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. The 23rd annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. www.humanesocietyhbg.org
Photo Display
Jan. 1-25: Visit Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, during business hours to view photographs entered in the Friends of Wildwood annual photography contest. Winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice awards will be announced when the display ends. www.wildwoodlake.org
HBG Flea
Jan. 4: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures and curated curios, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. www.hbgflea.com
2020 Farm Show
Jan. 4-11: Attend the annual 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 or learn firsthand the science and skills used in agriculture. www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Book Sales
Jan. 4, 18: Friends of New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales, 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 and more. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Crazy for Coloring
Jan. 5, 27: Dauphin County Library System will host “Crazy for Coloring” two-hour sessions of social, adult coloring at East Shore Area Library on Jan. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., and William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library on Jan. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. The library will provide coloring sheets and colored pencils, but feel free to bring your own coloring tools with you. www.dcls.org
Unsung Heroes
Jan. 7-31: Celebrate unsung history makers in a display at Messiah College’s Murray Library, 2850 Crestline Dr, Mechanicsburg, highlighting their groundbreaking achievements. www.messiah.edu
Curiosity Kids
Jan. 9: State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites kids ages 3 to 6 and their families to “Curiosity Kids—Owls” to explore owls, learn about their unique adaptations and make an owl craft to take home, at 11:30 a.m. www.statemuseumpa.org
Indie Film Friday
Jan. 10: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Blindspotting,” an American comedy-drama film that follows a parolee with three days left on his sentence, when he witnesses a police shooting that threatens to ruin a lifelong friendship. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Kids Club Event
Jan. 11: Head to the Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., for Kids Club on the second Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a free, fun-filled event for kids of all ages. Each month may feature shows, crafts, interactive activities and more. All kids and families are welcome to attend. www.shopharrisburgmall.com
Trivia After Hours
Jan. 11: Guests 21 and older are invited to BYOB at “80s Movie Challenge” trivia night at Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 7 to 9 p.m. Popcorn, corkscrews, bottle openers and prizes provided. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Bike Clinic
Jan. 11, 18, 25: Harrisburg Bicycle Club will host free Bike Maintenance Clinic, 12 to 3 p.m., at the Lemoyne Borough office, 510 Herman Ave. Learn how to change a tire, adjust brakes, replace a rusty chain and more. Experienced mechanics will be on hand to teach and provide assistance. www.harrisburgbicycleclub.org
KIDZ Wednesday
Jan. 15: Toddlers and young children who are not in school and their families are invited to have fun learning with educational, hands-on activities at free KIDZ Wednesdays at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg. www.shopharrisburgmall.com
Mid-Day Getaway
Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30: 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 and low-stress activities. www.dcls.org
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 17: 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, generally 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Phiroza Kapadia Artist Reception
Jan. 18: Meet the artist and learn the stories behind the paintings. Saturday Jan 18th, from 4-7 pm at Pure Gallery at the Shops at Arcona. For info call (717) 620 8290.
https://www.puregallery.net/
Polar Race
Jan. 18: Lancaster Group of the Sierra Club hosts the 10th anniversary Polar Bear 5K (3.1 miles) Trail Run/Hike at 10 a.m. in Lancaster County Central Park, with prizes and ribbons awarded in various categories. Participants may bring their dogs (on a leash) to run or walk with them. www.lancastersierraclub.org
Community Weekend
Jan. 18-20: Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, opens its doors to its neighbors for its annual Community Weekend, with general admission of just $9.50. Kids 3 and younger are free. Guests can participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt and other fun activities. www.aacamuseum.org
Game Day
Jan. 19: Drop by Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., for a day of board game fun. The library will have some games available, but feel free to bring your own. All ages welcome; kids ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
MLK Commemoration
Jan. 19: The 31st annual Carlisle commemoration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and ceremonial march will begin at 2:45 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, 2 N. Hanover St. Participants are asked to assemble at the church at 2:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/CarlisleMartinLutherKingCommemoration
MLK Service Day
Jan. 20: The 11th annual Central PA MLK Day of Service will be held at Commonwealth Charter Academy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s theme is environmental justice. Service projects take place throughout the Harrisburg area. www.centralpamlkday.org
CapCOG Annual Dinner
Jan. 20: Join the Capital Region Council of Governments at Best Western Premier, the Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, for its annual dinner, reorganization meeting and presentation of the Perry Albert Award. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. www.capitalregioncog.org
Civil Rights Program
Jan. 20: Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts “Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968,” an introduction to Civil Rights movement events and notable names with Bright Star Touring Theatre, 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees can meet important figures and hear songs of the era. This program is recommended for audience members in 3rd grade and older. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 21: Join the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce for the 2020 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. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org
Jazz Works
Jan. 21: Vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd presents “Frederick Douglass Jazz Works” in Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall, at Lebanon Valley College, 101 College Ave., Annville, 7:30 p.m. By taking the words of Douglass from his autobiographies, speeches and sermons, Floyd has composed original compositions using the language of jazz music. www.frederickdouglassjazzworks.com
Nature Lab
Jan. 23: Join educators at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Lab of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to explore rocks. This presentation is designed for general audiences, ages 7 and up, and is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org
Books on Tap
Jan. 23: Dauphin County Library System hosts a special book club at Zeroday Brewing Co., 250 Reily St., Harrisburg, 5 to 6 p.m., to dive into new genres and forms while getting to know other readers in a social setting. Join the discussion about Catherine Chung’s “The Tenth Muse.” www.dcls.org
Trade War
Jan. 23: Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg will host retired Col. and Army War College Professor John (Jef) Troxell, who will give a free talk on the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. The talk is at 7:30 p.m. at the West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. Reception and dinner precede the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org
2020 Auto Show
Jan. 23-26: Roll into the annual PA Auto Show, featuring what’s new and exciting in the world of automobiles. The four-day show takes place at the PA Farm Show Complex, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. www.autoshowharrisburg.com
Escape Poverty
Jan. 25: In recognition of “National Poverty in America Awareness Month,” Tri County Community Action will host “Escape from Poverty,” an escape room fundraising event at ABC East Lanes’ Harrisburg Escape Rooms, 1001 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, 2 p.m. The event includes bowling, a NASCAR-style virtual reality racing simulation, food and drinks. cactricounty.org
Adult “Crafternoon”
Jan. 26: Join the Ladies of DIY, professional crafters, at Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., to make winter porch décor. Basic supplies provided. Cost is $7.50 per person, ages 16 and older. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Networking Mixer
Jan. 29: Join the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and other local business professionals at the January networking mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Capital Blue Cross, Healthy You Cafe, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org
Oscar Nominated Shorts
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, to view this year’s Oscar-nominated short films before the awards are given. Nominees will be shown in documentary short film, live action short film and animated short film categories. Not recommended for children under 17 without parental permission. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Ice Festival
Jan. 30-Feb. 1: Marvel at artistic ice sculptures and watch live carvings of sculptures at the 18th Annual Chambersburg IceFest. There will be a variety of other fun activities for all to enjoy. www.icefestpa.com
Orchid Show
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Visit Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, for the Susquehanna Orchid Society’s 36th annual Orchid Show and Sale in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 1,000 orchids will be on display, including rare species and unique hybrids. A member-only preview will be held on Jan. 30, 2 to 5 p.m. www.HersheyGardens.org
