The texts and emails began almost immediately.
“You captured so well what I love about this city.”
“Thank you for your continued support of Harrisburg small business.”
“Thanks for the great article and all you do for the community.”
I often hear nice things from our readers, but the response to my June column, which described the fun community vibe at the Zeroday Outpost inside the Broad Street Market, was, in a word, overwhelming. Several people even asked for digital copies of the piece and wanted prints of the accompanying illustration.
I’m not exactly sure what to say except—we’re happy to do it! For 17 years, our mission has been to inform the community and, whenever possible, entertain and support it, too. That column was an example of those aspirations coming together.
In general, we believe that Harrisburg gets a bad rap. Sure, the city has issues, as do all cities, and we write about those all the time. But that’s such a small part of the story. A truer view includes a more comprehensive perspective: the hidden gems, the dedicated activists, the quirky denizens, the resolute businesses, the talented artists, etc.—all of which we featured in the June issue and, to be honest, highlight every month.
When we started TheBurg, we often used the phrase “integrative” to describe our approach to local journalism. By that, we meant showing the complexity of life here. Sure, that may include the standard government or crime story, but it also includes the shop owner, the athlete, the musician, the eccentric—and the folks gathered at the local bar, enjoying a beer and a conversation.
So then what’s in store for this issue? As we do each July, we give extra space to our four-legged companions. If the many dog-walkers outside my office window are any indication, pets increasingly are becoming a huge part of our lives. So, we hope you’ll appreciate our expanded coverage this month.
Lawrance Binda
Publisher/Editor
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