Home sales dipped, prices rose in greater Harrisburg area in November, says report

December 10, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

A house under contract in Harrisburg

Harrisburg-area home sales ticked down, but prices crept higher in November, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 474 homes sold compared to 492 in November 2023, as the median sales price rose to $275,000 from $259,500, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 214 houses sold, a drop from 250 a year ago, while the median sales price grew to $250,000 from $235,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had 240 home sales, up from 214 in the year-ago period, as the median price increased to $314,297 from $302,000 in November 2023, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 18 houses sold compared to 32 sales the prior November, and the median price rose to $237,500 from $205,000, GHAR stated.

In November, the pace of sales slowed, as the “average days on market” increased to 28 days versus 22 days in the year-ago period, GHAR said.

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Harrisburg High School football player named as top student athlete for PA

December 9, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

One local student athlete has been recognized nationally for his talents.

The Harrisburg School District on Friday shared that Gatorade has named high schooler Messiah Mickens as the 2024-25 Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Pennsylvania.

Gatorade Player of the Year celebrates high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community, the district shared. The program annually recognizes one winner in each state across 12 high school sports.

Mickens, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior defensive end and running back, recorded 81 tackles and 16.5 sacks this past season, leading his team to the Class 6A state semifinals, according to the district. Mickens also compiled 39 tackles for loss and logged 21 quarterback hurries, also forcing two fumbles. On offense, he ran for 1,214 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 235 yards and two scores, the district said.

Mickens has maintained a 3.34 GPA and made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play football at Penn State University beginning in the fall of 2026, according to the district. He has also volunteered at his grandmother’s church and as a youth football coach and mentor.

For the past two years, players from nearby Bishop McDevitt High School have won the award for the state.

Mickens, and all awarded players of the year, will receive a grant to donate to a social impact partner.

For more information about Gatorade’s Player of the Year program, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 6, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

CASA “Giving Tree” lighting ceremony in Linglestown

This week in Harrisburg we covered everything from milkshake announcements to art to city government happenings. If you missed any of our coverage, you can find it, below.

Bethesda Mission will hold its annual Christmas at Italian Lake Festival on Dec. 14, our online story reported. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the mission and includes live music, food trucks, Santa and more.

Bob’s Art Blog spotlights the perfect local galleries to visit to find one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts for those on your list. Check out his suggestions, here.

December’s Community Corner features special holiday events taking place around Harrisburg. For even more local festivities, check out our Happenings section.

Harrisburg announced its new communications director, after a few months of vacancy, our online story reported. Mischelle Moyer will take the role, bringing two decades of experience in the field, according to the city.

Historic Harrisburg Association is holding its annual Candlelight House Tour on Dec. 8, our magazine story reported. Attendees can view homes in Bellevue Park, Uptown and the Capitol district.

Linglestown Area Civic Association and Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program joined together to light the CASA “Giving Tree,” our online story reported. At the same time, CASA also launched its 2024 “Giving Tree” fundraising campaign.

Musical Notes highlights festive live music performances happening this month in the Harrisburg area. Take a look, here.

The PA Dairymen’s Association this week announced its new mint milkshake flavor for the year, our online story reported. The news comes with just a month left until the 2025 PA Farm Show, where plenty of shakes will be served.

Our publisher, in his column, chews on the question: Is news worth paying for? He talks to the owner of a new local news site to get his take on the question.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup is decked out with local holiday happenings, here.

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Community members ask Harrisburg School District to allow nonprofit to remain at Allison Hill farm

December 6, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Tannon Herman, executive director of Wildheart Ministries (left) and a student at The Hill Farm.

Community members are pushing back against a recent Harrisburg School District decision to cut ties with a city nonprofit.

Local residents and staff of Wildheart Ministries in Allison Hill spoke out on Tuesday against the district’s decision to halt the nonprofit’s operations on a district-owned farm property.

Since May 2023, the district has leased its property at 213 S. 18^th St., formerly known as the Joshua Farm, to Wildheart, which proposed a plan to operate the land and provide educational opportunities for students.

According to Wildheart officials, they’ve used the land, which they’ve called The Hill Farm, to grow produce, host educational programming for youth and hold community farmers markets in partnership with Hamilton Health Center.

At a Nov. 26 meeting, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski terminated the lease agreement with Wildheart. At the meeting, the district had also proposed declaring the property as unnecessary in order to move toward selling it. However, Suski removed that piece of the resolution after board members expressed interest in keeping the land.

At the November meeting, Suski did not explain why the contract with Wildheart was terminated despite the district deciding to retain the land, only stating that it would “free up the opportunity for the district to assess what it wants to do with the property.” When reached by TheBurg this week, the district spokesperson declined to comment for the story, saying Suski would not be available for comment until later this month.

According to Executive Director Tannon Herman, Wildheart was not aware that the agreement was on the chopping block until after the meeting.

At this week’s meeting, he and other Wildheart staff, volunteers and community members asked the district to rethink the decision.

“In my community, they help us tremendously,” said resident Brian Humphrey. “We want to keep them because they make the quality of life in our community better […] I can’t believe that you would even think of taking that farm from them. Whoever made that decision ought to be embarrassed.”

The contract was terminated once before, briefly in June 2023, due to concerns over the way the organization was using the property. At the time, Suski said that she had concerns about safety and potential liabilities based on information and photographs she was provided by community members. She also said that she had received a letter of protest from another entity that had submitted a proposal in response to the district’s Request for Proposals (RFP), and that the district received numerous Right-to-Know requests in regard to the contract with Wildheart. She said that based on the safety concerns and the amount of time and effort it was taking the district to respond to Right-to-Knows, the district determined it was best to end the agreement.

However, the contract was reinstated the following August after Suski learned that Wildheart had received a federal grant for the farm. The agreement extended through Dec. 31, 2024, noting that the agreement could continue for an additional year unless the district decided to terminate it.

Herman told TheBurg that he believed the district received “false information surrounding claims of unsafe practices” at the farm. He said Wildheart provided evidence to the contrary to the district.

Herman shared that Wildheart welcomed over 500 students to the farm this year, a large majority of whom were Harrisburg School District students. The Hill Farm also produced 5,500 pounds of produce, which was sold at its regular farmers market, held in partnership with Hamilton Health Center, he said. Several Hamilton Health officials also attended Tuesday’s board meeting to speak in support of Wildheart.

Wildheart officials said that they’ve received and shared with the district hundreds of community letters of support and petition signatures. They’ve also received several state- and federally-funded grants for the property.

“I’m standing here on behalf of the youth of this city, youth who don’t oftentimes have an opportunity to eat decent food […] That should be a right that everyone has, but oftentimes it’s a right that has been overlooked in this city. But it’s a right that has been serviced by Wildheart Ministry and this farm,” said one community member.

Herman asked that, at the very least, Wildheart be given an extension to the date that the termination goes into effect, Dec. 31, to ensure they have time to remove equipment.

“If they have plans to better utilize the space to have a greater impact, we are in full support of that!” Herman told TheBurg. “We are obviously very invested (as are our many community partners like Penn State Extension, Hamilton Health Center, Dauphin County NRCS, Downey Student Council and a few other student programs operating within the district) and believe in the significance of the work being done there, but we’re team players and all about loving and serving our neighbors!”

Updated on 12/13 to include link to petition.

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Bethesda Mission to light up Italian Lake with annual Christmas festival

December 5, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

2023 Christmas at Italian Lake Festival. Photo courtesy of Bethesda Mission.

At an upcoming event, families can celebrate the holidays while supporting a good cause.

Bethesda Mission announced that it will hold its annual Christmas at Italian Lake Festival on Dec. 14, featuring music, vendors, food and a visit from Santa.

The annual event helps bring in funds for the mission, which assists the homeless at its men’s and women’s shelters and provides programming for youth.

The festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free to attend, but offers certain events that require purchased tickets, such as Santa’s Grotto and horse-drawn carriage rides. All proceeds benefit Bethesda.

Other festival happenings include live music and dance performances, a market of local vendors, a petting zoo, a s’mores station, crafts, food trucks, a movie showing and more. There will also be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

For more information about the Christmas at Italian Lake Festival, visit their website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 5, 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: Haute Holiday Skin Rejuvenation Event at Polished; check out a new-to-you holiday light display Worth noting: Holiday Evening Stroll & Tree Lighting in Camp Hill, Historic Harrisburg’s Elegant Progressions and Candlelight House Tour; PA Christmas + Gift Show (Save $4 on tickets with code ‘SARA.’) Things on my agenda this weekend: see you in Camp Hill tonight! Maybe the HBG Flea Saturday, various holiday events Sunday, hopefully the Candlelight House Tour!

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Our last 3rd in the Burg in SoMa!! Get tickets now!
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Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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Linglestown lights holiday tree; “Giving Tree” campaign launched for CASA

December 4, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

The student chorus from Linglestown Elementary School sings after the lighting of the holiday tree.

Downtown Linglestown is decked out for the holidays.

On Tuesday night, two groups—the Linglestown Area Civic Association and Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA)—joined together to light the Linglestown Square holiday tree.

In conjunction with the lighting, CASA launched its 2024 “Giving Tree” fundraising campaign. Monetary donations help the group recruit, train and support community volunteers as advocates to represent the best interests of foster children and sibling groups in court.

CASA hopes to raise $50,000 from the campaign, which runs through Dec. 31.

“Our CASAs serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for the judges who decide the best placement for a foster child or sibling group,” said Will Foster, CASA executive director.

CASAs report to the court with recommendations of the best path forward, Foster said.

American Legion Post 272 presented a check to CASA.

Nearly 400 children are in county foster care with just 40 CASA volunteers to work with them. The goal is to match one CASA with each foster child to speed them to a permanent, safe and loving home, Foster said.

In addition to CASA, the tree-lighting was attended by local residents, public officials, corporate sponsors and the student chorus from Linglestown Elementary School.

Mid Penn Bank is the premier sponsor of the “Giving Tree” campaign. Additional sponsors include American Legion Post 272, the Dauphin County commissioners, Dauphin County Bar Association, Josh Schiffman, Marzzacco & Associates, Foland Mediation Services, Judy Beskid, Conrad Siegel, Schmidt Kramer, Snyder Law Firm, Lamar Advertising and Nell McCormack Abom Communications.

To donate, login online to the “Virtual Giving Tree.” Donors select from a pre-set list of suggested donation amounts and then choose a light or bauble to “decorate” the virtual tree. Donors can upload a personal message and photo, as well. They also receive a commemorative ornament designed by a foster teen served by Dauphin County

“Tonight, CASA lights up the lives of foster children through our Giving Tree,” said Carol Steinour Young, Esq., CASA board president. “I ask you to donate generously to the Giving Tree so we can bring light and hope to their futures this holiday season.”

For more information and to donate to the CASA Giving Tree fundraising campaign, visit www.DauphinCountyCASA.org/tree.

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Harrisburg announces new city communications director

December 3, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Mischelle Moyer

Harrisburg has announced a new communications director for the city.

Mischelle Moyer will fill the position, bringing with her over two decades of communications experience, according to the city.

Moyer takes the post vacated by former director Matt Maisel who resigned in September.

“I am honored to join the City of Harrisburg in this capacity,” Moyer said. “As a lifelong advocate for communication as a tool for effecting positive change, I am eager to work alongside city leadership and the residents of Harrisburg to amplify voices, celebrate our community and address challenges head-on.”

Moyer served as a communication and media consultant for the combined title agency of Keystone Land Transfer, Integrated Land Transfer, Mi Casa Land Transfer and Shamrock Settlement Services. She also served as the staff, educational and communications director for Just for Today Recovery and Veterans Support Services. She was also a featured speaker at Gov. Tom Wolf’s Opioid Command Center Summit, according to the city.

Moyer holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in social work from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum development and a Pennsylvania Secondary English Certification from Penn State University.

In her new role, Moyer will oversee Harrisburg’s public messaging, media relations and community outreach efforts.

“Mischelle’s exceptional background in communications, leadership and community outreach makes her the perfect choice to guide our city’s messaging and public engagement efforts,” Mayor Wanda Williams said. “Her passion and dedication to meaningful communication align perfectly with the city’s vision for transparency, growth, and collaboration.”

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Bob’s Art Blog: Holiday Art Outposts (A Gallery Gift Guide)

December 2, 2024 | by Bob MacGinnes

For that hard to buy for person on your holiday shopping list there is the exhilarating, often unexpected gift of a work of art. In some ways, it’s a roll of the dice but always more welcome than a fruitcake. Santa experiences the same rush of adrenaline every time he goes down the chimney, never knowing what’s waiting at the other end. To simplify your art search, here is a bag full of places, sampling galleries across central Pennsylvania. Support your local artists whenever possible. From Perry County to York, Lebanon, Lancaster, Carlisle, Boiling Springs, Camp Hill, Hershey and of course, Harrisburg.

Art at Perry County Council of the Arts

Headed north to Newport finds Perry County Council of the Arts bursting at the seams. On the square at 1 N. 2nd St., PCCA takes a wide-angle lens with its expansive holiday windows showcasing the range of giftware, from pottery to jewelry, sculptures and artisanal clothing. Erin Sparler, gallery manager, revealed “PCCA is home to over 170 artists. In addition, 200 hand-crafted items just arrived, perfect for that special someone. A holiday treat for the season is a series of ‘Unboxing’ videos online.” Special featured artist for December is Deborah Smith whose exhibit ‘Hand-hooked Wool Rugs’ is hung at the gallery from now through Jan. 8. Be sure to hitch up your reindeer to see the wonder of it all.

Checking in with the Lebanon elves, Melody and Eric, of Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery located at 847 Cumberland St., shared they are “celebrating 25 years in business anchoring a town known for its bologna that art plays a part at the very heart.” This Friday, Dec. 6 is the opening night reception, from 5 to 8 p.m., for First Friday in Lebanon. A half dozen local ceramic artists light up the kiln for “Fired Up! A Celebration of Wood Fired Ceramics and Friendship,” on view through Feb. 1. The gallery is a gem with its magical layout and visual tour-de-force inside with offerings from A to Z. It’s well worth the drive, especially on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with the Lebanon Farmers Market open close by.

You would think it was still baseball season in York and Lancaster with double-header art venues close to each other. The White Rose City of York finds Venture Gallery holding court on the corner at 128 E. King St. with its levitating art. Susan, Karen and JoAnne await your arrival with your art requests, from jewelry to felted pieces, treasures of handbound books, and paintings. All one needs to do is Venture a guess and you will probably find it there. Next door at 126 E. King is Hive founded by the art queen bee herself, Susan Scofield. Excitement abounds as the buzz about town…holiday gifts start at $2; you read it right. The caveat, think of all the gifts you could buy at that price. And if there is any art from Alana Beall, that’s a deal, you should buy with zeal.

With gifts on your list, make a beeline to Hive.

The Red Rose City of Lancaster boasts two blockbuster galleries on Queen Street, one recently opened, The Lancaster Art Vault at 100 N. Queen, and one soon to close, EsoArts at 317. Lancaster Art Vault’s owner, Victoria Abadir brings a special insouciance to the art menu at her establishment. Lancaster’s new kid has a hip representation with a young vanguard of artists from points within Lancaster and beyond. Harrisburg transplant, Amie Bantz is featured through the end of the month and art icons like the Huckle Buckle Boys have shone their lineup of characters on its walls. It is fast becoming the go-to place to show and see art.

The phenomenon EsoArts shown as bright as Sirius for its two-year existence in Lancaster and will close its doors for good on Dec. 15. We wish them the best.

Headed to the capital, Harrisburg, the beltway to I-81-South lands us in Carlisle at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center for its annual Holiday Gift Gallery. They fill the entire downstairs floor with giftware, from paintings to ceramics to jewelry and more. Cathy Stone, executive director, promises the best selection to date. Artists from all over Cumberland County pulled out all the stops at 38 W. Pomfret St. for spectacular holiday shopping.

Village Artisans Gallery

From CALC to Boiling Springs is but a short jaunt to one of the pioneers of art galleries in our area and may very well be the gold standard by which all others are measured. Village Artisans Gallery found at 321 Walnut St. has been a landmark stop for 29 years, with its founder and curator owner, PJ Heyman, at the helm. She has passed the baton to the new owner and artist, Richelle Dourte, a jeweler of renown. The setting is unique, as it is housed in a church dating to 1875. Nationally “recognized as a treasury of American craft and artistry,” at the Village you will discover a plethora of artisanal crafts from artists across the United States. You will find blown glass, pottery, turned wood, wrought iron, hand-loomed apparel, jewelry and fine art. Ms. Dourte promises to continue the successful path that PJ forged for almost three decades and invites the public to meet her and see what new is in store.

Next stop…to 2010 Market St. in Camp Hill, Gallo’ry on Market. Its owner, Heather Ebersole showcases art filled to the brim and hand-picked with paintings galore. Featured artists for the month of December are Paul Gallo, Bob and Barb Buchanan, and Richell Castellon. When visiting the gallery be sure to view Ralph Hocker’s hand-painted stones and carved Santas. Arriving in New Cumberland at 190 Reno Ave., Smith Fine Art Gallery hears the patter of hooves on the roof meaning new art is coming down the chimney. Mallory Shelley, one of Debbie Smith’s elves shared, “A special delivery of paintings from Susan Getty and Lorenzo Ignacio have safely landed on easels for purchase.”

Art at Gallo’ry on Market

Four minutes across the river at 21 N Front St., one will find the art institution soon to celebrate its centennial—Art Association of Harrisburg. Carrie Wissler-Thomas, president, noted gallery sales manager, Nate Foster, has their sales alcove overflowing with prime choices to fit most budgets including a passel of Santas. Just up the street at 608 N 2nd where you will find Ted Walke’s Gallery at 2nd, you will need to schedule an appointment with Ted to view his two floors of surrealistic lowbrow art. Take a Walke on the wild side. Just a few blocks away, Ten Oh! Six Gallery and Studio finds owner/proprietor, Julia Mallory, with her studio stocked with gifts of art, books and more at 1006 N 3rd St.

Vivi on Verbeke

Vivi on Verbeke’s holiday window captures old-world charm with a nod to the whimsical, featuring an angel teddy bear front and center. New for the season are clay ornaments to “spruce” up the decor a notch…stars, gingerbread men and trees. This year’s theme is pure vintage, “How Will You Earn Your Wings?” Drop in for a step back in time and chat with Vivi and her partner, photographer, the irrepressible, Jackson Boyd. If you see a resemblance to Mr. and Mrs. Claus, you’re in the right neighborhood at 258 Verbeke.

Doors away at 340 Verbeke St., you will come upon Millworks and its gallery found on the lower level with “giftables” from all three dozen in-house artists.

Last, but certainly not least, we travel to Hershey. Hershey Gallery and Gifts is found at 1077 Swatara Rd., just two miles away from the Hershey Hotel. This holiday season celebrates its second year in style. Stunning watercolors by owner, Joan Maguire are the icing on the cake with artisanal soaps, bath salts, handcrafted wares, cards and jewelry that offer shoppers an array to choose from. A birdy told me, actually a partridge in a pear tree, that artist and soap maker, Jana MacGinnes, will be manning the gallery this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some surprises in store. Now that is someone I would like to meet!

“It’s that special time of year, all bundled head to toe…let’s give art, get some back, the more you give the more you’ll have.” With my sincerest apologies, Mr. Bublé, there is nothing more delightful than to receive an unexpected gift of art at the holidays given with love or even better yet, to be the giver. The Painted Word for the Burg’s December issue highlights one of Santa’s workshops in Dillsburg. In fact, it’s Larry Lerew’s gallery that serves as the inspiration for this blog. Please support all the creatives that surround you no matter where you call home. Happy Holidays!

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PA Dairymen add mint flavor to their milkshake lineup for 2025 Farm Show

December 2, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Mint milkshakes will be on tap at the 2025 PA Farm Show.

The milkshake verdict is in, and the winning flavor is . . . mint.

The PA Dairymen’s Association today announced its annual special flavor for the 2025 PA Farm Show, which runs Jan. 4 to 11.

“The 2025 PA Farm Show will be extra sweet with our new, delicious mint milkshake,” said association Executive Director Dave Smith.

Luckily, you won’t have to wait until the Farm Show opens for a taste. The association is hosting several pre-show pop ups in the area, including:

Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Camp Hill GIANT, 3301 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill (first 100 patrons receive a free milkshake)
Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., York GIANT, 1255 Carlisle Rd., York
Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Harrisburg GIANT, 5005 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg

In addition to the limited-edition mint milkshake, the association will also offer its traditional flavors—vanilla, chocolate and a mix.

“We are excited to share our newest feature flavor with fans starting in December, thanks to our pop-up hosts and long-time agricultural supporters The GIANT Company,” Smith said. “We are grateful to GIANT for hosting us and for their ongoing investments in our dairy industry and in our nutritious foods and beverages our farmers produce for families.”

You also can get an early taste at the food court-only opening, which takes place on Jan. 3, a day before the Farm Show officially opens.

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

What you’ll find ⤵️

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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