January Community Corner
Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Welcome the New Year by getting your feet wet in the Susquehanna River with hundreds of other supporters of the Humane Society of Harrisburg. The 21th annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. For more information, visit humanesocietyhbg.org.
Photo Display
Jan. 1-27: Visit Wildwood Park’s Olewine Nature Center during regular business hours to view photographs entered in the Friends of Wildwood annual photography contest. Visit wildwoodlake.org for details.
Winter Fun
Jan. 1-28: Whitaker Wonderland offers indoor winter fun for the whole family at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Take laps around the sock skate rink, dive in the snowball pit, and take the cranky cars for a spin. Festive activities are included with Science Center admission. Visit whitakercenter.org.
Comfort Food
Jan. 3-24: Cornerstone Coffeehouse, 2133 Market St., Camp Hill, will warm you up with a selection of comforting cooking classes on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The January schedule includes: Heathy and Delicious, Jan. 3; Comforting Soups, Jan. 10; and Mid-Winter Comforts, Jan. 24. For more details, visit thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com.
Benefit Concert
Jan. 5: Enjoy a 7 p.m. trombone tribute concert to Diana Heilner (Ziegler), who was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband early last year. Proceeds from a free-will offering will benefit Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Find “Twelfth Night of Christmas” on Facebook.
HBG Flea
Jan. 6: Explore the monthly HBG Flea Winter Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. Visit hbgflea.com for vendor information.
2018 Farm Show
Jan. 6-13: Attend the annual PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agriculture 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 or learn first-hand the science and skills used in agriculture. Visit farmshow.state.pa.us.
Book Sales
Jan. 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 the shared parking lot from the library. Shop for books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. Visit cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
Mindfulness Hike
Jan. 7: Go for a guided 3.1-mile walk with yoga instructor Traci Wolfe around Wildwood Park, 10 to 11:30 a.m. The pace will be brisk enough to keep the body warm, with some stops to observe nature and a silent walking session to wrap up. Dress in layers and assume the walk is cancelled if it is raining or snowing. For more details, visit wildwoodlake.org.
Read For Kindergarten
Jan. 8: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 9th St., Camp Hill, hosts “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” to challenge parents to read to their children to get them ready to read for kindergarten. Stop by the Children’s Desk to register for the program and learn more. Registration begins on January 8 at 12 p.m. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org for details.
Strength Training
Jan. 8-March 15: Penn State Extension offers StrongWomen strength training classes for middle-aged women and men and seniors at Trinity United Methodist Church, New Cumberland, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and First Church of God, Carlisle, Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. For details, visit extension.psu.edu.
Trolley Talk
Jan. 9: National Railway Historical Society Harrisburg Chapter will host “Hershey Trolley No. 7,” an illustrated talk with Don Rhoads, Jr., and Bob Lawless at Hoss’s Restaurant, 743 Wertzville Rd., Enola. The speaker starts at 7 p.m.; dinner begins as early as 5 p.m. Call 717-439-9744 or email sloan@auchincloss.com.
Camera Club
Jan. 9: Harrisburg Camera Club photographer Andrew Hoff will present “Calculated Composition—From Basic to Advanced Concepts” at Giant Community Room, 3300 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 7 to 9 p.m. This 70-minute program will focus on concepts of composition and ways to improve compositions in Photoshop. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more details, visit harrisburgcameraclub.org.
Girls who Code
Jan. 9-Feb. 27: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 9th St., Camp Hill, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for 6th- to 12th-grade girls, who will learn to use computer science to impact their community and join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models. This is a six-week program that meets Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Registration required. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.
Foreign Film Friday
Jan. 12, 26: Join Fredricksen Library for “After the Storm,” a film from Japan on Jan. 12, and “Kahaani” from India on Jan. 26. Each film has two showings scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. Neither film is rated. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org for more details.
Community Weekend
Jan. 13-15: The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, hosts its annual Community Weekend, with general admission of $7. Guests can enjoy a museum-wide scavenger hunt, an interactive photo stop, a model train display and more. Visit aacamuseum.org.
Music and Civil Rights
Jan. 14: Join East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, for a showing of “Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement,” a powerful documentary on the songs and songwriters that were influenced by the Civil Rights movement and music that influenced the actions of others, 1 p.m. Visit dcls.org/adultevents.
Civil Rights History
Jan. 14: Join Betty Garman Robinson at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 9th St., Camp Hill, as she shares her experiences during the years of the Civil Rights movement, 1:30 p.m. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org for more details.
Crazy for Coloring
Jan. 14, 22: Dauphin County Library System will host “Crazy for Coloring,” two-hour sessions of social, adult coloring at East Shore Area Library on Jan. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.; and William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library on Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more details, visit dcls.org.
MLK Commemoration
Jan. 15: The 28th Annual Carlisle Commemoration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and ceremonial march will begin at 3 p.m. The march will start at First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, 2 N. Hanover St., and participants are asked to assemble at the church at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact 717-243-4612.
CapCOG Annual Dinner
Jan. 15: Join the Capital Region Council of Governments at the Central Hotel & Conference Center, Best Western Premier, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, for its annual dinner, reorganization meeting and presentation of the Perry Albert Award. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit capitalregioncog.org.
Winter Story Times
Jan. 15-Feb. 23: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, in the Pollock Children’s Library for a six-week program for young children that promotes literacy and provides a fun library experience. A variety of days, times and age sessions are available. For complete details, visit fredricksenlibrary.org.
MLK Service Day
Jan. 16: Join the Central Pennsylvania Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service to help with service projects and advance King’s dream of opportunity for all. Learn how to get involved at centralpamlkday.org.
King’s Kamp for kids
Jan. 16: Carlisle YWCA, 301 G St., will host a kids’ camp to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The camp is open to students in grades 1 to 5 and includes activities centered on the teachings of King. A light breakfast and lunch are included. Space is limited, so register early. Visit ywcacarlisle.org.
MLK Day Breakfast
Jan. 16: Commemorate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., at the “Access and Opportunity Breakfast”—with presentations on recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce—held at Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N. 2nd St., 9 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $75. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Visit accessandopportunitybreakfast.info.
Poetry & Storytelling
Jan. 16: Join the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg for a cultural event with international cuisine, guest speakers and student poetry readings on the topic of “Peace at Home and Abroad” at Temple University Harrisburg, 234 Strawberry Square, 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for the general public. Visit wacharrisburg.org.
Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 17: Join the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce for the 2018 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 is $70 or $45 for members. Visit harrisburgregionalchamber.org for more details.
Mid-Day Getaway
Jan. 17, 24, 31: Unwind over your lunch break at the McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg. Bring your lunch to the library between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for coloring, card games, board games or low-stress activities. Visit dcls.org for details.
STEM Club
Jan. 18: Students in grades 3 to 6 are invited to New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, after school on the third Thursday of each month, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., for STEM Club: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. At January’s meeting, explore Little Bits and program an R2-D2 droid. Visit newcumberlandlibrary.org.
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 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. Check out all the action at thirdintheburg.org.
Giant PA Map
Jan. 20: Take the family to the East Shore Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, at 2 p.m. to learn about our state using a giant map of Pennsylvania. Wear socks so you can play games and walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. The program is best for ages 8 and older, but families with children of all ages are welcome. Registration is limited. Visit dcls.org/specialevents.
Networking Mixer
Jan. 24: Join the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and other local business professionals at the January Networking Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Healthy You Café, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. The event is free and open to chamber members. Visit wschamber.org.
Sunni-Shia Talk
Jan. 25: Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg will host former U.S. ambassador to Oman John B. Craig at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Camp Hill, at 7:30 p.m. Craig will speak on the two major divisions of Islam, Sunni and Shia. A dinner precedes the talk. Visit fpa-harrisburg.org for more information.
2018 Auto Show
Jan. 25-28: Roll into the annual PA Auto Show, an event that features what’s new and exciting in the world of automobiles. The four-day show takes place at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Visit autoshowharrisburg.com for more information.
Burns Night
Jan. 27: The Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania hosts its annual Burns Night Supper at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill, beginning with a social hour at 5 p.m. This event celebrates the life, poetry, and music of Robert Burns with a sit-down dinner, entertainment, presentations of Burns poetry, toasts and more. Visit pennscots.org.
