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!

Words of Welcome: Local churches, organizations offer English language classes to new neighbors

November 26, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Trinity Lutheran Church

Tatiana is very proud of her Russian culture.

She is part of the Buryat ethnic group, an indigenous group in south Siberia. When we sat down to talk, she told me all about Russia’s Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake on earth, as well as the Buryat language, food, dress and religion.

But despite all the rich culture and beauty, life for her, and many others from her region, wasn’t always easy, and she couldn’t find special educational support that her son required. So, she and her family moved to the United States, and she now resides in Camp Hill.

Tatiana explained all of this in English—a language that only a year and a half ago she didn’t know at all.

“I’m trying,” she said. “It’s so hard. I speak English with my kids because the kids learn so fast. I remember my first time in the bank. I didn’t understand anything.”

The foreign-born population in the U.S. grew last year more than it had in any one year in the previous two decades, according to the Pew Research Center. The foreign-born population in 2023 stood at 47.8 million people, about 14.3% of the population, and continued to grow this year.

In the Harrisburg area, this growth can be seen by the uptick in the need for English language classes, and organizations and community groups have stepped up to meet the need.

“I do think that the need is growing and continuing to grow,” said Katie Martin-Momose, ESL volunteer coordinator at Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Services of Harrisburg. “I personally have seen an increase, and I think it’s reflected just in the number of classes that we’re offering now at our program.”

Catholic Charities, along with its refugee resettlement services, offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. This year, Martin-Momose said that they added four extra classes to their existing three to accommodate the growing need.

But as part of her role, Martin-Momose also helps other community groups organize their own ESL programs, providing resources and training because, the more options for English learners the better.

One of the area’s newest programs is led by Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, which launched this past spring and just finished up its second session in November.

Tatiana was one of over 100 students, representing around 26 countries, to attend the program.

“Step by step, my English I see is improving,” she said.

Important Resource

The English program is a first for Trinity Lutheran Church, which hasn’t historically offered a lot of community-based programs, said Liz Frey, a pastor at the church. And getting it off the ground wasn’t easy either. Some people in the church doubted whether it would work and if they’d have enough volunteers.

When the first volunteer recruitment event rolled around, church leaders were shocked by the attendance.

“The room was jam-packed with people who wanted to be involved in this ministry,” Frey said. “I wept. I was so overwhelmed by what I perceived to be doubts on the outset to see that there were actually people who wanted to do this.”

Church member Laura Butcher, the program director, has been the main force behind the program’s existence. Having worked with refugees on a volunteer basis before, she recognized the need for language learning.

“I’ve seen how ELL [English Language Learners] classes really seem to be the most important resource for helping them [refugees] get launched in the community,” Butcher said. “There are not nearly enough of them. The need far surpasses the number of free programs available.”

Trinity offers six class levels, 1a through 3b, for free to students, as well as childcare. In Level 1, students learn things like days of the week, weather phrases and pronouns, and, in Level 2, terms around health, driving and paying bills. In Level 3, students learn to talk about more specific and technical things like jobs, the educational system and resume writing. Everything they learn is practical and useful for navigating life in America.

Trinity bases this programming from ESL education books by local author Tone Hess.

Hess, a native of Norway, worked cross-culturally for 20 years before moving to Harrisburg and teaching ESL locally. Based on her experience, she was inspired to write books that would be easy to use for those who may not have an English teaching background and are affordable for volunteer programs.

The books include stories of local immigrants she’s worked with so that people can identify with them. They are also heavily focused on teaching life skills and practical, local application.

“For instance, if you’re going to learn about shopping, you first have to learn the names of food items and the names for grocery stores and the different stores that are available in our community,” she said.

Another program attendee, Roguel, who came from Haiti, said that, before learning English, he couldn’t understand his employer and co-workers without a translator. He didn’t like that. He wanted to be able to understand and converse for himself on the job. Now, he never misses a class.

“Now, I have the capacity to keep a conversation with some people,” he said. “Everything that I need [at work] I can ask them without a problem.”

Challenge & Support

Learning English is not easy—many of the students could attest to that. Newcomers to the country often face barriers to learning the language, and often other needs take priority over language. Things like job schedules, parenting and transportation can act as barriers to education.

New Cumberland resident Celina, a Mexico native, has lived in the U.S. for almost 20 years, but just recently restarted English classes to work on her pronunciation. Soon after she first immigrated and began learning the language, she had a baby, and her focus turned to him. Now, her English has improved significantly.

Yuliia, of Ukraine, who came to this country to escape the war back home, has four children and works more than one job to provide for them, while also fitting in English classes. It’s been extremely difficult for her, and she regularly questions whether she should stay, but she’s sticking it out for her family.

Many students miss the families and homes they left behind but came and stayed in the U.S. with the hope that life could be better for them and their families.

In Trinity’s English classes, many people are in similar situations. They’re making their way in a new country and learning a new language together. There’s a sense of camaraderie.

“We talk about our cultures, and it’s amazing,” Tatiana said. “We meet people of other countries, and they all support us.”

Lisa Carricato, a retired schoolteacher, volunteers at the program, providing educational support to the ESL instructors. She prepares fun, educational games like “Jeopardy” to add to the learning experience.

“What we are trying to do is make this fun so they can have a more fun social connection,” Carricato said.

In one lesson, they had students craft a menu of food from their home.

“We learned a lot of things,” she said. “In one culture, they have cookies and tea as their appetizer.”

They also showed students a short film called “Homesick,” which featured a young woman and her challenging experience immigrating to the U.S., but also her growth and eventual success establishing herself here.

“It was amazing how emotional they are and how huge this step is for them to be here,” Carricato said. “It’s a relief for them to share what they’re going through and see that other people are going through the same thing.”

Carricato’s own family heritage includes immigration, as her grandmother came to the U.S. from Ukraine as a child. She recalled often hearing the stories of what it was like for her, but volunteering at Trinity has let her see those kinds of stories firsthand.

“I think the program is one of the most worthwhile things I’ve done,” she said.

And while program leaders originally questioned the volunteer support they would have for the classes, Trinity’s program now has a waiting list of volunteers.

“They just find us now, these incredibly talented people from the community,” Butcher said. “It’s just provided an awesome opportunity for the church to put into action what we talk about on Sundays.”

Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill. For more information about their English language classes, visit www.trinitycamphill.org.

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December News Digest

November 26, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Apartment Projects Get Approvals

Several housing projects in Harrisburg can move forward after gaining city approvals last month.

First, Harrisburg City Council unanimously approved a land development plan to construct around 60 units across multiple buildings in the Capitol Heights area of the city.

Midtown Redevelopment LLC plans to build seven apartment buildings.

Under the proposal, a building on the 1600-block of N. 4th St. would hold four units, and two six-unit buildings would also be built on the same block. Each of those buildings would include commercial space. An eight-unit structure would be built on the 1600-block of Fulton St., as well as two 12-unit buildings. Another 12-unit building would stand on the 1600-block of N. 5th St.

The project also includes four affordable townhomes that would be sold. Two would front Clinton Street and two would front Logan Street.

Midtown Redevelopment’s project is one phase of an expansive plan that includes developing vacant lots on land previously owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Another apartment project, slated for downtown, received council approval last month to construct 48 units in a former office building, as Harristown Development plans to convert the vacant “Veterans Building” at 112 Market St. According to CEO Brad Jones, Harristown is in negotiations with a senior living provider that would master lease the building and oversee operations.

In Allison Hill, nonprofit Wildheart Ministries can move forward with “The Gateway” project, following council approval. The project, planned for an empty lot at 1260-1270 Market St., would bring nine affordable two- and three-bedroom units to the neighborhood.

Earlier in November, the city Planning Commission approved the land development plans for two additional apartment projects: an eight-unit apartment project in a historic building downtown and a 48-unit senior housing project on Allison Hill.

First, the commission unanimously supported the plan for an office-to-residential conversion at 315 N. Front St., a circa-1850 building that long housed a law firm.

The project, called Front Street Lofts, calls for six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units. According to developer Vernon Jones, six of the units would be market-rate and two would be deemed affordable.

With planning commission approval, the land development plan now goes before City Council for final approval before the project can begin.

Next, the commission considered the land development plan for Woodward Lofts, a proposed affordable senior housing development on a large empty lot at N. 18th and Boas streets.

The Latino Connection Foundation proposes building a 48-unit building on the former site of Woodward Elementary School. The building would include a community room, a dog park and food and clothing banks.

The lot has been vacant since the school district demolished the century-old building in 2016. Fernandez Realty Affordable Homes purchased it last year from the Harrisburg School District for $240,000.

Last year, at a well-attended community meeting, the project received pushback from neighbors, who expressed concern over parking, safety and preserving green space. Several neighbors reiterated those issues before the planning commission last month.

Several commission members expressed sympathy for the neighbors’ concerns but added that the property is privately owned, so is eligible for development. In addition, they said, a senior housing complex should be lower impact than other types of housing or commercial development.

In the end, the commission unanimously approved the land development plan, which now goes to City Council for final approval.

Affordable Housing Debuts

Last month, developer Tarik Casteel stood on a once-blighted Allison Hill block that’s in the midst of a radical transformation.

Casteel, owner of Harrisburg-based TLC Construction and Renovations, cut the ribbon on his new affordable housing development, a years-long project in the making.

“Today is a day for new beginnings, a day where we take a step forward in building something that goes beyond just bricks and mortar,” he said. “We are building hope, opportunity and a future for so many people.”

“The TLC Cornerstone Renewal” project, located near N. 15th and Walnut streets, features 50 one-, two- and three-bedroom units for lower-income residents. Several of the units are fully ADA-accessible and eight units are reserved for formerly incarcerated renters to assist them in re-entering society.

Casteel’s project is one of several affordable housing developments that have recently finished or are close to completion in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg City Council initially approved the project plan in 2020. However, the pandemic and construction costs delayed the groundbreaking until 2023.

Casteel also purchased the Allison Hill Community Center as part of his development in the neighborhood and plans to continue updates there.

“My aim is to transform this neighborhood one block at a time,” Casteel said.

He shared that he plans to complete additional phases of this project in the future.

“These homes are a wonderful addition to the city of Harrisburg as we understand and prioritize the fact that everyone deserves a comfortable, functional and safe place to live,” Mayor Wanda Williams said.

Democrats Claim Statehouse Seats

Harrisburg-area Democrats performed strongly in statehouse races during last month’s general election.

In a state Senate race, long-time Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) flipped the open seat for the 15th senatorial district, defeating Republican Nick DiFrancesco, a former Dauphin County commissioner.

According to the final tally, Kim won about 58% of the vote, compared to about 42% for DiFrancesco in the redrawn district.

“After a hard-fought race, the people of Dauphin County have decided to elect Patty Kim as their next state Senator,” DiFrancesco said, in a statement. “I called Representative Kim this evening to congratulate her on her victory.”

The seat was open due to the pending retirement of current state Sen. John DiSanto, a Republican.

Local races for the state House of Representatives also went to Democrats.

For the 103rd legislative district House seat, newcomer Nate Davidson handily defeated his Republican opponent, Cindi Ward, taking about 60% of the vote to Ward’s 40%. That seat was open as Kim successfully campaigned for the area’s open state Senate seat.

For the 104th and 105th House seats, incumbents Dave Madsen and Justin Fleming, respectively, both won second terms running unopposed.

Projects Receive State Grants

Three Harrisburg projects have been selected to receive redevelopment grants, in the latest round of funding by the commonwealth.

Last month, state Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) announced recipients of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants, an annual funding program run by the state Office of the Budget and targeted to acquiring and redeveloping “significant” projects.

According to Kim, the 2024 recipients include:

The Bridge HBG, $3 million: This project proposes redeveloping the former Bishop McDevitt High School on Market Street into a mixed-use eco-village. The grant is for infrastructure work, including demolition, waterproofing and restoration. The project, first announced in 2019, also received a $4 million RACP grant in 2022. The fate of the project, though, is uncertain as the property owner, Harrisburg-based William Penn Holdings, earlier this year stated that it’s trying to sell the 115,000-square-foot building. The Bridge had been leasing the property from William Penn.

Harrisburg Plaza, $1 million: This project proposes to redevelop the former Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg into a 162-unit apartment building with commercial retail spaces. The New Jersey-based owner, Yasser Hellel, has said he hopes to begin the project soon.

Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, $500,000: This project includes new construction of the “gymnatorium” at the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life on N. Front Street. The two-story expansion of an existing building will include a pool, locker rooms, basketball court and kosher kitchen.

Kim also announced a $1 million grant for the Northeast Fire & Rescue Co.’s new fire station in Summerdale. The project is currently underway.

“These transformative projects will greatly enhance the quality of services available in our community,” Kim said. “I’m proud to have assisted the recipients in securing this competitive funding and eagerly anticipate seeing these initiatives come to fruition.”

State RACP grants are reimbursement grants, meaning that recipients must first perform the work before being reimbursed for it, assuming the work meets the grant requirements.

So Noted

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region last month announced it had acquired Big Brothers Big Sisters York & Adams, extending its reach from five to seven counties in the region. The organization also will change its name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA.

Enders Insurance has announced a partnership with Unison Risk Advisors, a privately held insurance brokerage and risk management firm. Linglestown-based Enders now will offer Unison Risk’s tools and resources, in addition to its own solutions and services, according to the company. Recently, Enders also donated over $200,000 to 15-plus area organizations focused on the arts, housing and education.

Eric Darr resigned last month as president of Harrisburg University, a post he held for about 12 years. The university declined to give a reason for the departure, appointing David Schankweiler, the former chair of the board of trustees, as interim president until a permanent replacement is hired.

Shila Ulrich last month was named the new president of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. The appointment is part of a long-term succession plan, in which Ulrich is expected to eventually take the place of current CEO Joe Arthur, who has held the post for 12 years. Arthur then would become the chief development officer until retiring in 2028, according to the food bank.

William McLaughlin has been named marketing director for McNees Wallace & Nurick, a Harrisburg-based law firm. He brings 10 years of legal marketing to the position, according to the firm.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2442: M. Colon to B. Thapaliya & P. Chamlagai, $134,000

Briggs St., 1708: J. Stoltzfoos to T Wy Enterprise LLC, $80,000

Briggs St., 1712: Wright at Home LLC to 1712 Briggs St LLC, $71,500

Calder St., 270: JLS Rentals LLC to CRS Holding LLC & Adonis Real Estate LLC, $85,500

Chestnut St., 1924: K. Smith to D. & S. Pittman, $79,000

Crescent St., 329: M. Reyes to L. Oparah, $80,000

Crescent St., 340: N. Sandoval to C&B Property Management Inc., $125,000

Croyden Rd., 2994: J. Wertz to J. & D. Robinson, $132,800

Cumberland St., 113: J. Calla to J. King, $275,000

Curtin St., 522: Y. & M. Alvarez to T. & N. Celestin, $135,000

Derry St., 2531: J. Einzig to A. Cruz, $145,000

Emerald St., 652: Z. Williams & B. Jones to Bayjanice Family Property LLC, $135,000

Forster St., 1923: D&F Realty Holdings LP to A. Akbar, $150,000

Fulton St., 1732: B. & M. Weaver to M. & Y Alvarez, $150,000

Girard St., 735: Dima Properties LLC to Harrisburg Pennsylvania LLC, $82,500

Green St., 1207: CE Heininger Properties LLC to Arc Realty & Property Management LLC, $148,000

Green St., 1605: Fratelli Property Investments LLC to C. & D. Stephenson, $269,900

Green St., 1719: T. Yeargain to J. & M. Nappi, $275,000

Green St., 1941: R. & T. Boston to J. Thomas, $263,500

Green St., 3212: B. Rodriguez & A. Lovo to Y. Rivera, $205,450

Harris St., 224: Green Street Manor LLC to State West LLC, $527,500

Herr St., 1410: G. Neff to Mau Properties LLC, $66,000

Herr St., 1727: C. Burgos & R. Gutierrez to J. Francois, $156,000

Hoffman St., 3024: C. & C. Hare to M. Schuetz, $234,000

Hummel St., 243: B. Dixon to E&R Realty Legacy LLC, $85,000

Jefferson St., 2416: J. Stauffer to Mau Properties LLC, $87,000

Kensington St., 2254: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to Two Three Two Investments LLC, $95,000

Maclay St., 315: US Bank Trust National Association to A. Baadani, $125,000

Manada St., 1912: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to Two Three Two Investments LLC, $85,000

Market St., 1600: SDFC PA1 LLC to A&B Properties LLC, $400,000

Mulberry St., 1815: I. Kabeer to S. Swayze, $85,000

Mulberry St., 1841: S. & D. Scott to Offer PA LLC, $70,000

Naudain St., 1429: Sanchez Management Properties LLC to Nine King LLC, $70,000

North St., 1726: J. Colston to M. Dorlean, $199,900

N. 3rd St., 706 and 271 Briggs St.: MV Associates to Out & Proud Realty LLC, $550,000

N. 4th St., 2601: S. Pomeroy to Hobbeze Inc., $70,000

N. 5th St., 1536: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to Zester Estates Pennsylvania LLC, $127,000

N. 5th St., 2554: D. Mallek & W. Sarris to JTA Consulting Group LLC, $110,000

N. 6th St., 2411: Galaxy Real Estate Inc. to N. de Nova, $170,000

N. 6th St., 2700: M. Miller to Cyprys Property Group LLC, $180,000

N. 12th St., 66: W. & A. Johnson to Val CC Properties LLC, $69,000

N. 15th St., 1121: M3 6 Realty LLC to RNP Property Holdings LLC, $117,000

N. 15th St., 1627: T. Miller to SGCRS LLC, $69,900

N. 17th St., 94: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Mau Properties LLC, $55,000

N. 17th St., 1105: S. Simmons to T. Poole, $50,000

N. 18th St., 74A: Blue Lion Real Estate LLC to Angdupe2011 LLC, $80,000

N. 18th St., 712: K. Hurst & N. Howze to Rosaruthproperties LLC, $90,000

N. Front St., 2837, Unit 201: M. Freeman to C. & J. Lopus, $189,000

Penn St., 2231: T. Astuto to R. & J. de los Santos, 187,000

Penn St., 2312: C&A Fix Hold & Flip LLC to Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC, $120,000

Radnor St., 680: Knight Development & Management LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $115,000

Regina St., 1600: El Trio Properties LLC to Sky Resort Rentals LLC, $362,000

Rolleston St., 1243: Equitable Builds LLC to T. Palmer, $135,000

Rumson Dr., 2647: S. Moten to L. Rivas, $134,000

Schuylkill St., 667: J. & E. Cooper and Camp Curtin BBQ to 2463 Jefferson St LLC, $175,000

Seneca St., 603: R. & C. Counts, F. Jones & G. Hampton to A. Cepeda, $62,000

Seneca St., 611: Coverex LLC to C. Tschumy, $175,000

S. 2nd St., 308½: T. Bell to D. Manning, $208,000

S. 14th St., 316: L. & S. Santiago to M. Lopez, $55,000

S. 18th St., 363 & 365: S. Phe to F. Ramirez, $160,000

S. 29th St., 708: C. Postlethwait to Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC, $111,500

Spencer St., 1845: W. Holtzman to F. Salcedo, $105,000

Susquehanna St., 1722: M. Petrie to Kay Investments LLC, $125,000

Susquehanna St., 2144: P. Howard to J. Carbaugh, $70,000

Swatara St., 2408: JTA Consulting Group LLC to E. Fajardo & N. Cobos, $245,000

Sycamore St., 1809: R. Jones to Jhon Leo Home Renovations LLC, $100,000

Sylvan Terr., 123: J. Lavalle to Mau Properties LLC, $125,000

Thompson St., 1540: G. & S. Rodriguez to J. Nunez, $100,000

Wiconisco St., 553: Knight Development & Management LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $115,000

Zarker St., 1815: D. Davenport to MAT Holdings LLC, $71,250

Harrisburg property sales, October 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Master of Post-Disaster: When tragedy strikes, Rex Rothrock responds

November 26, 2024 | by Diane McNaughton

Rex Rothrock

If your heart rate skyrockets at the mere mention of preparing a multi-course holiday feast for 20, imagine feeding 100 disaster relief volunteers every day for months on end.

Then imagine doing it without the comforts of home, like a soft bed, refrigeration, heat, air conditioning, water or electricity.

For Rex Rothrock of Middletown, it’s all in a day’s work. In September, as recovery workers fanned out across the downed trees, waterlogged homes and devastation of Hurricane Helene, Rothrock silently swooped in.

When I reached him, he was in his car after bulk-buying groceries from a Georgia grocery store. Working with a church-based nonprofit called Inspiritus, he and other volunteers opened disaster recovery sites in Ray City, Ga., Mountain City, Tenn., Augusta, Ga., and Bradenton, Fla.

“We do not fundraise for our disaster response missions,” Rothrock emphasized. “That is 100% funded by Deanna and me. When we do fundraise, it’s for specific events, giving all who buy tickets or support them 100% surety that their contribution goes directly to that charity.”

Hugs & Tears

Rex and Deanna, the parents of six—and grandparents of six—founded the Rothrock Foundation in 2020. Their efforts, though, began way before then.

Rex, a senior partner of Harrisburg-based Ad-Tech CCI, an international distributor of industrial controls, got his feet wet in disaster response in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf region. For more than a year, he made multiple trips to Mississippi with truckloads of supplies that he and other donors purchased.

He eventually spent weeks there, repairing roofs, clearing out muck, and gutting properties.

Post-Katrina, he responded to hurricanes, floods and tornadoes in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, New Jersey, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, he lived for five months without electricity. Taught by the locals, he installed doors and windows, which involved all-cement construction.

In St. Thomas, homes were wood-built, he recalled, and island residents were hit hard by a one-two punch—first a wind event, then a rain event. Everything was destroyed. If a resident found a memento of their pre-disaster life, it was usually covered in mold.

He and other volunteers wore Tyvek suits and respirators for six hours a day, taking breaks hourly to combat the humidity, as they hauled furniture and other weighty objects.

“I am in love with the volunteers,” he said.

Many are in their 70s and going strong, and many devote their vacation time to disaster recovery, he said.

Rex and Deanna’s charitable efforts extend to their home turf around Harrisburg.

Every holiday season, they shop for children without parents, supply 250 Thanksgiving meals to local families, and both raise and donate funds for children with autism, veterans without homes, high school students who cannot afford college, families without food, and a host of other societal needs.

Local recipients of their largesse have included the Vista School, the Colonial Park Rotary, Veterans Outreach of PA, Harrisburg River Rescue and the Middletown School District.

Even during COVID, they took food to local families who lost their jobs. They knocked on doors, saying, “I thought you might need this.” In return, they got many hugs and happy tears—social distancing rules or not.

Does the Work

These days, Rex’s main job is cooking balanced meals for volunteers, now that two back surgeries limit his roof-building work. He never stays in hotels, bunking wherever there’s space—in closets, pantries, tents, kitchens and campgrounds.

Even if he sleeps in a church camp, he jokes, “No one wants me in their bunkhouse because my alarm goes off at 4 a.m.”

For months, he’s been down South feeding volunteers involved in hurricane relief but returned to the Harrisburg area before Thanksgiving for a Vista fundraiser and a turkey giveaway. The couple also is planning a March country music fundraiser with singer-songwriters from Nashville.

“Back home, everyone sees the bad, the negative, in the news. People can lose faith in humanity,” Rothrock said. “When there’s a disaster, there may not be a lot of us, but still people will come and give their time unselfishly.”

For instance, he recently fed a rescue group from the Bahamas who once had been disaster victims themselves. They came to the American South to pay it forward.

Rothrock understands that some prospective donors may fear contributing to disaster relief funds run by mega-charities with big-salary CEOs.

“Here, no one’s making a dime,” he said. “In fact, we often match donations.”

Crystal Hartz of Harrisburg, Rex’s longtime friend, said that, when she introduces him to crowds, she always says, “Rex has the ability to write out a check, but that’s not who Rex is. He does the work.”

He works 18 hours a day cooking food for volunteers, using a ton of his own money, Hartz said.

“He is very humble, and they are just great people,” she said.

For more information on the Rothrock Foundation, visit www.rothrockfoundation.org.

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The Gift of HBG: Our writer digs deep to craft a hyper-local gift guide

November 26, 2024 | by M. Diane McCormick

ModSew Designs

Deck the Burg with boughs of holly. If you’re looking for holiday presents that are uniquely Harrisburg, our exclusive gift guide takes you on a culinary, artistic and heartwarming tour of the region.

Fa-la-la-la-la

Did someone say, “Give the gift of music”?

Timeless tradition: Hard to believe, but Stuart Malina has been music director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra since 2000. So, it’s the perfect time to make 2025 concerts part of your giving. Celebrations for this 25th season include Malina Madness 2.0, when the maestro himself conducts and plays the ever-popular “Rhapsody in Blue,” May 17 and 18. Christmas stockings around town are already pre-stuffed with tickets for the dazzling acrobatics of “Cirque Goes Broadway!” on May 3 and 4. www.harrisburgsymphony.org

Bearing gifts: Give your clubbing friend tix to H*MAC’s lineup of electronic dance music masters, including Bear Grillz (early Christmas present, Dec. 6) and HE$H (Jan. 18), a rising star in dubstep (yeah, I had to look it up. It’s a type of EDM.) www.harrisburgarts.com

Joyful sounds: Since 2019, proceeds from sales of “Joy to the Burg” CDs have had a real impact in sheltering and supporting the homeless of Harrisburg. The 2024 compilation brims with local musicians delivering the sacred and the silly. No Last Call marches to “The Dreidel Song.” Stars in Sapphire sings a haunting “Coventry Carol.” And Rick Pawelski and the Flying Matlocks strike a very Burg-y note with Pawelski’s “Party with Santa,” as he sings, “From the north to the south, the 717 is ready to party with Santa. We’re gonna give it our best on the east and the west shores of the Susquehanna.” The song evokes seeing old friends for the holidays, Pawelski told me. Plus, he said, “Once I figured out that Santa sorta rhymes with Susquehanna, I had something to work with.” www.joytotheburg.com

Star bright: Sankofa African American Theatre Co. presents “Black Nativity,” Langston Hughes’ retelling of the Nativity story through gospel arrangements of traditional carols and spirituals. Directed by the remarkable Sharia Benn, with music directed and arranged by Brian McGrady, “Black Nativity” shines new light on an ancient story, Dec. 6, 7 and 8. www.sankofatheatrehbg.com

Bless the Poor

Honor a loved one with a gift that makes a difference in your community.

To market, to market: With support of the community, the fire-damaged Broad Street Market hasn’t broken its streak as the nation’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market. Gift a loved one with a Friends of the Broad Street Market membership, for early-bird access, discounts for BSM events such as the popular Paint & Sip, and, of course, a tote for filling with market produce, pretzels, deli meats, candy and doggie treats. www.broadstreetmarket.org/friends

All is calm: A gift to the YWCA Greater Harrisburg transforms lives. Maybe it’s the 4,100 women, children and families who receive crisis services each year, or the 1,000 individuals and veterans who get residential support. For the holidays, generous donors fill the YW wish list with linens and activities for kids, while they step up with gift cards for gas and groceries that go directly to YWCA clients working their way out of domestic violence and homelessness. www.ywcahbg.org

Tzedakah: With its move to the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting every member of the community. Donations, naming opportunities and legacy-giving help sustain the federation and its showcase campus as sources of learning, health and culture for children, adults and senior citizens. www.jewishharrisburg.org

Five Gold Rings

Help a loved one wear a bit of the Burg—and TheBurg.

Don we now our Stay Apparel: Here’s wearable Harrisburg history, with Stay Apparel’s USA-made T-shirts, hats and accessories adorned with logos and ads from the 20th-century bars, breweries and teams of Harrisburg and central PA. I like the art deco “Refresh with Graupner’s Silver Stock Lager Beer” tee, recalling the legendary Harrisburg brewery that was run, for a time, by the founder’s indomitable widow. www.stayapparel.com

Gear up: Show off your Burg-er pride with TheBurg’s black unisex sweatshirt, women’s white cropped sweatshirt and black or white Walnut Street Bridge tee. They’re the perfect gift for a post-feast walk along the river. www.theburgnews.com/burg-gear

O PA tree: Your hiker friend needs a bit of the trail to take along everywhere she goes. Richelle Dourte of Boiling Springs-based Metalledwith hikes the woods of Pennsylvania every spring and forages for new growth on native PA trees. Then she casts her minuscule, three-day-old leaves in resin and handcrafted metalwork to create delicate necklaces and earrings. www.metalledwith.com, www.villageartisansgallery.com

Deck the Halls

The holidays last a few weeks, but art abides.

Junkster’s paradise: From the Williams Grove flea market to summer yard sales, Jason Lyons finds trash that he turns into treasure. The Harrisburg-based repurposing sculptor transforms saddles into armadillos and typewriters into fish. www.jasonlyonsarts.com

The river rocks: From the Rockville Bridge at sunset to a morning glow on the water, the Susquehanna River inspires artists to capture its mystery. Find local scenes from local artists, including Jonathan Frazier, Carrie Wissler-Thomas and Susan Benigni Landis, at The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing, New Cumberland www.fineart2u.com. Other places to nab art locally include the Art Association of Harrisburg (www.artassocofhbg.com), the Millworks (www.millworksharrisburg.com) and almost any other area gallery.

Reindeer Games

Time out! Take a play break.

Put me in, coach: During the winter solstice, we light candles to chase away the darkness. Or, we can conjure sunny summer days by putting a baseball under the tree, wrapped in Harrisburg Senators season tickets. www.milb.com/harrisburg

Ice, ice baby: The scrape of the skates. The swish of the sticks. The whirr of the Zamboni. Sounds like the AHL Hershey Bears are back with world-class hockey. I must check out the Dec. 22 Berks Holiday Ham Shoot. No, you don’t shoot hams. You shoot pucks for a chance to win a ham. www.hersheybears.com

Run, run Rudolph: Lace up the sneakers and fulfill your New Year’s resolution to train for 2025 YMCA-sponsored races, which will include a half marathon, the always-fun HBG Mile and, of course, the venerable HBG Marathon, among other races. In just a few months, you’ll be in good enough shape to compete with the field. www.hbgyrun.org

Cuddle up: ModSew Designs from New Cumberland’s Rebecca Adey offers stuffed toys with Midcentury Modern flair. Whimsical deer, elephants and octopi just beg to be loved. Millworks Studio #322, www.millworksharrisburg.com/artist/modsew-designs

Beautiful Sight

That Dr. Who TARDIS ornament isn’t an actual time machine. Give the gift of genuine time travel with a piece of Harrisburg history.

Snow scene: When I worked in the Pa. Capitol and had a window looking up at the dome, I felt like I was in a snow globe every time it flurried. The 2024 Capitol Preservation Committee ornament evokes that feeling with its depiction of the Capitol on a winter’s day. www.store.cpc.state.pa.us.

Laying the foundation: Every building in Harrisburg tells a story, and intrepid historian Ken Frew uncovers their tales, from 1719 to 1941, in “Building Harrisburg.” Frew’s monumental compendium brings to life Harrisburg’s architects and the landmark buildings they created amid controversies, confabs and clashes. www.Dauphincountyhistory.org/gift-shop

Traverse afar: “Along the Bethel Trail: The Journey of An African American Faith Community” focuses on the history of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church to distill the story of Harrisburg’s Black community in all its resilience, faith and fight. www.amazon.com, www.dauphincountyhistory.org/gift-shop

Local Flavor

I don’t know what figgy pudding is, either. Let’s try these Harrisburg tastes, instead.

Visions of sugarplums: The legacy of Matangos Candies founder Christoforos “Pop” Matangos lives on in the sweets he first learned to make in Istanbul. You’ll still find them, including the impossibly thin and irresistible Venetian mints, in the shop he founded in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill. www.Matangoscandies.com

Cookie monster: You know what’s better than a gift card? Cookies, especially if they come in a gift basket bursting with flavors of your choice, plus three gaily decorated sugar cookies and two gingerbread men. Cece’s Cake Shop has been delighting Harrisburg-area sweet tooths since 2020. Gift a holiday-themed cookie platter, cake pop bouquet, or gingerbread house kit, and grab a few limited-edition cakes and cookies in cranberry almond and eggnog flavors for yourself. www.cecescakeshop.com

Hopping mad: This elf doesn’t stay on the shelf for long. Mad Elf from Troegs Independent Brewing is a seasonal staple, in all its 11% ABV glory. Taste the holidays in every sip made with cherries, Pennsylvania wildflower honey and winter spices. www.troegs.com/bee/mad-elf

Yuletide spirits: Midstate Distillery is the hometown go-to for craft spirits and fun events. Gift an unexpected infusion (Fruity Pebbles, anyone?), meticulously crafted classic such as the nine-botanicals gin (my fave), or a Pennsyltucky bourbon made with PA grains. Crack open the Scratch Batch Cinnamon Vanilla Vodka, and stir up Midstate’s recipe for the winter’s apple cocktail. www.midstatedistillery.com

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

Deck the City: House tour puts Harrisburg history on display

November 26, 2024 | by Alex Hayes

Breeze Hill in Bellevue Park

In August, an EF-1 tornado ripped through parts of Harrisburg’s heavily wooded Bellevue Park community.

Unfortunately, it damaged several homes slated to be featured in Historic Harrisburg Association’s annual Candlelight House Tour.

David Morrison, HHA’s executive director, gave the owners the opportunity to opt out, but they insisted that their homes would be ready, even decorated for the season, come Dec. 8.

“Every homeowner wanted the community to see they were recovering, and Bellevue is still a great neighborhood,” Morrison said.

Coincidentally, the house tour arose from another natural disaster.

The tour started in 1973, shortly after HHA’s founding, following the devastation caused by flooding from Hurricane Agnes, which prompted residents to focus on preserving the city’s history.

This year’s self-guided tour, the 51st, focuses on three clusters of Harrisburg: Bellevue Park, Uptown and in the Capitol district. Bellevue Park, Morrison said, features a unique history dating back to the early 1900s.

J. Horace McFarland, a local Harrisburg businessman and civic leader, partnered with landscape designer Warren H. Manning of Boston to create Pennsylvania’s first landscaped suburb. McFarland and Manning outlined the streets by following the land’s natural contours instead of the more typical grid design.

“In 1909, designing a neighborhood that respected the environment was pretty radical,” Morrison said.

He said that many of the properties on the tour are usually closed to the public.

Near the Capitol, tour attendees can view modern dwellings housed inside historic buildings. Their exteriors look the same as they did when first built, but their interiors have been remodeled to accommodate modern design schemes and comforts.

“The public has become far more sophisticated when it comes to historic preservation,” Morrison said. “I always marvel at the creativity.”

House Curious

Morrison said the buildings’ inclusion on the tour reflects a recent trend to renovate former commercial spaces for residential dwellings.

“People like and want old buildings,” he said.

Louisa Eyler is one of those people. Eyler’s affinity for old houses began in her childhood home in Dillsburg, which was built in 1731.

A few years ago, she purchased 511 N. 2nd St. and a property in the rear of the lot, rehabbed them, and began a short-term rental business. Eyler said that most of her guests are families looking for a central gathering place.

Eyler said that she focuses on what the house needs when decorating it. She kept the original stained radiators but added custom heat covers for safety.

A friend’s home was on last year’s tour, and Eyler was impressed with the guests’ sincere interest in Harrisburg’s history.

“The people on the tour were curious,” she said. “It wasn’t a parade of trespassers.”

Eyler hopes that the tour sparks others’ interest in preserving old properties.

“If you take care of it, it will take care of you,” she said.

Other spots, such as St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Grace United Methodist Church on State Street, are largely the same since they were founded in 1918 and 1871, respectively.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence on Front Street, built in 1968, is one of the tour’s mainstays.

Tour attendees will receive a program book that serves as their ticket. It contains information on each property and a map of their locations. Participants can visit the sites in any order they wish. Some attempt to view them all, Morrison said, while others choose their personal must-sees. A few of the locations are walkable from one another, while some require a vehicle.

Morrison is pleased that the city has shifted from preservationists being viewed as adversaries to partners. Harrisburg consists of seven municipal historic districts and four national historic districts, so there are many stories within the city’s boundaries.

“It’s quite possible that someone may go on the tour, be inspired by what owners have done with their property, and take on a project of their own,” Morrison said.

Historic Harrisburg Association’s 51st annual Candlelight House Tour takes place Dec. 8, 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the HHA Resource Center, 1230 N. 3rd St., and at www.historicharrisburg.org.

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

Little Tree of Hope: Unexpected sparkle of Christmas lights brightens lonely travels

November 26, 2024 | by Deborah Lynch

Deb Richmond, Steve Wertz, Patty Wertz

A little tree along Route 322 East between Millerstown and Newport stands tall like a beacon in the night for weary drivers.

From October to April, the miniature tree sends a message of caring and kindness in an uncertain world to all who drive by as it sits alone atop an embankment near the Juniata River. Drivers flying by might wonder how this tree, in the middle of nowhere, is lit up, as there seem to be no buildings in sight along the busy highway.

Unseen to drivers, Steve and Patty Wertz live at the bottom of that hill in a house they had built in 1997. Both had commuted for many years to the Harrisburg area for work, and Steve, a truck driver, was inspired after seeing a tree stay lit far past the Christmas season off Route 83 outside of York one year.

After the lights went out, he realized how much it had brightened his lonely nighttime drives. He noticed how dark and dreary the stretch of highway above his property was and, in 2015, decided to do for others what that tree had done for him.

The first tree grew too large, so the couple planted another, smaller tree after Patty had suggested putting lights on a bigger tree. Steve responded, “No, just a little light.”

“The simplicity is the beauty of it all,” he said.

That’s how it has stayed—one 3½-foot-tall tree with a long strand of multi-colored lights and a very long, 10-gauge, heavy-duty grade extension cord that winds its way down the hill to their back porch.

At one point, Steve asked someone at Harbor Freight for the right extension cord to withstand the weather and the long season. The employee responded, “I know where you live. I’ve seen that tree.”

Odes to a Tree

Over the years, the tree has attracted quite a following.

Some travelers pinpointed the location on Google Maps, using the power line next door to figure out an address, and sent Christmas greetings and thanks to the Wertzes. Others stopped along the side of the road leaving cards, decorations on the tree, placards, gift cards and money as thanks.

One enthusiastic fan sent a Philadelphia Eagles holiday card with no name, but with this message inside: “Thank you so much for the cheerful lighted tree along 322. I travel past it twice a week, and it always puts a smile on my face! Sometimes the littlest things bring the most joy!”

The most personal and special memento was a poem left every year by a middle school teacher commuting each morning from Thompsontown to Susquenita.

Towards the end of each winter, she would stop on the way to work, climb the snow-covered bank, and place her anonymous poem, printed on yellow paper and wrapped in a plastic bag inside a small holiday tin, near the tree as a thank you to the equally anonymous people who had taken the time to add colorful light to her daily journey. Patty Wertz framed the first poem and puts all subsequent ones behind it in the frame.

This language arts teacher—who said she had never written poetry before the tree inspired her—knew she planned to retire at the end of the 2024 school year. So, she pulled all nine of the poems she had written together into a tiny book that she self-published as “Christmas Tree Poems” and left the book at the base of the tree, along with a link to her website identifying herself as Deb Richmond.

Patty Wertz reached out to Richmond through her website, writing, “Your poems were the highlight of our Holiday Season, especially now with all the things happening in the world. It was so nice getting a little piece of joy to end the year.”

Since then, the two have become kindred spirits who meet regularly.

“I lost a little illuminated friend last winter,” Richmond writes about the Christmas tree she will no longer pass as regularly, in a newsletter aimed at older readers on nostalgic topics that she sends to subscribers. “I found something much better—a friend who talks to me, listens to me, and laughs with me. It was a good trade.”

Winter Glow

By Deb Richmond
[Her first poem to the Christmas tree (2016)]

My morning’s road is dark and grey
With muted beams to light the way
But on the rise before the town
A tree of color stands alone
Christmas glows refresh my eyes
A break from toneless empty skies
As winter thaws
And mornings brighten
The tree grows small and colors fade
But when January’s bitter coldness heightened
The tree was there to bless my days
Thanks to the giver of small light
Praise to the Maker of all light

For more information on Deb Richmond’s newsletters and her other work, visit www.debrichmond.com.

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

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