Dan Miller, Harrisburg treasurer, announces bid for mayor

Dan Miller

Harrisburg Treasurer Dan Miller has announced that he intends to run for city mayor.

In a brief press release, Miller said that he would enter the growing field of candidates.

“Harrisburg has tremendous potential,” Miller said, in a statement. “New, competent, enthusiastic leadership can make tremendous strides towards a thriving Harrisburg.”

Miller plans to hold a press conference on Thursday on his candidacy.

Incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams has said previously that she plans to run for a second term, though she has not yet formally announced her candidacy. City Council member Lamont Jones has said that he will pursue the office, as well.

Miller, 68, previously ran for mayor in 2013, losing to former Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

In addition to treasurer, Miller has served on Harrisburg City Council and as city controller.

The primary election is slated for May 20.

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New shoe, clothing retailer headed to downtown Harrisburg

Strawberry Square

A new retailer soon will set up shop in downtown Harrisburg.

On Tuesday, Harristown Enterprises announced that Soles4Me, which sells new and pre-owned sneakers and designer clothes, will open at 9 N. 3rd St., adjacent to the 3rd Street entrance to Strawberry Square.

The store will have a soft opening this Friday, Jan. 31, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Feb. 7.

“We’re super excited to be back in the Pennsylvania area,” said co-owner Cam Peroni. “We have so many great clients there already.”

Soles4Me will offer a large selection of new and previously owned sneakers and designer clothes for sale or trade. This is their second brick-and-mortar location, the first opening in Buford, Ga., in 2023.

“We are excited to build a genuine connection with the Harrisburg community,” said co-owner Danny Flores.

The store will be open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.

“We are happy to welcome Soles4Me to downtown Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown, which owns Strawberry Square. “This shop will help bring vitality to the shops along N. 3rd Street.”

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Historic preservation priorities announced for 2025, Broad Street Market tops list

Harrisburg’s historic farmers market tops a list of “preservation priorities,” as an area historic preservation group has released its annual list.

On Monday, Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) presented its list of endangered historic structures in the Harrisburg area.

“This is how we alert the entire community and potential buyers and developers of their opportunities for preserving these buildings,” said David Morrison, HHA’s executive director. “And that has proven to be very effective.”

HHA named the Broad Street Market as its top preservation priority for 2025, following a devastating fire that gutted and shuttered the 1870s-era brick building. Since the July 2023 blaze, the city has cleared out the brick market house, but doesn’t expect the rebuilding and restoration process to begin until later this year.

“It’s very important that whatever is done to the brick building is done in kind, so that both its roof structure, its window structure, the building envelope is the way it was before the fire occurred and it’s restored as such,” said Jeb Stuart, president of HHA’s board of directors.

The Broad Street Market’s gutted brick building (file photo)

In his presentation, Stuart added that improvements also need to be made to the second market house, the 1860s-era stone building, which was untouched by the fire and remains open. For instance, that building needs a new roof and upgraded HVAC system.

The remaining “top five” preservation priorities for 2025 are:

  • William Penn High School, a shuttered, century-old school building near Italian Lake
  • Balsley House, a dilapidated, Federal-style building in downtown Harrisburg
  • Lochiel Hotel, a former school, restaurant and club in south Harrisburg off of the Capital Area Greenbelt
  • Riverside and Paxton firehouses, which are two vacant, city-owned former fire stations

Last year, HHA named William Penn as its top preservation priority, as the Harrisburg School District had proposed demolishing the school. The district later reversed course, but the future of the building remains unclear.

Moreover, HHA placed almost two-dozen buildings and structures on its “watch list,” meaning they’re historic properties of concern. These are:

  • Mira Lloyd Dock House, Front and Reily streets
  • Former Chisuk Emuna Synagogue, 423 Division St.
  • Central Publishing House, 100 N. 13th St.
  • DeVout Mansion, 208 Hummel St.
  • Harrisburg State Hospital
  • Prospect Hill Cemetery Gatehouse, 25th and Market streets
  • Camp Curtin Church, 2221 N. 6th St.
  • Old State Police HQ/American Dream Diner at 2100 Herr St. (Susquehanna Township)
  • Market Street Bridge
  • 19th Street Armory, 1313 S. 19th St.
  • Cumberland County Railroad Bridge
  • Historic Peace Church (Hampden Township)
  • Donald Cameron Mansion, Front and State streets
  • Nauman Mansion, 315 N. Front St.
  • Meyers Mansion, 213 Front St.
  • Bishop Bridge, Cumberland and York counties
  • First United Methodist Church, Boas Street
  • Former St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Vine Street
  • Former Bishop McDevitt High School
  • Atlas Building, 6th and Maclay streets
  • Walnut Street Bridge
  • Grace United Methodist Church, State Street
  • Former German Jackson residence (now an empty lot)

Stuart also identified the former Bucks Tavern in West Hanover Township as a preservation “loss” over the past year, as the building was demolished. On the positive side, he listed two recent preservation “successes”—Zembo Shrine Center in Uptown Harrisburg and the former Coca-Cola Bottling Works on Allison Hill.

HHA’s 2025 “Preservation Priorities” was drafted by the organization’s preservation committee and now must be approved by the full board.

Both Morrison and Stuart emphasized that they believe it’s important for HHA to release its preservation priorities annually so the public is aware of these structures and may even be able to help preserve them.

Click here for more information on Historic Harrisburg’s Preservation Priorities, including the presentation.

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Burg Review: Theatre Harrisburg hits the right notes with the fast-paced musical, “The Lightning Thief”

“The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” will take you to Hades and back – via Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses.

Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, where we meet the sons and daughters of gods, follow those demigods on a magical round-trip journey to Hades, plus meet a dizzying number of other mythological creatures along Percy Jackson’s hero quest.

Directed by Theatre Harrisburg’s Amanda Nowell and Music Director Beth Darowish, “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” is a coming-of-age epic musical action comedy, with music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, book by Joe Tracz, and original book by Rick Riordan. A young misfit named Percy Jackson (Carter Anstine) uncovers long-held family secrets that reveal who he is, wields his brand-new magical powers, and finally finds his tribe on his journey of self-discovery.

This off-Broadway musical is different from the book series, is different from the movie series, is different from your imagination. This musical rendition stands out with its fast and funny lyrics delivered by Theatre Harrisburg’s talented vocalists. Its lyrics contain quality wordplay, with musicians playing notes purposefully discordant at times to correspond with the crazy storyline.

This cast contains almost 40 characters, almost all of which are performed by five cast members who are unbelievably skilled in quick-change costume artistry (costumes by Matt Spencer). Kudos to Drew Patti, Aaron Ayala, Alison Whipple, Taye Olivia, and Jonathan Walker-VanKuren for showcasing their flexibility and range.

We meet protagonist Percy singing “The Day I Got Expelled,” a self-explanatory prologue immediately revealing his identity within the show’s mythical premise. Although we don’t see the inciting incident, Percy’s neurodivergent learning differences somehow cause overreactions from his teachers, including Mrs. Dodds (Olivia) turning into a demon who tries to kill him on a field trip to The Met. (Buckle up. The plot is going to sound like a first-grader repeatedly answering the question, “And then what happened?”) Anstine shows his character’s anguish in “Good Kid” and “The Weirdest Dream,” and he strikes excellent harmonic notes in his duet with Ayala in the wistful “The Last Day of Summer.”

To console Percy, his mother, Sally Jackson (Alison Whipple), reassures him, “The things that make you different are the things that make you strong.” She also overshares his conception story in their beautifully delivered duet “Strong.” Whipple’s powerful voice cuts through the fog machine in her roles, especially standing out as The Oracle in the song of the same name, and as Charon in the sequined disco lounge act “D.O.A.”

When Percy battles a minotaur, opening the portal to Camp Half-Blood, the disgruntled camp director, Mr. D (Dionysus, Patti) sings the hilarious “Another Terrible Day,” emphasizing how much he hates children. (Patti also performs a memorably sad ballad about regrets and failure in “The Tree on the Hill” as Grover.) At Camp Half-Blood, Percy meets friends and fellow demigods Luke (Ayala) and Annabeth (Kaitlin Riley), the latter warrior joining Percy on his quest to Hades. Zeus wants his lightning back, and he’s convinced Percy stole it. This ignites Percy’s hero’s quest to Hades.

Riley pours her badass energy into Annabeth, who has something to prove as Athena’s daughter. Riley matches sparring warrior prowess and pipes in her duet with Clarisse (Olivia) in “Put You in Your Place.” Riley also delivered my favorite song of the show “My Grand Plan,” revealing her character’s resentment about being tough and smart, but still feeling inadequate.

The entire company combine vocal stylings for the all-sings “Campfire Song,” with everyone taking a slyly humorous verse to tell their origin stories. The energetic songs “Killer Quest!” and “Son of Poseidon,” and the hopeful “Bring on the Monsters” hit all the right notes, propelling the action forward until the exciting end.

The music has a fabulous feel – mostly bluesy rock beats with a forgivable amount of country twang. I also must shout out to the percussionist (Sara Benson), who pulled out every bizarre instrument from the top shelf of the closet and struck each at least once.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the show’s convincing stage combat (Benny Benamati, Stage Manager & Fight Director), and Walker-VanKuren as the most slithery monster portrayal of Medusa.

The pacing in this action-packed play moves like a lightning bolt to earth, with little time in between to let discoveries wash over you like vast ocean waves. Maybe it’s the difference between Percy’s neurodivergent brain and my overly structured one, but I didn’t find it easy to bond with the ultra-resilience of Percy’s personality. I could feel some of his anguish and confusion, but I posit the quick pacing didn’t give him enough time to reflect, or for me to feel his emotions along with him. I felt like a spectator on Percy’s hero’s journey, but I would have preferred to bond with him a little more, riding alongside him as a passenger.

To help yourself keep up with the plot as it’s brilliantly hurled at you like toilet paper whooshing from a leaf blower (Props Designer, Spencer), I recommend taking a few minutes before the play and again at intermission to absorb the program’s study guide, which outlines descriptions of the gods, a map of the characters’ itinerary, and a hero’s journey of the plot points and characters they meet along the way. Unless your tribe suffers from sensory sensitivity issues, there are no parental warnings that would prevent you from bringing your whole tribe to Hades and back.

“The Lightning Thief” runs through Feb. 9 at the Krevsky Center, 513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg. For more information on show times and tickets, visit https://theatreharrisburg.com/shows/the-lightning-thief/ .

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

The proposed site of an affordable housing development at 1001 N. 18th St., Harrisburg.

We hope you’ve survived the cold this week, Harrisburg. While you thaw out, catch up on all of our recent news reporting.

The Broad Street Market’s brick building rebuild is Harrisburg’s priority, city officials reassured the public this week. In our online story find out more about the restoration plans for the building.

The Capital City Islanders will bring soccer back to City Island in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The new professional team plans to start its season at the Skyline Sports Complex in the spring.

City Council weighed a proposal from a developer to construct affordable housing for seniors at 1001 N. 18th St. in Harrisburg, our online story reported. Developers explained that they made changes to their original project design following feedback from neighbors.

Dauphin County Prothonotary Matt Krupp announced that he would run for a third, four-year term, our online story reported. He will compete in the Republican primary on May 20.

Doulas offer clients additional support during the birthing process, our magazine story reported. The service has been rising in popularity and new providers have popped up around the Harrisburg area.

Gather the Guitars was rescheduled for this weekend at the Abbey Bar, our online story reported. The musical event will raise money for Gather the Spirit for Justice, a Harrisburg nonprofit centered on community building.

Girls’ empowerment is the focus of many local organizations that provide education and mentorship opportunities. In our magazine story, learn about Harrisburg area groups like Girls on the Run and Young Women’s Empowerment Academy and the impact they strive to make on young girls.

Harrisburg hired Robert Kennick as its finance director, filling a post that was vacant since last year, our online story reported. Kennick will oversee the fiscal management of the city.

Hot yoga can reduce stress, relieve pain and improve flexibility. Our writer tried the practice for the first time and shared her experience, as well as recommendations of local places that offer hot yoga, here.

Sara Bozich has found this weekend’s events happening in the Harrisburg area and compiled them all, here.

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Harrisburg reassures public that Broad Street Market’s brick building rebuild is its priority

Rendering of the proposed Broad Street Market project.

Harrisburg officials on Thursday assured the community that the Broad Street Market rebuild is of top importance.

At a press conference, Mayor Wanda Williams said that restoring the market’s fire-damaged brick building is still the focus of the city, even as they weigh the possibility of building a new structure in the market’s courtyard.

Williams explained that she wanted to clear up confusion about the city’s priorities for the project, following her announcement that she would like to expand the market. Earlier this month, she said that she proposed building a connector building in the market courtyard to join the two existing buildings and provide covered space for vendors.

However, city officials said that they have heard concern from residents and market officials and vendors about the direction and wanted to assure everyone that the brick building restoration is first on the to-do list.

“Although we do have the entire campus of the project in our thoughts […] our focus is on the brick building itself where we did have a total loss,” said Dave Baker, director of facilities and special projects. “We are focusing on that first. We are not letting anything else slow us down.”

According to Rebecca McCormick, architect with Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, which is designing the project, the historic exterior of the brick building will remain. The masonry is in good shape, she said, and will be restored. The inside of the building, however, will likely be completely modernized, with a new look and layout. The architects are also hopeful that, with the new interior design, more vendors will be able to fit inside the building.

Additionally, they are considering a mezzanine with seating for the public.

Baker expects that, by June, architectural drawings will be completed and selected for the project, with the bidding process taking place shortly after. The city aims to start construction on the brick building by Sept. 1.

“We have been working on this. There is not one day that goes by that we are not working on the Broad Street Market,” Baker said.

As part of the market project, Harrisburg officials said they plan to modernize the stone building as well, replacing the roof, adding heating and cooling and making it ADA-accessible. Both buildings will have fire suppression infrastructure.

The possible connector building that the city has proposed constructing in the courtyard would take the last priority and would require the city to secure additional funding. Plans for that structure are in the “rough draft” stage, Baker said. However, he noted that any planning for that building does not take away from work on the brick building plans as the architectural firm has a team of people who are evaluating all aspects of the market.

Additionally, Baker and Williams said that they have recently met with Broad Street Market officials and vendors to discuss plans, something that they had not done before proposing the new connector building.

Williams said that the city will begin holding monthly press briefings to provide updates on the Broad Street Market progress.

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Half of Parents Are ‘Completely Overwhelmed,’ but Help Is Out There

Hilary Baude and her daughters

Saying that Hilary Baude has a few things going on is like calling Times Square sort of crowded.

Baude is a 42-year-old mother of 11- and 5-year-old girls. She’s a full-time kindergarten teacher, an Ironman athlete and marathon runner, a kidney donor, and a doctoral candidate in her dissertation year.

“Every single moment of my day is occupied with the demands of a full-time job plus the typical motherhood routines, coupled with the requirements of my personal endeavors,” Baude said, adding that her stress “often manifests itself in ways that make me not present in the moment with my children.”

“For example,” she says, “I read to my daughter every night before bed, and being a kindergarten teacher, I can read pretty much any children’s book with expression and engagement. However, I have found myself not even remembering what I had just read to her because I was thinking about the several other things I needed to do before the morning.”

 

Stressors and Stats

Baude’s jammed-packed life may be exceptional, but her parental stress level is not.

According to a recent advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, 48% of parents rate their daily stress levels as completely overwhelming.

“Parental stress is both an enormously significant and under-addressed issue,” said Jen Carricato, Senior Health Education Consultant at Capital Blue Cross. “Millions of American moms and dads deal with multiple challenges every day, and it can sometimes simply be too much.

“Yet as common as it is, there has been too little in the way of organized approaches to cope with this problem on either personal or societal levels, and we need to change that.”

According to the surgeon general’s 2023 data, parents are 65% more likely to say they’ve faced high stress levels in the past month than other adults.

The main stressors cited in the advisory are:

  • Financial strain, economic instability, and poverty.
  • Time demands.
  • Children’s health and safety.
  • Parental isolation and loneliness.
  • Technology and social media.
  • Cultural pressures and children’s futures.

 

Remedies

If you’re a stressed-out parent or caregiver, remember that caring for yourself is critical to caring for your family. Advocate for the care that helps you cope.

Consider these tips:

  • Nurture connections with other parents and caregivers. For example, join or create an Employee Resource Group at work that provides specific support for parents and caregivers.
  • Recognize how mental health challenges manifest and seek help when needed. Explore comprehensive, affordable healthcare plans that include quality mental health coverage. Capital Blue Cross, for instance, offers a VirtualCare telehealth option and can connect members to behavioral health professionals online or by calling 866.322.1657. Some companies, including Capital, offer employee assistance programs that make it easy for employees to access mental health professionals for any issue.
  • Take advantage of helpful resources. Members covered by many Capital employer plans enjoy access to the insurer’s parenting-support app, which include comprehensive maternity and family health programs that include guidance and health coaching. The app also guides employers and employees through resources such as parental-leave and return-to-work frameworks, a supporting-families checklist, and other family planning information.

 

Taking Steps to De-stress

What’s most important, Capital’s Carricato said, is that parents acknowledge their stress and its potential perils, and take steps to address it.

“Not only for their own sake, but also for their children’s well-being,” she said. “Because there is an obvious trickle-down – if a parent is struggling badly with stress to the point of being perpetually overwhelmed, that will inevitably carry over to the kids.”

Which brings us back to Hilary Baude, the multi-tasking, athletic, goal-oriented – and sometimes overwhelmed – supermom of two, who says that a reliable set of coping techniques and supportive resources are “key for parents as they try to navigate this chaotic, overwhelming, and stressful period of life.”

“There is no time to go searching for these supports on my own,” she says, “so having a go-to list is essential for reminding me that I am not alone in this fog of motherhood, and that my stress is normal and expected considering the demands of daily life with children.”

For more resources and stories that can help you on your health and wellness journey, visit Capital Journal by Capital Blue Cross.

 

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New professional team to bring soccer back to City Island this spring

Soccer is back on the roster in Harrisburg.

The Capital City Islanders, a recently formed professional men’s soccer team, is set to kick off a new era of the sport on City Island this spring.

“We are just trying to bring something positive to the area and hopefully we can do that through the game of soccer,” said team founder and owner Alex McGee, of Capital City Sports Group.

The team will play at the island’s Skyline Sports Complex, a field that once hosted the Harrisburg City Islanders, a professional league that ceased operations in 2019 after 16 years of operation. McGee said that his team has no affiliation with the Harrisburg City Islanders.

The Capital City Islanders announced the news on their website on Dec. 31, sharing that their inaugural season will begin in April. The team will play as part of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Division 1 American Conference, the fourth tier of the U.S. Men’s Soccer Pyramid. However, McGee hopes that the team will eventually advance to the USL League One, a tier above.

McGee, a Lebanon native, is a long-time soccer lover, player and coach, who coaches for Milton Hershey’s high school team, his alma matter.

“Myself and a couple of the guys who are part of the ownership group […] just understood the need and the calling for a team to return to the island and reconnect the community and bring soccer back to Harrisburg,” he said.

According to McGee, while Central Pa. is a soccer-loving region, there are no major professional outdoor teams. He pointed out the local Harrisburg Heat team, which he has worked for, but noted that they play indoors.

“Central Pennsylvania is a soccer hub and the area loves soccer,” he said. “It was a no brainer.”

Just a few days ago, the team announced that it’s bringing on Adam “Johnny” Morris as its head coach. Morris has over 20 years of coaching experience in Europe and the U.S., most recently serving as the assistant coach for USLW Lancaster Inferno.

”To coach this team is more than just the wins we will achieve, it’s about reigniting Harrisburg’s soccer spirit and bringing the game back to the island,” Morris said, in a statement. “I’m excited to get started and to see the Capital City Islanders rise to new heights.”

Currently, the team is recruiting players, with tryouts scheduled for Feb. 1 and 22. McGee believes the team will get a mix of regional and international professional players, as well as local athletes.

McGee said that the team will make some improvements to the Skyline facility in partnership with Central Penn College, which also uses the field. The team has an agreement with the city to use the space, he said.

The Islanders’ first game will take place away on April 5, and they will play their first home game on City Island on either April 12 or 13. The full schedule is not yet finalized. The season will run from April to June and then continue in August to November, following the UPSL’s schedule. McGee said he chose to join that league because of the schedule, which holds games in the warmer months, making it more favorable for fans to come watch.

The Islanders will play other Pa. teams such as the Philadelphia Lone Star FC and the Scranton FC, as well as other division teams from surrounding states.

In the future, McGee said the team plans to give back to the community, especially through youth clinics and camps. He also envisions expanding to include additional teams and sports under his Capital City Sports Group in the future.

But for now, the team is just excited about the rebirth of soccer in the city, and the community has echoed that.

“There is a lot of excitement. I mean we’ve received emails and messages, and a lot of people are grateful,” he said. “A lot of people want season tickets; they’re trying to pick their seats out before we’ve even rolled out tickets or schedules.”

For more information on the Capital City Islanders, visit their website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Sunday Tea at The Willows (kicked off last weekend but still new) Worth noting: The Pennsylvania Auto Show is going on all weekend Things on my agenda this weekend: I’m heading to Atlanta for the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leaders Summit! I’m this year’s Executive Leadership Chair for the Harrisburg Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I’m excited to learn, be inspired — and to do some exploring in Atlanta. Consider joining my Walk Team, Purple People, or donating! The Harrisburg Walk to End ALZ is on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

  1. Grab your (exclusive discounted) tickets to Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s VIBE featuring Jon Taffer on April 29
  2. Save the date: Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen are set to fire up Strawberry Square on Feb. 21
  3. NYT Bestseller coming to Midtown Scholar Bookstore Feb. 25
  4. Are you on my email list?
  5. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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Harrisburg hires finance director, filling long-vacant post

Robert Kennick

Harrisburg has a new official responsible for overseeing city finances.

The city has hired Robert Kennick as its finance director, filling a position that sat vacant for months, following former director Marita Kelley’s resignation last year.

Kennick, of York, told TheBurg that he has no prior experience in government or nonprofit work, but is a certified public accountant. He said he was looking to take his finance experience, which he has mostly used in the commercial sector, to a new realm.

Most recently, he served as the controller of K&W Tire Co. in Lancaster for four years, until the company sold its assets and dissolved. Before that, he served as controller for several other manufacturing and distribution businesses. Kennick holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland.

The finance director is responsible for overseeing the fiscal management of the city

Kennick officially started in the city role on Dec. 30. He said that his priority in the new position for now is to continue to learn from his colleagues and become adjusted to the role. He also hopes to work closely with the procurement and grants departments.

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