Hershey Theatre Hands-on House Gardener of the Owl Valley Hauser Estate Winery WXPN Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center
Broadway in Chocolate Town
The Hershey Theatre is known regionally as the place to go for Broadway in the Susquehanna Valley. This summer, CATS comes to town July 30 through August 1. Based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven Tony Awards in 1983.
The theatre itself is simply magnificent, and is currently celebrating 75 years. Designed in 1915 by famed Lancaster architect C. Emlen Urban, the theatre was built by entrepreneur and philanthropist Milton S. Hershey between 1929 and 1933 as part of Mr. Hershey's Depression-era "Great Building Campaign." Guests can experience the significance and beauty of this building during "behind-the-scenes" tours, offered at 11am on Fridays (year-round) and 1pm on Sundays (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Admission $7 adults, $5.50 for youth. Details at 717-533-6299.
Hershey Theatre | 15 East Caracas Avenue, Hershey | 717-534-3405 | www.hersheytheatre.com
Hands-down Fun
A non-profit children’s museum, Hands-On House is dedicated to helping kids learn while having fun. Designed for kids ages 2 through 10, interactive exhibits and classes like “E-I-E-I Know” help children discover how Lancaster County’s farmers grow food or how “Marty’s Machine Shop” works; kids control a ball maze as workers on a maintenance assembly line in the world of how things work.
Summertime Station, a summer camp for 4- to 7-year-olds, offers one-week sessions through July and August—including an expedition to Dinosaur Central and a Neverland Adventure with Peter Pan. The museum is also available for private parties and themed birthday party packages.
Hands-on House | 721 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster | 717-569-5437 | www.handsonhouse.org
Get Native with Nature
“Just as the local food movement is growing, so is the local plant movement,” says Judy Bono, owner of Gardener of the Owl Valley. She and her husband moved to the area 20 years ago and have been gardening with native plants ever since. The property where they live called them to it. Part of the Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County and a Certified National Wildlife Habitat, the property is open to guests every weekend in April through December from 8:30am-4:30pm and by appointments on weekdays. In the spring, stroll through masses of May apples, trilliums and wood poppies followed by native lilies in the summer and, of course, brilliant foliage in the fall—all hugging the banks of a bubbling creek whose sounds are so soothing you may never want to leave.
But you can take a piece of the property home with you in the form of plants, potted vignettes, gardening tools, trinkets, jewelry and other gifts. “Everything is reasonably priced so people don’t have to spend a lot of money on something that makes them happy,” says Bono with a smile.
The annual Full Moon Walk, August 28, will feature various food stations and a tour of the property.
Gardener of the Owl Valley | Owl Valley Road, York | 717-586-1408 | www.thegardeneroftheowlvalley.com
Summer Wining
The Susquehanna Valley is speckled with scenic winery destinations. One of the newest, and particularly beautiful, is Hauser Estate Winery in Biglerville, just minutes outside of historic Gettysburg. In contemporary Arts and Crafts-style tasting room, guests can sample varieties like the delightful 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, Cabernet Rosé Franc and the popular Devil's Den Red, a fruity, semi-dry red named for the outcropping of massive boulders where Union soldiers fell under Confederate sniper attack during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. There’s also Jack’s Hard Cider, which many men seem to enjoy.
Pack a picnic lunch, purchase one there or just nibble on a selection of local cheeses available at the wine shop. Just be sure to get outside and take advantage of the view.
Don’t miss the great lineup in Hauser’s Summer Concert Series, including Cruise Control with special guest Flint Zeigler for the Party on the Hill, August 21. Check the website for many more evenings of live entertainment.
Hauser Estate Winery | 410 Cashtown Road | Biglerville, PA 17325-2103 | 717-334-4888 | www.hauserestate.com
Radio Active
The Susquehanna Valley became a better place when WXPN brought its funky sounds to our airwaves in 2007. A member-supported public radio station from the University of Pennsylvania, WXPN highlights local musicians like the bluegrass sounds of Hoots and Hellmouth and the melodic Denison Witmer (who happens to be the brother of our editor-in-chief), while playing national hits you won’t find on other stations.
Rediscover the 1980s pop & underground landscape with a great mix of cult classics and new wave anthems on exclusive programs like Land of the Lost, or tune into The Blues Show featuring artists like Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, and Shemekia Copeland.
XPN is the source for music for independent minds, from concerts to free events and music downloads. Tune in to 88.7 in Lancaster and York and 99.7 in Harrisburg to hear for yourself.
The XPoNential Music Festival, July 16-18 at Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront, will feature over 40 acts such as Edwarde Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, Nicole Atkins, Rosanne Cash and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
WXPN | 88.7 Lancaster & York; 99.7 Harrisburg | www.wxpn.org
Emerging Arts
A renovation of what is known as the Old Jewish Community Center on Harrisburg’s Third Street includes big plans for a 2,500-square-foot gallery space, an art deco theatre and a swimming pool club. “We also have a ton of the best local original acts every week, along with up-and-coming touring acts, as well as benefits and and 3rd in the 'burg art shows. By late fall we hope to have the auditorium opened as well as the restaurant and lounge,” says Thom Bissey of the Stage on Herr, part of Harrisburg Midtown Arts Centers’ arts offering. A full service bar and state-of-the-art listening room, Stage on Herr is located on the corner of Herr and Susquehanna Streets, and the venue is attracting acts like Cracker on July 2 and Darcie Miner Band on July 17. Then, July 19 it will host a party in support of Chathum County Line’s CD on Yep Rock as well as featuring John Jorgenson on July 22, Asylum Street Spankers on July 29, Jimmy Lafave on August 5 and Iain Matthews on August 13. Check the website for complete concert listings.
Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center | 1110 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg | 717-412-4342 | www.harrisburgarts.com
