If you’re in a particularly mean mood, join me, I’ve got an oddly escalating griping session in progress.

I am going to make my feelings clear on a hot topic in Harrisburg right now with the following statement: To anyone who has ever said, or currently subscribes to the philosophy “There’s nothing to do in Harrisburg; this town in a cultural void.” My response is: Shut up! Grow up! Get up, and say that directly to my face! Next time you say there’s nothing to do in Harrisburg, think of this statement: “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Does that register with you?

It just makes me ill to hear anyone complain about having nothing to do. Life is what you make it. If you seriously believe that you can find absolutely nothing stimulating to do in this town whatsoever, you shouldn’t be looking outside, you should be looking inside. I’ve lived in much more exciting towns than Harrisburg, and I’ve lived in much more dull places as well. Never in any of my so-called home towns did I ever suffer from a lack of things to do. If you get up really early one morning and drive a little way up 11 & 15 towards Enola there’s a turn off, to the right that leads down to a small park near the water. Like clockwork a group of mature gentlemen get together almost every morning to watch the sun rise, fish a little, feed the ducks, and occasionally play cards. I bet they don’t complain about the lack of things to do in Harrisburg.

My point is that a positive frame of mind is everything when it comes to motivation and self actualization. Sure you’ll think there’s nothing to do if all you do now is sit around and stare at a blank wall. Take a chance. Here’s a suggestion. Instead of waiting until Thanksgiving or Christmas, (because you’re feeling incredibly guilty), why not go down to the Bethesda Mission and volunteer to help now! They’ve got more servers than they know what to do with on Thanksgiving day, but the other 364 days, they’re usually a little short. There. Now I’ve given you something to do any day of the week, that’s not mundane, not predictable, and remarkably rewarding.

I have a list of 7,942 additional things you can do in Harrisburg on any given day, several hundred of which begin on page 10 of this issue. A few thousand more can be found in other Harrisburg publications like Citybeat and the City Calendar.

So do me a favor and stop whining, because you know what, I’m fed up with it, and if you whine to me I’ll drag you out into the middle of Third Street and paint you blue. Then you’ll have something to do for an entire day!

End of sermon.

Say! How about those Harrisburg Young Professionals. Looks like just when I’m getting down off my soap box, a group of smart young whippersnappers gets together and spearheads a campaign I’m all for promoting. You should read our articles about pride, growth, and success in Harrisburg. Like so many people who want to see Harrisburg grow would agree, if you think the only way to get ahead is to move away, you’ve got a long journey in store.

I know what it’s like to need to move on, but you know home is where you place your heart, and prosperity, security, and satisfaction all stem from the actions you make every day, no matter where you live or work. But Scot, there isn’t even a movie theater in downtown Harrisburg, or a McDonalds. Whine, Whine. Whine.

If I can plop down in the middle of Harrisburg and start a newspaper that has been more successful than anything else I’ve ever done, maybe you can start a movie theater.

Life is what you make it. Work hard and you’ll receive great rewards. As my e-mail signature line states, and as MODE is a true testimony, anything you can conceive, and believe, you can achieve. So, get up and do something, will ya.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did publishing it. Thanks.

      Scot Giambalvo, Publisher