The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 29, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Santa will be a very guest at the SoMa Christmas Market on Sunday in downtown Harrisburg.

It’s been a busy week around TheBurg, as the December issue dropped just before Thanksgiving. Pick up a copy of the new magazine and, while you’re at it, review our reporting from the past week, which is listed and linked below.

TheBurg’s publisher welcomes readers to the December magazine with his introductory note, which offers a brief review of 2024 and a look ahead to next year.

Harrisburg introduced its proposed 2025 budget last week, without a property tax increase. According to our online story, the overall budget is about flat with the 2024 spending plan.

Harrisburg City Council gave its nod to a plan for a housing development for homeless veterans last week. The approval came despite a need to move a popular hiking trail, according to our reporting.

Harrisburg School District has approved a proposal to hire its own police force. Our online story details what that will look like and the next steps.

Peschel Press may be small, but its influence is strong, says our features writer. Learn about the local couple who have turned their interests into a specialty publishing house.

Sara Bozich has your long weekend plan, with plenty of events to kick off the heart of the holiday season, according to her weekly column.

Serendipity Stitch should be on your holiday shopping radar, says our magazine feature. Read about the mother/daughter team behind the shop, which recently relocated to Carlisle.

Shop local is the mantra for Small Business Saturday, and who better to advise you than our own Sara Bozich? She shares her local “favorite things” with Burg readers as the shopping season gets serious.

SoMa Christmas Market returns for a second year, with an outdoors holiday celebration on Sunday in downtown Harrisburg. Check out our online story for the details.

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Harrisburg School District to hire police officers, create police station in high school

November 27, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus

The Harrisburg School District will move forward with plans to hire police officers for its schools.

On Tuesday, receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved a new safety plan that will bring four police officers and a police station into the district, due to a recent increase in violent incidents.

“Looking at some of the positive factors of having police presence in the schools is the extra layer of security and protection for the students and the staff,” Suski said.

At a board meeting last week, the district presented the plan, citing a significant issue with violence in the schools, expulsions and often slow city police response times.

Under the plan, the district plans to hire four officers of its own to help with high-level incidents such as drug use, weapons and physical violence. They will also help implement educational programming and patrol buildings.

Two officers are slated to be stationed at Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus, one at Camp Curtin Middle School and one will float between the elementary buildings.

Current safety monitors and coordinators will still be employed and present at each school. However, district officials explained that officers are needed to handle violent incidents, such as those including weapons, that safety monitors are not equipped or trained for.

Also under the plan, the district will spend $441,507 to convert empty classroom space in John Harris into a police headquarters.

Officials said the plan will be phased in beginning during the 2025-26 school year. In the meantime, they will begin looking for candidates.

“If we look at the situation, I think we would all agree that safety and security for the students in the Harrisburg School District, K-12, is of utmost seriousness,” said board member Ellis Roy. “It has gotten far worse today than it was in my time, so then our approach has to be different. We must move with the times.”

However, Suski mentioned last week that, during town hall meetings held over the past few years on the matter, community members have shown concern over creating a “school-to-prison” pipeline. On Tuesday, several board members expressed similar concerns.

“I remember the programs that we had as far as the D.A.R.E program and the junior police cadet program, but we never had a police station in the school,” said school board director Brian Carter. “To that extent of having a police station in the school district, I’m not in agreement with.”

Board member Danielle Robinson expressed skepticism of the plan, saying that she felt the decision was rushed and board members weren’t given enough details on how the safety plan would operate procedurally.

“You can’t tell me that you’re building a police station in a high school and tell me there is no school-to-prison pipeline. That right there doesn’t make any sense to me,” she said.

However, other board members noted that, with its own employees, the district may have greater control over who is selected for the positions and how the officers perform, rather than relying on the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

“We don’t want folks to be protected and then incarcerated. We want to protect people’s lives not ruin people’s lives,” said board member Autumn Anderson. “So, for us, it’s about doing due diligence and designing a program that does that first part, protecting, providing guardianship […] not making it so students then have fear about what’s going to happen to the rest of their lives.”

After hearing board members’ concerns, Suski added two conditions to her approval of the plan. She tasked the district with assembling an advisory committee made up of board and community members, as well as requiring that the district implement restorative justice practices, such as providing mental health support for students. She also said that construction on a police station will not begin until more conversations are had.

“The more restorative practices you have, the less policing you will need, that’s what it boils down to,” she said. We need to address the mental health of our students […] but we also know that we cannot allow students to behave in some of the ways that they’re behaving because it is disruptive to the learning of others. So, we have to do something.”

Also on Tuesday, Suski approved the termination of a license agreement with Harrisburg-based Wildheart Ministries, which allowed the organization to operate the district’s Joshua Farm property at 213 S. 18th St.

The contract was originally instated in May 2023, terminated briefly in June due to concerns over the way the organization was using the property, and reinstated in August after Suski learned that Wildheart had received a federal grant for the farm. On Tuesday, the district originally proposed also declaring the property as unnecessary, which would allow them to move towards selling the land. However, Suski removed that portion of the resolution after several board members said they opposed a sale and wanted to see the land retained for educational purposes.

In other school board news, Suski declared a vacancy on the school board, following the passing of longtime director Jim Thompson earlier this month. Suski said that the district will accept letters of interest from now through Dec. 6. Then, at a Dec. 10 school board meeting, the board and administration will interview candidates. Suski will solicit feedback from the board directors and then appoint a board member to be sworn in that night. That director would serve until Dec. 1, 2025.

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Harrisburg proposes 2025 budget; no property tax increase planned

November 27, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

Harrisburg has proposed a spending plan for the coming year.

On Tuesday, Mayor Wanda Williams presented her $87 million general fund budget proposal for 2025, which includes funding infrastructure projects, the Broad Street Market rebuild and regular operational costs.

The budget does not include a property tax increase.

“As in previous years, this budget is fiscally sound and responsible,” Williams said. “This administration continues to invest in the residents of Harrisburg.”

In total, the proposed 2025 budget equals $142.6 million, including a $21.7 million neighborhood services fund budget, among other budget categories.

Last year’s 2024 adopted general fund budget was $109.4 million, and the overall budget totaled $141 million. While the proposed general fund budget is lower this year, other fund areas are higher, bringing the total budget close to last year’s.

According to Budget Manager Timothy Brooks, personnel costs and capital expenditures make up some of the largest budget expenses this year. For the former, the city has to accommodate contract-obligated raises for staff, as well as raising salaries to account for inflation, Brooks said. Capital expenditures, such as roadwork and construction are another significant budget item, though the city has taken some of that work in-house, which saves money, he said.

Money-saving strategies such as that are important, especially as the city still deals with post-pandemic challenges like a loss in parking revenue, business privilege taxes and property taxes. The lingering remote work culture affects those revenue sources, as fewer people come into the city to park, work, shop and dine regularly, and as owners of largely empty office buildings seek property tax reassessments.

According to Business Administrator Samuel Sulkosky, those issues are affecting cities nationwide, as well as Harrisburg.

In the proposed 2025 budget, items like reduced debt service payments, due to the city paying off significant debt in 2023, freed up funds to make up for the revenue losses, Sulkosky said. Other sources like federal COVID funds and grants fill in gaps, as well. Even things like about $3.5 million in interest accrued from the city’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, some of which sits in the general fund, help, he said.

Other “big ticket” items on the proposed budget include costs associated with the Broad Street Market rebuild and the FNB Field stadium upgrades for the Harrisburg Senators, explained Bryan McCutcheon, accounting manager. Both of those expenditures, however, are supported by grant funding on the revenue side.

Broad Street Market spending is estimated to be about $6 million this year, with about $4.5 million in insurance money to help cover it. For the Senators’ project, the city received a $6 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the commonwealth, which covers about half of the total project cost.

Harrisburg City Council will hold budget hearings to discuss the proposal in-depth on Dec.3, 4, 10 and 11. Each meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 27, 2024 | by 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: Rubicon/Mangia Qui is hosting Thanksgiving Dinner if you need a spot to dine on Thursday! Also serving Thanksgiving Dinner: Mad Moose, The Hotel Hershey, Luna Italian Restaurant Worth noting: SoMa Christmas Market on Sunday Things on my agenda this weekend: Happy Thanksgiving!! For us, it’s a brief jaunt to the PA Wilds then back for a quiet weekend

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

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Harrisburg City Council approves veteran’s housing project, necessitating Greenbelt relocation

November 26, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

A rendering of the Tunnel to Towers project in south Harrisburg (credit: Tunnel to Towers)

A project to construct affordable housing for veterans in south Harrisburg can move forward to a groundbreaking.

On Tuesday night, City Council approved the land development plan for New York-based Tunnel to Towers’ 64-unit apartment building and 20 small “comfort homes” for veterans along the Susquehanna River, near the PennDOT building.

Originally, the proposal generated some controversy, as the project will take land long used by the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) to connect its trail segment in south Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg Planning Commission approved the project on the condition that the developer allow the Greenbelt to remain along the southern border of the property. However, council removed that condition on Tuesday, after CAGA, at a work session last week, said it planned to pursue an alternative route around the Tunnel to Towers site.

At last week’s meeting, council members largely expressed support for the project, but questioned the developer about local and minority contractor participation in construction, programming for tenants and property security. On Tuesday, council voted unanimously to approve the land development plan.

“I really look forward to this project because I feel like it is something that is very much needed,” said council member Ausha Green at last week’s meeting.

Tunnel to Towers is the second housing project for veterans in the South Harrisburg area. In May, Veteran’s Outreach of Central Pennsylvania cut the ribbon on its tiny houses for veterans nearby.

In addition, another group of local residents has teamed up with Missouri-based nonprofit Eden Village to propose constructing tiny houses for unhoused people in the same area. That project still must go through the city’s land development process.

In other news, council approved a bill that targets the illegal creation and use of ghost guns. Ghost guns are firearms created using build kits and sometimes even incorporate parts made with a 3D printer. These guns do not have serial numbers and are untraceable. The bill will require those in Harrisburg who purchase or sell unfinished gun kits or use a 3D printer to make gun parts to have a Federal Firearms License (FFL).

“This is, of course, a no-brainer. It’s something we need,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls, at last week’s council work session. “It’s us being proactive.”

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SoMa Christmas Market to feature unique gifts, handmade goods, food trucks

November 26, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

A scene from last year’s SoMa Christmas Market

Do you need a little Christmas?

This weekend, the holiday season kicks into high gear in Harrisburg with the return of the SoMa Christmas Market, which will take place Sunday, Dec. 1.

The outdoor event, hosted by Harristown Enterprises, will feature about 30 local and regional vendors, who will set up on S. 3^rd street, between Market and Chestnut streets, in downtown Harrisburg. They will offer a variety of products, including unique crafts, handmade goods and artisan creations, according to organizer Sara Bozich.

In addition to shopping, attendees will enjoy the sounds of DJ EMD spinning holiday tunes, a visit from Harrisburg’s beloved street band, No Last Call, and an appearance by Santa, who will be on-site for photo opportunities.

The market will also feature a selection of food and beverages from local food trucks, including:

Crema Coffee (offering coffee, tea and baked goods)
Madeline’s Sweets & Savories (offering both soup and ice cream)
BFG Snacks

Several SoMa Harrisburg businesses, including Found Collab, Tamara’s Boutique and Boneshire Brew Works, also will open their doors to market-goers, Bozich said. Admission is free.

The SoMa Christmas Market takes place Sunday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in downtown Harrisburg’s “south of Market” neighborhood. For a full list of participating vendors, visit www.sarabozich.com/events.

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Community Corner: Notable December Events

November 26, 2024 | by Missy Smith

December Community Corner

Christmas Party
Dec. 1: Blues Society of Central PA invites members and guests to their annual Christmas party with live music and food at the Hummelstown Fire Hall, 249 E. Main St. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the show begins at 3 p.m. www.bscpblues.com

Wreath Workshop
Dec. 1, 2: Use natural materials to create an evergreen wreath at Wildwood Lake, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The workshop cost is $30 per person, which includes supplies to make a wreath with natural decorations. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Festival of Trees
Dec. 1-22: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees will be up for raffle and a selection of ornaments available for purchase. www.forthunter.org

Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 1-22: Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society returns to Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with a display of HO gauge trains that travel over a large layout representing communities in central PA. www.forthunter.org

Holiday Trains
Dec. 1-30: All aboard for a magical journey at the Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. Experience a display of festive model trains with intricate tracks, scenery and locomotives. Exhibit included with admission. www.hersheyhistory.org

Holiday Puppets
Dec. 1-31: Join Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, for a festive and whimsical production, “Holiday Hullabaloo.” Catch the show at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays. www.puppetfriends.com

Cocoa Challenge
Dec. 1-Jan. 3: Kids through 18 years old are invited to participate in a reading challenge at New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (reading challenges). www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Tree Showcase
Dec. 1-Jan. 5: Hershey Gardens welcomes the holiday season with a festive exhibit of Christmas trees by local artists, sparkling lights, a 14-foot white poinsettia tree, photo opportunities, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and kids’ crafts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. www.hersheygardens.org

Light Show
Dec. 1-31: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, with a drive-through light show with color-changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.christmasspiritlightshows.com

Holiday Market
Dec. 2: Penn Cumberland Garden Club hosts its 55th annual Holiday Market Benefit & Lunch at Penn Harris Hotel, Harrisburg, noon. Enjoy a luncheon, presentation by Polly Berginc, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and floral demonstration. www.penncumberlandgardenclub.org

Giving Tree
Dec. 3: Join Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for a virtual Giving Tree-Lighting ceremony, 5:30 p.m. at the Linglestown Christmas Tree at the Square, 5967 Linglestown Rd. Free to the public, with free hot cocoa and cookies. www.dauphincountycasa.org

Christmas Show
Dec. 4-8: Shop the 41st annual Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show for gifts, decor, apparel, jewelry, seasonal items, gourmet food and more at the PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. www.pachristmasshow.com

Holiday Stroll
Dec. 5: Take a festive evening stroll along Market Street in Camp Hill from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy shopping, dining, live music, photos with Santa, hot beverages and activities. The borough parking lot hosts a tree lighting ceremony and visit with Santa at 6 p.m. www.camphillborough.com

Deck the Halls
Dec. 5: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts the 29th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, musical performances, holiday décor, a silent auction, a raffle and networking. Tickets start at $90. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Light Parade
Dec. 6-7: Camp Hill Borough hosts the Parade of Lights for Toys for Tots on a walking trail through Willow Park, 6 to 8:30 p.m. New, unwrapped toy donations are requested as admission. www.camphillborough.com

Black Nativity
Dec. 6-8: Sankofa African American Theatre Co. returns to the West Shore Theatre, 317 Bridge St., New Cumberland, for its annual Gospel musical celebration, Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. www.sankofatheatrehbg.com

Light Show
Dec. 6-29: Messick’s Equipment, 1475 Strickler Rd., Mount Joy, hosts its 12th annual Christmas Light Show choreographed to holiday music. The show is free and open to the public, but donations will be collected for local charities. www.messicks.com

Greens & Gifts
Dec. 7: Shop festive greens and gourmet gifts at the Gettysburg Garden Club annual Christmas Greens & Gourmet Gifts sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gettysburg Fire Hall, 35 N. Stratton St. Sales benefit Lincoln Square Flower Gardens and horticulture scholarships. www.gettysburggardenclub.org

HBG Flea
Dec. 7: Explore the holiday 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

Holiday Homes
Dec. 7: Strasburg Heritage Society hosts the 13th annual Strasburg Holiday Tour, with unique holiday décor featured in homes and churches, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 S. Decatur St., will have tickets, lunch, greens, craft vendors and a silent auction. www.strasburgheritagesociety.org

Diversity Fest
Dec. 7: The PA Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Network hosts the 21st annual Diversity Festival at the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, 3 to 7 p.m. Attendees enjoy stories, performances and food. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. www.pairwn.org

La Festa Italiana
Dec. 7: Join the Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey, 5 to 9 p.m., for La Festa Italiana, its annual festival celebrating the borough’s rich Italian history. Savor a multi-course seafood dinner with hors d’oeuvres, seven seafood dishes, an aperitivo and a digestive. Enjoy live music and bid on silent auction items. www.hersheyhistory.org

Elegant Progressions
Dec. 7: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 33rd annual “Elegant Progressions,” with two black tie progressive dinners, 6:30 to 11:45 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg in support of both organizations. www.elegantprogressions.org

Holiday Fundraiser
Dec. 7: Sing along to classic holiday tunes and Summer Club favorites at a festive fundraiser for Gretna Theatre’s 2025 season at Gardner Theatre, 725 Hamilton Rd., Lancaster, at 7:30 p.m. VIP tickets include a pre-show reception. Other ticket options also available. www.gretnatheatre.org

House Tour
Dec. 8: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 51st Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advance discounted tickets are on sale through Dec. 8 for the self-guided holiday tour. Day-of-tour tickets are on sale at HHA, 1230 N. 3rd St., for $25 each. www.historicharrisburg.org

Lessons & Carols
Dec. 8: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, presents “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” service of scripture and song at 4 p.m. A gala reception follows. www.maps.pinestreet.org

Natural Ornaments
Dec. 8, 15: Turn nature into holiday ornaments at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft unique ornaments using pinecones, milkweed pods and more. All materials included. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Holly Lunch
Dec. 10: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Luncheon with live music by Sweet Adelines Barbershop Octet, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Program is free to attend; luncheon is $10 per person. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Annual Meeting
Dec. 10: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for its annual meeting and dinner at the Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the chamber’s accomplishments. www.wschamber.org

Photo Display
Dec. 10-Jan. 25: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners announced on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Food Rally
Dec. 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 food trucks or restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Curiosity Kids
Dec. 13: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about Victorian holiday celebrations, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

Music in Motion
Dec. 13-14: The West Shore Symphony Orchestra presents “Music in Motion,” an original concert drama that teaches about rhythm and tempo, at St. Patrick School Activity Center, 87 Marsh Drive, Carlisle. See website for details of each concert. www.westshoresympony.org

Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 14: Enjoy a holiday outing at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market with more than 100 juried craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a live nativity, pictures with Santa, live music, dancing and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt

Christmas Fest
Dec. 14: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features a carriage ride, photos with Santa, a petting zoo, a market of local artisans, a tree lighting ceremony, live performances, food trucks, s’mores and more. www.bethesdamission.org

Dance Night
Dec. 15: Dance enthusiasts are invited to join Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 for an afternoon of social dancing and music by Dance Avanti at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. Admission is $15, $10 for members and $5 for students. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 – Harrisburg Area PA

3rd in The Burg
Dec. 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

Candlelight Tour
Dec. 21: Experience Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, by candlelight, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Explore the halls decked out for the holidays and learn about past holiday traditions. Tour tickets are $8. www.forthunter.org

Reindeer Workshop
Dec. 22: Create a set of three wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 3 p.m. All materials and decorations provided. The workshop is open to children of all ages, who must be accompanied by an adult. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Candlelit Carols
Dec. 22: Enjoy Arts on the Square’s Carols by Candlelight at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m., with its 50-voice Sanctuary Choir, an orchestra and harpist. www.marketsquarechurch.org

Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, hosts its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m., with pre-service music starting at 5:45 p.m. Enjoy holiday decorations in the sanctuary, sing carols, light candles and listen to the Christmas story. www.salemuccharrisburg.org

Last Laughs of 2024
Dec. 31: Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, will ring in the new year with “Last Laughs of 2024,” a series of short comedy shows by TMI Improv Comedy Troupe, 9 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. www.gamuttheatre.org

NYE Countdown
Dec. 31: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the whole family at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kids can get in the spirit stomping on bubble wrap and taking part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org

Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Kids and families can count down to noon at Popcorn Hat Players’ 32nd annual New Year’s Eve party and performance of “Snow White & The Two Dwarfs,” starting at 11 a.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets include noisemakers, party hats, a Hawaiian lei and the balloon drop. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org

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December Publisher’s Note

November 26, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Are you ready for the holidays?

With Thanksgiving so late this year, the holiday season may have dropped on you suddenly, as it did on me.

A few parties, maybe some shopping and, boom, we’re already at Christmas and then New Year’s. Wait, where did the past year go anyway?

Each December, I reflect both on where TheBurg has been over the past year and where we’re heading now. I find it’s a great exercise to keep me grounded, as well as to help set a general direction and goals.

Looking back, I’d say we had a very good 2024.

We performed our core functions well: daily news, monthly magazine, 3rd in the Burg. Along the way, we racked up a personal best for press awards (26!), were named “News Organization of the Year” for a fourth straight year, signed up a hundred or so new “Friends of TheBurg” and hosted an amazing blowout—TheBurg Bash—at the King Mansion. And, all year long, we executed well in an industry—the news business—that’s tough and getting tougher all the time.

For 2025, our 17th year, we plan to offer our area another year of reliable, dependable local news, information, entertainment and events. Along the way, we hope to add some beauty, whimsy and texture to life in the capital region. We also expect (fingers crossed) to add a new staff member to bolster our reporting capacity, a goal we’ve had for a very long time.

Of course, we can’t see into the future, so we don’t know exactly what the next year has in store. But, with nearly 17 years under our belts, we feel confident in our ability to adapt and prosper. After all, we’ve already weathered everything from local crises to national recessions to a worldwide pandemic. So, what’s a little more uncertainty?

We thank you all—our readers, advertisers, fans and supporters—for a wonderful year and hope you’ll stay with us during our journey into and through 2025. Personally, I can’t wait to see what wonderful things my staff will dream up to delight you.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

Click here to read the digital version of our December issue.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Happenings: Our December Calendar of Events

November 26, 2024 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Forgotten Features—Classic & Cool Discontinued Options,” through April 20

Shelby Mustangs, through April 20

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Ann Benton Yeager—A Timely Retrospective,” featuring some of Ann’s early work and the progression of her current work, through Jan. 3

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Holiday Fine Art & Craft Show, Dec. 8-9

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

“An Eclectic Mix—Works by Barbara Passeri-Warfel,” through Dec. 29

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Art for the Holidays & Guild: Creating Community,” through Dec. 24

“Go with the Grain,” an exhibit highlighting the fine craft of local woodworkers, Dec. 6-24; reception: Dec. 6, 5:30-7 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

December artist of the month

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Mid Penn Bank Art Show & Sale Reception & Awards, Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m., Millersburg

“MAAA Annual Holiday Show,” through Dec. 31

Gallo’ry on Market
2010 Market St., Camp Hill
717-623-2090; galloryonmarket.com

December featured artists: Robert and Barbara Buchanan, Richell Castellon and Paul Gallo

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, hallway gallery, Dec. 14-Feb. 8

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, community room, through May 31

Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery
847 Cumberland St., Lebanon
LebanonPictureFrame.com

“Fired Up! A Celebration of Wood-Fired Ceramics,” Dec. 6-Feb. 1; reception: Dec. 6, 5-8 p.m.

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“A Length of Time—A Retrospect of Works by Donald and Christine Forsythe,” through Dec. 15

“Class Exhibition—Approaches to Abstraction,” through Dec. 15

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“The Overland Campaign of 1864,” through Jan. 31

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Photographs of Millersburg by Kit Cowan, through Jan. 18; reception: Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Art in the Stacks—Tiffany George & Cynthia Rudzis

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Frosty Finds,” a selection of curated holiday gifts by local artisans, Dec. 21

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Art of the State,” highlighting the commonwealth’s rich artistic heritage with a variety of artwork by 96 artists from 28 Pennsylvania counties, through Jan. 5

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across PA in diverse fields, detailing their contributions and challenges they faced in their lifetimes

“Bannered Heroes—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans,” presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé)

“HORSE2AUTO: A Transportation Revolution”

“Seeing Fallingwater—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Architectural Masterpiece”

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“You Threaded in Me,” Morgan Ford Willingham manipulates found textiles with photography and hand embroidery, exploring motherhood and nature versus nurture, Dec. 4-Feb. 23

“The Hidden Museum” invites visitors to locate “hidden” works of art the Susquehanna Art Museum, through Dec. 31

“Domestic Affairs,” Susquehanna Art Museum’s ninth annual juried exhibition with artwork exploring subjects relating to the domestic, through Jan. 5

“Edvard Munch—Works on Paper from the John Szoke Gallery,” through Jan. 19

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
75 N. White Oak St., Annville
717-867-6445; lvc.edu/gallery

“Arts of Africa Speak,” stories and objects from two academic collections, Dec. 4-15

The Trout Gallery
Dickinson College
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“The Legacy of Two Centuries of Black American Art,” celebrating the legacy of David Driskell’s groundbreaking 1976 exhibition, through Dec. 20

“Girl in Slacks—Women Artists From the Reading Public Museum,” through Jan. 25

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Makers’ Market, Dec. 6, 12-8 p.m., and Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

“Stolen Views II—New Lancaster Scenes,” featuring recent works created throughout Lancaster County by a local plein air artists, through Jan. 31.

Oil paintings by Deborah Kahn and sculptures by Shari Mendelson, exploring invented spaces and forms, through Feb. 22

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“Fourth Annual Home for the Holidays” show, through Dec. 31

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

2024 Photo Contest Display, Dec. 10-Jan. 25; reception: Jan. 12, 1 p.m.

Read, Make, Learn

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Dec. 3: Holiday Cards Watercolor Workshop (adults), 12-2 p.m.
Dec. 4 & 18: Watercolor Painting Step-by-Step (adults), 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 5: Volunteer Workshop Fresh Pine Holiday Arrangements (adults), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dec. 5: Paint Your House Watercolor Workshop (adults), 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 10, 11: Christmas Ball Mania (adults) 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 12: Sensational Silk Scarves (adults) 6-8 p.m.

Capital Blue Cross Connect
4500 Marketplace Way, Enola
capitalbluecrossconnect.com

Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tai Chi, 4 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Gentle Yoga Flow, 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Ready, Steady, Action! at Enola Store and Virtual, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Strong + Fit, 10 a.m.
Dec. 9: Connect Monthly Webinar: Health Holidays, 11 a.m.
Dec. 11, 18: Virtual INSPIRE, 9 a.m.
Dec. 11, 18: Kickboxing + Strength, 4:30 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

Dec. 2: Winter Wonderland (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 6: Craft Beer & Clay
Dec. 7: Make an Ornament (ages 5-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 7: Beginner Oil Painting—Canvas Christmas Ornaments (ages 16-adult), 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 14: Holiday Village (ages 6-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 14: Bronze Sand Casting Workshop—Bronze Ornaments, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 19: Holiday Cheer (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 20: Holiday Cheer Round Two (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

East Pennsboro Library
98 S. Enola Dr., Enola
717-732-4274; eastpennsborobranch.org

Dec. 5, 19: Story Time and Craft (ages 3-6), 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 10: Family Game Night, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Library Christmas Party, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 18: Tea Light Snowman Ornament, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20: Friends of the Library Bag Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

Dec. 7: Figment Forge Writing Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 8: East Shore Cinema—“The Muppet Christmas Carol,” 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 15: The Year of Ghibli—“Princess Mononoke” (English dubbed version), 2-4 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

Dec. 14: LEGO Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 17: Baby Musik Time, 9:50-10:20 a.m.
Dec. 17: Preschool Musik Time, 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 18: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 21: Book Discussion Group—“Little Bee,” 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 21: K-Pets Therapy Reading Sessions, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Dec. 8: Clear Toy Candy Demonstration, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Santa’s Reindeer and Mrs. Santa, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 21: Candlelight Mansion Tour, 4:30-7 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Baby & Toddler Storytime, 10-10:30 a.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Children’s Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 2, 16: Fredricksen Writes, 7 p.m.
Dec. 3: Curl Up with the Classics—“ Down and Out in Paris and London,” 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 6: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9:15-10 a.m.
Dec. 7: The Puzzlers, 1-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Heartfulness Meditation Workshop, 1-2 p.m.
Dec. 9: Coffee (BYO) and Conversation, 10-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 9: The Puzzlers, 1:30-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 9: Philosopher’s Roundtable, 2-3:30 p.m.
Dec. 9, 16: Book Explorers, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 12, 26: Journaling for Life, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 15: Paint with Us, 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 19: Pop-Up Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 20: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime for Preschoolers, 10-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 20: Family Paint & Pix!, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 21: Neurodivergent Adult Support Group, 3 p.m.
Dec. 23: Fredricken Reads—“How to Build a Boat,” 7-8 p.m.
Dec. 29: Game Day for All, 1-4:30 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Dec. 1: Paint Strips Christmas Tree, 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 4: Fresh Evergreen Wreath, 6-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: Stained Glass Icicles with Beads, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 8: Folk Art Poinsettia, 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 11: Boxwood Christmas Tree, 6-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Kids Christmas Workshop, 1 to 3 p.m.

George & Hettie Love Memorial Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Dec. 5: Book Bingo, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Hershey Gardens
170 Hotel Rd., Hershey
717-534-3492; hersheygardens.org

Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, Jan. 4: Craft Christmas Creations, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 7, 21: Storytime with Mrs. Claus, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 14: Visit with Santa, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

Dec. 2, 9, 16: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16: Storytime for Everyone (preschool), 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 3: Hershey Area Pokémon Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 26: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 3, 10, 17: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 4: LEGO Club, 4-4:45 p.m.
Dec. 4: Open Book Group, 6-7:45 p.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Community Crochet Night—Teen Space, 6-7:45 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Storytime for Everyone (preschool), 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Teen Time, 3-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 19: Hershey Quilters, 12-4 p.m.
Dec. 6-7: Pop-Up Booksale
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 10: Philosophers’ Round Table Discussion Group, 2-3:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: MOMS Club of Derry Township, 10-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 11: Board Game Night, 5-7:45 p.m.
Dec. 14: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Holiday Wreath Making, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 14: Painting—Snowmen or Ornaments, 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 18: Art Together, 5-7:45 p.m.

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
4945 Horn Rd., York
717-757-6441; hornfarmcenter.org

Dec. 8: Twigs & Digs—Late Fall Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 8: Identifying Trees by Bark, 1-3:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Holiday Gourmet—DIY Gifts from the kitchen, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 28: Guilt-Free Desserts for the New Year, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

Dec. 6, 13, 20: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Dec. 2: Teen Movie Monday, 6-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23: Toddler Time, 10:45 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23: Rhyme Time, 10:15-10:35 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 9: Math Club, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 12: Kindergarten Readiness, 1-2:15 p.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.
Dec. 14: Gingerbread House Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 12-1 p.m.
Dec. 16: STEAM Club, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 16: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
Dec. 19: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 19: Scrabble in the Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 21: Craft-A-Palooza, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: Tween Scene, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 28: Trivia at Home—Year in Review, 6-8 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Dec. 14: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 North 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

Dec. 4: Inspiration Café, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

Dec. 10: Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Dec. 8: Family Holiday Clay Ornament Workshop, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 22: Acrylic Pouring Class, 1-4 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Dec. 7: Lessons in History—“Kidnapped at Sea, The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White,”, 1-2 p.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Dec. 7: Wreath Making Workshop, 9-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2-4 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Dec. 1-31: Musical Instrument Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
Dec. 1-Jan. 3: Kids Cocoa Club (ages 0-18)
Dec. 2: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 2-6: Gingerbread LEGO Contest (ages 6-12)
Dec. 2, 16, 23: Teen Monday FUNdays (ages 13-17), 3-4 p.m.
Dec. 2, 16, 23: Cozy Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Dec. 3, 10, 17: Book Babies (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 4: Dental Hygiene Storytime (ages 2-5), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Tech Time, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 19: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 6: Block Party (ages 0-3) 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 6: Cumberland County Office of Veterans Affairs & Services, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 21: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 7-21: Take and Makes (ages 2-5)
Dec. 10: Shelf Love, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 10: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12: Movers and Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 13: Tumble Tots (ages 0-3), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 14: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
Dec. 17: Holiday Cookie Decorating (ages 3 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: Teen Crafternoon (ages 13-17), 3-4 p.m.
Dec. 19: Holiday Card Making Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 21: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 28: Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, 2-4 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

Dec. 2: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Smart Start Storytime, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Dec. 9: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 23: BYO Craft Night (adults 18+), 4:30-6:45 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Dec. 3: Holiday Watercolor Cards, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 12: Mosaic Christmas Trees, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 13: Holiday Ornament Need Felting, 6-8 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

Dec. 1-8: Faster than Light, 2-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 1-28: Passport to the Universe, 1-1:30 p.m. (find exact dates online)
Dec. 1-29: Legends of the Night Sky—Orion, 11-11:30 a.m. (find exact dates online)
Dec. 4: Homeschool Program— Exploring Color in Art, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 6: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 6, 7, 8: Stargazing—Tonight’s Sky Live Chat, 3-4 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14, 28: Constellations, 12-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 11-22: Season of Light, 12-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: Curiosity Kids— Victorian Holiday Celebrations, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 13: Virtual Program—Art & Nature, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Dec. 14: The Story That Tree Rings Tell—Dendrochronology, 11 a.m.
Dec. 18: Scherenschnitte papercutting, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 20: Curiosity Kids—Portraits and What They Tell Us, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 20: Pottery, 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 27: The Story That Tree Rings Tell—Dendrochronology, 1:30 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

Dec. 11: Open Figure Drawing, 7-9 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

Dec. 4: Macramé Snowflakes Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 5: Needle Felted Ornament Class, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 6: Snowy Train Painting Class, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 7: Ceramic Winter Luminaries Workshop, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Ceramic Tree Bells Workshop, 2-3 p.m.
Dec. 7: Dirty Date Night at the Potter’s Wheel, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 19: Mosaic Wreath Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 19: Ceramic Dumpling Snowman Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 21: Needle Felted Winter Gnome Class, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

Dec. 3: Wreath Workshop, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Dec. 3, 6: Owl Prowl at Detweiler Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Wednesday Wellness Walks, 1-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Young Birders—Counting is for the Birds with AAS, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 7: Girl Scouts Cadettes—Night Owl, 4-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, 15: Natural Ornaments, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 10-31: Winter Discovery
Dec. 14: Birds and Coffee with Appalachian Audubon, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 19: Artful Christmas Evergreen Centerpiece, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 22: Reindeer Workshop, 1:30-3 p.m.
Dec. 22: Sunset Winter Solstice Hike at Detweiler Park, 4-5 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

Dec. 21: The Plot Thickens, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Live Music

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Dec. 6: Big Shrimp and Solar Circuit
Dec. 7: The Dirty Grass Players, Sicard Hollow
Dec. 20: An Abbey Family Christmas hosted by Cumberland Honey

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Dec. 4: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight
Dec. 6: Jazz in the City
Dec. 7: Mandy Gonzalez
Dec. 8: Shakey Graves, Buffalo Hunt
Dec. 20: Seán Heely’s A Celtic Christmas
Dec. 21: Swingin’ Holiday Sing-Along

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

Dec. 22: Carols by Candlelight

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu

Dec. 3: Valley Jazz Orchestra Fall
Dec. 4: Touch of Brass
Dec. 5: Concert Band
Dec. 7: Christmas at the Galley
Dec. 8: Christmas at the Valley

Blues Society of Central PA
Champions Sports Bar and Grill
300 2nd St., Highspire
bscpblues.com

Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Blues Jams

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Dec. 20: The John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert with Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Dec. 4, 18: Christine Purcell
Dec. 5, 19: Andrea Britton
Dec. 7, 12, 20, 21: Chris Emkey
Dec. 14, 28: Anthony Haubert

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

Dec. 15: Michael Dease

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Dec. 10: Books on Tap—Mistletoe Mysteries at Rubber Soul Brewing Company, Hummelstown

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Dec. 31: Dwight Icenhower’s Elvis and More!

Elizabethtown College
1 Alpha Dr., Elizabethtown
717-361-1212; www.etown.edu

Dec. 4: Annual Holiday Concert
Dec. 8: Winter Choral Concert

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd., Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

Dec. 22: Rock and Roll Christmas

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Dec. 11: St. Thomas Dulcimer Society Holiday Concert
Dec. 22: Brass Triumphant

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Dec. 9: Sounds of the Season, 7-8:30 p.m.

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Dec. 6: Bear Grillz
Dec. 13: Everything YES
Dec. 14: Green River—The Ultimate Creedance Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty Tribute Show
Dec. 31: D-Loc the Gill God

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
www.hgmcchorus.org

Dec. 1: “Fa-La-La Fabulous” at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Dec. 8: “Fa-La-La Fabulous” at Trinity United Church of Christ, Waynesboro
Dec. 13, 14: “Fa-La-La Fabulous” at Theatre Harrisburg
Dec. 15: “Fa-La-La Fabulous” at First Reformed Church, Lancaster

Harrisburg Singers
www.theharrisburgsingers.org

Dec. 6: Holiday Concert at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hershey
Dec. 7: Holiday Concert at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg
Dec. 8: Holiday Concert at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Dec. 7-8: Let’s Groove Tonight—Motown & The Philly Sound

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

Dec. 7: Patrick Kerssen Trio—Vince Guaraldi, The Man Behind the Peanuts

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Dec. 11: Straight No Chaser
Dec. 14: Hershey Symphony—Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 17: Leslie Odom, Jr.

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

Dec. 6: Emily’s ToyBox, Nikki Briar Duo
Dec. 7: Slippery When Wet, Dave Kelly Duo
Dec. 13: Turning The Tide, Hank the Buffalo
Dec. 14: Sapphire, Joe Cooney & Friends
Dec. 20: Twisted Charm, Megan and Dave
Dec. 21: Funktion, Honey & Nutz
Dec. 27: Chorduroy, Brenda Brune
Dec. 28: Smooth Like Clyde, Shine Delphi
Dec. 31: The Luv Gods, Joe Cooney & Friends

Johnson Memorial Library
799 East Center St., Millersburg
717-692-2658; dcls.org

Dec. 12: Holiday Music with Ray Holland

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-329-7541; keystoneconcertband.com

Dec. 7: Christmas Concert at St. Andrews In the Valley Episcopal Church, Harrisburg
Dec. 14: All Saints Episcopal Church, 310 Elm Ave., Hershey

Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
165 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-610-3331; lovedraftsbrewing.com

Dec. 4: Crown Magnetar
Dec. 6: The Warped Band—The Ultimate Tribute to Warped Tour
Dec. 7: Eva Under Fire
Dec. 11: Devastation on the Nation
Dec. 13: Frightmare Before Christmas—Friday the 13th Show

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Dec. 8: Mannheim Streamroller Christmas
Dec. 14: Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Dec. 21: The King’s Singers

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Dec. 3: JazzTWO and Jazz Combo Concert
Dec. 5: Messiah University Piano Ensemble
Dec. 8: Messiah University Christmas Concerts
Dec. 10: Messiah University Musica Nova—Student Compositions
Dec. 14: Susquehanna Chorale Concert—“A Candlelight Christmas”
Dec. 15: Messiah University Guitar Ensemble

Susquehanna Chorale
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-533-7859; susquehannachorale.org

Dec. 13: “A Candlelight Christmas” at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren
Dec. 14: “A Candlelight Christmas” at Messiah College, Mechanicsburg
Dec. 15: “A Candlelight Christmas” at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Dec. 13: April Verch & Joe Newberry
Dec. 15: Dec. Jam & Song Swap

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

Dec. 6: The Legwarmers—The Ultimate 80s Tribute Band
Dec. 7: Splintered Sunlight Grateful Dead Tribute
Dec. 12: Big Something
Dec. 13: The Dirty Sweet
Dec. 20: The Warped Band—The Ultimate Tribute to Warped Tour, Dookie & All the Blink Things
Dec. 28: Eggy

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Dec. 6: TUBACHRISTMAS
Dec. 11: Squirrel Nut Zippers

West Shore Symphony Orchestra
www.westshoresymphony.org

Dec. 13, 14: Music in Motion free family concerts (see times and locations online)

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St., New Cumberland
717-759-5464; westshoretheatre.org

Dec. 14: Broadway’s “Jersey Boy” John Lloyd Young
Dec. 20: Jeff Krick Jr. presents Christmas with Elvis

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Dec. 21: Solar Federation—A Evening of Rush

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Dec. 1-30: “The 2024 Christmas Show—Joy to The World”

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Dec. 5: Tom Papa
Dec. 14: “The Nutcracker” with Dance It Forward
Dec. 15: Nutcracker Worlds with Dance It Forward

The Belmont Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

Dec. 6-15: Irvin Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” The Musical

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Dec. 6: “A Steampunk Christmas Carol”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Dec. 1-Jan.5: “White Christmas”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Dec. 17: “The Tragedy of Mariam” (a reading)

Dec. 31: Countdown to Noon—“Snow White & The Two Dwarfs”
Dec. 31: Last Laughs of 2024 (TMI Improv)

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Dec. 8: Queens Who Brunch
Dec. 21: Jim Norton

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

Dec. 13-15: “Christmas Toy School at the North Pole”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Dec. 6, 7: Shawn Banks and Gary Sharp
Dec. 13, 14: JL Cauvin and Mike O’Donnel
Dec. 20, 21: Jay Nog and Mike Keegan
Dec. 27, 28: Tim Young and Damien Robinson

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Dec. 6: Elderprov
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Free Improv Jam
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Free Improv Mixer
Dec. 15: Level 1 Class Show

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

Dec. 12-15: “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Dec. 1-8: “Hamilton”
Dec. 15: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Dec. 21-22: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; keystonetheatrics.com

Dec. 6-29: “Beauty and the Beast”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

Dec. 1-8: “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Dec. 6: Kathleen Madigan
Dec. 7: “A Magical Cirque Christmas”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Dec. 6-15: Totem Pole Playhouse presents “A Christmas Carol”

Market Cross Pub & Brewery
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
717-258-1234; marketcrosspub.com

Dec. 5. 12, 19, 26: Magical Thursdays with Kyle Purnell

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Dec. 13-14: Fall Senior Series

Open Stage
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Nov. 23-Dec. 22: “Who’s Holiday!”
Nov. 30-Dec. 22: “A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 4-20: “A Very Court Street Cabaret Christmas!”
Dec. 8: “To Mister Scrooge!”

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St., New Cumberland
717-759-5464; westshoretheatre.org

Dec. 6-8: “Black Nativity”

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

News Value: Is local news worth paying for?

November 26, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

When I was a kid, I had a paper route, like many boys did back then.

Each day, I delivered the local newspaper to about 35 houses on surrounding blocks then, each Friday, knocked on their doors to “collect.”

Knowing I was coming, most of my customers had the money—90 cents a week—at the ready. Of course, I always hoped for a nice tip, which, in those days, meant a quarter or two. I made most of my money from those two-bit tips.

I’ll never forget this one old guy who, each week, dribbled the exact change—three quarters, a dime and a nickel—into my outstretched hand, always with the phrase, “I think it’s all there.”

No tip at all. Thanks for nothing, grandpa.

I mention this because, recently, I stumbled upon a rather heated discussion on one of our local social media sites. The subject: paying for local news.

The original poster didn’t think people should be charged—that local news should be freely available as a type of public service. He railed against the paywalls that news organizations increasingly have put up for access.

On the other hand, one commenter defended the practice, saying that news outlets need to charge to survive. Like any business, they have to make money, and a subscription fee is necessary so that journalists can get paid to do their jobs.

In the thread, a couple of people mentioned TheBurg as a quality local news source that doesn’t charge for access. Indeed, we give it all away for free.

But, for news organizations, the right business model is not an easy decision and is not a one-size-fits-all affair. This is especially true in the internet age, when making a passable income providing news is tougher than ever.

Historically, most news companies have charged for their product, just like your grocer charges for bananas or your service station charges for gas. News has been an equally consumable good, thus my weekly collections as a 12-year-old proto-capitalist.

That said: some papers, even back then, didn’t charge. My 1970s-era suburban hometown had two separate “free weeklies,” which were wrapped in plastic and tossed onto front lawns from passing cars. One was a decent product, with a smattering of local news. The other wasn’t. It was an “advertiser,” printing verbatim press releases and other junk filler in between ads for cars, shoes and snow shovels.

So, yes, local news long has had different business models.

This is something that Joel Berg has grappled with recently.

In 2020, Berg, the former editor of the Central Penn Business Journal, founded BizNewsPA, a local business news website supplemented by a popular daily email newsletter.

For the first four years, he went the free route, building up a readership then trying to attract advertisers who would pay for access to his audience. He had some success—enough to continue the one-man operation, but not enough for full-time employment, as he had to supplement his income with freelance work.

“It’s sustainable as a side hustle, but I want to make it the main thing,” he told me recently.

Among his issues: a lack of dedicated sales staff and a lack of space in his newsletter for ads, without junking up the product.

“I’m having my best year ever for ads, but there’s a ceiling,” he said.

Therefore, he conducted a survey of his 2,400 or so email subscribers to see if they valued his newsletter enough to pay for it. About half said they would.

So, starting last month, he began charging $5 a month—or a discounted $50 a year—for access to his full daily newsletter, while launching a second, bare-bones version for free.

Berg realizes he’s running an experiment, but believes he needs to charge to survive.

“The question is—how do I keep it going as best as I can?” he said.

Indeed, that question is at the heart of the news business today, as the internet, especially social media, has blown apart old business models that long supported the community good known as local journalism.

At TheBurg, we’ve cobbled together a hybrid model that melds paid advertising with donation-based revenue. Therefore, we’ve been able to continue offering everything for free, though, to be honest, it hasn’t been easy and has limited our ability to grow our tiny staff.

So, returning to my earlier point, I’m not going to criticize an outlet that chooses differently. Each news organization has to weigh free vs. paid, just as they always have, in order to sustain a viable business. In turn, readers need to judge for themselves whether they believe the product offered is worth the price charged.

For instance, is $50 a year the right amount to pay for Berg’s BizNewsPA? Is it too much? Is it a huge bargain?

Writing this column, I realized that $50 is almost exactly what my cheapskate customer paid me some 50 years ago for a year’s worth of newspaper delivery. In other words, the price hasn’t changed at all, which speaks volumes about the impoverished state of local news today.

And that doesn’t even include the 25-cent tip I always hoped for.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

If you’d like to support our journalism, please visit our website and join our membership program, Friends of TheBurg.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

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