January Community Corner
Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Welcome the New Year by taking a plunge into the Susquehanna River with hundreds of other supporters of the Humane Society of Harrisburg to help homeless animals in central PA. The 25th annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. www.humanesocietyhbg.org
Kids Cocoa Club
Jan. 1-15: Curl up with a good book with New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (winter reading challenges). Update a reading log to earn a completion badge and prize. Grab your hot chocolate reward at the library before Jan. 31. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Photo Display
Jan. 1-30: View more than 100 photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, during business hours. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners will be announced on Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.wildwoodlake.org
Winter Discovery
Jan. 2-30: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where special exhibits will highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter. The nature center is closed on Mondays. www.wildwoodlake.org
Classics Fest
Jan. 3-8: Gamut Theatre presents Classics Fest, a week-long festival of plays and performances celebrating diversity and classic works, coinciding with the international Shakespeare Theatre Association Conference in Harrisburg. Take in performances at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., and Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. www.gamuttheatre.org
Girls who Code
Jan. 4, 11, 26: Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for girls in grades 6 to 12 who will use computer science to impact their community and join a group of supportive peers and role models. Girls will build skills in teamwork, confidence, time management, communication and more. www.hersheylibrary.org
Pedals, Pipes & Pizza
Jan. 8: This free 3-hour event introduces young musicians in grades 3 through 8 to the workings of the pipe organ, followed by a chance to play on several instruments at Lebanon Valley College, Annville. Check-in at 9:15 a.m. at Miller Chapel, 32 W. Sheridan Ave. www.harrisburgago.org/education
Birds & Coffee
Jan. 8: Stop by the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, 10 to 11 a.m. Join a naturalist and Appalachian Audubon to observe and count common feeder birds as part of Project FeederWatch. Appalachian Audubon members will also sell bird-friendly coffee. www.wildwoodlake.org
HBG Flea
Jan. 8: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for growth in the community by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together in one place. www.hbgflea.com
Winter Edibles
Jan. 13: Join a Wildwood Park naturalist for a hike at Detweiler Park, 1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin, 2 to 3:30 p.m., with a focus on trees and edible winter foods. Become familiar with a variety of common species and a few recipes you can try at home. Dress for the weather. Cost is $5 and space is limited. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Peaceful Poses
Jan. 14: Kids ages 3 and older are invited to go on a yoga adventure with Ann Fields, founder of Peaceful Poses Kids Yoga, at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Encourage your children to bring a story to life with yoga poses, deep breathing and exercise. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Nature Lab
Jan. 14: Explore wildlife photography and filmmaking in a virtual nature lab with the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Tracy Graziano, an award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will discuss her experiences documenting animals in their habitats. www.statemuseumpa.org
Film Fridays
Jan. 14, 28: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for Film Fridays. On Jan. 14, view “Dear White People,” a social satire about Black students at an Ivy League college. On Jan. 28, view “Delicatessen,” about a butcher in post-apocalyptic France with an apartment building in constant need of a handyman. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Martin’s Mission
Jan. 17: Carlisle YWCA, 301 G St., will host a full-day adventure for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sessions include “Unleashed Potential,” Dickinson College’s Trout Gallery and Hope Station. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. www.ywcacarlisle.org
Annual Dinner
Jan. 17: Join the Capital Region Council of Governments at Best Western Premier, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, for its annual dinner, reorganization meeting and presentation of the Perry Albert Award. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. www.capitalregioncog.org
2022 Farm Show
Jan. 8-15: Attend the PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural show in the nation, at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Milk a cow, enjoy a famous Farm Show milkshake, learn first-hand the science and skills used in agriculture, and discover some new events and features. www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Networking Mixer
Jan. 12: Mingle with local business professionals at West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s January networking mixer, 4 to 6 p.m., at Healthy You Café, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org
SnowFest
Jan. 15: Celebrate winter at SnowFest, Greenwood Furnace State Park, 15795 Greenwood Rd., Huntingdon, 12 to 4 p.m. Take part in broomball, ice skating, free snowshoe trials, bonfire on the beach, winter camping, ice harvesting, animal tracking, fire starting and the Polar Plunge. www.juniatarivervalley.org
MLK Service Day
Jan. 17: The 13th Annual Central PA MLK Day of Service opening ceremony will be held at Hamilton Health Center at 110 S. 17th St. in Harrisburg. This year’s theme is “The Beloved Community—Ensuring Affordable Housing and Accessible Health Care For All.” Service projects take place throughout the Harrisburg area. www.centralpamlkday.org
Poetry & Storytelling
Jan. 17: Enjoy the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg’s annual MLK International Poetry and Storytelling Festival, 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Zoom, to experience the next generation of poets who celebrate and expand on Dr. King’s dream. Poets, writers and high school writers can submit poems and short stories through Jan. 13. www.wacharrisburg.org
Business After Hours
Jan. 20: Mingle with business professionals at Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC’s free networking event, hosted by Appalachian Brewing Co., 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, 4 to 6 p.m. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org.
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 21: Check out the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can explore and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Book Sale
Jan. 22: 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 the shared parking lot from the library. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Pedals, Pipes & Pizza
Jan. 22: This free, 3-hour event introduces young musicians in grades 3 through 8 to the workings of the pipe organ, followed by a chance to play on several instruments at Messiah University, Grantham. Check-in is at 9:45 a.m. at the High Center, 580 University Ave. www.harrisburgago.org/education
Preservation Priorities
Jan. 24: Historic Harrisburg Association will host a virtual first look at its annually updated listing of properties and sites deemed to have importance to the community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees can view the drafted listing and provide input and feedback, prior to its final adoption in February. www.historicharrisburg.org
Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 26: Join the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce for the 2022 Legislators’ Forum, featuring area members of the state House of Representatives, at the Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N. 2nd St., 8 to 10 a.m. Cost to attend is $70, or $45 for members. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org
Discover Owls
Jan. 29: Families are invited to Kids Discover—Owls at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 to 6 and 1:30 to 3 p.m. for ages 7 to 10. Learn how to identify different species of owls by listening to their unique calls. Become a lab scientist and dissect an owl pellet to discover what they eat. www.wildwoodlake.org
Burns Night
Jan. 29: The Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania will host the 67th Annual Burns Night Supper, a celebration of the life, poetry and music of the Scottish bard. Enjoy dinner, Burns poetry, bagpipe music, haggis procession, live entertainment and an opportunity to wear a kilt. A social hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by dinner. www.pennscots.org
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