog or cat has diarrhea or is constipated for more than two days, contact your veterinarian. Prolonged bouts of diarrhea or constipation can indicate more serious health problems that require more aggressive intervention. Pets can be good at hiding discomfort, so it is up to their humans to pay attention to what they eat and what comes out the other end. 7

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.

Pickleball Craze Sweeps Harrisburg

It’s no secret that incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle is good for you. I know, I know. Whether you’re a fitness freak or your ideal self-care looks more like a good book and a glass of wine, you’ve probably heard the benefits of exercise extolled by, oh, I don’t know, every health publication and doctor ever. If you’re like me, and memories of high school PE incite dread rather than nostalgia, the constant media messages (though obviously well-intentioned) can start to feel accusatory: Why aren’t you taking care of yourself?

But, admittedly, they’re not wrong about this health benefits stuff. Getting active, even just a little bit, is truly one of the best things you can do for yourself to improve and maintain your health and reduce the risk of developing future health problems. Physically, regular aerobic exercise is associated with benefits to nearly every organ system in the body. Mentally, many studies link regular exercise to decreased issues with anxiety and depression. Not to mention, a lot of forms of exercise can

be social, and stronger social bonds are a huge boost to mental health.

But if you’re already not feeling your best physically or mentally, it can be hard to find the motivation. Maybe you want to, but there’s so much other stuff going on in your life and making time for something that may feel unpleasant or difficult is just too much. While making more time is a challenge, another issue is finding something tolerable. Many people chafe at “regular” exercise routines that focus on repetitive motions performed under fluorescent lighting, and if you’re not having fun, it makes exercise a chore, and that much harder to make a healthy habit. It’s important to find a way to get more movement in a way that feels meaningful to you - that’s maybe even fun. For a lot of people, they find that in a sport.

Now, if you heard “sports” and thought “yeah, I don’t know about that,” hear me out: participating in sports for fitness doesn’t mean you have to be a professional athlete, or

at the height of your physical potential. And pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport at an average growth rate of 158.6% over the past three years, embodies that more than most: it’s a uniquely accessible sport that can be played as casually or seriously as you want. It’s easy enough that you can jump in as a complete beginner, and, while providing all the benefits of aerobic exercise, it can be gentle enough to accommodate anyone from young children to the elderly. Because it’s a social sport, there’s that additional draw to get active - your friends can keep you motivated to keep coming out onto the courts.

America is in the middle of a pickleball craze. Though it’s been around since 1965, devised in Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three vacationgoers, as something of a cross between ping pong, badminton, and tennis, it’s been growing in popularity in recent years. Though originally contained to the Pacific Northwest, the sport is now played throughout the U.S., with 10,320 pickleball locations now across the country. The pandemic is one factor

Story by Imogene Gross, imogene@harrisburgmagazine.com Images courtesy of Pickleheads

contributing to its explosive growth – people were looking for a way to safely stay social and active, and pickleball, played on an outdoor court, fit the bill perfectly. At a time when lots of people were trying new things, accessible and approachable pickleball was having a moment.

But now, in 2023, pickleball’s popularity continues to grow. The sport has recently seen an explosion in the Harrisburg area. We now have the choice of seven places to play pickleball – and that’s just on the East Shore. There’s plenty more to choose from in the surrounding area, and so many of them are free and open to the public. Pickleheads.com, a site devoted to all things pickleball, has a helpful and easy-to-use map feature to explore pickleball courts near you. Since we’re entering colder weather, you might want to choose an indoor court – and Smash Point Pickleball in Mechanicsburg, which just opened in July of this year – is your place to go for that. They offer lessons, social play, and court reservations. Also, keep an eye out for Ace Pickleball Club, a franchise that will include technology for livestreaming and instant replay, which will be coming to Harrisburg soon.

Also – another way you can get involved this month to support Breast Cancer Awareness is by participating in Pickleball for the Cure! The Susan G. Komen Foundation encourages pickleballers to “dink in pink” for the cure. Although there aren’t any Pickleball for the Cure events locally (at least not yet – anyone can find out how to organize one on the Susan G. Komen site), Susan G. Komen offers a 30day challenge for individual players. Players can register and receive a game tracker card to keep track as they challenge themselves to see how many pickleball games they can Pickle in Pink in a month, and they can use the opportunity to fundraise for the cause. www. komen.org

So, if pickleball sounds like it might be your kind of way of getting active, what are you waiting for? Grab a few friends, some equipment, and an open court, and see where the craze takes you. 7

For a list of outdoor pickleball courts in the Harrisburg area, visit https://www. pickleheads.com/courts/us/pennsylvania/ harrisburg

On Thursday night, Lenny ran out of Bell’s seasoning. The Rhododendron Market would still be open if he hurried. During the ten-minute drive over, he sang along to “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes. Sometimes you can hurry love. Just give it a gentle shove to wake it up.

In the mostly empty store, he said hi to the shelf stocker, a sixteen-year-old who called himself Dracula. A blond Dracula. He didn’t seem to be hunting for necks. Only one box of Bell’s was left. What luck! He could almost hear the wings and thighs moan with relief. In the check-out line, longer than he expected, a bearded guy stood behind him carrying a loaf of bread, an eight-pack of Double A batteries, and a box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. A kind face, like flowers after a soft rain. The Little Debbie’s were a good sign. “I love Little Debbie,” Lenny said. Keith said he did too. They kept talking, checked out, and on the way to their cars made plans to meet later that week. Lenny hadn’t

SEASONING

Story by Kenneth Pobo; Illustration by Kyle McHenry

dated anyone in a year. The Pandemic felt like a novel with pages missing. Keith had thought

it was too late for him. Too many blind alleys. Turning 40 felt like walking on creaky stairs into a dark basement. Both grew up believing in happily ever after.

Grasshopper happiness leaps around a lot. But there’s Bell’s seasoning, Little Debbie’s, and mornings when cardinals redden the bird feeder, a cold night running into the arms of a glittery sun.

Kenneth Pobo (he/him) is the author of twentyone chapbooks and nine full-length collections.  Recent books include Bend of Quiet (Blue Light Press),  Loplop in a Red City (Circling Rivers), and  Lilac And Sawdust (Meadowlark Press) and Gold Bracelet in a Cave: Aunt Stokesia (Ethel Press). His work has appeared in North Dakota Quarterly, Asheville Literary Review, Nimrod, Mudfish, Hawaii Review, and elsewhere.

The Finance Hound/Bryson Roof

Student Loans: Interest and Repayments Have Resumed!

On March 13th, 2020, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place orders, student loan repayments paused, and interest rates were set to 0%. Fast forward to today where, beginning on September 1st, 2023, interest accumulation has resumed, and payments will restart in October. Let’s look at some best practices for student loan repayments!

Confirm Your Payment Instructions:

It will be prudent to confirm your payment details. Confirm who is servicing your loan along with the monthly payment amount and due date. Additionally, confirm how you are paying. Do you have an Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) transfer established? Is your ACH still active or do you need to update your instructions to a new checking account? You do not want auto draft to pull from a closed account or an account with a low balance.

Update Your Budget:

It has been three years since student loans required a monthly payment. A lot has transpired since then. It will be important to freshen up your budget and establish goals for your student loans. Do you want to try to pay them off early? Do you have extra income so that you may be able to make principal reduction payments? This could be a monthly budget item if you’re adding an additional $50 a month to reduce principal.

Update Your Financial Plan:

Updating your budget provides a fantastic opportunity to reevaluate your financial plan. How do your budget changes impact your retirement savings? Are you over-focusing on your student loans to the detriment of saving for retirement? Are you still on track to meet near-term and medium-term goals such as buying a house or starting a business? Making a budget is an important process but doing it in a vacuum isn’t always the best approach. Use your financial plan to make certain that your budget is working for all your goals, not just the newest goal.

Using Money Markets/CDs to Reduce Student Loans:

Since student loans weren’t accruing interest and we saw interest rates rise recently, many individuals set aside funds into interest-

bearing accounts that were earmarked for student loan repayment. Since student loan interest rates have resumed, now is an ideal time to make principal payments on the highest interest-bearing student loans.

Spam and Fraud is on the Rise!

Piggybacking off the last edition of the Finance Hound, be aware of potential fraudsters. Use best practices to protect your identity. Do a little homework in advance to make certain the loan servicing agent is legitimate. This will go a long way in protecting yourself against identity theft. Do not click on suspicious e-mail links, and only use known and published phone numbers.

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

R I N G i n t h e H O L I D A Y S w i t h J D K

C A T E R I N G F O R Y O U R

W I N T E R C E L E B R A T I O N S

A s t h e c r i s p a i r o f a u t u m n s e t t l e s i n , w e k n o w t h a t t h e h o l i d a y s e a s o n i s j u s t a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r . N o t h i n g b r i n g s u s m o r e j o y t h a n b e i n g a b l e t o c e l e b r a t e t h i s s e a s o n w i t h y o u a n d h e l p y o u r i n g i n t h e h o l i d a y s w i t h u n f o r g e t t a b l e g a t h e r i n g s !

F r o m t h o u g h t f u l l y c u r a t e d d e s i g n e l e m e n t s a n d

c o m f o r t i n g m e n u o p t i o n s t h a t a r e s u r e t o b r i n g o n a f l u r r y o f f l a v o r , t o o u r w e l c o m i n g a n d f r i e n d l y s e r v i c e t e a m t h a t w i l l f e e l l i k e f a m i l y - w e w a n t t o m a k e y o u r s e a s o n a l c e l e b r a t i o n s e x t r a m e r r y a n d b r i g h t ! A l l o w o u r t e a m t o t a k e o n y o u r p a r t yp l a n n i n g t o - d o ’ s s o y o u c a n f o c u s o n w h a t m a t t e r s m o s t - s p e n d i n g q u a l i t y t i m e w i t h y o u r f r i e n d s , f a m i l y , o r c o w o r k e r s .

P L A N N I N G ! L e t ’ s s t a r t

S t a r t y o u r h o l i d a y p a r t y p l a n n i n g t o d a y b y c o n t a c t i n g o u r E v e n t S p e c i a l i s t T e a m a t

i n f o @ t h e j d k g r o u p c o m

P r e s e n t e d b y T h e J D K G r o u p

Simply the Best 2023 Gala Highlights from the Thank

MUDHEN IS A MUST-VISIT IN THE WILDWOODS! FOOD

& FUN

Thecraft beers are award-winning. The food, like the Smoked Brisket (pictured), elicits responses like “they know their sauces here” and “one of the best restaurant meals I’ve had in a while.” You could be content with just reading our Foodies For Thought review of MudHen Brewing Company, a sprawling, relaxed brewpub in The Wildwoods. But we’re predicting that you’ll prefer heading to New Jersey in-person to sample the many delectable menu items MudHen has to offer. More info at https://mudhenbrew.com.

Wildwood Days (and Nights): The Perfect Getaway for Any Season

Story by Imogene Gross (imogene@harrisburgmagazine.com) & Randy Gross (rgross@harrisburgmagazine.com) Photos submitted

The health benefits (both mental and physical) of taking frequent vacations are well-studied and documented. A study by the University of Pittsburgh, for example, found not just that more frequent vacationing correlates to better emotional states and less reported depression, but also to physical predictors of overall better health, such as blood pressure and weight measurements. Heart health is greatly impacted by stress levels, and the Framingham Heart Study, the largest, longest-running study of cardiovascular disease, found that participants who took more vacations were less likely to suffer a heart attack or develop coronary heart disease. So, if you haven’t gotten away from it all lately – or even if you have - you might want to consider planning for a trip as an investment in your health. America lags behind other developed nations in both the amount of vacation employers offer and the amount that workers actually take advantage of, but we’d be

well-served to not overlook the importance of a good trip – no matter the time of year.

That’s right – although the prime of summer is commonly seen as the time to take vacations, especially to the beach, a chance to get away can do your mind and body good regardless of the weather, and in fact there are many hidden advantages of a vacation in the off-season. We’ve been taking most of our vacations in the fall, winter, or spring for the past several years, and here are a few secrets we off-season-beachgoers appreciate:

In the mid-Atlantic, yes, it may start to cool down come fall, but there are still usually many days of pleasant weather left before the chill sets in. Some of us even prefer the milder temperatures over the

sweaty heat of summer, and the ocean can stay warm even into October. Most people think primarily of outdoor activities when they think of the beach, and understandably might be reluctant at the idea of bundling up rather than stripping down for a walk along the seashore. But there are plenty of indoor activities that beaches boast: dining, shopping, indoor sports and recreation, live music and other performances, or art or history exhibitions – and away from the peak season, prices are often lower. Those who want a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere, without the large crowds of summer, will likely enjoy visiting the beach in the off-season. Although it’s true a lot of attractions along the beaches within shortest driving distance from the Harrisburg area are seasonal and will start to close in September or October, more and more they are embracing the off-season crowd and remaining open, and some beaches even host special events or festivals in the fall, winter, and spring to attract more vacationers.

Although The Wildwoods in New Jersey offer a host of summer-oriented delights, the same benefits of the off-season can be applied. After our recent Labor Day Weekend getaway to The Wildwoods, we can safely say that they are a perfect destination for whatever beach trip you’re dreaming of – whether for this fall or winter, or next year’s warmer months.

THE FIVE WILDWOODS AND THEIR HISTORY

It was our first time visiting The Wildwoods

(well, one of us had visited once a long time ago), and we learned a lot about the area and its history. The Wildwoods are comprised of five communities, all on Five Mile Beach, a barrier island on the Jersey Shore. Once nicknamed “the Las Vegas of the East,” the Wildwoods are known for their ‘50s and ‘60s music history, a legacy which, thanks to the preservation of much of the architecture from that period, is visible even from a casual glance. Some consider Wildwood, New Jersey, to be the birthplace of rock and roll: it was here, in the HofBrau Hotel, that Bill Haley &

His Comets first performed “Rock Around the Clock,” considered by many to be the first rock and roll record. Chubby Checker introduced his version of “The Twist” at the Rainbow Club, and music TV show American Bandstand’s debut episode, and several future episodes, were filmed at the Starlight Ballroom. The Wildwoods were huge for music performances in the day – so iconic that teen idol Bobby Rydell immortalized them in his 1963 hit, “Wildwood Days,” which now serves as a local theme song you’ll be sure to hear at least once on any stroll down the boardwalk. Even today, that retro pop rock sound makes up part of The Wildwoods soundscape, as revival bands frequent the local venues, and contemporary performers will often throw at least a couple of oldies into their setlist.

The Wildwoods embrace their history – a fact which becomes apparent driving around for even a few minutes. It’s one of the best beaches you can visit to appreciate countless well-preserved examples of mid-century resort architecture. Most of the big hotels and motels were built between 1950 and 1970 in variations on the Googie, or, as the Cape May Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts has coined, after the genre of music, Doo-Wop style. You’ll get to admire such retro flair as plastic palm trees, swimming pools in creative shapes, buildings with dramatic, curving, or slanting lines, and often colorful periodaccurate interiors to match. The designs are bold, quirky, and playful, and because the community values the character they lend, not

only are these historic buildings still operating, but new ones, such as The Wildwoods Wawa, are being built with retro inspiration. There’s even a museum, the Doo Wop Experience Museum, featuring signs, furniture, and décor from the era. Be sure to go exploring at night –a neon tour departs from the museum, or you can go at your own pace – and you’ll be treated to a carnival of neon signs from the days when hotels vied aggressively for business from passing motorists. It seems like each hotel has a different theme, with titles like Caribbean, Aztec, Crusader, and Tangiers. This, Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, president of Suasion Communications Group, says, is due to a mid-century fascination with air travel and all the exotic locations that were now more accessible to the average vacationer. In fact, the hotel where we stayed – the Pan American – is themed around air travel itself, featuring a rooftop rotating globe as an advertising beacon.

The hotels here are as important to vacationers’ experiences as the rest of the attractions. Many have visiting families that have continued to patronize them for generations. Sitting around the firepit on our first night there, we met a family that proudly

proclaimed they’d been coming to the Pan American every summer for 53 years. For many in their multi-generational group, that meant they’d been coming there for literally as long as they could remember. They’d even befriended other families they met at the hotel over the years, to the point that they’d included each other in their weddings. It shows the special place that not only these hotels, but The Wildwoods themselves, have in peoples’ hearts. It’s not just the beaches and rec centers which pride themselves on being free and open to the public, or the unique history of music and architecture, but the memories and experiences like these that keep both families and individuals coming back year after year.

THE BOARDWALK

Go ahead and picture almost any beach resort in America and the second most conjured image – after the beach – is, of course the boardwalk. But not only is The Wildwoods not just any old beach resort, its boardwalk is much more than just any old boardwalk! There’s a good reason why the boardwalk at The Wildwoods was named the #1 Boardwalk in the Nation by Family Vacation Critic, and a Top 10 Boardwalk by National Geographic

Explorer. Actually, a multitude of reasons!

Whether walking, riding a bike (the Wildwoods is one of the most bike-friendly towns you’ll find), or riding the famous Wildwoods Sightseer Tram, you’ll quickly discover why The Wildwoods Boardwalk is considered one of the liveliest two-mile stretches of fun and excitement on the East Coast. It’s a sensory overload of sights, sounds, smells – and amusement piers galore!

Yes, there are three phenomenal Morey’s Pier’s Amusement Park locations, all featuring carnival-style midway games, arcades, retail shops, and eateries (some even with cocktail service) and, says Ben Rose, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority, “they claim there are more rides than Disneyland!” Adventure Pier is home of The Great White rollercoaster – considered one of the Top 10 coasters in the country; Mariner’s Landing Pier features the Sea Serpent and one of the tallest Ferris Wheels along the East Coast; and Surfside Pier has 3 roller coasters in all, including the Great Nor’Easter. Unfortunately for autumn thrill seekers, Adventure and Surfside Piers both close in September (as do the boardwalk’s two waterparks). Mariner’s Pier remains open on weekends through Sunday, October 8.

Of course, what would a boardwalk be without boardwalk food! Pizza connoisseurs will rejoice in the fresh “pie” offerings in The Wildwoods, but they better beware because there’s a Pizza War that’s been a-brewing for decades between local icons Mack’s Pizza and Sam’s Pizza.

“That’s the big controversy here,” muses Rose. “If you stop a hundred people along the boardwalk and say, ‘which pizza place is your favorite,’ 50 will say Mack’s and 50 will say Sam’s. And they’ll swear by it.” Mack’s is for those who prefer a greasier, thinner-crusted slice, with some crisp to it. Sam’s is a little thicker and larger and less oily, while still keeping a good deal of crisp.

Other not-to-be-missed local faves: Curley’s Fries (“never frozen, they cut them fresh!”); and a refreshing, squeezed-to-order Lime Rickey, similar to a limeade.

Most of the stores and restaurants along the 38 block-long boardwalk remain open through The Wildwoods ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s Weekend

(October 13-14). Gateway 26 Arcade and the Fudge Kitchen stay open year-round.

This time of year, you won’t be able to hear that familiar “watch the tram car, please” refrain. But, if you vacation in The Wildwoods next summer, be sure to say hello to Gigi, “the Unofficial Mayor of the Boardwalk,” a Conrail retiree who’s been getting the Sightseer tram cars out and running by 11 a.m. – for 32 years!

FOOD & FUN

From sunup to sundown, a hot cup of coffee to a fresh plate of pasta, dining options abound on the island. In-season recommendations range from Maui’s Doghouse, a colorful ‘50s style outdoor stand that was once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, to Alosi’s Trattoria inside the retro Pan American Hotel, which offers a combination of homestyle Southern Italian and traditional American breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, all served (if you choose) with a view of the pool. And be sure to read this month’s Foodies for Thoughts review of one of The Wildwoods newer and most popular restaurants, Mudhen Brewing Company. For an expansive list of restaurants in The Wildwoods area, including those that are open year-round, visit https://wildwoodsnj.com/ plan-a-vacation/places-to-eat//

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CLOCK – AND ALL YEAR!

Sure, there’s always lots more to do during the summer tourism season – from Friday night fireworks visible from everywhere on the boardwalk, to a variety of free outdoor concerts. But increasingly, fall in The Wildwoods has become chock full of all kinds of fun events and activities, with something to please every member of the family!

This month, there’s The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival (Oct. 8); the previously mentioned ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s Weekend (Oct. 13-14); The Wildwoods RV Show (Oct. 21-23); the Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House (Oct. 28); and the North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party (Oct. 29).

Come back in November for the Spirit Brands Cheerleading Championships (Nov. 12); a Family Holiday Beach Bonfire (Nov. 24); Christmas in North Wildwood (Nov. 24-26); and the Wildwoods Outdoor

Holiday Shopping Village/Small Business Saturday (Nov. 25). For a list of hotels in The Wildwoods area, visit https://wildwoodsnj. com/plan-a-vacation/places-to-stay//. Just click on the box ‘Open Year Round’ to find accommodations for the fall and winter months.

More helpful sites to visit: www.gwcoc.org

www.NorthWildwood.com

www.WildwoodHoliday.com

www.wildwoodcrest.org

www.MoreysPiers.com

The Hungarians

by Craig Czury

Believe whatever you dress up as for Halloween a spirit of that costume stays with you for the following year. Your ghost sheets may get you ignored, or passed over for a position. Maybe you become invisible to a lot of people around you, not seen nor heard as clearly as, say, the clown outfit, which has its own serious virtues and backlashes. I’m tooling around these labyrinthian streets on my bike like Evel Knievel when I side-swipe a funeral procession led by the chief of police, who is dressed up as a chief of police. The priest in purple is dressed as the blood of Christ. Two priests in white dressed like wafers. The casket on wheels is dressed for the cemetery with the man inside dressed for the rest of his life. His family, friends, and mourners solemnly walking behind dressed in their long life sadnesses. I salute and peel out over the canal toward home, where I bang this out on my borrowed Underwood, the old way, standing at the up-ended footlocker, jabbing my fingers into uneven stubs, the anachronism I’m already becoming. Scroll, stab, slam, stab, slam, stab, slam, rip, crumple, heave.

Craig Czury is from the Wilkes-Barre area of Pennsylvania and the author of Postcards & Ancient Texts (a 40-year collection of napkin poems), Fifteen Stones (prose poems from Italy, Chile, Lithuania, and the spaces between), and Thumb Notes Almanac: Hitchhiking the Marcellus Shale (docu-poems from his observations and interviews while hitchhiking rural roads in the heart of NE PA’s “fracking” region). A 2022 Fulbright Scholar to Chile, he currently lives in Scranton where he continues his weekly online Life-Writing from Cyberia workshops, and community writing projects. www.craigczury.com.

Poem/Craig Czury

Pro Fashion Tips from the Ground Up

The Vital Connection Between Footwear and Overall Health

Our feet play a pivotal role in our overall health and well-being. Selecting the right pair of shoes goes beyond mere fashion; it’s a step toward embracing comfort, enhancing posture, and promoting overall health. Over time, our feet undergo changes, and the choice of footwear can significantly impact our wellness. Fortunately, Plum Bottom (with stores in Harrisburg and Camp Hill) features brands like NAOT, Rieker, Remonte, Pikolinos, and ARA that offer stylish options that prioritize both fashion and excellent support.

The Connection Between Footwear & Posture

Your choice of footwear directly influences your posture, subsequently affecting your walking, standing, and overall mobility. Illfitting shoes can lead to posture problems, back pain, and issues like bunions and hammertoes. These problems can erode your quality of life over time. Selecting shoes that offer proper support and fit is essential for maintaining good posture and preventing various health issues.

Footwear Choices for Women of All Ages

As women age, they often experience changes in foot shape and a reduction in fat padding on the soles of their feet. Consequently, shoes that were once comfortable may no longer suffice. Here’s where brands like NAOT, Rieker, Remonte, Pikolinos, and ARA shine; they offer designs tailored to these changes, ensuring you don’t have to compromise comfort for style.

• NAOT: Renowned for their anatomical footbeds, NAOT shoes mimic the natural shape of the foot, akin to the footprint we leave in the sand. This design emphasizes comfort and promotes proper weight distribution, reducing pressure on the spinal column and joints. Many styles are American Podiatric Medical Association approved for foot health.

• Rieker & Remonte: These sister brands are celebrated for their antistress technology. Their shoes are lightweight, flexible, and spacious, accommodating the natural expansion of your feet throughout the day. This makes them an excellent

choice for all-day wear.

• Pikolinos: Prioritizing comfort and quality, Pikolinos handcrafts shoes using premium leather that molds to your feet. Their meticulous construction reduces fatigue during extended wear.

• ARA: Balancing style and comfort, ARA offers options with additional padding and arch support. This makes them ideal for women who prioritize comfort without compromising on style.

Pro Tip: Rotating between multiple pairs of shoes is a smart practice for foot health because it helps prevent the overuse of specific muscles and joints in your feet. Different shoes offer varying levels of support and cushioning, and by changing your footwear regularly, you reduce the repetitive strain on your feet. This can mitigate the risk of developing problems like muscle imbalances, overuse injuries, and discomfort associated with wearing the same shoes day in and day out. Additionally, it allows shoes to air out, reducing the accumulation of moisture and odor, promoting better overall foot hygiene.

Find the Perfect Pair

At Plum Bottom, our customers not only expect comfort, but they also come to us for a great-looking pair of shoes! Investing in high-quality, supportive shoes isn’t just about your feet—it’s an investment in your overall well-being. The entire staff at Plum Bottom is trained to help you find the most comfortable—and stylish—pair of shoes. Visit us in Harrisburg at the Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace and Camp Hill on Market Street at Neighbors & Smith to enjoy our impeccable service and vast selection of fashion and comfort women’s shoes.

Carla is the co-owner of Plum Bottom, a local fashion haven that has graced Harrisburg & Camp Hill --and more recently online--for over 46 years. Specializing in shoes, Carla’s keen eye for style and quality has made Plum Bottom a go-to destination for fashion enthusiasts. Beyond the glitz and glamour of footwear, Carla’s soul finds balance as a yoga teacher since 2010, imbuing her life and business with mindfulness and grace. A loving mother to two energetic teenage sons, Carla seamlessly blends her roles as a fashion maven, wellness advocate, and dedicated mom, crafting a life as vibrant and multifaceted as the shoes she curates.

The Rooster May Crow but the (Mud)Hen Delivers

Since we were enjoying a weekend away at The Wildwoods, we decided this month, for our Foodies for Thought feature, to highlight a restaurant in the area. MudHen Brewing Company is a sprawling, relaxed brewpub on Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey, mere blocks from the sea, offering up elevated comfort food to locals and vacationers alike. Our first impression was that the place was huge – it features indoor and outdoor dining areas, including a biergarten and outdoor bar, and private dining spaces - and packed full of diners. It was a Saturday night, after all, and this seemed to be the happening place.

In spite of the crowd, the waitstaff were warm and knowledgeable, and service was quick and efficient. At a time when a lot of businesses are struggling to find help, MudHen appeared adequately staffed. As such, we promptly were set up with our drinks.

Two in our party ordered beer flights, to sample MudHen’s ample variety of craft beers on tap in-house. Our waitress had a strong knowledge of MudHen’s brews and spoke proudly of their Wee Heavy Wilson scotch ale, winner of a Silver Award in the World Beer Cup. MudHen’s website describes its flavor profile as “full bodied sweetness with just a titch o’ smoked peat.” One member of our party described it as “butterscotch-y”. It was by far the favorite beer of the evening. Sadly, I’m not much of a beer person, so I did not order any for myself. I decided to get in a vacation mood with one of their cocktail specials, a Pink Lady Lemonade: Malibu coconut rum, Tito’s vodka, cranberry juice, lemonade, and sprite.

The coconut element gave it a slight tropical essence that felt appropriate for our proximity to the ocean, and the sweetness was balanced by the astringent cranberry to create a pretty pink drink that’s a perfect mix of classy and playful.

Next, came the appetizers. Our table ordered the Southern Fried Oysters, plated with cherry peppers, blistered cherry tomatoes, spicy ketchup, citrus zest, and pickled veggie tartar sauce. They also shared the crab, spinach, and onion dip – a gooey, cheesy baked cheddar dip with sautéed spinach and minced onions, served with crostini and house-seasoned, freshly-fried potato chips. Our diners were impressed with the freshness and plating of all the components, and greatly enjoyed their appetizers.

I, too, ordered appetizers, but for my main. Not for any lack of appealing options – their menu is extensive! - but the items I wanted to sample the most were appetizers. I ordered myself a bowl of the Vegetarian Chili, made with seitan (a wheat gluten-based meat substitute) and beans, and topped with cornbread crumbs and shredded cheddar. It had a nice level of heat to it and was very satisfying. But the real rave for me were the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. Pieces of cauliflower in a light beer batter were fried golden-brown and tossed in a buffalo sauce, served with a side of bleu cheese dressing. The buffalo sauce had the perfect level of tang and was counterpointed well by the dressing. I’m not a big bleu cheese fan but was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this one. It had a gentler flavor than most bleu cheese dressings I’ve

had. I also appreciated how the cauliflower florets were cut into true bite-sized pieces. All the cauliflower bites I’ve seen previously are made from whole florets, which can be a bit unwieldy for me to bite into. All in all, the cauliflower bites were so addicting. I wish I had their recipe!

The other diners ordered two mains: the Smoked Brisket, served with baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread, and the Korean Salmon, 8 ounces of blackened salmon with grilled shrimp served atop rice noodles with orange ginger sauce and kimchi slaw. The Smoked Brisket is served with a house-made barbecue sauce, which the taster raved about. “They know their sauces here,” she said. The salmon, likewise, was a hit. The diner who ordered that commented that although he wouldn’t have expected the flavors of the blackened salmon in a Korean-inspired dish, “it just works!”

Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert, or we would have tried one of their many tempting options. But our meal certainly spoke for itself without a sweet ending. “Hands down, this is one of the best restaurant meals I’ve had in a while,” one of our diners commented. We found that MudHen Brewing Company, open since 2018, is well deserving of the tremendous business it attracts in Wildwood. With its spacious grounds, broad but well-managed menu, and excellent service, it is a must-visit if you find yourself on your own vacation to The Wildwoods. 7

Check out MudHen’s menu for yourself at https://mudhenbrew.com

Story and photos by Imogene Gross, imogene@harrisburgmagazine.com

SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRIKERS

So, let’s talk about the SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes that have been going on for months now. Perhaps the strikes will have ended by the time this column sees print (there’s about a three week or so delay between writing and publication) but even if it has, the following still rings true.

So please allow me to preface this with a shout of solidarity with all those currently striking. Some naysayers question why someone like Tom Cruise or Robert Downey Jr. would need to strike, but it’s not as simple as that. Of course, people like that have no need to strike to get more. They already have it all. But, for every Tom Cruise, there are a thousand actors doing extra and background work. For every

RDJ, there are a thousand actors doing voice over work. For every Margot Robbie, there are a thousand actors doing commercial work.

The average yearly salary for a working member of SAG-AFTRA is $46,000, with over 20% making less than $20,000 per year. Meanwhile there are studio execs making more than that every hour of the day. Many actors, not the big-name ones, but those thousands upon thousands upon thousands doing all the so-called grunt work of the biz, are living paycheck to paycheck while studios rake in billions upon billions upon billions every year. And the writers? Hell, comparatively speaking, the actors got it made.

So how does this affect the film industry. Most productions of TV and movies have shut down – though there are indie films still shooting as those smaller companies are not the ones being struck against. There are a few scabs literally crossing picket lines and heading back to work without their writers but most of the Hollywood union members are holding fast – as they should.

Another side effect of the strike is the upcoming Oscar race. In past years, the Oscar race usually begins during the Fall festival season. Places like The Venice Film Festival and The Toronto Film Festival. Last year, after a screening of The Whale at Venice, Brendan Fraser received a six-minute standing ovation for his performance, sending the actor into a flood of tears. This was the start of Fraser’s comeback Oscar campaign that eventually led to his winning Best Actor on Oscar night. If that ovation and those tears hadn’t happened, his Oscar may never have happened.

That’s the dilemma this year as most actors are not going to be heading to the festivals in solidarity with the strike, and so there won’t be any of these emotional moments that lead to awards (and bigger and better roles after said awards). Yes, some actors are being

allowed to participate, but as I said before, those are strictly for independent films not being funded by the studios.

So, there you have it. The SAG-AFTRA / WGA strike in a nutshell. Hopefully it will end soon but in the meantime let’s raise a hand in solidarity with the strikers.

That’s it gang. See ya at the movies

Kevyn Knox is a Writer, Artist, Pop Photographer, Film & TV Historian, Pez Collector, and Pop Culturist. He has written film reviews for FilmSpeak, Central PA Voice, and The Burg. His reviews & other ramblings can be found on his blog, www.allthingskevyn.com.

Photo by: Book Block

“To tell someone they’re wrong, first tell them they’re right.” So, you’re right about me being wrong, but I’m right now about your being wrong?

I’m not much of a fisherman but I did catch a Filet-O-Fish at a McDonald’s once.

Being bald, I’m a sucker for hair growing remedies. A friend told me about this new cure for hair loss, and it does work some. Come Christmas I’ll have Chia pet hair!

I just filled a prescription that comes with two pages of side effects. So, I’m just trading one disease’s symptoms for another disease’s symptoms created by the new side effects.

If something’s not all it’s cracked up to be take a sledgehammer to it.

Describing a really cool guy: He’s got more moves than a hibachi chef.

To pee or not to pee, that is the prostate’s question.

Florida man arrested for trying to cross Atlantic in human-sized hamster wheel. What, the giant slingshot wasn’t available?

Waiting somewhere too long you could say “I’ve been here so long, I’ve gotta pay rent. “

If you wanna clear a room just announce a poetry reading.

“Indian scientists looking for frozen water on the moon.” Oh my God, they’re looking for a 7-Eleven Slurpee!

I’m about as useful as a seat belt on a Harley when it comes to boiling an egg.

Some days I feel like just giving up and throwing in the towel. Other days I wish I had.

What’s the deal with steak sauce? You put it on a T- bone and it tastes like steak sauce. You put it on a hot dog and it tastes like steak sauce. You put it on a rock, and it would taste like steak sauce! (But you’d break some teeth).

I introduced my new Chat Bot to my old Siri Chat and all hell broke loose. I had to separate them and put them in different rooms. We’re all going to therapy now.

“Humans have pumped so much ground water from the Earth that it’s caused its axis to shift.” I can just see the TV commercial for it now: “Endangered Bottled Groundwater! Get it before WE’RE gone.”

There’s a huge structure buried under Australia and no one knows what it is. I think it holds the hopes and dreams of actor Paul Hogan for a fourth “Crocodile Dundee” movie. But then I’m just an incurable romantic.

Autumn’s big quandary: A yard sale or for garbage pickup day?

I think I’ve made my mark in this life, but it’s probably more like a smudge.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg want to fight each other in a Las Vegas style cage match. My guess is they’ll both send an AI avatar to fight for them online and no one will know the difference.

A White House aid eating at a posh D. C. restaurant had a coughing fit and said “Pardon Me” to the friends at his table. Instantaneously, four politicians jumped up and yelled “Pardon Me, too!”

“Five UFO claims at the heart of the biggest cover-up in history.”

I think it was just a flock of UFO’s going south for the winter.”

Nuff said

I DIDN’T CHOOSE CANCER to have

but I did choose UPMC.

- Sam G. Central Pa.

When Sam developed a bad cough, she thought she may have gotten COVID-19. But scans of her lungs revealed she actually had Stage 4 cancer. She decided to keep her care at UPMC West Shore instead of going elsewhere. “The doctors at UPMC were on a mission to make me whole again,” Sam said. Her expert oncology team first treated her with chemotherapy which shrunk the tumor enough so that surgeons could perform a lobectomy. And today, she is cancer-free. To learn more, visit UPMC.com/ChooseCPA.