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 give animals homes in central PA. The 26th annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. www.humanesocietyhbg.org
Winter Discovery
Jan. 2-23: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see special exhibits and activities that highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail and learn the natural history of the park and animals in winter. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Photo Display
Jan. 2-28: View the 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. 15 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Winter Reading
Jan. 3-Feb. 28: New Cumberland Public Library invites you to get cozy and read during its Winter Reading Program for adults. Sign up at the library or online using a reading log program. Log your minutes of reading each week for a chance to earn prizes and share your reviews and recommendations with other readers. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Calm the Mind
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26: Learn short, easy 15-minute calming meditations on Thursdays from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Peaceful Poses
Jan. 6: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts Peaceful Poses Yoga with Ann Fields for adults, 9 to 9:45 a.m., as well as a Peaceful Poses storytime for kids ages 2 to 5, 10 to 10:45 a.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
HBG Flea
Jan. 7: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com
Kids Discover
Jan. 7: Head to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to learn about “Super Sniffers & Other Amazing Animals,” 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join a naturalist to explore the super feats of animals found in our state, followed by a chance to create your own amazing animal. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
2023 Farm Show
Jan. 7-14: The PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural show in the nation, returns to the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Milk a cow, enjoy a Farm Show milkshake, learn firsthand the science and skills used in agriculture, and discover some new events and features. www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Book Sale
Jan. 7, 21: 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
Member Appreciation Mondays
Jan 9: Join Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, 3301 N. Front St, Harrisburg, for a presentation with PSECU, 6 to 8 p.m. Learn about the importance of investing and budgeting. Light refreshments, coffee and tea will be provided. www.jewishharrisburg.org
Winter Edibles
Jan. 12: 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
Food Rally
Jan. 12: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Fresh Start
Jan. 12: Learn simple changes you can make at Fredericksen Library’s “Declutter in the New Year,” 100 N. 19th Street Camp Hill, 7 to 8: 30 p.m. This interactive talk is designed to help motivate you to remove clutter from your life. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Library Pups
Jan. 12, 19: Meet library pups Calvin and Hobbes with their registered therapy team at Fredericksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 10 to 11 a.m. Children have the opportunity to interact with dogs and build self-esteem. All ages welcome. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Spring Symposium
Jan. 14: Join Penn State Master Gardener Kevin Kelly and Wildwood Park for a virtual presentation on “Happy Hydrangeas—How to Successfully Grow these Gorgeous Shrubs,” 9:30 to 11 a.m. Learn about different varieties of hydrangeas, proper location in the garden, their value to pollinators and how to correctly prune them. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Birds & Coffee
Jan. 14: 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. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
MLK Service Day
Jan. 16: Save the date for the annual Central PA MLK Day of Service, with projects taking place throughout the Harrisburg area. Visit the Central PA MLK Day of Service website for details about the opening ceremony and this year’s events. www.centralpamlkday.org
Martin’s Mission
Jan. 16: Carlisle YWCA, 301 G St., will host a full-day adventure for students in second through fifth grades to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of promoting peace and his mission to end racial inequality, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. www.ywcacarlisle.org
Annual Dinner
Jan. 16: 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. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. www.capitalregioncog.org
Evening Mixer
Jan. 19: Network with area business professionals at West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s evening mixer at Mid South Building Supply, Inc., 3451 Simpson Ferry Rd., Camp Hill, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 20: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Painting at the Park
Jan. 21: Join Friends of Wildwood for the sixth annual “Painting at the Park” to create a moonlight boardwalk piece at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, with proceeds going to the Save The Boardwalk fund. Materials provided; pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
SnowFest
Jan. 21: Kick off the new year at Juniata Valley YMCA’s SnowFest and Polar Plunge at Greenwood Furnace State Park, 15795 Greenwood Rd., Huntingdon, 12 to 4 p.m. The event includes the SnowFest 5-miler race, live music, bonfire on the beach, ice harvesting, ice skating, snowshoeing, broomball and the Polar Plunge. www.jvymca.org.
Dragon Party
Jan. 21: Children ages 4 to 18 are invited to enter the land of dragons and mythical creatures at Fredericksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 2 to 4 p.m., with songs, stories, crafts and more. Wear your favorite mythical creature costume. Registration required. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Pajama Party
Jan. 23: Children ages 3 and older and their families are invited to a storytime and craft each month at New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. This month’s theme is pajama party. Come dressed in your comfiest pajamas. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Lecture Series
Jan. 24: Save the date for Wildwood Park’s “Winter Lecture Series, Planting Trees for Tomorrow—Can I Eat that?” at 110 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Learn a few recipes, how to tap a maple tree, and which species are edible. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Girls who Code
Jan. 24, 31: Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for girls in grades 6 to 12 to use computer science to impact their community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Girls will build skills in teamwork, confidence, time management, communication and more. www.hersheylibrary.org
Parent Cafes
Jan. 24-Feb.21: Tri County Community Action’s free, virtual Parent Café Series allows parents and caregivers to share their stories, experiences, worries, fears and wisdom and find community and strength, 6 to 8 p.m. Register for all sessions on Jan. 24, Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, or choose those you’re able to attend. www.cactricounty.org
Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 25: Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce host the 2023 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 $50 for members. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org
Tonight’s Sky
Jan. 25: Join the planetarium director at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St, Harrisburg, at 2 p.m. to explore what you can see in the night sky. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets and special celestial events. www.statemuseumpa.org
Youth Production
Jan. 26, 29: Enjoy a production of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” with the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg’s youth theater on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets available at www.jewishharrisburg.org
Rocks & Blocks
Jan. 28: Create a sculpture using rocks, metals and woods foraged locally in south central Pennsylvania at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Winter Painting
Jan. 28: Create a sunny winterscape painting with step-by-step instruction from an experienced instructor at Frederickson Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1 to 3 p.m. Cost: $5 per person. All art materials supplied.www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Burns Night
Jan. 28: Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania will host the 68th 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 5 to 6 p.m. followed by dinner. www.pennscots.org
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