Earnie Zimmerman, owner of Zimmerman’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, discusses his 40-year career in this month’s Entrepreneurial Spirit feature.
A TAXING SITUATION
In his latest The Finance Hound column, money manager Bryson Roof offers tips on ways to avoid incurring a “surprise” increase in Medicare premiums.
HOMING IN ON MARKET TRENDS
Columnist Eileen Voyles takes a close look at the local real estate landscape in The Housing Scene.
Planning a wedding doesn't have to be stressful, and it doesn't have to empty your pocketbook either. Read advice from an expert to make your special day go off without a hitch.
GUIDE TO LOCAL
Check out our latest rundown of happenings in the Central Pennsylvania region in the coming weeks, then mark your calendars and make some memories.
Erin Woods of Ace Handyman Services, 4219 Derry St., Harrisburg, won Simply the Best in the Handyman category for 2024. The company’s name was inadvertently placed in an incorrect category in listings published in August.
The Martini Bros have helped define authentic, homegrown rock ‘n’ roll for three decades and counting. Amy Simpson details their musical journey in her After the Beat column.
SOUL SURVIVOR
Despite facing a series of major setbacks in his calling as a chef, Andre Young has persevered – and now operates a popular empanada food truck in the midstate.
ON THE COVER
Transforming your outdoor space with the addition of a gazebo, pool or other stylish structure can elevate your home’s ambiance and functionality in remarkable ways. Dive into the possibilities and discover how you can redefine your living experience, beginning on PAGE 10
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
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CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPERS
Andrea Kitner Sean Simmers
Entrepreneurial Spirit:
Founder of Zimmerman’s HVAC Company Credits Quality Work and Giving Back
For His Successful Business Endeavor
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
What started as a one-man operation in Earnie Zimmerman’s two-car garage has flourished over the years to become one of Central Pennsylvania’s premier heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies. From those humble beginnings, Zimmerman’s HVAC business now employs 48 workers in its current location in a refurbished flour mill at 110 E. Allen St. in downtown Mechanicsburg. Since 2005 Zimmerman’s has been voted either Simply the Best or Readers’ Choice by the readers of Harrisburg Magazine, a testament to the care and excellence the company delivers. Zimmerman recently sat down with Eric Ebeling, editorial director of Harrisburg Magazine, to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur.
ERIC EBELING: What was your initial vision when you decided to get into the HVAC business back in 1980?
EARNIE ZIMMERMAN: You mean did I ever think it would be the monster that it is today? No, it was a different time. When I went in business, I wanted a line of credit. I went to First Bank and Trust Company. I shook Dave Coover’s hand –he was the president of the bank – and I got a line of credit because he sat in the same church pew that our family did. That would not happen today.
EE: How did you develop an interest in the heating and plumbing trade?
ZIMMERMAN: I did not go to vo-tech. I just had an interest in mechanical things. My parents made all of us take college prep classes, but I did not want to go to college. I didn’t want to continue going to school. I went to Cumberland Valley High School. In my senior year, we called it work release back then, but if you say that today, it looks like you were in prison. So, we now call it co-op. I went to school Monday through Friday until lunchtime, and then I left and worked for a gentleman named Tom Trimble in Mechanicsburg. He was a plumber and heating contractor, and he had two older men who worked for him. I was 17. When
I graduated from high school, I asked, “Well, what’s the next task?” He said, “Here’s the keys to the van. You know what needs to be done. Go do it.” And that was it.
EE: When did you decide you could make a go of this on your own?
ZIMMERMAN: I lived in Mechanicsburg and went to a big church, and I delivered newspapers. I had something like 300
Photo by Andrea Kitner
Sunday customers and 150 for The Evening News. So, I knew all these people. The fact that it was three old men and me at the shop, we couldn’t keep up with all the work, so all these people started calling me and saying, “Hey, could you come over tonight? Or could you come over Saturday?” And I thought, well, this is just ridiculous. The fact that they were the age they were, and that the business Mr. Trimble had wasn’t really something someone would purchase, made me figure, well, “I’m going to try this by myself. I’ve got nothing to lose.” I worked out of a little two-car garage here in Mechanicsburg. I think I was 20 years old when I took the test for my Harrisburg city master plumber’s license. January 1, 1980, was my first day in business. We had an ice storm that day. I still remember my first call. It was in Siddonsburg, and there was an icy road trying to get out to fix a lady’s furnace.
EE: What were some of the challenges that you weren’t expecting when you first started?
ZIMMERMAN: Well, one thing we have to talk about is that technology has changed by leaps and bounds. I tell my guys the tools we needed to work
with then were much more simplistic. It’s a little hard for me to wrap my mind around it. Then you didn’t even have Phillips head screws. It was still like a straight blade, so you needed a straight blade screwdriver, a couple adjustable wrenches, a pair of pliers. There was no such thing as a headlamp. We all carried plug-in “trouble lights.” I had bought tools all through my high school years. You know, saws and drills, and there were no battery-operated tools at that point. They were all still plug-in, so you needed extension cords and all that. Now we have laptops we can hook up to troubleshoot problems. Technology has grown immensely. Cellphones are a major difference from the days of pagers, too.
EE: Did you have any sort of business background?
ZIMMERMAN: No, I just had my own drive, really.
EE: When did you hire your first employee?
ZIMMERMAN: The first person who worked for me was one of my brothers, Jeff. It was probably in 1983 when he got out of high school. He came to work for me full time. He hasn’t been working here for 20-plus years.
EE: Have other family members been involved with the company?
ZIMMERMAN: My wife, Kelly; sonin-law Chris Murk; and my daughters Meredith and Whitney have gone on calls with me. My son-in-law Tim (Kortze) is the general manager, and his oldest son, Lincoln, has traveled on calls with me when I was watching him. Kelly and I got married in 2006, and since then the company has grown quite a bit because she’s very supportive. She is a very good money manager, and she’s very much an entrepreneur herself. She’s been very instrumental in moving the company to the next level.
EE: Do you find people still following the trades path of apprentice and journeyman?
ZIMMERMAN: That’s really the case today more than what it used to be.
We’ve moved away from when everyone thought you needed a college education and a desk job. Now, more and more people are getting into the trades. Kids are going vo-tech. So, we’re back to the apprenticeship, journeyman, that type of thing. We’re finding out today that a lot of our better choices are people who are in their mid-30s, late-30s, who have worked in a factory or something and lost their jobs through automation. They have mechanical skills and great people skills, and if you have those, you can teach them the trade.
EE: Do you have some apprentices right now?
ZIMMERMAN: Yeah, we have guys who come in, and they’ll start out in the ground level. They come in with different levels of skills and development.
EE: I would imagine it would be beneficial to employ a “MacGyver” sort of person.
ZIMMERMAN: Oh, I have a MacGyver here. His name’s Matt Behrend. He’s my MacGyver. You have to be able to use your mind and figure out how to fix things on the fly. We have another, Scott Mease. He’s a MacGyver too. Scott, Matt and I are MacGyvers. These two guys are among our most talented people. They can take a pile of, pardon my expression, (expletive) and turn it into a working machine. It’s a talent to make things work like that. My cardiologist used to joke, because I had heart (catheterizations) regularly, and he would say, “Well, really, what we’re doing is not much different than what you do. You take your rotor machine down through a pipe, and I’m just taking mine through a different pipe.” I’d say, “Let’s not mix up the two machines!”
EE: How would you describe the company culture and what you do to foster it?
ZIMMERMAN: It all comes down to relationships, especially with customers. That’s what you learn in the beginning. You think it’s all about fixing equipment, but, in reality, it’s about being able to communicate and talk to people, especially today. We’re all really in the people business today, and everything else is
Ernie and wife Kelly pose in their Mechanicsburg headquarters.
second to it. People call in and say, “So and so was out. They were terrific.” They never say, “So and so was out, and they were the best plumber, electrician, heating guy, air conditioner.” They go, “They were great. They brought my trash cans back. They picked up the newspaper. They talked to my kids nicely. They were nice to my dog.” They don’t say, “Oh, you’re the best guy at fixing the furnace I’ve ever had.” The company is only where we’re at today because of all the people that work here. It’s not all me. It was all me in the beginning, but it’s not now. We’re
very blessed that we have very talented people who care. It’s a whole team effort. You can lead in a direction, and you want the people to follow you, but they make a choice too. So, they sometimes police their own. It’s part of the buy in. I always point out if you choose not to do what you’re supposed to, or you don’t do it right the first time, just look around the room – because it affects every one of us sitting here.
EE: Are there any calls that stick out in your head that were unusual or funny?
ZIMMERMAN: I had a lady call me one Sunday morning. She was all dressed to go to church. I was probably in my late 20s, and she said she got sick, and when she threw up, her false teeth went into the toilet. Of course, she has flushed the toilet. I change my clothes and I go out. There’s this device called a closet auger. If you have a clogged toilet, you would run this thing down and jam it in. Well, I can’t use this because I don’t want to break her teeth. So, I take the toilet off the floor, and I lay it on its side, and I can see the teeth. I get them out, and I set them on the counter. I’m cleaning up before I reset the toilet and look, and the teeth are already in her mouth. I convinced her to take out the teeth and give them to me. I took them to a (dental company) on Monday and they sanitized them.
EE: Can we talk about your involvement in the community?
ZIMMERMAN: I spent nine years on the board of directors of the Simpson Library. I used to belong to Rotary, and we are still very supportive of it. We still support the library financially. We do a lot of work up there, pro bono, I guess is the way you want to call it. I was on the board of directors of the Mechanicsburg Arts Center. We help New Hope Ministries with food drives regularly. I was a church youth group leader for many years. I’ve supported the Southcentral Food Bank. I’m on the advisory board at the vo-tech. Our company supports athletic teams, boosters, the Mechanicsburg baseball team, girls softball. We give
money to the swimming club. I also serve on the planning commission in Carroll Township (York County).
EE: That’s quite a list of company outreach.
ZIMMERMAN: We also get calls from people who may be terminally ill, or they have a family member who’s sick, and they need something done. They might even need a whole new system put in. I just suck it up and send the guys out and deal with it. That’s what it’s about. I’m not in business for money. People just don’t understand it. I don’t come to work for money. I was raised that there’s a right and a wrong way, and the right ways to take care of people. We take care of people who are in dire financial and medical need.
EE: How did Covid affect your business?
ZIMMERMAN: Imagine being in business my entire career, never laying anybody off, never furloughing anybody. Then all of a sudden, one day, I have to make a decision that everyone has to be furloughed, you know, because we’re not supposed to work. It was difficult. But during that time, I reached out to every employee once a week. I called them on the phone to see how they were doing. We continued to pay everybody’s health care through the whole thing. And Covid hammered us with the supply chain. In reality, it’s never recovered. It’s not back to normal. There are still big lead times.
EE: How hard do you find it to balance your personal life and your professional life?
ZIMMERMAN: Well, I can’t say my life is balanced. I don’t live a balanced life at all. I mean, I have a massive amount of irons in the fire, and that’s just who I am. So, I’m really not the person to come forth and talk to about a balanced life. It’s just the way I’m wired. I always joke that you either go big or go home. You know, I don’t do anything small scale. I raise my own chickens to eat. Chickens to lay eggs, and I raise turkeys and have a massive garden. I live on a farm in Carroll Township. I have 13 acres. It’s a lot of work.
Transform Your Outdoor Space with
Gazebos, Pergolas and Pavilions to Enhance Your Life
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Country Lane Gazebos
Your home’s outdoor space is more than just a backyard; it’s a blank canvas brimming with potential to create your personal oasis, where you can entertain guests or simply unwind after a long day.
Whether you’re dreaming of a vibrant area where you can host parties, or a cozy family gathering spot, transforming your exterior space doesn’t have to be daunting. With a bit of creativity and planning – and some help from the experts – you can turn your outdoor area into a true extension of your home, reflecting your style and enhancing your quality of life.
In this guide, we’ll explore options and practical tips to enhance your property, from beautiful structures like gazebos and pavilions to in-ground pools and trendy swim spas. Let’s dive into the world of outdoor design and discover how small changes can lead to big improvements. Ready to breathe new life into your backyard, patio or
garden? Let’s get started.
Transforming your outdoor space into a sanctuary of style and comfort is easier than you might think. Installing attractive structures such as pergolas, pavilions and gazebos can turn your backyard into a functional and beautiful paradise. These versatile additions offer more than just shade and shelter: They create inviting areas that enhance your home’s charm and provide a perfect setting for relaxation and entertainment.
Pergolas are renowned for their elegance and versatility. Characterized by their open-roof design supported by columns, they offer a sophisticated yet unobtrusive way to improve outdoor spaces, according to Vincent Reedy, chief marketing officer for Country Lane Gazebos, based in New Holland, Lancaster County. For the past 30 years, the company has specialized in high-quality, Amish-built structures they sell all around the world.
“A pergola helps to define your space.
A pergola usually has slats across the top of it and is partially open,” he said. “It creates some shade depending on where the sun is. So, you can go outside later in the evening, when the sun’s a little lower, and depending on where you’re sitting, it will create shade for you. If you do want more shade, you can add the EZShade system into it.”
This type of structure can serve to highlight a stylish walkway, a cozy dining area or a serene retreat surrounded by climbing plants and hanging lights. Country Lane offers options of wood and vinyl-covered wood construction that can be suited to match your home’s look and your personal taste.
“A pergola is great if you have a hot tub or a barbecue outdoor area, or you might want to do an outdoor kitchen. What’s nice about it is its semi-custom, so you can specify what you want,” said Reedy.
Adding climbing vines, such as wisteria or jasmine, can create a lush, green canopy, while the EZShade system, fabric drapes or outdoor curtains can provide additional privacy and protection from the elements. Whether you’re hosting a summer dinner party or seeking a quiet corner to read a book, a pergola offers a blend of functionality and beauty.
If you’re looking for more substantial shelter, a pavilion might be the perfect solution. These fully covered structures provide ample protection from the sun and rain, making them ideal for yearround use, Reedy said.
“A pavilion has a solid roof and is more solid overall,” he said. Some structures sold by Country Lane are rated to survive Hurricane-force winds.
With a range of styles – from rustic to contemporary – pavilions can be designed to blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture.
Inside a pavilion, you can create a comfortable lounge area, complete with plush seating, an outdoor kitchen or even a dining area for family gatherings. Adding features like ceiling fans, built-in lighting and outdoor heaters ensure your pavilion remains a comfortable retreat no matter the season. The enclosed or partially enclosed design allows for greater versatility in how you use the space, from hosting large events to enjoying a peaceful evening alone.
For those who desire a more traditional touch, gazebos offer timeless charm and functionality. Typically featuring a circular or octagonal design with a peaked roof and open sides, they create a picturesque focal point in any garden or yard. They’re perfect for intimate
gatherings, garden parties, or simply as a spot to enjoy the view.
“A gazebo is basically what you would think of seeing at a wedding or in a town where everyone gets together to meet. It has a roof and usually has a roundish or octagon style to it. Again, it comes in different styles: Victorian, Colonial and other more modern styles,” said Reedy. “It can also come with windows and screens if you want to keep the bugs out. We’re seeing a lot of people who want to get out of their house more and work outside. So, they might want to enclose their gazebo.”
They can be enhanced with elegant details like decorative railings and builtin seating. Whether placed in a corner of your garden or overlooking a pond, a gazebo adds a sense of classic beauty and tranquility to your outdoor space.
When choosing a pergola, pavilion or gazebo, consider your outdoor area’s size, the style of your home and how you plan to use the space. Pergolas offer flexibility and elegance, pavilions provide extensive coverage and comfort, and gazebos bring a touch of classic beauty. Each option has its unique advantages, and the right choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Reedy cautioned buyers to beware of cheaper, low-cost structures that might appear to be a good deal in the short
term but end up being a headache when they have to be replaced often. He said the staff at Country Lane Gazebos specializes in helping customers determine all aspects of their purchase – budget, customer needs, available space, style and similar aspects.
No matter which structure you choose, personalizing your outdoor area will enhance its appeal and functionality. Add comfortable furniture, decorative elements and lush greenery to create a space that reflects your style and invites relaxation. Incorporating lighting options, such as string lights or lanterns, can further enhance the ambiance, making your outdoor area a perfect retreat from day to night.
It’s an investment in your lifestyle. These beautiful and functional structures provide a backdrop for cherished moments, transforming your backyard into a retreat that’s both stylish and enjoyable. Whether you’re hosting gatherings or simply seeking a quiet escape, these additions will elevate your outdoor living experience and add lasting value to your home.
“During Covid, people wanted to spend more time outdoors: outdoor dining, outdoor working, outdoor kids, just more time outdoors. What no one really thought about was increasing the value of the home,” Reedy said. “Now they’re looking at it like, oh, it really does. We like to say it permanently increases the value while it increases your outdoor living space.”
ABOUT COUNTRY LANE GAZEBOS
Country Lane Gazebos is a family-owned business founded in 1994 by Samuel Stoltzfus and is based in New Holland, Lancaster County. The company is operated by Stoltzfus and his brothers, who started building gazebos in a small shop on their family farm. As business increased, they outgrew
the farm and are now in a large facility that allows them to build structures more efficiently. It also features a 5,000-square-foot indoor display center for customers to see the quality of the products for themselves at 540 Hollander Road in New Holland.
The company, which employs 110 people, uses state-of-the-art woodworking machinery and top-quality materials. They supply a nationwide network of dealers throughout the United States
and Canada, and they have shipped products shipped around the globe to places such as England, Africa, Puerto Rico, South Korea and Spain. Imprints of Country Lane Gazebos include Patiova, which provides Amish-crafted patio furniture, playsets and back décor; Swing Kingdom playsets for home and commercial use; and Tusk Molding.
Contact them at www.gazebo.com or call (717) 351-9250.
The Allure of Water: Upgrade Your Property With a Pool, Hot Tub or Spa
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
Photos
courtesy Goodall Pools & Spas
Imagine stepping out your back door into a sun-drenched paradise, where the only thing between you and a refreshing swim is a few steps. An outdoor pool isn’t just a luxurious addition to your home; it’s a gateway to a world of benefits that enhance both your lifestyle and property value.
From offering a private retreat for relaxation to creating a vibrant space for family fun and social gatherings, the appeal of a personal pool is undeniable.
Swimming is a low-impact, full-body workout that provides cardiovascular and muscular benefits. Regular swimming can improve endurance, flexibility and strength. A pool also encourages a more active lifestyle, offering a convenient way to integrate fitness into your routine. A pool can also serve as a central gathering place for family and friends. Whether it’s hosting a pool party or enjoying quiet evenings together, a pool can foster social interactions and create lasting memories.
But before diving headfirst into acquiring a pool, it’s important to outline your vision and budget, according to Katelyn Zook, marketing manager at Goodall
Pools & Spas in Camp Hill. Her company offers fiberglass and vinyl liner pools to meet customer specifications as closely as possible.
“Fiberglass is becoming a lot more popular in our area over the last six to eight years. A fiberglass pool is premade, and we essentially sit it in the ground. It’s in one piece,” she said. “It is definitely quicker to install compared to a vinyl liner pool, but it’s not necessarily as customizable. There are quite a few shapes and sizes to choose from, but with a vinyl liner pool, you can pretty much design whatever you want. With a vinyl liner pool, if you wanted it shaped like a duck, you could do that.”
Unlike a solid fiberglass pool, vinyl liner pools are constructed with a reinforced metal frame and then lined with a heavy-duty vinyl material that serves as a barrier between the water and the frame. Zook pointed out that the liners in these pools need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
“The biggest thing with fiberglass is you don’t replace anything. There is no barrier in there that you have to replace. But with a vinyl liner pool, that’s your
best option if you’re looking for something completely customizable,” she said.
Goodall assists customers during the process of acquiring a pool, from start to finish, said Zook.
“We’ll provide you with some brochures, some literature based on what you’re looking for. We’ll walk you through timeframes and estimates of the cost and things along those lines. If you decide you want to move forward, we’ll have someone come out to your backyard, one of our designers, and talk to you,” she said. “We like to do it at your property, just because it’s so much easier when you’re in the backyard and you can kind of help a customer visualize some different ideas and see firsthand.”
Project start times and the length of installation can vary depending on pool specifications.
“Building a pool is usually very customizable. If you’re concerned about having something too big in your yard, we can make it a little bit smaller,” she said. “You have some options as far as the materials go. There are things that we can do to make it more energy efficient, to kind of help with your electric bill and water usage and things like that.”
She said that as of 2021, a government mandate requires manufacturers to design variable-speed pool pumps to a certain level of energy efficiency.
“Most people are saving hundreds of dollars on their electric bill each month compared to traditional pool equip-
ment,” Zook said. “So, with that alone, most people are paying off that pump within about three to four summers of operating their pool.”
Modern heat pumps, which are used to squeeze out a few more weeks of pool as the weather turns colder, are also more energy efficient than traditional natural gas or propane heaters, which use larger amounts of fuel.
Installing a hot tub is another way to improve your outdoor space.
Many hot tubs measure 7 to 7-1/2 square, but smaller and larger models are available. The biggest difference is not so much the size, but the seating arrangements, the configuration of water jets and similar details.
In a related vein, Goodall also installs swim spas, a kind of cross between a
pool and hot tub that can be used for recreation and exercise. They range in size from about 8 feet in with a length ranging from 13 to 19 feet.
“There are people who either cannot put a swimming pool in their backyard or want something that’s year-round, or they just want something that’s a little bit smaller and easier to manage. A swim spa is a great option for them,” said
Strengthening Companies
We understand how overwhelming HR can be. From hiring and ring to policies, payroll, recruiting and training, if it has to do with HR, we can help.
Zook. “There is obviously the benefit of being able to swim in it and do aerobic exercises and just kind of take care of your physical health with it.”
This fall, Goodall will start carrying a line of cold plunges and saunas, which have become a popular trend for people who are trying to take care of their health more, Zook said.
ABOUT GOODALL POOLS & SPAS
Goodall Pools & Spas, based at 3607 Hartsdale Drive in Camp Hill, is a family-owned and operated business started by Robert Goodell Sr. in 1962. Over time, they have grown and expanded their footprint to include five locations in Central Pennsylvania – Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Lancaster and Lebanon.
In addition to pools, they offer hot tubs; swim spas; pool and hot tub chemicals and accessories; energy-efficient pool equipment; DIY pergola kits; in-pool and poolside furniture; aboveground pool kits and more.
Robert Goodall Jr., and his son, Robert Goodall III, continue the leadership of the company. Goodall employs about 100 people, including a service department, a group of maintenance technicians, a crew of pool renovation experts and a knowledgeable retail team. On several occasions, Pool & Spa News has named Goodall Pools & Spas to their annual lists of Top 50 Builders and Top 50 Service Companies among pool businesses across the country. Contact them at goodallpool.com.
SPEND SMART EARN BIG
Don’t Let
“Surprise Tax” Catch You Off Guard
Recently, a friend, we’ll call him Travis for his privacy, invited me to dinner to discuss his upcoming retirement. It was good to hear from him; he hasn’t been training dogs with me for a few years. You see, Travis’ police pension is based on an average of his highest three earning years. To boost his income over the past three years, he’s been picking up extra shifts on weekends, holidays and any overtime they offer. Travis invited me over to dinner because he was shocked to discover that he was going to be paying additional Medicare premiums because of IRMAA and wanted to know if there was anything he could do!
What is IRMAA?
IRMAA, or the income-related monthly adjusted amount, was created in 2003 under the Medicare Modernization Act. It stipulates that couples filing joint tax returns earning over $206,000 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) or individual tax filers with MAGI over $103,000 will pay higher Medicare premiums. IRMAA is calculated from your income tax returns two years prior. Travis’ extra hours in 2022 are impacting his 2024 Medicare premiums. Travis’ question to me was: “What can I do?”
IRMAA Planning – tips and tricks!
• Appeal the IRMAA using form SSA44: Travis can appeal the IRMAA decision based on his retirement. He simply needs to submit form SSA-44 within 60
days of receiving the IRMAA determination notice. Other examples of when you can appeal IRMAA rulings coincide with marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, loss of income or an employer settlement payment. The goal of appealing IRMAA is to showcase an earned income (MAGI) below IRMAA thresholds.
• Income Planning: Travis has various sources of income: municipal pension, Social Security, 403(b), IRA and Roth IRA. Both his pension and Social Security are included in his modified adjusted gross income. Travis’ wife, Kate, is still working, so they have elected to delay distributions from his 403(b) because these distributions are considered earned income for IRMAA. His Roth IRA is considered tax-exempt and does not impact his earned income, and therefore doesn’t affect IRMAA calculations. When Kate retires and no longer has earned income, they will want to reevaluate their retirement income to maximize tax planning.
• Charitable Planning: In a few years, when Travis turns 73, he’ll have required minimum distributions (RMDs) from his 403(b) and IRA. These RMDs count toward your earned income and impact IRMAA. Individuals over 70-½ years old are eligible to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Instead of writing a check, Travis plans to use QCDs to reduce his RMDs. In effect, QCDs help him reduce his earned income, MAGI, so that he can keep his tax return below the IRMAA thresholds.
Planning
The best way to prepare for IRMAA is to create a financial plan. A financial plan can help you coordinate various income sources to limit the impact of IRMAA. An additional advantage of a financial plan is identifying opportunities, such as Roth conversions.
Stay tuned for next month’s edition in which we’ll talk about tax bracket optimization and Roth conversions.
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.
Signs Point to Balancing of Central Pa. Housing Market
Over the past few months, we’ve talked about a variety of real estate topics in this space: historic buildings and their new uses, needs vs. wants when buying a home, and we’ve even met the leader of our area’s home builders association.
Today, I’d like to give you a snapshot report on our local housing market.
First, let’s take a look at inventory. We consider it a buyer’s market when we have over five months’ worth of inventory, meaning if no more houses were to come up for sale, it would take five months to sell everything on the market. Right now, and for the past several years, we’ve been sitting at inventory as low as one month, sometimes even two weeks. That’s extreme seller’s market territory. And we’ve all certainly felt that. At the end of July, however, we had a twomonth inventory! While that’s still low, this is the first time we’ve had that many homes compared to buyers in the market since April 2020.
Which leads us to … interest rates. They are dropping! Hallelujah!
According to Freddie Mac the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 6.5 percent in July, the first time since May 2023. Mortgage rates have started falling in anticipation of the Federal Reserve cutting the interest rate in September.
With lower borrowing costs, more people can afford homes, which will lead
to increased demand. This demand will drive up home prices. Good news for sellers, but bad news for buyers. Lower rates often incentivize people who were on the fence about buying a home to take the plunge. This can lead to more home sales and a more active market. Higher demand for homes can lead to more construction activity, as builders respond to the increased interest. This can be positive for the economy and job market, as well.
Now let’s look at the recent sales numbers. In the Harrisburg metro area, we sold about 500 homes in July 2023. This year, we sold almost 600 in July, an increase of around 20 percent. But when you look closely at the first seven months of the year, sales are tracking just about where they were last year. And that’s not good news for the market, because last year was a record low for transaction activity. Because of lower interest rates and increasing inventory, I expect we’ll see more sales in the second half of 2024, which will make a strong end to an otherwise stagnant year.
Because of increased inventory, lower rates and recent sales uptick, I’m thinking we’re on the verge of a more balanced market.
Stay tuned as we continue to track Harrisburg-area housing.
Eileen S. Voyles is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, 501 W. Governor Road, Hershey. She is a social media content creator and the founder of HelloHersheyPA, a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation that promotes commerce and happy living in Hershey and beyond. She can be reached at (717) 533-6222 and (717) 508-4610 or eileenvoyles@gmail.com.
Have you booked Have you booked your Fall meetings? your Fall meetings? Schedule a tour today to see what exciting new things we
There are two flavorful ways to explore the bounty of picturesque Adams County, home to historic Gettysburg. First, savor locally crafted beers, wines, ciders, mead, and spirits along our popular Adams County Pour Tour. Then take a scenic outing through the region’s many working farms and orchards on the Adams County Crop Hop, our farm and market trail. Whatever your taste for foodie adventure, Gettysburg and Adams County have you covered. Just a short drive from Harrisburg!
Don’t Break the Bank This Wedding Season
By Andrea Kitner akitner@harrisburgmagazine.com
You just got engaged! Congratulations to you and your fiancé as you mark this new milestone in your life. Now it’s time to start planning your wedding. However, there is just one problem: You don’t want to break the bank while doing so. We all know weddings can be expensive and planning one can be overwhelming. This article will serve as a valuable guide on how to organize your wedding on a budget.
BUDGET
First thing’s first, before you start creating various Pinterest and vision boards, you’ll want to establish your budget. After all, you can’t make any subsequent decisions until you know what you can afford to spend. Setting a budget will prevent you from overspending and will keep your expectations realistic.
GUEST LIST
The next thing to consider is your guest list. Since your guest list and budget go hand-in-hand, it’s important to know how many guests you anticipate attending your big day. The larger the guest list, the more food and catering you will need, which will increase costs. If you want to save money, plan on keeping your guest list minimal, consisting of only family and the people who matter most to you.
DATE AND VENUE
Decide the time of year you would like to have your wedding. Fall is the busiest season for weddings. Venues often offer cheaper rates during off seasons and weekdays where they are in less demand. Consider having your wedding in the
Photo by Andrea Kitner
months of January, February or March when not as many people are booking venues.
Many venues also offer package discounts if you hold both your ceremony and reception there. Some venues even provide their own catering, tables, chairs, decorations and wedding planner which can make it less of a hassle for you!
DIY
If you are able, creating your own decorations for your wedding is always a money-saver. Once you pick a theme, start brainstorming ideas for decorations you can create yourself. Many people design their own bouquets and centerpieces. Florals are one of the biggest expenditures, so creating your own from faux flowers from a discount store, or even with real forage can get you more bang for your buck.
You can create signs from an old mirror or picture frame, which can either be thrifted or made with your own personal pieces. There’s a plethora of DIY decoration ideas you can find online. Don’t be afraid to get creative and let your artistic side shine!
Repurposing design elements in your wedding can save you hundreds. For example, you can incorporate the same chairs from your ceremony at your reception. You may have to pay a moving fee, but it is still cheaper than ordering double the amount of chairs. Even repurposing your bridesmaids’ flowers as centerpieces can be more financially sustainable.
CATERING
When it comes to catering, opt for a plated meal as opposed to a buffet. Although buffets are nice because they offer a selection and variety for your guests, there is a lot more volume involved from a caterer’s standpoint, such as presentation and ensuring that there is enough food from start to finish for guests who consume multiple servings. On that note, the caterer will need to account for
this additional consumption, which will increase food costs.
ASK THE PROS
Hire a wedding planner. While many think hiring a wedding planner is actually more expensive, a wedding coordinator is a very important resource to have for planning your big day. Not only can a wedding planner take a great deal of weight off of your shoulders, but they can help you stay on budget and can use their connections and contacts to get you better deals.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We understand. Weddings require a lot of planning, time and money. We want planning your wedding to be a fun and smooth-sailing experience, but we understand that money can be an obstacle. We hope this guide provided you with some tips on how to budget while still having the wedding of your dreams. Have fun with planning your special day. Make it uniquely yours and remember – sometimes less is more!
Weddings
LOVE STORY Retell your
by JDK
At The JDK Group, we adore love stories and want to know all about yours and how that translates into y our most special day!
We have a talented team of passionate event magic m akers who cannot wait to be able to make your wedding day better than you could imagine through our services of flavorful food, personable service, and jaw-droppin g design. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremo ny or an extravagant reception, we are committed to providing your day with the personalized attention it deserves to create an experience your guests won't be able to stop talking about.
The JDK Group - Here to Celebrate with you for Life
With experience in managing and producing weddings at our exclusive venues, and as a preferre d caterer at over 50 venues across Central Pennsylvan ia, our team is dedicated to helping you find the perfe ct setting to showcase your unique style and love stor y. Get in touch with us at info@thejdkgroup.com
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Photography by Jordan Fern
Photography by Courtney Dueppengiesser
ELIZABETH FURNACE Lititz, PA
THE BOND York, PA
Planner Offers Expert Tips to Make Your Wedding Day Memorable
By Andrea Kitner akitner@harrisburgmagazine.com
Melissa Flood has been a wedding planner for 10 years and has worked with multiple event companies to coordinate about 200 weddings in Central Pennsylvania. She, her husband, two sons and a rescue dog, live in Harrisburg. When she isn’t helping couples plan their perfect nuptials, she spends her time supporting local animal rescues. Flood recently spoke with Andrea Kitner, marketing specialist at Harrisburg Magazine, about arranging a seamless wedding day.
ANDREA KITNER: How long have you been a wedding planner?
MELISSA FLOOD: On my own, for my own company, I have been doing it for about five years. I started off as an events coordinator for the Auto Museum in Hershey about 10 years ago. I serve Central Pennsylvania, but the
majority of my weddings are in Lancaster because they have a huge saturation of beautiful wedding venues, and a lot of venues now require wedding coordinators. However, I am happy to go anywhere.
AK: When did your passion for weddings truly take off?
MF: I had been working in the event industry in a lot of capacities for years with venues and catering. Honestly, I was really drawn to weddings. I feel that people either really love the wedding or the corporate aspect, and I was really drawn to the wedding aspect. I have a very even-keeled personality and a little bit of humor, and people really respond to that. I think when you have passion for something, it is really reflected in the work that you do.
AK: As a wedding planner, what matters most to you? What do you want to try to achieve?
MF: At the end when it is over and a couple says, “We don’t know what we would have done if you were not here.” That, to me, is the biggest compliment. The main thing I want to do is educate. People usually are not sure where to start once they get engaged, or they are a little taken aback about how much money they have to spend to get something specifically. So, for me, I like to educate people and find out what the most important things are that they’re looking for and kind of see where we
can allocate their budget to make that happen.
AK: For a couple that just got engaged and is starting to plan their wedding, where should they begin? What is the first step?
MF: It’s probably everyone’s least favorite thing, but I tell the couple to speak with the people that are making financial contributions and establish their budget. I usually tell people that about 70 percent of their budget will be their big-ticket items, such as venue and catering. From that point, they then know what the range is for venues they can go look at. Venue is really everything, because you can’t select a DJ or hire a caterer until you select a venue and a wedding date. Once a venue is Melissa Flood
established, then the DJ, photographer and catering are the next three things you should focus on.
AK: What factors should couples consider when deciding on a venue?
MF: It’s interesting because it is really hard to compare venues like apples to apples because some are full service. Some offer a caterer and bartender on staff, and they have tables and chairs, and you rent the venue and pick from a menu – and some people really like that. Then there are others where you have to bring in your own catering services, and they provide you with tables and chairs – and that really appeals to some people. That’s where I come into play, and I can help you figure out which parts you like depending on your budget and what is a pro and a con for you. What I would like to know is if there is a Plan B if the weather is bad, and how many weddings are being held there that day. I always encourage checking their social media and seeing what other weddings look like there, and you have to see it in person no matter what.
AK: What advice can you give to couples planning a winter or spring wedding?
MF: Once you find a venue, the rest falls into place like dominos. I would ask to see photos of the venue in that season to make sure it still aligns with your vision, and I would ask them if they have advantages or discounts or any extra amenities for planning in an off season. I think people are way more generous than you think they are going to be, and it never hurts to ask.
AK: The wedding industry is always adapting and trends are always changing. How do you keep up with these changes?
MF: My clients are some of the most savvy people, and their biggest question to me is “What is something new? What
DJ Lighting
Photo Booth
Audio Visual
is something different?” I try to look and see what a client is asking for and what they would like to try, and that’s how I know what is new and happening.
AK: What mistakes do couples typically make when planning their wedding?
MF: Sometimes people will go out and spend 99 percent of their budget on a venue and not have any money left for the other things that they want. I think in this economy people are very aware of what they’re spending and what’s going on. I’ve seen people overextend themselves financially, and that’s why I tell everyone that they need to budget at least $1,000 the last 30 days before their wedding, because all these random expenses can pop up that weren’t accounted for, and that is where the stress starts to come in.
AK: What advice can you give to readers who are in the beginning stages of wedding planning who come to you with a budget?
MF: First, I would need to know what that budget looks like. I would start with guest count and then from there, I would have them consider the most important things they would like to have at their wedding. I have them come to the table with a top ten list because I like to make sure that the couple is on the same page. From there, we figure out what the important parts are and start to build and allocate their funds. Again, education is huge and I need to make sure the couple is realistic about their expectations, but guest count is really the best place we can make an impact in the budget if at all possible.
AK: What budgeting tips can you provide?
MF: Look at having a wedding on a weekday, because many vendors and venues are not busy those days, so you are kind of icing on their cake. If you are looking at a Saturday night in October,
you’re most likely paying full price, sometimes a premium price for everything. I even recommend asking the venue if they have a particular date that they want to sell or if they pick a date for you, if it is less expensive.
AK: What is the most important thing to consider when planning a wedding?
MF: I think it’s very important to not stray away from the things that would make it uniquely yours. I see people who want to do very specific ideas or have a very specific vibe, and people will talk them out of it or tell them that it is not what they should be doing. I always feel when you plan authentically to you and your fiancé, you really do like the end result so much better. You can go amiss from trends and old traditions. You don’t have to throw a bouquet; you don’t have to throw a bridal party or do the things that were cookie-cutter years ago. Keeping yourself authentic is important, so it ends up being your day and not somebody else’s.
Finance Hound
After the Beat/Amy Simpson
Cool Cats:
The Martini Bros Mark 30 Years of Live Music
Their unique blend of retro, rockabilly, punk and country rock influences, delivered through their exhilarating shows, leave audiences with a profound sense of connection and appreciation.
The Martini Bros stand out as one of the few remaining authentic rock ‘n’ roll bands in the area and never disappoint.
Deuce Gibb, the band’s founder, initially made his mark in the music scene while playing with a group called Easy Mickey based in York, alongside longtime drummer Chad Matson. As Easy Mickey was winding down, Gibb crossed paths with bass player Mike Mead. Mead happened to be rehearsing nearby with the band Sacred Nation in the basement of Flash and Trash, a hip record and clothing store. Bonding over their shared passion for music, they decided to explore a new musical direction that combined rockabilly and rock-punk styles.
Despite facing the unexpected tragedy of Matson’s passing in 1997, just as they were gaining momentum, the band refused to let their dream fade. In a tribute to their fallen friend, they welcomed drummer Rej Troup into the group. Troup, a seasoned musician who had previously played with The Inciters and Underground Cartoons, was also a close friend of the band. Gibb stressed the importance they placed in honoring Matson’s memory by continuing to pursue their shared love of music.
Filling the big room of the Villa Leo/ Courtyard in New Cumberland became a regular occurrence for The Martini Bros. Deviating from traditional rockabilly norms, they carved their own path
and forged a deep connection with both their audience and each other. The powerful stage performances are the stuff of legend.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Gibb, bass player Mike Mead and drummer Troup reformed the trio into its next incarnation, each contributing his unique talents to the band’s distinctive sound. Gibb explained that traditional rockabilly typically features acoustic guitar, slap bass, and electric guitar, with the rhythmic pulse from the bass often pro-
viding ample beat and rhythm without the need for drums.
The band, known for their rejection of mainstream rockabilly conventions, blazed a trail in redefining cool and entertaining music without unnecessary embellishments. Unfazed by concerns about appearances or outfits, they created their own brand of rock ‘n’ roll that embodied all their influences.
“If you’re genuine, the rest will fall in place,” Gibb said.
In the third chapter in the band’s story, founding member Mead took another path in exiting the trio. The group welcomed bass player Brian Cartwright in 2017. Cartwright, a longtime fan, friend and co-worker of Troup’s at Dale’s Drum Shop in Colonial Park, seemed like a perfect candidate. Cartwright, who played drums for fan favorite The Lebowskis, transitioned to bass and brought his own unique flair to the group.
As they celebrate 30 years, The Martini Bros have released five albums. This includes an album of cover songs with Anthony Esposito and their latest EP, titled “Four Banger” and released in May 2024, which was recorded at Michael Washkevich’s studio, MDW Productions.
Drawing from a diverse range of influences, the band members – and Gibb, in particular – have found inspiration in artists such as The Stray Cats, Aretha Franklin, Duran Duran, ’80s hip-hop and even rap.
To catch The Martini Bros live, see them at upcoming gigs at the Whitaker Center Block Party in Harrisburg on Sept. 13; at Phantom Power in Millersville, Lancaster County, where they will share the stage with The Supersuckers on Sept. 26; and on New Year’s Eve at
The Martini Bros are, from left, Brian Cartwright, Deuce Gibb and Rej Troup.
Photos by Sean Simmers
the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland. There is also talk about a 30-year celebration gig for the group in the near future.
For booking information contact: martinibros on Facebook or the_martini_bros on Instagram.
Amy Simpson is an 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 and has shared 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.
Food Truck
Heart And Soul
Resilient Owner Keeps Rolling in His Award-Winning Empanada Food Truck
By Eric Ebeling eebeling@harrisburgmagazine.com
During his 40-year career in the culinary industry, Chef Andre Young has endured more than his fair share of adversity.
Yet though it all – a fire, a recession, the pandemic, government intervention – Young remains unbowed in his commitment to provide his customers with fresh, high-quality food made with heart and, especially, soul.
The Harrisburg native operates the popular Soul Lotta Empanadas food truck, serving up homemade handheld pastries filled with top-shelf ingredients. His truck has become a staple at fairs, festivals, block parties and other gatherings in the midstate since opening more than a year ago.
Young’s empanadas, which are fried, come filled with beef, beef brisket, chicken, jerk chicken, pizza chili and even crab Rangoon and more. Breakfast and dessert empanadas are on the menu, as are fish tacos and an assortment of chicken wings. He said he plans
to offer loaded nachos in the coming months.
Young credits his mother, Barbara Young, with instilling in him a passion to create meals for others. She recently passed away at the age of 82.
“You know, cooking things up for people was just a love and joy I got out of it. I learned a lot from my mother, not just the recipes and things that she put together in the kitchen, but just the love and joy she got by serving others,” he said. “That’s what surrounded me and all my life, and that’s what really took my interest in cooking.”
Young worked at Red Lobster for seven years, becoming a trainer for servers and cooks throughout the U.S. When his son, Andre Young Jr., was born in 1997, he realized he needed to devise a new plan to generate more income.
“I went back to college and studied hotel, restaurant management. I needed to learn the numbers part of it.
I knew a lot of the cooking aspects, but I didn’t know the numbers game. I got my degree, came out of that and went to work for the Maverick Restaurant,” Young said.
The Maverick was a legendary fine dining establishment on Arsenal Boulevard in Susquehanna Township, renowned for grilled steaks and quality seafood. Lawmakers and other top officials frequented the restaurant for power lunches and networking dinners.
“They were one of the best fine dining restaurants, but as more quality restaurants opened up throughout Harrisburg and surrounding areas, their businesses declined,” Young said. “So, I kind of talked them into a nightclub. It was called Club Andre’s. (The owners) just told me, ‘Give it a shot.’ We sold out the first three weeks in a row.”
His success there would be shortlived. A massive fire in 2001 reduced The Maverick to a smoldering pile of rubble.
Young regrouped and took a couple of years to plan his new strategy: his first solo venture as a restaurateur. In 2004, he opened the eatery Off the Hook on 17th Street in Harrisburg, offering his signature soul food specialties. The restaurant prospered for several years –until the economy tanked in 2008.
“Yeah, that was horrible. Food costs
went through the roof. Just a nightmare. I was a single parent. I couldn’t stick it out. We had to close our doors, and I ended up getting a desk job for a couple years,” said Young.
But he refused to let his lifelong dream die.
“We went back in full force with Soul House Café on 19th and North streets. That was our first spot. Yeah, that was first spot there,” he said, adding that the restaurant opened in 2016. “When the pandemic hit, the numbers went through the roof because people were getting a lot of takeout, and that’s what we catered to. Our demographics really just expanded, and the volume went through the roof. We had to expand and go to a larger restaurant, which was on 17th and Paxton.”
But fate threw him another curveball. His establishment, as well as dozens of others, was targeted for demolition as part of the ongoing I-83 Capital Beltway expansion project, which calls for widening an eight-mile stretch of I-83 to six lanes and reconstruction of the Eisenhower Interchange and replacement of the I-83 John Harris Memorial Bridge.
“That construction was coming right
through the front door of the 17th and Paxton location,” said Young. “That was the big deciding factor for me to go with a food truck. You see many, many chefs taking their art and their love for cooking on the road, and that gives you the opportunity to take your cuisine to many different demographics.”
He said his six employees, including prep cook Isaiah Hall and his niece, Luiza Carrasquillo, help to make his food truck a success.
“And, last but not least, my wife, Patricia Young. I can’t forget about her. She’s the backbone of the operation.”
Soul Lotta Empanadas was voted a Readers’ Choice in Harrisburg Magazine’s contest this year in the best food truck category. The staff at the magazine got the chance to sample his wares during a recent lunchtime stop at our offices, and it was obvious why his food earns accolades.
But what is soul food, exactly?
“It goes all the way back to slavery days. That’s what it goes back to. Many slaves were forced to eat the scraps, what others did not want to eat. They put it in the pot, and they cooked it to put that love into it. In essence, soul food has been adopted in so many other cuisines. It’s putting your love and your heart and soul into what you what you’re doing,” said Young. “If I go to a restaurant, I can taste whether somebody really loves what they’re doing, or whether somebody’s just back there just trying to get a paycheck. Put your heart and soul into your food. Soul food, although it started back in slavery days, has been adopted in every cuisine – Mexican, Italian, you name it. That’s because there are people putting their love into it.”
Contact Young at SoulLottaEmpanadas@gmail.com or (717) 236-3500 to schedule the food truck for an event.
