April Community Corner
Blood Pressure Screenings
April 1: Stop by the food court pavilion at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., for free blood pressure screenings offered by UPMC Pinnacle. www.shopharrisburgmall.com
Decisions 2019
April 1, 15: World Affairs Council of Harrisburg will host “Great Decisions,” a program organized by the Foreign Policy Association. Sessions are held every other Monday at 1 p.m. at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, through May 13. Cost is $10 per session. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Safe Kids Ceremony
April 3: Join Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance at the Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, for the PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards Ceremony to honor Pennsylvania residents who work to protect children. Youth musical performances begin at 10:30 a.m. www.pablueribbonchampion.org
HBG Flea
April 6: Explore the HBG Flea, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. www.hbgflea.com
LGBT+ Job Fair
April 6: If you’re a person of queer or trans identity, drop in at Alder Health Services, 100 N. Cameron St., Suite 201-East, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to learn about job opportunities with affirming organizations in central PA. www.centralpalgbtcenter.org
Civil War Presentation
April 6: National Civil War Museum offers the next presentation in its “Lessons in History” speaker series, “Embattled Freedom: Journeys through the U.S. Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps,” with Dr. Amy Murrell Taylor, 1 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
Book Sales
April 6, 20: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across from the library. Shop for books, vintage jewelry, men’s items, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Author Festival
April 7: Kick off National Library Week Celebration at the 3rd Annual Local Author Festival, 12 to 3 p.m., at the East Shore Area Library. Authors will discuss their books and offer them for sale. Attendees can enter to win a raffle basket filled with books. www.dcls.org
Art in the Wild
April 7: Meet the artists as they put the finishing touches on their installations for “Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor art exhibit. Take a self-guided, 3.1-mile trail walk to meet the artists, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org
Clean Water Walk
April 7: Join students, parents and community members for the fourth annual “Walk for Clean Water,” starting at 1 p.m. at Hershey High School, 550 Homestead Rd., Hershey. There also will be games, food, a raffle and a fair. Proceeds help fund water projects around the world. www.walk4cleanwater.org/hershey
Quilt Show
April 7: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library present a “Vintage Quilt Trunk Show” in Foundation Hall, 3 to 4 p.m. The program shows antique and vintage quilts from the mid-1800s through the 1930s. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Quit Smoking
April 10: Join PinnacleHealth’s free Tobacco Cessation Support Group, facilitated by a certified tobacco treatment specialist, at Giant Food Store, 3301 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 6 p.m. www.pinnaclehealth.org
Taste of the Chamber
April 11: West Shore Chamber of Commerce holds its annual celebration featuring food from the chamber’s culinary members at Bobby Rahal Toyota, 6711 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, 4 to 7 p.m. Local nonprofits will receive a portion of the proceeds. www.wschamber.org
Seed Starting
April 11: Betsy Rushong, Master Gardener in Cumberland County, will share tips on starting plants from seeds at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 6:30 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Wild Art Lecture
April 11: Join a free lecture with artist Ted Prescott at the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Prescott will describe his process for using natural materials in his work displayed at “Art in the Wild.” www.wildwoodlake.org
Guitar Show
April 12-14: Artisan Guitar Show will be held Best Western Premier The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with exhibitors and enjoy a concert series. Workshops included in general admission. www.artisanguitarshow.com
Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for the annual Forster Street Cleanup, beginning at 9 a.m., Forster and 2nd streets. Volunteers will pick up litter, pull weeds and plant native seeds and young shrubs. Tools, gloves, safety gear, food and drink will be provided. www.hyp.org
Beautify Harrisburg
April 13: Help beautify your city at the 7th Annual Great Harrisburg Cleanup at various locations, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The citywide effort works to remove litter from city streets, alleyways and public spaces. Individuals, neighbors and groups are encouraged to register prior to the event for cleanup supplies and T-shirts. www.cactricounty.org
Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Friends of Midtown for its Great Harrisburg Cleanup event at Harris and Logan streets, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Assist with picking up trash and large dumped items. Friends of Midtown also needs volunteers to lend pickup trucks. Email beautification@friendsofmidtown.org.
Earth Day Cleanup
April 13: In honor of Earth Day, Wildwood Park invites volunteers to “Clean Up Your Earth Day,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will pick up litter and pull invasive plants. Snacks, tools and work gloves provided. www.wildwoodlake.org
Trivia After Hours
April 13: Join Fredricken Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, at trivia night—“Parks and Rec Challenge”—7 to 9 p.m. Popcorn, corkscrews, bottle openers and prizes provided. Ages 21 and up, BYOB. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Spring Fundraiser
April 13: Palmyra Public Library hosts its sixth annual benefit and silent auction fundraiser, “Springtime in the Vineyard,” at Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown, 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature a buffet dinner, wine and beer selections, a large silent auction and music. www.palmyra.lclibs.org
Library Auction
April 13-28: Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, 16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg, hosts its 2019 Online Auction, with a preview period of April 13 to 19, and bidding April 20 to 28. www.simpsonlibraryauction.org
New Member Social
April 16: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for its New Member Social, 6 p.m., at Café 1500, 1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. This event is for new and prospective members. RSVP required. www.hyp.org
Latino Health Summit
April 17-18: The 2nd annual Latino Health Summit will be held at York ExpoCenter Memorial Hall, 334 Carlisle Ave., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the free Adelante Health and Wellness Expo, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for health screenings, dental assessments, fitness activities, healthy samples and more. www.palatinohealthsummit.org
Spring Happy Hour
April 18: YWCA Junior Board will hold its Spring Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., at Level 2 in downtown Harrisburg. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Camp Reily Program. www.ywcahbg.org/events
Book Sale
April 18-21: Shop the Friends of Kline Library Spring Book Sale for gently used books, videos, CDs and other items, at Paxtang Municipal Building, 3423 Derry St., Harrisburg. www.dcls.org
3rd in The Burg
April 19: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Pollinator Workshop
April 24: Manada Conservancy will host “Backyard Pollinator Habitat,” a free educational program with Ryan Davis of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Grace United Methodist Church, 433 E Main St, Hummelstown, 7 p.m. www.manada.org
Baseball Mixer
April 25: Join the West Shore Chamber and local business professionals at an afternoon Baseball Club Mixer, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at FNB Field, Harrisburg. www.wschamber.org
Annual Coffeehouse
April 25: Enjoy an evening of music, fellowship, food and drink, a silent auction and advocacy, 6:30 to 10 p.m., at the 11th Annual PUREHope Coffeehouse at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 240 Broad St., Highspire. Email purehopecoffeehouse@gmail.com.
State of Arms
April 25: Mark Fitzgerald, former U.S. senior diplomat, will address the current state of arms control before the Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg at the West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. His talk begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A dinner precedes the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org
Spring Book Sale
April 25-28: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host its Spring Book and Media Sale, April 25, 2 to 8:30 p.m. (members preview), April 26, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 27, 1 to 5 p.m., and April 28, 1 to 4 p.m. (bag sale day). www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Fundraising Event
April 26: Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania hosts the 21st Annual Visions of Monte Carlo fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd., for a dinner, auctions, music, casino-style games and more, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. www.vrocp.org
Beer Week
April 26-May 5: Harrisburg Beer Week returns for a 10-day salute to local craft beer. The celebration includes beer festivals, tastings, pours and other events at dozens of venues throughout central PA. www.harrisburgbeerweek.com
Indoor Sale
April 26-27: Caitlin’s Smiles will hold its annual Indoor Yard Sale and Food Counter at Zion Lutheran Church, Dauphin, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. An assortment of donated items will be for sale to support the organization’s mission. A breakfast, lunch counter and bake sale will offer a variety of food items. www.caitlins-smiles.org
Race Against Racism
April 27: Walk or run a 5K race along Harrisburg’s 6th and 7th street corridors to promote awareness of racism and injustice in our community and to support YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice programs, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. www.ywcahbg.org
Wetlands Festival
April 27: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, displays and talk to representatives from environmental groups. www.wildwoodlake.org
Garden Tea Benefit
April 27: AKA Foundation of Central PA presents “Hats, Heels and Handkerchiefs,” a garden tea, fashion show and silent auction at Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event benefits programs and scholarships of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Epsilon Sigma Omega, Harrisburg. akafoundationofcentralpa.com
Odd Ones
Apr 27: Odd Ones Spring Bizarre will be held at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this spring alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com
Community Fair
April 27: Vista Autism Services, 1021 Springboard Dr., Hershey, will host a community fair during Autism Acceptance Month, 1 to 5 p.m. Families and children can enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting, arts, crafts and food available for purchase. www.autismservices.org
Shakespeare’s Birthday
April 28: Celebrate the life of William Shakespeare and support Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, 4 to 7 p.m., at the annual Spring Fling. Tickets are $100 or $150 per couple. Enjoy an open bar, silent and live auctions, entertainment and food. www.gamuttheatre.org
Kids’ Book Week
April 29-May 5: Kids and families are invited for fun activities to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Children’s Book Week. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
