CAMP HILL AND LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA

The Box arrives at the Cellar

One of the best things about your work years is meeting and coming to know the people you work with. Today, I had the pleasure of having lunch with four women with whom I worked at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in the last years of the Ridge Administration, 2000-2003. We were all members of the Executive Staff and worked directly for the Executive Director.

Gloria was the marketing manager; Edie was the legislative liasion; Marcia was director of the Pennsylvania Heritage Society; and Joan was its administrative officer. (I had known Joan and Marcia from a previous life, when I taught school and they were the parents of students I had in school, so I was pleased to get to know them better at PHMC.) I had come over from PennDOT to be the Commission's press secretary.

Gloria had come up from doing marketing for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania -- very successfully, I might add. When she arrived, one of the bureau directors at PHMC gave her, she told us today, a pencil that had been ground down to the eraser, and said, "This is what the PHMC will do with you." A couple of years later, she may have agreed. Gloria could work miracles with no money -- and did. Still she wisened up after a while and went into the regional tourism business. Today she is retired and takes care of a large extended family and more real estate than Donald Trump.

Gloria, Edie, Marcia, and Joan -- Executives in Exile

Edie had worked for non-profits and was a member of tons of boards in the region. She came to PHMC to be legislative liaison. Her job was not to lobby, but to provide for legislators the information they needed to make their oh-so-wise decisions. Edie's talents were also used to organize and implement a number of successful programs like Charter Day, Penn Ambassadors, Founder's Award, and others.

As the administration came to a close, we all got ready to move over for the far more deserving appointees who would take our places under a new party. Edie went to the Bureau for Historic Preservation, where she spent her twilight years giving away millions of grant dollars and making new friends.

Marcia and Joan got caught up in the throes of reorganizing the Society's structure under the new Commission, and eventually decided not to swim upstream anymore. Their years of hard work and innovation had made strong the organization they left behind. They're still the busiest women I know, with calendar books that are packed with civic, church, and social obligations. All these women are world-class grandmas, too!

Inside the Cellar

I myself spent three years as press secretary, and then was set aside for a new, undoubtedly better, person. Only she didn't show up for half a year, so I spent six months as press secretary and directed the historical marker program (during which time I also spent three weeks in the hospital or at home following surgery and churning out news releases). Later I threw myself into the marker program, but there was plenty of turmoil in that division of the PHMC, which was eventually eliminated. At that time I went on the be "webmaster," or more accurately content editor. I spent two years trying to get the technical people to do their part, but when it became too frustrating, I retired. Edie followed not too long after.

When Joan and Marcia had been moved at some point to the next building down the street, we began to call them "Executives in Exile." One by one we joined that group, and so we still call ourselves that today and enjoy getting together for lunch and sometimes for dinner with our spouses.

Snoozin' at the eye doctor's office

Today the five of us went to The Cellar, a BYOB restaurant just across the Susquehanna River from downtown Harrisburg. (Gloria's spouse Denny was there too. The poor workin' stiff had to get back to work while we lingered!) Nobody B'd their own B, so we had iced tea and soda, instead. Some of the woman had the BLAT, something with Avocado (no, thanks), and two of us had humongous chicken salad sandwiches, with macaroni salad and potato chips that had been made this morning in the kitchen. All very tasty.

After we took our leave, I drove to the eye doctor's office for my post-operative exam, having had my left cataract removed yesterday. Since I was a little early, I put on the "official cataract sunglasses" and took a little snooze. With those glasses, you know, the ones that wrap around your face and block light from coming in the sides, I felt that I should be sitting in a 1975 Pontiac heading to my summer place in Boca Raton.

Susanne enters her annual trance

The doctor was pleased with the results, told me to throw away my glasses, and to come back next week for a final exam.

I came home to find Susanne sitting on the back porch for the first time this year. All of the porch furniture is still wrapped up tight, but for her, it's like Opening Day, the First Day of Fishing Season, and the launching of an ocean liner. Don't bother calling her until late October.

LINGLESTOWN AND HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Down by the riverside

The Box didn't cover too many miles this weekend because our daughter Sarah and her children were here, and we used Sarah's van to get around as a group. We took the kids to the State Museum of Pennsylvania as their educational field trip.

On the way, we drove down the west side of the Susquehanna River to see the high water. At West Fairview, we parked and walked down to Front Street and found it already partially covered.

The big attraction at the museum was a mastodon discovered in 1968 in Monroe County and just recently reassembled in the snazzy new exhibit. We also visited the general exhibits, and the kids were truly interested in everything we saw. If you have not been to the museum with your kids yet, give it a try. It is open free of charge on the third Saturday each month.

In search of post cards

The next day the kids went to see their great-grandmother and take her to lunch. At about the same time, I met Jesse, a friend from PHMC days, at a post card show held at the Linglestown American Legion. A local organizer gets together dealers from all over, and there are thousands and thousands of cards and other ephemera (look at up) to choose from.

Dealers galore

Being cheap, I headed to the 25-cent table and found some unusual night images of downtown Harrisburg, dating from the early 1900s. I also got some beautiful linen cards featuring the Pennsylvania Turnpike for Susanne.

Jesse was looking for cards of Progress, the area where he is a relatively new resident, but alas, found only one card with the word Progress on it, but it was a view that was not recognizable. It might have been Walnut Street, the main drag through that area. Anyway, it was $35.00. So no sale!

My purchases

On Sunday morning the Box took me to church, and after that to lunch with my sister Rachel. Seeing the high water in the river on the way back to I-81, I just stayed on Front Street and went the whole way down to Shipoke, a city neighborhood, to see the river close up. I had to dodge the geese hanging around there, then took some photos and video around the old railroad bridge that crosses the river there.

Fortunately, the flood predicted in the Shipoke area did not materialize, and friends from church who live there escaped yet another watery disruption.

 The mastodon exhibit.

Cole with William Penn's Bible and the Great Law of 1683.

Chloe liked the stage coach and log road.

Everyone checks out the big Pennsylvania map outside.

After the post card show, I headed to Home Depot.

On the way, the Box saw himself in the chrome on the car ahead.

At church, our musician Eric played the harpsicord.

Flowers brighten the Atrium of the church.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the Box and I duly went downtown to attend a service at Messiah Lutheran Church. There was a service at Market Square Church, too, where I am a member, but friends had told me about the service they would be attending, so I invited myself along.

It was cold and rainy when I pulled up opposite the church and parked in front of the state's Keystone Building. Crossing the four-lane street was, shall we say, exciting. I found my way inside and met up with friend Guy from St. Michael Church, where Susanne and I used to belong. He led me to a pew where his partner Lindsay was already seated, with Guy's sister Kim and her daughter Annie.

Shortly, the service started, clergy-heavy as usual. The choir sang, the ashes (made from last Palm Sunday's burned palms) were marked on our foreheads, the sermon was preached, and then the Eucharist was celebrated.

Afterwards, it was fun to see some of the old Lutherans I have known over the years -- some from Messiah, former members of my choir at Christ Lutheran Church in the city, and others from St. Michael.

It was raining again when I left, but the drive home was uneventful.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

The Box waits patiently outside Kiddie Crusoe.

Yesterday was not our grandson Ian's birthday, but his parents had a party for him anyway. You know, like the British royal family. Who wants to celebrate the Queen's birthday in cold and dreary weather when you can do it in sunny June? Could we do less for the Little Prince? Why not hold the party when it's convenient for family and friends if the actual date is in the middle of the week?

So off to Baltimore we headed yesterday around noon. We had not taken time for lunch, so we ate on the go, stopping for a moment at Chez Ronald McDonald at Cedar Cliff and ordered up some sammiches, fries, and drinks. Taking off again, we enjoyed a leisurely meal as the scenery flew by. Over the years I have learned to inhale fries right from their little red "pockets," much as anteaters suck up those delicious bugs they like. A sip of diet caffeine- free Coke, then on to the condiment-free dripless burger, using the wrapping as a hand-bib. Once finished, it's back to the Coke.

The trip down I-83 was uneventful, except for the cars that must have made a wrong turn out of a NASCAR rally and on to the interstate. Several roared up behind the Box, which got out of the way, and zoomed by, passing the next car (on the right or left, it didn't matter) and continuing on to their imaginary finish lines.

Sarah really surprised me!

We were soon outside Matt and Marylee's development and called ahead to find out the status of the Birthday Boy. He had been out earlier but was now in for his nap, so we were warned to be as quiet as possible on arrival. Susanne went it first, and I made my way slowly up Mount Olympus, also known as Matt's front steps, carrying a bag or two, and mumbling that someone could at least open the screen door for me.

I managed to get it open and stepped inside. Who was standing there? Our daughter Sarah, all the way from fabulous New Brighton, Pa. It seems I was the only one not in on her visit. What a nice surprise! Her children were with their father, so she was free to wing her way to the festivities.

We had lots of fun catching up and helping to make little "goodie bags" for the little party guests. Susanne and I told the kids we were planning to buy a new car soon, and amid grumblings of "squandering our inheritance," Matt and Sarah helped us locate some cars online and gave advice on getting a good deal.

Soon Ian was awake and busy playing the boy next door, who had come over to ride with us to the party site. Ian opened our presents, showing his skill with the pair of scissors in the box, using an old paper bag for practice. I don't know if he had used scissors before, but he was a natural, and I see many projects with scissors and glue in his future.

Ian practices his scissoring skills.

We all packed into our cars and headed back up toward I-83 and home, stopping somewhere (I really have no idea where) at the famous Kiddie Crusoe, devoted to providing fun for kids. It has a vaguely tropical theme, as in Robinson Crusoe. Of course, the kids all dove into the things you climb, bounce on, slide down, and so forth, waiting for the other kids and their parents to arrive.

Once everyone was there and plenty of fun was being had, the snacks and pizza arrived, and everyone enjoyed a relatively quiet moment as the kids chowed down. As Ian watched the candle on his delightful monkey-inspired cupcake, he was a little angel, enjoying the group singing "Happy Birthday." He blew out the candle and soon disappeared back into the games, too busy to even take a bite of the wondrous little cupcake.

As the kids played, we adults had a chance to talk. It was nice to see Marylee's parents, Tom and Pat. Tom was looking good and moving about easily. (He had been hurt in an auto accident.) Marylee's sister Marcia was there, looking newly svelte with a jazzy new haircut. Her partner Lauren was the official photog and had wracked up more than 300 pictures by the time we left. I think Marcia and Lauren were both in on creating the cupcakes.

Mike, second from left. Matt, third from left. Brian in red shirt.

We also liked talking to the "boys" that Matt has been friends with since middle school and who also live in the area. Mike gave us advice on getting heavy discounts on cars. Brian assured me that he and his wife Colleen are still avid readers of "Where in the World is the Box?" Obviously, they are intelligent and have good taste.

Eventually, it was time to go home, so we got simple directions and headed north to Harrisburg. The only interruption was a stop at Maple Donuts at the Valley Green exit, north of York. They have a nice clean restroom, you see. Can I help it if a sour cream glazed donut fell into a bag and jumped into my hand as I passed the counter?

Here are some additional photos of the birthday party:

Marylee getting ready for the party.

Ian comes down too fast to be filmed.

Monkey cupcakes are made with vanilla wafers.

Marcia and Pat, mother and daughter.

Sarah and Matt, sister and brother.

It's Kiddie Crusoe! Come in and play.

The jungle gym was fun.

Ian waits patiently for the birthday song.

Sarah and Matt bid farewell as we depart.

WEST FAIRVIEW, PENNSYLVANIA

Guess who!

The other day I was driving the Box north on Rts. 11&15 from the Harvey Taylor Bridge at Harrisburg. Sometimes I like to cross the Susquehanna and go up the western side ("the other side") of the river instead of driving through the city to I-81 where it crosses Front Street.

Much of the river's edge on the Harrisburg side is invisible, due to the high bank. On the western side, it's much more natural -- no high banks and no concrete steps. You can see a lot more wild life and get a closer look at the water level and at the islands that dot the river.

I like to stop at a boat ramp in West Fairview. You turn slightly to the right at the antiques store on Second Street, which is the first building in town. You go to the first corner and turn right onto First Avenue, crossing Lutheran Street and going down a hill to Front Street. Turn right again and you come to the boat landing right where the Conodoguinet Creek empties into the river.

A moment for reflection.

There you can walk to the water's edge and survey the river with the city skyline on the horizon. On this day, the sun was in such a position that it was reflecting off the windows of some taller buildings, looking like it was coming from inside the buildings.

But the real action was taking place right in front of me. A flock of seagulls was sitting on the ice still remaining on the river. Some were flying from block to block. Others were nestled right up against the shore. As I was standing nearby and about to take a picture, an older man in a van, totally oblivious to my presence, pulled up right in front of me and parked. He circled around to the back of his van, opened the rear doors, and re-appeared with a large cardboard box.

The first round of bread starts flying though the air.

Then he began to yell towards the birds, "Come on, come on! Come on!," which is seagullese for "Come on, come on!" The birds just sort of looked at him and stayed put. He neared the river's edge, the water lapping at his feet, and began to throw rolls and bread into the water.


That got the birds's attention alright, and they began to fly around the target food, but only a few approached to eat. When the man had thrown out all he had, he retreated to his van and drove off. Now the birds were free to approach, and amid lots of squawking, flying, and dive-bombing, the birds feasted on the tasty treats.

The half dozen adults and two couples with babies enjoyed this little spectacle on a warm winter day.

LINGLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

Pat and David greet the Box on its resting pad.

Sometimes the Box doesn't even have to leave the driveway to have a good time. Today our little silver friend just sat there waiting. Finally a big ol' Dodge vehicle pulled into the driveway, delivering our old/new friends Pat and David Raffel of Kansas City, Missouri.

We ran into each other on Facebook a couple of years ago and keep in touch regularly through our posts.

David lived in Susquehanna Twp. as a kid, and he was in one of my French classes at the high school in the early 70s. He was a nice kid then -- one who had an opinion on everything -- and he's a nice man now. And a smart one -- he picked his wife Pat (or maybe she picked him), from southeastern Pennsylvania.

That is why they come to Pennsylvania -- to see friends and relatives here and to enjoy those old Pennsylvania treats they cannot get out west. Things like hoagies, Tastykakes, Utz potato chips, and a favorite restaurant in Hershey. I was a little taken aback that the whoopie pie was not on their list. Ok, so they are nice -- and really smart -- but they have yet to discover the joys of the whoopie pie.

Well, David invited us out for breakfast, which we had done on a previous visit, but we invited them here instead. I knew Susanne could whip up a great breakfast. What I didn't know was that she would not be returning from babysitting at Sarah's house until tomorrow!

French breakfast muffins

But, undaunted, I sprang into action. Online, I found a recipe for a cheese/mushroom/tomato quiche using a professionally prepared (read "frozen") crust. I read up on peeling a tomato, and soon found myself boiling a bowl of water in the microwave. When the bubbles started, I plunged a nice plump tomato into the hellish cauldron. After 40 seconds, I removed it and immediately sank it deep into a bowl of ice cold water to stop the cooking. I cut the ends off, carved an X on the side, and then slipped off the skin and cut up the tomato in some sort of chopper gizmo we have.

The gizmo performed on the mushrooms, too, but the results for the cheese were mixed.

I also found the recipe for French breakfast muffins, which have a light nutmeg flavor. Susanne used to make these on Christmas morning many moons ago. The most fun is plucking them from the pan, dipping the tops into melted butter, and rolling them in cinnamon sugar.

I also dug deep into the freezer and came up with tater tots! Oh, don't snicker. Do you think it's easy to tell how many tots is four servings? And then, having to line them up 1/2 inch apart! Good grief!

I think all things you bake ought to be formulated for one temperature -- say, 350 degrees. Then you can put everything in the oven x minutes before you need it and everything's done at once! We have two ovens, and they still did not take care of the 350 and 450 degree settings with different time requirements.

Nonetheless, everything came out pretty well and almost at the same time. Add orange juice and coffee, oh, and some tasty red grapes, and we had a breakfast!

Pat, David V. and David R.

Since Susanne was not here to join in the conversation, I invited our long-time friend David Volkman to join us. The three of us were all teachers at Susquehanna Twp. when we were young. I knew that the two Davids would know many of the same people and would enjoy meeting each other. Because Pat and David V. are both from the Philly area, they had much in common, too. And it looks like we all have much the same political views. It was a regular conversational lovefest!

Too soon, it was time for David and Pat to get underway. They were headed to Summerdale, across the wide Susquehanna, to meet a cousin from York at the famous Summerdale Diner. Mr. V. was off to visit his mom. And I headed into the kitchen to clean up. After all, Susanne is coming home tomorrow, and I'd like to live a bit longer.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.