Pasta Perfect: Add orzo to your side salad this summer

May 30, 2024 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

The time for summer picnics and cookouts has finally arrived.

Time for hamburgers, hot dogs and all the mayonnaise-laden salads as sides. I love all the traditional sides: macaroni and potato salads, baked beans with bacon and molasses, and, of course, corn on the cob. But my family, not so much.

I often make a lovely Caprese salad for a summer meal: sliced tomatoes (heirlooms are nice), sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, with basil leaves scattered on top. Corn salads are wonderful too, especially if made with corn that is first cooked on the grill.

The last couple of years, I have made a very versatile pasta salad with orzo. I found the recipe in an “All Recipes” cooking magazine, and I find myself pulling it out often.

Orzo is pasta that looks like rice, but is a true pasta made with semolina flour just like your favorite rigatoni. It originated in Italy, but is widely used in other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. I have been able to find plain orzo as well as whole wheat and tri-color versions, which, when mixed with other ingredients, really all taste the same.

Ingredients

1 16-ounce package orzo (any type)
1 10-ounce package fresh spinach (baby spinach is nice)
½ pound crumbled feta cheese (best to add when the pasta has cooled slightly)
½ red onion, finely chopped
¾ cup pine nuts
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper
Vinaigrette dressing to taste (The warm orzo will quickly absorb your dressing. I often add more before serving.)

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Add 16 ounces orzo and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain and rinse with cold water.
Place in a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients: spinach, red onion, pine nuts, dried or fresh basil, salt and pepper.
When the mixture has cooled slightly, add the feta cheese.
Toss with vinaigrette dressing or olive oil and vinegar to taste.
As the salad cools, keep taking a little taste and add more dressing and/or salt and pepper to your liking.
If you refrigerate, bring to room temperature before serving.

My pasta salad is so amenable to substituting different ingredients that almost everyone will like it:

Arugula instead of spinach
Omit the onion and/or the pine nuts.
Add a few cups of frozen baby peas.
Small, diced red pepper adds beautiful color.
If you don’t like feta cheese, cubes of Muenster or Havarti are a mild and less salty alternative.
Chopped fresh basil instead of dried
Vinaigrette dressings work better than creamy ones, but there are lots of different ones to choose from. Plain olive oil and vinegar also work.

This salad can also be converted to a main dish for lunch or dinner by adding some grilled chicken, cut into strips and placed on top. Perfect for a hot summer day.

Orzo in Italian means “barley.” But it’s not barley. It’s pasta and perhaps a new one for you to enjoy.

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June News Digest

May 30, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Temporary Market Structure Opens

The Broad Street Market’s temporary tent opened last month, more than 10 months after the market’s brick building was devastated by fire.

On opening day, Leon Glick, owner of Two Brothers BBQ, said that, by 8:45 a.m., he had more customers visit his stand than he did at his old spot in the brick building.

Glick, like many other vendors, waited for months to reopen in the structure that Harrisburg created for displaced brick building vendors, enduring numerous construction delays.

“We’re really excited,” he said. “I think it’s a very good opportunity. Our customer base is great.”

In total, eight vendors are open in the market tent. This includes former brick building vendors Doggie Delights, Lil’s Pretzels, Peach Ridge Produce, Two Brothers BBQ and Fisher’s Delights, as well as new vendors, Cherished Treasures, Diaspora and Taylor Chip.

City and market officials have estimated that a rebuild of the market’s brick building may take two years or more.

Harrisburg communications director Matt Maisel said that he was happy to see customers supporting the vendors who “have been so resilient.” However, he noted the “shadow” cast by the stalled reconstruction of the brick building. Last month, City Council rejected the administration’s choice for construction manager, which could delay the start of the project for months.

And while the fire-damaged building continues to sit untouched, vendors and customers said that they, at least, feel grateful that the temporary structure has finally opened.

Schools Chief to Leave Harrisburg District

The Harrisburg School District will begin the search for a new top official. 

Last month, the district shared that Superintendent Eric Turman was appointed as the superintendent of Central Dauphin School District and will leave Harrisburg.  

In a release, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski congratulated Turman and said that the district would begin looking for a new superintendent. 

“I am committed to a very thorough and transparent search process for a new superintendent that will include a considerable amount of employee, parent and community stakeholder input and involvement,” Suski said.  

Suski also noted that she will consider appointing an interim superintendent while the search process takes place.  

Turman’s leaving may also impact the district’s reconfiguration, which is slated to begin this coming school year and involves closing some school buildings, opening others and shifting some grades to new buildings, Suski said.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time of transition,” she said. “We are firmly committed to supporting our students and staff and look forward to a positive end to the school year.” 

Top City Official to Depart

A top Harrisburg official plans to leave his post this month.

City Business Administrator Dan Hartman told TheBurg that he has informed city leaders of his intention to leave the job. 

Hartman began in his role when Mayor Wanda Williams took her post in January 2022. He also served as part of Williams’ transition team in the months prior. His hiring was officially approved by City Council that February. 

In Harrisburg, the business administrator is a top position, responsible, along with the mayor, for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city. His last day will be on June 7. 

According to Hartman, he is leaving the city to go back to working for the state government, from which he received a “fantastic offer.” 

The city has already begun looking for a new business administrator, said Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director. Hartman is aiding in the selection process, as well.

“Dan is making sure whoever fills his large shoes is someone who is capable,” Maisel said. 

School District Buys Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District soon will have a new home base for operations. 

Last month, the district purchased the former Penn State Harrisburg Eastgate Center for $3.1 million.

Previously, receiver Dr. Lori Suski had approved the purchase of the 48,704-square-foot building at 1010 N. 7th St. for use as the district’s new administration building. 

In February, the district decided to reconfigure several of its school buildings, moving some grades to different buildings and closing others. As part of the plan, the current Lincoln Administration Building on State Street will become an elementary school. 

Separately, Suski has approved an agreement with local nonprofit Ngozi, Inc. to serve as the fiduciary for a new program aimed at helping to improve student behavior. 

In March, Suski approved a proposal to create a new Safe Passages Program that will be operated by local nonprofit Concerned About the Children of Harrisburg (C.A.T.C.H.) at the Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus. As part of the program, nine adults will be present in the school during lunch and school dismissal to help diffuse student behavioral issues. 

Participants will be paid, through Ngozi, Inc., an hourly rate of $15 for up to three hours per day. 

Stallions Nightclub to Become “Karma”

A longtime Harrisburg nightclub will get a fresh remix as new owners plan to make substantial updates. 

Stallions nightclub downtown will become “Karma” as a Harrisburg couple is purchasing the club, which has for decades served as a hub for nightlife in the LGBTQ+ community. 

“We want to bring to Harrisburg more of a diverse and dynamic nightlife experience,” said Nelson Mena, who will be the managing partner of Karma and co-owner with his partner, George Fernandez, CEO of Harrisburg-based Color & Culture and Latino Connection. 

Mena, who is a Dominican Republic native, is hoping to bring new life to the club, which has operated on N. 3rd Street since 1985, while also preserving it as a community establishment.  

“We are aware that it has become a fixture in Harrisburg,” he said. “They’re iconic, and we don’t want to erase the legacy. But we want people to receive a breath of fresh air.” 

Stallions will remain open as the club transitions leadership and names, with a planned opening as Karma in July, Mena said. The club will at no time be closed. 

Mena said that Karma will offer an “elevated” experience with dancing, live music, DJs, cocktails and entertainment.

The couple plans to freshen up the building with light renovations to modernize the style. They will begin by keeping the first floor and basement space open, while doing work on the second and third floors and in-house chef’s kitchen.  

“People are going to walk in and see amazing updates,” Mena said.  

More Pizza for Midtown

Two long-time Harrisburg restaurateurs are joining forces on a new pizza and sub shop in Midtown.

Judd Goodman of Federal Taphouse and Ozzie Cabrera of Niko’s Pizza and Tonino’s Pizza plan to open Slice of Midtown at 1100 N. 3rd St., according to the pair.

The shop, slated to debut this month, will offer pizza, cheesesteaks, hoagies, grinders, wings and some Italian dinner entrees, Goodman said.

“The void of pizza, cheesesteaks and salads at an affordable price to that area was the deciding factor (in opening),” he said. “We are also catering to the late night crowd on Friday and Saturday to satisfy the live music and late night enthusiasts.”

Another positive is the restaurant’s proximity to major employment centers in Harrisburg, such as the state Capitol Complex and the federal courthouse, Goodman added.

The building is located at the corner of N. 3rd and Herr streets, which last housed Sushi Yatta, a short-lived business that closed in 2022. Before that, a convenience store and various shops occupied the first-floor retail space.

Slice of Midtown will build on Cabrera’s recipes, with all breads, rolls, pizza dough, sauces and dressings made from scratch, according to the owners.

The eatery will be takeout-only, as the snug space doesn’t permit seating, Goodman said. There also will be delivery and pick-up options via an app.

Home Sales, Prices Higher

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both moved higher in April, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

In the three-county region, 496 homes sold in April, compared to 448 in April 2023, as the median sales price rose to $255,000 from $245,000 over the period, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 227 houses sold, a drop of six from the year-ago period, though the median price increased to $230,000 from $213,900, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 227 home sales versus 193 a year ago, while the median price rose slightly to $287,600 from $285,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, 35 houses changed hands compared to 19 in April 2023, as the median sales price inched up to $220,000 from $219,000, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales picked up in April, as “average days on market” dropped to 26 days versus 34 days the prior April, GHAR said.

So Noted

Angie Singer Keating has been appointed board president of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA. According to the State College-based organization, Keating has over two decades of experience in information systems, project management and engineering.

Goodwill Keystone Area, Reworld and the PA Department of Environmental Protection last month announced a new, free e-waste recycling program at the Goodwill Keystone Area Store and Donation Center, 1200 Market St., Lemoyne. This initiative is set to increase electronic waste recycling capacities across 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania, ensuring no-cost disposal options for residents.

Knead Pizza is reopening, nearly two years after shuttering amidst a controversy over an employee unionization effort. The small pizza shop, located at N. 3rd and Boas streets in Harrisburg, plans to open only on Thursdays and Fridays, operated only by Knead’s owners.

Ryan McCrory last month was named the new executive director of the Dauphin County Library System. McCrory holds an MLIS degree from Clarion University and has over 25 years of library experience, according to DCLS. He replaces Karen Cullings, who retired last year.

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) last month received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, a nonprofit dedicated to improving philanthropy transparency and effectiveness. The award helps assure donors and community members that their contributions are managed with integrity and are used to drive substantial, measurable impact in our region, according to TFEC.

Tri County Housing recently received the Pyramid Award for “Best Affordable Housing—Multi-Family Project” from the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg. The Harrisburg-based housing nonprofit received the award for its Hummel Street revitalization project, which includes 10 new affordable townhouses over the past two years.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 144: D&L Development Group Inc. to E. Sanchez, $149,900

Bellevue Rd., 1920: KMZ LLC to JG Family Trust, $100,000

Bellevue Rd., 1942: KMZ LLC to G. Valera, $89,900

Benton St., 627: D. Myers to D. Darden & C. Sepulveda, $195,000

Benton St., 704: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to V. Okuneye, $125,000

Briggs St., 1824: S. Zunun to I. Yushawu, $145,000

Burchfield St., 315 & 317: Greenbrook Enterprises LLC to Zook Rentals LLC, $240,000

Chestnut St., 1607: H. Hoffman & D. Yorty to Meridian Realty Holdings LLC, $110,000

Crescent St., 455: Val de Vie Estate Investments LLC to C. Scott, $112,000

Croyden Rd., 2927: L. Harris to J. Bosley & M. Wesolowski, $142,000

Cumberland St., 214: C. Anderson to Z. Hoopes, $210,000

Derry St., 1333: Paramount Sol LLC to S. Flores, $1,470,000 ?????

Derry St., 2711: R. Tonkin to Vertical Capital LLC, $110,000

Division St., 609: M. Della Porta to 6th Street Liquor LLC, $2,700,000

Emerald St., 219: M. Goldthwait & L. Witmer to B. Pardoe, $230,000

Emerald St., 226: HBG Rents LLC to L. Miller, $265,000

Evergreen St., 121: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Bloom Estate Investment LLC, $275,000

Forster St., 2025: Laurel Associates LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $80,500

Fulton St., 1704: E. Hummel & B. Higgins to L. Young, $224,500

Fulton St., 1723: S. DeLong to J. Polanco, $210,000

Green St., 1318: G. & E. Gibeau to O. Pierce, $142,000

Harris St., 220: R. Perez to LA Squared Rental LLC, $274,900

Harris St., 443: Green Book Enterprises LLC to Keystone Properties Solutions LLC, $206,000

Herr St., 1727: M&N Prestige LLC to C. Burgos & R. Gutierrez, $101,000

Hoerner St., 129: C. Early to C. Smith, $102,000

Howard St., 1321: M. Nichole to Mau Properties LLC, $50,000

Kensington St., 2237: C. Tran & H. Lan to K. Dieu, $95,000

Kensington St., 2239: R. Cash to C. Koehn, $130,000

Lexington St., 2614: S. Washington to G&W Rentals LLC, $62,500

Liberty St., 1404: R. & D. Requa to Balaci Properties LLC, $95,000

Logan St., 1627: Toolbox of Life Inc. to Culcay Remodeling Guagua Remodeling LLC, $62,000

Mercer St., 2423: E. Green to S. German, $146,000

Mercer St., 2428: W. Fisher to K. Guerrero, $132,000

Mercer St., 2465: M. Mast to S. Esayas, $78,000

North St., 1912½: E. Hevner to Berger 1912 LLC, $92,000

N. 2nd St., 2321: R. & P. Higdon to Central PA Investment Group LLC, $54,500

N. 2nd St., 3105: J. Long & A. Carr to E. Knerr, $215,000

N. 3rd St., 1906: C. Chapman to C. Spoonhour, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 2336: L&C Holdings LLC to Sri Balaji LLC, $675,000

N. 4th St., 2319: Berrospi Properties LLC to Prime Realty Solutions 4U LLC, $115,000

N. 5th St., 1600: C. Henson to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $58,500

N. 5th St., 3014 & 3016: L. Busko to A. Jackson & A. Nornhold, $202,000

N. 6th St., 2101; 2120, 2124, 2128, 2130 Jefferson St.; 606, 608, 610, 612 & 620 Maclay St.; 2119 Elizabeth Alley: Mighty Group Holdings LLC to Pennsylvania Social Equity Land Trust Inc., $14,500,000

N. 6th St., 2667: SPG Capital LLC to NFN LLC, $175,000

N. 12th St., 60: A. Bouhach to T. Kea, $110,000

N. 14th St., 63: P. Sisemore to E&R Realty Legacy LLC, $144,000

N. 16th St., 912: C. Van Den Hazenkamp to J. Lopez, $180,000

N. 17th St., 803: Rosaruth Properties LLC to R. Pollard, $185,000

N. 18th St., 902: Old Cellar Creek Ventures LLC to D. Ward, $75,000

N. 18th St., 917: R. & D. Requa to MAT Holdings LLC, $80,000

N. Front St., 1121: R. & A. Kinch to Cummings Real Estate LP, $475,000

N. Front St., 1335 & 1309 Bartine St.: PA Chiropractic Association to LE Trust, $350,000

Park St., 1929: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $80,000

Paxton St., 1801: MMLM Realty LLC to Nilkanth Real Estate LLC, $170,000

Penn St., 1405: C. Halpert to Gallick Redevelopment Group LLC, $62,000

Penn St., 1922: A. Hibbard to A. Geise 2005 Trust, $285,000

Penn St., 2329: R. Memmi to Twelfth Roof LLC, $109,000

Pennwood Rd., 3125: J. Ritchey to New Ventures Investments LLC, $145,000

Reel St., 2456: D&F Realty Holdings LP to A. Abubakari, $155,000

Reel St., 2713: M. Rodriquez to Y. Luna, $140,000

Regina St., 1845: M. Lehman to Mau Properties LLC, $80,000

Reily St., 213: E. Brantner to L. Bennett & M. Reutinger, $192,000

Reily St., 215: Big Leaf Properties LLC to Calders Street Development LLC, $265,000

Rudy Rd., 2155: C. Lopus to J. Keating, $210,000

Rumson Dr., 2856: S. Aiken to K. Deininger, $135,000

S. 15th St., 11: J. Shaulis to S. Cyprys, $135,000

S. 15th St., 25: 1822 Park LLC to Anneliese Enterprise LLC, $85,000

S. 17th St., 427: B. Debeljak to D. Villanona, $145,500

S. 18th St., 1235: Glanzair Properties LLC to R. & E. Nartey, $220,000

S. 29th St., 726: T. Schiffhauer to M. Madrid, $127,800

S. Front St., 547: B. Ward to 2nd Level Management LLC, $90,000

Spencer St., 1837: E. Ayala, L. Hernandez & N. Vogt to J. & C. Peterson, $85,000

State St., 1340: R. & D. Requa to Kermon Home Solutions LLC, $100,000

State St., 1404: M. Henson to C. & M. White, $110,000

Swatara St., 1519: Tri County HDC Ltd. to Y. Feliz, $99,900

Swatara St., 2123: L. Brown to R. Washington, $110,000

Verbeke St., 212: L. Fee to A&W Homes LLC, $147,000

Verbeke St., 232: M. Meyer to A. O’Brien, $229,000

Walnut St., 1420: D. Pittman to 1420 Walnut LLC, $157,500

Whitehall St., 1851: Best By LLC to YT Harrisburg LLC, $265,000

Woodbine St., 526: S. Ratliff & J. Grier to C. Asong & R. Folefac, $69,000

Yale St., 217: J. & G. Proctor to Q. Demiri, $50,000

Zarker St., 1910: Z. Wiest & PA Deals LLC to Crummel Insurance Agency LLC, $124,900

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

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June Publisher’s Note

May 30, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

It’s not every month that our magazine cover serves double duty.

For June, our cover image is a photo that we took last year during the annual Juneteenth celebration, showing several performers from the Legacy Drip Dance Team.

We love the composition, the movement, the sheer joy evident in this photograph by John Bivins.

We saved this fantastic image for an entire year because we wanted its publication to coincide with the next Juneteenth. And here we are!

Once again, Young Professionals of Color will hold Juneteenth HBG, a massive celebration this month featuring music, art, vendors, education, etc, etc. There are too many events and activities to list here, in this word-limited introduction, so please visit www.ypoc.org for all the details.

But, like I mentioned above, our cover actually serves two purposes.

We also selected this photo to coincide with a new section that we call “Family Time.”

Over the years, we often have been asked to include more content for families and children in TheBurg. We developed Family Time to meet that need, as we always try to be responsive to our readers and our community.

Each month, Family Time will include one or more feature stories, puzzles and games and a new activities/events column by our very own Natalie diSanto. If you have any suggestions for stories or future events, please contact Natalie or our newly promoted assistant editor, Maddie Gittens, who is overseeing the section. You’ll find their emails in the masthead to the right.

Otherwise, the June issue is chock full of summertime features and events here in the Harrisburg area. There’s a lot going on, so please take our content as just a jumping-off point for things to do in our rapidly growing region.

In my opinion, June is when our area truly shines. Baseball is in full swing on City Island, the Pride of the Susquehanna plies the river, al fresco dining spills out onto downtown sidewalks, music rings throughout Riverfront Park.

Welcome to the warm outdoors, Harrisburg. Your summertime awaits!

Lawrance Binda

Publisher/Editor

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Reservoir Art: Harrisburg area residents, by the hundreds, contributed to the new mosaic at the Chutes and Ladders playground

May 30, 2024 | by Tony Gilbert

Mosaic details

“Everyone can be creative in ways they don’t expect,” said Jessica Liddell, lead artist of a unique mosaic at Harrisburg’s Chutes and Ladders playground at Reservoir Park.

Built into the hillside are snaking slides and play equipment invoking the board game of the same name. The mosaic represents the collective artwork of unnamed neighbors who share a story through stone and glass tiles, complementing the park with handmade pieces from a thousand volunteers.

“There’s something special about it, and it fosters community pride when someone passes by a project they worked on,” Liddell said. “We wanted to incorporate as many people as we could.”

The mosaic’s pieces were crafted by volunteers during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend at the Artsfest booth overlooking the Susquehanna River. Incorporating local clays from Pennsylvanian sources, the mosaic now stands as a permanent reminder of the creativity of a community.

“Jessica knew we wanted a colorful design that depicted elements of ‘play’ and nature, which we felt tied in with the park,” said Cortney Ranck-Cameron, Harrisburg’s manager of special events and marketing. “Jessica and volunteers showed (Artsfest) attendees how to create their own ceramic tile.”

Artist assistant Heather McCord and volunteer installing the mosaic

By the end of the event, they had over 1,000 tiles, which then were glazed and fired, and, finally, assembled into the mosaic.

Peggy Spellman was one of the volunteers who worked under Liddell’s direction to assemble and install the tiles in the Chutes and Ladders mosaic. Spellman crafts mosaics at home and volunteered on other community mosaics, including at the Coexist Gallery in Steelton.

“I enjoy using broken glass to create something beautiful,” Spellman said. “I love the idea that broken things, situations, people can be restored.”

Spellman started working with stained glass when she inherited her father’s stained glass and tools.

“I’m drawn to doing mosaics because it’s easy to do,” she said. “I can use stained glass pieces, stones, shells, beads and small objects to create something unique. Also, I can create mosaics on a wall, window, table top, bowls, bird bath.”

In addition to contributing to the creation of the park mosaic, Spellman was one of the first to use the Chutes and Ladders playground, when she brought her 3-year-old grandson Omar to play by the newly constructed mosaic.

“I love the project at Reservoir Park because it involved the community from the creation of the tiles to the creation of the wall,” Spellman said. “While we were working on the wall, all kinds of people were invited to help, including children, moms and grandparents. They were all so excited that they were able to help create something that will be able to be enjoyed for years to come.”

Jessica Liddell

Making a mural that will last “for years to come” is a challenge for the artist. Liddell observed that mosaics meant for the outdoors must have an especially dense clay to keep moisture out of the tile.

“Outdoor projects are more technically complicated,” she said. “They have to withstand the elements, like snow, and special tiles are fired to a high temperature.”

For Liddell, mosaics are more than background art—she has built a career through the medium. Inspired by a visit to Gaudi’s “La Sagrada Familia” in Barcelona, she started her foray into the art world in San Francisco’s Mission District, a neighborhood famous for its vibrant murals. Her husband, a Pennsylvania native, brought her east, where she made a name for herself on the Philadelphia art scene with hundreds of celebrated public mosaics and murals made through her business, Bella Mosaic Art.

“I love working in this way,” she said. “From far away, you might notice something. I invite people to take a closer look. I try to make projects with interactive details.”

The mosaic at Chutes and Ladders helps beautify the park, adding charm and character to the community in a way that only art can do.

“I love to see art projects such as the one at Chutes and Ladders or the 40-plus murals throughout the city add a pop of color in a space,” Ranck-Cameron said. “It takes what would have been an empty wall, or in the case of this project, a standard bench, and adds something with more meaning that people can connect to. It helps enhance the character of a space.”

The Chutes and Ladders Playground is located at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg.

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Musical Notes: June Jams

May 30, 2024 | by Skye Leppo

The forecast is in, and we’re seeing some heavy concert bills on the horizon. So, don’t sleep on prepping for the upcoming show season. Hydrate, get your shoes comfortably broken in, order those ear plugs. You’re going to be happy you took every measure possible to take in all the sweet music coming our way.

UNDER THE RADAR

6/1, Sir Chloe, H*MAC

I’m so impressed with what I’ve been hearing from the infectious Sir Chloe, an androgynous five-piece from Vermont that has a thrashing lofi/grunge sound. Upon hearing them, I picked up influences from The Cranberries and St. Vincent. And, while I’d heard the viral track, “Michelle,” on social media a few times, the band’s 2023 album, “I Am The Dog,” is just extraordinary. I’m disappointed I missed it in my 2023 album of the year roundup. Really excited to catch this show—maybe I’ll see you there.

NOT YOUR DAD’S ROCK ’N’ ROLL

6/6, Mdou Moctar, The Abbey Bar

Nigerian rock quartet Mdou Moctar is currently touring their freshly released album, “Funeral for Justice,” which delivers an incredibly interesting presentation of traditional rock influences infused into Tuareg-style guitar that oozes with energy and passion. The front person, Moctar, is known for his grassroots style of music distribution that kicked off with mp3 networks in West Africa in the mid-aughts. What listeners will experience from this album—and show—is completely evolved beyond what that teenager, doing cool stuff with autotune and synthesizers, dreamed up. This might be one of the most unique concerts Harrisburg has ever welcomed to one of its stages.

FRENETIC & FUZZY

6/17, Kurt Vile & the Violators, H*MAC

“Pretty Pimpin” has been perpetually stuck in my head since it was released in 2015, but the Philly-based guitarist’s psychedelic melodies and somewhat stream-of-consciousness-inspired work is some of my favorite music to vibe out to, whether driving, writing or just hanging out with friends. You might know Vile as the former guitarist of The War on Drugs, but he’s cultivated a sound all his own over the last two decades, most recently releasing 2023’s massive album, “Back to Moon Beach.”

BANG, BANG ON THE WATER

6/21, Harrisburg University Presents Jenny Lewis, Riverfront Park

Harrisburg University is kicking things off with an explosive set of shows the third weekend of June at the riverfront, starting with indie darling Jenny Diane Lewis. For those of you who haven’t been following her since the days of Rilo Kiley and The Postal Service, expect to listen to her light up the stage with her sassy, timeless and, at times, endearingly uneven songs. Her music can’t really be categorized because she breaks down boundaries and expectations with equal amounts of surprise, intelligence and groovy nonchalance, a certain SoCal air she carries so well that I feel shines best on work like her 2014 album, “The Voyager,” or even 2023’s “Joy’All.” Catch my interview with her in this issue, where you’ll also find a preview of the shows headed to Harrisburg University’s Riverfront Park series this summer.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

6/1, The Floozies, XL Live

6/6, The Menzingers, H*MAC

6/7, Easton Corbin, H*MAC

6/14, Shemekia Copeland, XL Live

6/22, Xavier Rudd w/Bobby Alu, XL Live

6/22, GZA & Kota The Friend, H*MAC

6/23, HU Presents Fleet Foxes, Riverfront Park

6/26, HU Presents KingFish, XL Live

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Nanny Issues: “I Used to Be Funny” yields perfect balance between comedy, drama

May 30, 2024 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Image courtesy of Utopia Distribution.

Sam (Rachel Sennott) used to be a comedian and an au pair.

Now she’s a lump on the sofa, trying to decide whether she should go looking for her charge, Brooke (Olga Petsa), who has gone missing—most likely having run away. Sam saw her just the other day, and she’s sure she can find her and bring her back home. But what is home, after what happened?

So, what did happen?

Director/writer Ally Pankiw’s “I Used to Be Funny” dances around the subject for the first half of the film, and, honestly, this is one of those things that is better discovered than told, so suffice it to say that Sam has got some serious PTSD. Sennott’s portrayal of her attempt to slowly rebuild her life is spot on, and, as the people around her keep hedging about her situation, Sam taps into her reserve of stand-up humor to combat most of the blows—but there are some things she just needs to meet head on.

Pankiw delivers a funny yet poignant, honest yet secretive, and all-around beautiful story. And it is great to see a more dramatic side of Sennott’s typical performances, contrasting from her comedic work in “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and “Bottoms,” to name a few. Petsa and Sennott’s chemistry as a nanny/charge duo is fantastic, and Sam’s roommates, Paige and Philip (played by Sabrina Jalees and Caleb Hearon), complement Sennott’s performance by also finding the perfect balance between humor and love and care for their friend. In fact, every character in the film has so much nuance—they all paint a vividly realistic picture of a community watching a broken cup start to refill itself.

This is a film you won’t want to miss. Check the content warnings if you need to, and be sure to catch the film at Midtown Cinema this month.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

June Events At Midtown Cinema

Upcoming First Run Film Openings

“Song of Earth,” June 7

“I Used to Be Funny,” June 14

“Thelma,” June 21

“Ghostlight,” June 21

Sunday Docs Series presents 
“Butterfly in the Sky” (2023)
Sunday, June 2 at noon

Midtown Cinema Trivia Night 
Tuesdays, June 4 and June 18

Late Night Frights Series presents 
“Hereditary” (2018)
Friday, June 7 at 9:30 p.m.

“Terrifier” (2016)
Friday, June 28 at 9:30 p.m. 

Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“The Psychotronic Man” (1979)
Friday, June 14 at 9:30ish

3rd in The Burg Movie Night presents  
“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” (2010)
Friday, June 21 at 9:30 p.m.

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

Happenings: Our June Calendar of Events

May 30, 2024 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Vintage Bicycles—Enjoy the Ride,” through Oct. 20

“Professional Vehicles—100 Years of Service,” through Oct. 20

“Ollie’s Bang for the Buck,” through Oct. 20

Husqvarna: “Get Your Husky On,” through Oct. 20

Carlisle Events 50th Anniversary Exhibit, through Oct. 20

Plymouth Showroom, through Oct. 20

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

“Shifting Expressions” exhibition Steven Pearson + Reem showcase, through July 5; reception, June 21

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

“Color Burst,” featuring Peter Seidel’s paintings and Alison Rosen’s cloisonné miniatures, June 7-July 20

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

June artist of the month

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

Artist of the Month: Chris Scheidler Pagano

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

June featured artists: Camp Hill Plein Air Artists and Reina Wooden

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, June 7-Aug. 10

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

“Paintings by Angela Lapioli and Isaac Pelepko—An Intriguing Juxtaposition of Abstract and Realist Expressions,” June 7-July 27

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

Annual Juried Student Exhibition, through Aug. 30

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

New works by The Huckle Buckle Boys, Pamela Black, R-Lo, Kristen Fava, Marsha Souders

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

“Pursuit of Freedom—The Abolition of Slavery,” highlighting early attempts to abolish slavery in the U.S. and actions that ultimately ended slavery with the 13th Amendment, through June 2

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

“Tattoos Through Time, ” through Sept. 7

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

“Art in the Stacks” featuring artist Victoria Leininger

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

“Susquehanna Valley Chapter (SVC) of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Landis House Exhibition,” June 11-Aug. 8; reception: June 21, 5-8 p.m.

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

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across the state in diverse fields and detailing the contributions they made 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)

“Pennsylvania in Watercolor—Revisiting Nick Ruggieri’s Bicentennial Series,” through June 16

“HORSE2AUTO: A Transportation Revolution”

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

“Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art,” June 8-Aug. 18

“Portraits of Identity—Harrisburg AAPI Narratives Through the Lens,” through June 16

“Ancient Ink, ” photography by Mark Perrott that documents the ever-expanding group of tattooed Americans, June 19-Oct. 6

“Margins and the Height of the Sun,” works by Elaine Elledge that she created while balancing her life as an artist and parent, and seeking a diagnosis for a medical condition, June 19-Oct. 6

“Works in Wax—Contemporary Women Encaustic Artists,” Sept. 1

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

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

“Expanding Vistas—The Vesell Family Collection and Works from the LVC Fine Art Collection, ” June 7–Aug. 4

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, June 21-Dec. 20

“William Gropper’s America,” a whimsically didactic map of the U.S. that illustrates legendary and historical figures, from Molly Pitcher to Johnny Appleseed, through Oct. 19

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

“The Sculpted World of Martz Metal Arts,” through June 1

The Glass Work of Joann Allen, June 4

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

“Art in the Wild” outdoor art show of works by local artists composed mostly of natural materials to blend with the natural setting, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

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

June 1: Copper Enameling Workshop, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 10: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
June 15: Experimental Mixed Media, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 20: Beginning Embroidery (ages 9-14), 6-8 p.m.
June 21, 28: Mug Making Workshop (ages 16-adult), 6-8 p.m.
June 22: Bronze Sand Casting Workshop, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 26: Wednesday Weel Throwing (ages 16-adult), 6-8 p.m.
June 29: Plein Air Painting at Allenberry (ages 16-adult), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

June 5: Spanish Language Conversation Group via Zoom, 6-7 p.m.

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

June 1-Aug. 15: Summer Reading 2024—Adventure Begins at Your Library
June 1-Aug. 15: GO Cumberland 2024
June 1-Aug. 15: Get Outdoors Challenge for all ages! Beginning June 1
June 3-8: Audiobook Amusement
June 4: Bingo for Books, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
June 6: Paper Mache Birds, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
June 8: Bingo for Books!, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. or 12:30-1:30 p.m.
June 10-15 Hold Your Horses! There’s a Unicorn in the Library!
June 11: Tissue Paper Butterflies, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
June 12: Painting Day Wednesday, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
June 18: Ridiculous Nicholas Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
June 18: Rainbow Paper Dahlias, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
June 22: Bean Mosaic Flowers, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 25: West Shore Wildlife Center What is biodiversity?, 1:30 p.m.
June 25: Pointillism Art Project, 6:15-7:15 p.m.

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

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Cruise Into Kindergarten, 11-11:45 a.m.
June 10, 11: Stories at Sunset, 6-6:45 p.m.
June 16, 30: The Year of Ghibli—Ponyo, 2-4 p.m.
June 20: Sip & Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 22: Figment Fore Writing Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 22: Your Self-Discovery Adventure Begins at The Library, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
June 23: The 1619 Project, 1-4 p.m.
June 27: Reading with Red Robin, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

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

June 1: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Fiber Artists, 3-6 p.m.
June 8: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 13: Ramona and her Mother Book Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 15: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 18: Baby Musik Time, 9:50-10:20 a.m.
June 18: Baby Musik Time, 10:30-11 a.m.

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

June 5: Stories on the Stairs—“Now and Ben,” 10-11 a.m.
June 6: Sound Meditation, 6-7 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Sunset Music & Movie Series, 8:30-10 p.m.
June 15: Fort Hunter Mansion and McAllister Cemetery Combo Tour, 1-3 p.m.
June 19: Stories on the Stairs—“Sewing Stories: Harriett Powers’ Journey from Slave to Artist,” 10-11 a.m.
June 22: Hearth Cooking Demonstration, 12-3 p.m.

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

June 1-Aug. 15: 2024 All Ages Summer Reading Challenge
June 1-Aug. 15: GO Cumberland Challenge 2024
June 2: Game Day for All!, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
June 2: All About Meditation to Calm the Mind, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Summer Baby & Toddler Story Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Summer Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: ESL Conversation Circle, 7-8 p.m.
June 4: Curl up with the Classics—American Short Stories, 10-11 a.m.
June 4: Genealogy Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 4: Plot Twisters Teen Writers Group, 6-7 p.m.
June 4, 18: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 6, 13: Device Advice, 5-6 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
June 7: Chess Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
June 9, 16, 23, 30: Heartfulness Meditation Workshop, 2-3 p.m.
June 14: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9:15-10 a.m.
June 14: Peaceful Poses Kids Storytime Yoga, 10-10:45 a.m.
June 15: STEM Discovery Meetup, 1:30-3 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 15: Neurodivergent Adult Support Group, 3 p.m.
June 16: Paint with Us, 1-3 p.m.
June 17: Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
June 24: Fredricksen Reads—“The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel,” 7-8 p.m.
June 29: Bingo for Books – All Ages!, 1:30-5 p.m.
June 29: Computer Basics, 2-3 p.m.

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

June 1: Paper Quilled Peacock Feather, 1-3 p.m.
June 8: Wire Bonsai Tree, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 12: Sunrises-Sunsets Watercolor Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 13: Create & Learn Week 1, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
June 15: Micro Mosaic Pendant, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 20: Create & Learn Week 2, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
June 22: Dandelion Salve Workshop, 1-3 p.m.
June 23: Windchime Workshop, 1-3 p.m.
June 27: Create & Learn Week 3, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
June 29: Aquatic Life Mosaic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

June 6: Travel Sketch Booking Workshop, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

June 1, 8, 22, 29: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
June 4: Anime Afternoon for teens, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 5, 11, 18, 25: Community Crochet Night, 6-7:45 p.m.
June 6, 20: Hershey Quilters, 12-4 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Walking Hershey, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
June 10, 17, 24: Storytime for Everyone, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 11, 18, 25: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
June 11, 18, 25: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m.
June 12: Board Game Night, 5-7:45 p.m.
June 20: LEGO Club, 4-4:45 p.m.
June 25: Silent Book Group, 10 a.m.
June 26: Art Club, 5-7:45 p.m.

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

June 1: Gluten Free Bread Baking, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 2: Berries & Blooms—Late Spring Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 8: Assembling Primitive Traps, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 8: Critter Crawl—Turtles & Snakes, 4-6 p.m.
June 8-June 22: Fungal Foundations—Spring Mycology Series, Saturdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
June 9: Bird Language and Birding by Ear, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 19: Spinal Yoga—Balancing the Mind, 8-9 p.m.
June 22: Summer Solstice Celebration, 5-9 p.m.
June 23: Intro to Power Tools, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 29: Fermenting Fruit, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

June 26: An Evening with author PJ Piccirillo, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

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

June 3: Teen Movie Monday, 6-7:45 p.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Rhyme Time, 10:15-10:35 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Toddler Time, 10:45-11:05 a.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Tea and Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
June 6, 13, 27: Beginning Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 6, 13, 27: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 6, 13, 27: Story Time, 10:15-11 a.m.
June 6, 13, 27: Toddler Time, 11:15-11:35 a.m.
June 6, 13, 27: Rhyme Time, 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
June 7: Apple Group for Seniors, 1-2 p.m.
June 8: Block Party, 10:30-11:25 a.m.
June 8: Puzzle Party, 11:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 10, 24: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 14, 28: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
June 15: Craft-A-Palooza, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 17: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 22: Trivia at Home—Are you smarter than a school student?, 6-8 p.m.
June 25: Tea & Stitches Extended Edition, 12-3 p.m.
June 27: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.

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

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Passageways, 2 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
June 8: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

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

June 3: Captain Curiosity—Found in the Stars, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
June 18: Stories at Sunset, 5:30-6:15 p.m.

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

June 8: Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

June 6: Harold Holzer in conversation with Jeffrey L. Nichols, CEO of the National Civil War Museum, 7-8 p.m.
June 12: An Evening with Emma Copley Eisenberg and Clare Beams, 7-8 p.m.
June 20: An Evening with Kimi Cunningham Grant, 7-8 p.m.
June 22: Joseph Earl Thomas
June 24: An Evening with Riley Sager and Jason Rekulak, 7-8 p.m.

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

June 1: Paint & Be A Dreamcatcher Workshop, 12:30-4 p.m.
June 22-July 27: Painting Large Acrylic and Mixed Media (abstract)

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

June 15: The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor—Lessons in History Presentation, 1-2 p.m.
June 22: Juneteenth Community Free Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

June 1, 15: Library Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 1-22: Take and Makes
June 1-30: Scavenger Hunts (ages 0-12)
June 1-Aug. 15: Summer Reading Challenge and GO (Get Outdoors) Cumberland!
June 3: PlayDoh Palooza, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 3-24: Baby Dance Party, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
June 4: Storybook STEAM (ages 3-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 6: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Tech Time, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 7: Outdoor Sensory Playtime (ages 0-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 7: Ryan the Bug Man (ages 3 and older), 6:30 p.m.
June 8: Touch-a-Truck Event, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 8, 22: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
June 8, 22: Teen Tea Club (ages 13-17)
June 10: Kids Yoga (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 10: Kids Yoga (ages 6-10), 11 a.m.
June 10: Adventure Travel Journals (ages 5-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 11: Paint Parties (ages 5-15), 2-3 p.m.
June 11, 25: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 11-25: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 11-25: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
June 12: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 13: Historic Preservation, 5-7 p.m.
June 13, 17: Teen Cottagecore Series (ages 13-17), 3 p.m.
June 14, 28: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 14, 28: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 13-17), 4-6 p.m.
June 15: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 17: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 17: Who Was? Book Club: Famous Adventurers (ages 7-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 18: Secret Gardens of the Library (ages 4 and older), 2-3 p.m.
June 19, 26: Ready for Kindergarten (ages 4-5), 10:15-11:45 a.m.
June 24: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 24: Choose Your Own Adventure Party (ages 5-12), 1:30-2 p.m.
June 25: Magic Tree House Book Club (ages 7-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 26: STEAM Scene (ages 5-12), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 28: Self-Esteem Superheroes! (ages 6-10), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 29: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

June 10: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

June 1: Vintage Tin Earring Workshop, 2-4 p.m.
June 4: Macrame Suncatcher Class, 6-8 p.m.
June 7: Watercolor Succulents Class, 6-8 p.m.
June 22: Botanical Printing, 1-3:30 p.m.

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

June 1: Oasis in Space, 12-12:30 p.m.
June 1-2: Exploration Sky, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 2: Compass, Calendar and Clock, 2-2:30 p.m.
June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20: Stars, 1-1:30 p.m.
June 5-29: Exploration Earth, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30: Apollo 11, 2-2:30 p.m.
June 7, 21: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
June 7, 21: Curiosity Kids, 11:30 a.m.
June 8, 9: Stargazing: Tonight’s Sky Live Chat, 3 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: Black Holes, 12-12:30 p.m.
June 14, 28: Family Gallery Tour, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 27: Travel by Land, Air and Water, 1:30 p.m.

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

June 1: Kids Art Club—Popsicle Stick Looms (ages 6-8)

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

June 29: Folk Artists Gathering, 12-2 p.m.

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

June 1: Hand Built Clay Luminary Workshop, 10:30 a.m.
June 1: Pinch Pot Mushroom Workshop, 2-3 p.m.
June 6: Watercolor Mushroom ID Chart, 6-8 p.m.
June 14: Get Muddy with Dad Intro to Clay, 6-8 p.m.
June 15: Botanical Plates Workshop, 11 a.m.
June 15: Kid’s Mixed Media Koi Pond, 1-3 p.m.
June 15: Animal/Pet Collage Workshop, 2 p.m.
June 22: Ceramic House Number Plaque Workshop, 10:30 a.m.
June 22: Summer Field Painting Class, 1-4 p.m.
June 28: Macrame Sun Catcher Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 29: Mosaic Mushrooms, 2 p.m.
June 29: Paper Collage Workshop, 11 a.m.

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

June 2: Daisies & Brownies—Shapes in Nature, 1-3 p.m.
June 5, 12, 26: Wednesday Wellness Walk, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 6: Bird Walk—Nesting Birds, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
June 7: Mulberry Tree Walk, 1-2:30 p.m.
June 8: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 10-14: Nature Explorers (ages 6-8)
June 11: Walk with a Doc, 6-7 p.m.
June 15: Introduction to Wildlife Photography, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 16: Flower Walk—Peak of Blooming, 1:30-3 p.m.
June 18: Damsels and Dragons… Flies, that is!, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 22: Creature Feature—Lifestyle of a Ladybug (ages 4-6), 10-11 a.m.
June 28: Firefly Night, 8:30-10 p.m.
June 29: String Art Workshop, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 30: East Shore Trail Hike, 1-3 p.m.

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

June 3: Captain Curiosity—Found in the Stars, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 10: Andrew’s Big Show, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
June 15: The Plot Thickens, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 22: Crafternoon at the Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 29: Colorful Connections—Paint & Sip, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Live Music

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

June 6: Paul Anka
June 12: Daniel O’Donnell
June 15: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
June 16: Mark Lowry with Endless Highway and The Sound
June 20: Invincible A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson
June 22: The Happy Together Tour
June 23: The Australian Pink Floyd Show
June 26: Kenny G
June 27: The Wallflowers, Lisa Bouchelle
June 29: The Beach Boys

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

June 2: York County Honors Choir
June 7: Jazz in the City

June 8-9: Greater York Dance
June 13-15: Miss Pennsylvania

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

June 6, 13, 20, 27: Blues Jams

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

June 1, 15, 29: Anthony Haubert
June 5, 19: Christine Purcell
June 6, 20: Tristin Lynee
June 7, 21: Ted Ansel
June 8, 26: Chris Emkey
June 12, 27: Andrea Britton
June 13: Dr. Nyce
June 14, 28: Roy LeFever
June 22: Mathias Cabbell

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

June 14: Terell Stafford

Central Pennsylvania Womyn’s Chorus
cpwchorus.org

June 1-2: 2024 Spring Concert—A Tour of the British Isles

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

June 12: Fantastic Cat
June 20: Carbon Leaf
June 22: Solar Federation

Greater Harrisburg Concert Band
717-576-758; ghcb.org

June 29: Concert at Hampden Township Park, Mechanicsburg; rain date, June 30

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

June 9: Black Oak Ensemble
June 10: The Raleigh Ringers
June 16: Timberdale Brass
June 30: Ulysses Quartet

Greystone Brew House
303 Golf Club Ave., Dillsburg
717.347.0632; greystonebrewhouse.com

June 1: Tim Colgan

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

June 1: Smash Into Pieces
June 1: Sir Chloe
June 4: Big Wreck
June 6: The Menzingers
June 7: Easton Corbin
June 7: No Mana
June 13: The Living Tombstone
June 17: Kurt Vile & the Violators
June 21: The Way Down Wanderers
June 22: Kota the Friend
June 22: Oliverse
June 25: Bodybox
June 26: University Drive
June 28: Alesana
June 29: Michael Hoffer
June 30: Story of the Year

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

June 8: Tom’s Elton Jon Tribute

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

June 1, 2, 8: “Won’t You Be My Gaybor?” concerts

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

June 21: Jenny Lewis, Dean Johnson
June 23: Fleet Foxes
June 26: Kingfish at XL Live

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

June 20: Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks

Historic Peace Church and Gardens
Corner of Trindle Rd. & St. John’s Church Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6492

June 2: The Keystone Concert Band (shine only)
June 9: The Women’s Ensemble at Harrisburg Zion Lutheran Church
June 23: Anything But Quiet Singers
June 30: Encore Big Band (shine only)

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

June 1: Separate Ways the Band, a Journey Tribute
June 7: New Normal
June 8: The Luv Gods
June 14: Into The Spin
June 15: Sapphire
June 21: Brass Pocket
June 22: Smooth Like Clyde
June 28: Vinyl Groov
June 29: Funktion

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

June 2: Concert at Peace Church, Camp Hill
June 22: Bridges At Bent Creek, Mechanicsburg

Lovedrafts Brewing Co.
165 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg
lovedraftsbrewingco.com

June 1: Irockradio.me Birthday Bash
June 2: Downset
June 5: Jeremiah Tall
June 6: Nekromantix
June 7: Bad Sister
June 11: Alien Ant Farm
June 22: Green Jelly Punk Rock Circus
June 28: Eyes Set To Kill

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

June 8: Air Supply

Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; www.gretnatheatre.org

June 1-8: The Greatest Love For Whitney
June 16: Time for Tango

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

June 8: Mania—The Abba Tribute
June 22: The Lords of 52nd Street

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

June 3, 17: Monday Night Jam
June 6: Willie Jack and the Northern Light Trio
June 10: Nate Myers & the Aces
June 13: Rebecca Jade & Bonnie Wicher
June 20: Rapid Run
June 24: The Heartstrings
June 27: Cassy Yost & Dave Koster

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

June 9: Spring Open Mic

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

June 14-30: “Intimate Apparel”

Tucker&Co. Bakery Café
148 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg
tuckercobakery.com

June 28: Joey Knouse & Virginia Masland

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

June 1: The Floozies
June 7: The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, Jagged Little Thrill
June 8: Taylor Nation—Taylor Swift Live Band Sing-Along Tribute
June 14: Shemekia Copeland, Soul Miners Union
June 15: Ghostface Killah & Jim Jones Juneteenth Summer Vibes 2024
June 22: XAVIER RUDD, Bobby Alu
June 26: KingFish presented By Harrisburg University
June 30: The Sweet

The Stage Door

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

June 8: “Napoleon Dynamite Live”
June 21: “Newsboys”

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

June 8-9: Greater York Dance
June 13-15: Miss Pennsylvania

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

May 31-June 9: “Bridge”
June 14-23: “CATS”

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

May 17-June 22: “The Full Monty”
June 28-Aug. 10: “Sound of Music”

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

June 1: Zane Lamprey

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

May 31-June 15: “The Comedy of Errors” (Free Shakespeare in the Park, Reservoir Park)

Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; www.gretnatheatre.org

June 20-29: “Burt & Me”

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

June 7: The Divas Down Under Summer Drag Show
June 7, 8: The Magic of Eric Eaton
June 19: Magic Hunks
June 29: Micro Wrestling All*Stars

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

June 7: Free Improv Jam, REAL Fast Coast Wives of Central PA, Add em Together, The Offbeats, Say No More, Bandito
June 8: Free Improv Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Elderprov, Love Triangle, Our Bizarre Adventure
June 14: Free Improv Jam, Spontaneous Combustion, Adult Play Date, Spice Crones Next Level
June 15: Free Improv Mixer, This Show Will Self Destruct, Ham Juice, Musical Improv, Phlegminism
June 21: Bondfire Society, GirlZilla, Leg Of Lamp, Euphoria, Team Z, Holy Moly
June 22: Free Improv Mixer, Uncomfortable, Foleying Around In the Dark, Rockstar Goes Supernova, Blackest Thing Ever
June 28: Free Improv Jam, Spontaneous Combustion, Adult Play Date, Lil Stinkers, Original 6, Day Trippers
June 29: Free Improv Mixer, Phil’s Arcade, All Over the Place, Cosmic Trash

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

June 6-16: “The Wizard of Oz”

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

June 14-30: “Anastasia”

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

May 30-June 16: “Mrs. Lincoln”

Lovedrafts Brewing Co.
165 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg
lovedraftsbrewingco.com

June 9: Bubbles, Brooms, and Bloody Marys Drag Brunch

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

May 11-June 1: “What the Constitution Means to Me”
June 15: Erotic Fan Fiction Live!

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

June 8, 9: New Cumberland School of Ballet

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

June 8: Dance Revelation

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Community Corner: Notable June Events

May 30, 2024 | by Missy Smith

HBG Flea
June 1: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily 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

SoMaFest
June 1: Enjoy a special SoMa block party highlighting PA beer, wine and spirits, along with food trucks, music and more. Event takes place 1 to 5 p.m. on S. 3rd St., between Market and Chestnut streets, Harrisburg. www.sarabozich.com

Book Sales
June 1, 15: Friends of New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, music, puzzles, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Free Shakespeare
June 1-15: Don’t miss the 27th annual “Free Shakespeare in the Park” with “The Comedy of Errors.” The Gamut Theatre production runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. www.gamuttheatre.org

Tour de Belt
June 2: Capital Area Greenbelt Association hosts the 24th annual Tour de Belt bike ride, starting at 8 a.m. at HACC, 1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg, and following the 20-mile Greenbelt trail. Proceeds go to Greenbelt restoration and maintenance. www.CAGA.org

Diabetes Dining
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Penn State Extension will host a webinar series on “Dining with Diabetes,” 3 to 4:15 p.m., with a follow-up session on Sept. 24. The program is designed for adults with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or those at risk. Learn about meal planning, portions, heart-healthy food, medications and dining out. www.extension.psu.edu

Autoharp Gathering
June 5-9: Immerse yourself in the world of autoharps at the 32nd Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering at Shippensburg University, with five days of workshops, concerts and jam sessions for autoharp enthusiasts of all skill levels. Witness the best autoharp players compete at the championship on June 7 at 7:30 pm. www.mlag.store

Survivor Celebration
June 6: Feel Your Boobies Foundation will host its “Bras Across the Bridge” event at City Island, Harrisburg, to celebrate survivors of breast cancer and spread awareness of breast health, 5 to 9 p.m. Survivors will parade across the Walnut Street Bridge cheered on by supporters. The evening includes a dinner and drinks. www.feelyourboobies.com

First Friday
June 7: Celebrate art in all its forms at “We the People First Friday,” a showcase of dance, music, poetry and photography, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ware Center, 134 W. College Ave., Lancaster. The event features a performance by local artists, and the Regitz Gallery will host a reception for the “Expanded Visions” photography exhibit. www.artsmu.com

Barnyard Jazz
June 7: The Hershey History Center features its “Jazz at the Barnyard” outdoor summer concert series at Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey, each first Friday from June through September, 7 to 10 p.m. On June 7, enjoy a performance by the Quiet Soul Trio. www.hersheyhistory.org

Sunset Series
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation hosts an outdoor Sunset Music and Movie Series at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the concession stand. www.forthunter.org

Volunteer Day 
June 8: Enjoy the outdoors and help with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided and refreshments available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Spinstock Flow Arts Festival
June 8: Enjoy the world of flow arts at the Spinstock Flow Arts Festival in Coleman Memorial Park, Lebanon, 12 to 9 p.m. Participate in free workshops, discover kid-friendly activities, browse vendor marketplaces, savor delicious food trucks and enjoy live DJ sets, flow art performances and a fire show finale. www.spinstock.org

Proudly PA
June 8: Enjoy the Proudly PA Festival at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 1 to 8 p.m., with locally sourced food, live music and wine, craft beer and distilled spirits. Bring your own lawn chairs. Pack a picnic basket or grab some goodies at food trucks and dessert vendors. www.dauphincounty.org

Nature Camp
June 10-14: Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, hosts Nature Explorers Day Camp for kids ages 6 to 8. Kids will learn about animal adaptations, explore aquatic life in Paxton Creek and enjoy a live animal presentation. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Auditions
June 12, 19: Susquehanna Chorale will host auditions for all sections from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hershey. Singers should have two prepared pieces (one in a foreign language if possible). Sight singing will also be part of the audition process. Previous singing experience (preferably choral) is required. www.susquehannachorale.org

Park Walk
June 11: Join a free, moderately paced walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 6 to 7 p.m. Meet up and park at the Olewine Nature Center for a walk on various surfaces with slight inclines that you can tailor to your fitness level. Pre-registration is encouraged. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Food Rally
June 13: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Summer Concerts
June 13: Celebrate summer with free live music in Greenfield Park, Lancaster. Three concerts are scheduled on Thursdays this June through August. Central City Orchestra kicks off the first concert on June 13 at 7:30 p.m., playing classics from the ‘40s to today. Food trucks will be available starting at 5 p.m. www.greenfieldlancaster.com

Gourd Fest
June 13-15: Pennsylvania Gourd Society hosts the 2024 PA Gourd Fest at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Rd. This year’s theme is “What’s In Your Garden?” The event includes three full days of classes, instructed by artists from across the country. www.pagourdsociety.org

Chocolate Science
June 15: Join the WITF education team at the Hershey Public Library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to discover the science behind and history of chocolate. This program is designed for kids and teens, 3 to 14 years old. www.witf.org

Father’s Day
June 16: Take dad to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to celebrate Father’s Day, with free admission for all dads. www.hersheygardens.org

Flower Walk
June 16: Take a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., to view water lilies, yarrow, white beardtongue, blue-eyed grass and common milkweed. Learn how these and other flowers were named and some of their uses by early settlers and Native Americans. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Juneteenth Week
June 17-21: Juneteenth will be celebrated with a weeklong series of events in Harrisburg, organized by Juneteenth HBG and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg. Events include a conference and keynote speech, social events, a concert and a jubilee. www.ypoc-hbg.org

Jubilee Day
June 20: Jubilee Day returns to downtown Mechanicsburg for its 94th year. Enjoy vendors, games, carnival rides, festival food and more, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. www.mechanicsburgchamber.org

Kids Workshops
June 20: The Bower, 1190 Bower Rd., Shermans Dale, will offer free children’s workshops this summer in collaboration with the Trout Gallery at Dickinson College. Workshops combine environmental science, art and literature. The June 20 workshop will focus on tree studies. Families can bring a picnic lunch. www.thegardenbower.com

Block Party
June 21: Celebrate Juneteenth with Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg at the SoMa Block Party during 3rd in the Burg, 5 to 9 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features live music, food trucks and local vendors. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with a photo booth and explore the shops along S. 3rd Street in Harrisburg. www.ypoc-hbg.org

3rd in The Burg
June 21: 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

Juneteenth Free Day
June 22: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, hosts a Juneteenth Community Free Day with family-friendly activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Cherry Fair & Crafts
June 22: Explore the Traditional Cherry Fair & Early American Craft Show at the historic Schaeffer Farm, Schaefferstown, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See artisans showcasing their crafts, take part in entertainment and demonstrations, enjoy a variety of food items, participate in games, and explore the Forebay Gift Shop and Alexander Schaeffer House. 717-949-2244

Block Party
June 22: Join Church World Service Harrisburg for its 2nd Annual World Refugee Day Block Party at the corner of Maclay and N. 2nd Streets, 12 to 3 p.m. The free event features dance and music presentations from several cultures, music from DJ Bernie, family-friendly activities and food trucks. www.cwsharrisburg

Mansion Concert
June 22: The Manor on Front, 2917 N. Front St., Harrisburg, will host a Mansion Concert with Ed Gerhard at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is a $35 recommended donation, but guests are asked to register online. Bring a lawn chair, picnic food and a cold beverage (no glass containers). Street parking is available. www.mansionconcert.com

Italian Lake Concert
June 23: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for the first Italian Lake concert of 2024, featuring Crossing Abbey Road, a Beatles cover band, 6 to 8 p.m., at Italian Lake Park, N. 2nd and Division streets, Harrisburg. www.hyp.org

Garden Tours
June 24: Harrisburg Garden Club members are invited to exclusive garden tours of other members’ gardens. Meetings for June, July and August will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for working members, with reservations required. Contact Cliffeton Green at [email protected] or Pat Ebright at [email protected] if interested in membership.

Nature Camp
June 24-28: Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, hosts Nature Explorers Day Camp for kids ages 9 to 11. Kids will learn about animal adaptations, explore aquatic life in Paxton Creek and enjoy a live animal presentation. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Firefly Night
June 28: Join naturalists at Detweiler Park to observe and catch fireflies in their natural habitat on a short hike, 8:30 to 10 p.m. All supplies provided. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. This program is for all ages. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Horror Fest
June 28-30: Meet and greet celebrities and creators of horror film, fiction and games during the “Horror on Main” horror convention at Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd. Attend Q&A sessions, panels, readings and photo opportunities, browse merchandise from vendors and enjoy contests and games. www.horroronmain.com

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

Melanoma: The Less Common but More Dangerous Skin Cancer

May 30, 2024 | by Capital Blue Cross Staff

Sponsored Content: Amber loved the tanning bed at her local salon.

Unlimited access for a mere $19.99 a month? She could swing that, even as a college student. So, Amber rolled the tanning bed into her normal routine.

“What started as a couple of times before a dance or trip, turned into a relaxing activity that I began to enjoy and do more regularly,” Amber writes on aad.org, the American Academy of Dermatology website. “I didn’t think much about it.”

She thinks about it now, and has done so ever since her physical therapy professor noticed a “funny looking mole” on her tummy one day during a PT lab.

A week later, at just 23 years old, Amber was diagnosed with stage II malignant melanoma.

The Most Serious

As we enter the heart of summer and our time in the sun, Amber’s sobering story serves as a warning siren to limit our exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, be they from natural sunlight, sun lamps or tanning beds.

Melanoma develops when cells called melanocytes—which give skin its tan or brown coloring—grow too rapidly. For some people, there is no preventing melanoma. Risk factors such as age, natural skin color and family history also can create the cancer.

That makes melanoma more complex and dangerous than other forms of skin cancer, says Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Capital Blue Cross chief medical officer.

“Melanoma is far less common than many other skin cancers,” Dr. Wigginton said. “But it’s also far more dangerous because of its greater likelihood to spread to other areas in your body if it’s left undetected and untreated for too long.

“So it’s absolutely imperative not only to check your own skin for new, abnormal or changing moles, but to immediately see your dermatologist if you notice one and to see your dermatologist regularly for checkups.”

Dr. Wigginton says you also can lower your risk through commonsense UV-lessening measures such as seeking shade, using sunscreen, clothing as much of your body as you comfortably can, and wearing hats and sunglasses.

The Toll

Melanoma is diagnosed less than 2% as often as nonmelanoma skin cancers in the United States. There are more than 5 million nonmelanoma diagnoses each year, compared to about 98,000 melanoma diagnoses in 2023, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Yet melanoma is up to four times more fatal, with the NCI estimating nearly 8,000 deaths in 2023.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t break down its reported $8.9 billion annual skin cancer cost by cancer type, melanoma’s serious nature requires more ongoing and expensive treatments. So, it likely comprises a larger percentage of the price tag than more common skin cancers.

You can help yourself avoid or manage skin cancer with a quality healthcare plan that offers necessary preventive and treatment coverage. Many Capital Blue Cross plans cover preventive visits for skin cancer screening and counseling with a healthcare provider, and many Capital plans also help members cover treatment for diagnosed skin cancers.

Capital Blue Cross also offers presentations addressing sun safety, sun-damage exhibits that screen skin and offer preventive guidance, and access to sun safety and skin cancer prevention videos via the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

Amber’s Arithmetic

It’s a good thing her professor spotted that “funny looking mole” several years ago.

“Little did I know she saved my life,” Amber writes on aad.org.

But that doesn’t mean it’s been smooth sailing. Far from it.

Amber reports that her melanoma has required 38 excisions, 67 stitches, and 27 dermatologist appointments, and generated seven abnormal pathology reports, 19 scars and a chest x-ray.

Math that makes that $19.99 a month seem like much less of a bargain.

For more health and wellness news and information that can benefit your business and employees, visit thinkcapitalbluecross.com.

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

TheBurg Pride Guide

May 30, 2024 | by Admin

HARRISBURG

6/8: READING THE RAINBOW BOOK CLUB

6/8: SAFE SPACE QUEER PROM

6/9: ERIC’S OLD SCHOOL REVIVAL

6/10: COLBY MARTIN BOOK SIGNING

6/12: PRIDE NIGHT AT SENATOR’S

6/22: PRIDE CRAWL

6/29: COCKTAIL MAKING GLO FUNDRAISER

YORK

6/7: PRIDE POP OFF PARTY

6/15: GIFT HORSE BREWING FUNDRAISER FOR PRIDE

6/22: YORK COUNTY PRIDE & AFTER PARTY

6/22: PRIDE CRAWL – NO LINK, INFO INCLUDED WITH THE ABOVE EVENTS

6/27: PRIDE AT THE PARK

DAUPHIN

6/22: PRIDE IN THE VALLEY CAMP OUT & DANCE PARTY

LANCASTER

6/5: OUR TOWN PRIDE BEER LAUNCH

6/8: PET PARADE

6/9: ELEVATION YOGA

6/9: POCKETBOOK QUEER AUTHORS

6/23: POOL PARTY

6/28: STONEWALL VIGIL

6/30: PAGAN POETRY PRIDE BINGO

CARLISLE

6/4: PRIDE-A-PALOOZA

6/7: PAINT W/ PRIDE FOR PALESTINIAN YOUTH

6/8: PROCLAMATION OF PRIDE & BIG GAY WALK

6/8: GARDEN PARTY

Thank You to our Official Sponsor

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