Art & Identity: Susquehanna Art Museum exhibit explores the stories, the sentiments of local Asian Americans

April 29, 2024 | by Alex Hayes

Ellen Min. Exhibit photos by by Sten Hartman. Reception photos by Yoko Furukawa of Hartman Benzon Media.

“Han beats in my heart as a Korean American woman.”

Those are the words of Ellen Min, a Harrisburg resident and co-organizer of an exhibit, “Portraits of Identity: Harrisburg AAPI Narratives Through the Lens,” now at the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM).

Accompanying her portrait, Min describes her strong feeling of han—a collective grief, anger and deep sorrow often shared by Koreans.

“I feel it rumbling in my soul each time I fight for space and belonging,” Min writes. “I hear it whisper in my ears then roar to life when my dignity is unseen. I fall asleep with han in the darkness of the night and wake with han streaming through my windows.”

The SAM exhibit combines storytelling and photography to explore the depth and breadth of AAPI stories, especially timely for May’s celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

HAAPI, Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander group, formed in 2021 following a series of vicious hate crimes targeted at Asians in the United States.

Min felt very alone at the time, a feeling she had experienced her entire life.

“I was the only Asian person in so many places,” she said. “I think I just accepted it as a fact that there was no visibility for me.”

Since co-founding HAAPI, Min has helped spearhead numerous activities celebrating Asian-American life and heritage in central Pa., including, just in February, an inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in Harrisburg.

Jessica Passiment

For the art exhibit, HAAPI members wrote down their stories and participated in a photo shoot that illustrated a part of their story that they wanted to share.

Initially, members hung their photos at Crawdaddy’s restaurant on 6th Street, where the group regularly meets. The photo paper was cheap, the ink quality was poor, and the pictures often fell down. Still, the pride HAAPI members felt was exceptional.

“We were just so happy to print them out, hang them up, stand back, look at them and say, ‘that’s us,’” Min said.

Financial support from the Harrisburg-based law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities helped HAAPI take its exhibit to the next level. Twelve professionally printed and mounted photographs now hang in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Lobby Gallery. A scan of QR codes takes visitors to videos featuring HAAPI members and their stories, translated into their native languages.

Anu Gupta

Alice Anne Schwab, SAM’s executive director, said that the museum is grateful to Min, photographer Sten Hartman, and exhibit producer Halston Yi, who were eager to share these stories while meeting the museum’s standards.

“This is a case of true community art,” Schwab said. “The exhibit celebrates Harrisburg and is of the highest quality.”

For Megan Elsasser, the exhibit has been life-changing. Elsasser is a nonbinary, queer Chinese adoptee who lives 40 minutes north of Harrisburg in rural Juniata County.

In their story, Elsasser talks about being adopted at 9 months old by white parents. While early childhood was a positive experience, Elsasser felt more disconnected while growing older.

“It was a type of limbo, not fitting in with the demographic I was raised around, and not fitting in with fellow Asians that got to grow up firsthand with some of their culture and heritage intact,” Elsasser writes.

For Elsasser, a self-described introvert, participating in HAAPI and the exhibit are big leaps forward.

“Being around more people who look like me and sharing food, experiences and camaraderie has been an amazing experience,” Elsasser said.

The exhibit has not only been a powerful experience for HAAPI members but for Susquehanna Art Museum patrons who view it. On opening night, a woman approached Min in tears.

“She said, ‘I am so sorry, I had no idea. Please know that you are accepted and you are wanted here,’” Min said.

Amy Zecha

When the exhibit closes, the sharing will continue. Min believes that Asian Americans coming out of the shadows, especially after the recent violent acts, will build a better future.

“I could feel things changing and trust my daughters will know a world where they are not completely invisible,” she said.

“Portraits of Identity: Harrisburg AAPI Narratives Through the Lens” runs through June 16 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. The museum and HAAPI are planning a special children’s activity for 3rd in the Burg on May 17. For more information, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org.

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

Pump It Up: Rock band Honeypump celebrates 30 years of making the scene

April 29, 2024 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Stephanie Casey. Photo courtesy of Chris Rider Photography.

If you haven’t heard of Honeypump, you just may be a newcomer to the Harrisburg area.

In 2023, the rock outfit won the Central Pennsylvania Music Award for “Best Cover Band,” but that was just the cherry on top of the sundae for a group that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Way back when, lead guitarist/vocalist Rit Casey founded the band, which today also consists of Stephanie Casey, lead singer/keyboards, Ray Wright, drums/vocals, and Jim Gordon, bass guitar/vocals.

“We had 46 dates last year, so keeping it all together can be a little dicey,” Rit Casey said.

That being said, he admits that it’s a great problem to have—to be in such high demand for places that include everywhere from bars and vineyards to block parties and breweries.

When questioned about the band’s moniker, Casey was quick to correct folks whose mind might turn to the prurient. He explained that the inspiration for the name came from an art installation.

“Honeypump is a sculpture created by Joseph Beuys and installed in a German museum in which two tons of honey were pumped through tubes,” he said. “The hive is said to be on par with human social systems. Honey is flowing in all directions.”

Well-Oiled Machine

Casey, who is a self-taught musician, said that their band sets itself apart with a lead female vocalist—his wife Stephanie.

“We discovered that we’re doing stuff that other bands don’t do and that’s our calling card,” he said.

That “stuff” includes challenging songs and vocals by classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Styx, along with some progressive rock.

“It is more disciplined,” he said. “We get a lot of comments about the set list, and people love it.”

Stephanie Casey, who began picking out songs on the piano at the age of 4, said that she started out with classical music until she turned 12, when her attention turned to classic rock.

“A fan favorite is Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir,’” she said, referencing a song that can challenge any vocalist.

Drummer Ray Wright said that he started early as well, beginning in music around age 11.

“I stopped for about 15 years and then picked it up again when I played in a worship band at church,” he said.

Wright later joined Honeypump, filling in six years ago and eventually taking on a permanent role.

Wright uses colorful language when describing the band’s ability to take songs and make them their own, while hewing close enough to the originals to please the audience.

“We put our own stink on it,” he said, with a chuckle. “People expect a high level of performance from us, and we strive to play suitably enough to sound like those we are mimicking.”

Bass player Gordon said that his musical aspirations began when he watched the Beatles’ debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

“That’s when I decided I wanted a Paul McCartney bass,” he said, referencing the famous Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass.

Gordon attributes the success of the band to its discipline.

“We’re like a well-oiled machine, and that’s where a lot of bands fail,” he said.

Connections

The group takes time to talk to people between breaks and, as a result, has made friends with many fans.

“I think connections are made by putting your all out on stage so that, when people see you trying your hardest and delivering a song in a beautiful way, they feel connected with you,” Stephanie said.

Rob Rutz of Mechanicsburg said that he knew of Gordon and Stephanie when they played in another local outfit, 900Dream, opening for famous bands like Badfinger and the Romantics at the Metron. He later saw Honeypump for the first time at Hollywood Casino in Grantville.

“They’re perfectionists, and I’d put them up against any national bands,” Rutz said.

Andy Hawbecker of Mechanicsburg said that he and his wife Jane know the band as kind, generous and good to fans.

“They support charity and play a lot of songs and music that we like,” Andy said. Jane added, “And they’re always spot on.”

Rit Casey said that it’s been a fun ride and that he wouldn’t want to take the stage with anyone else.

“There’s something about performing live as a band,” he said. “It’s not an individual thing at all. It’s the whole band that matters more and, as you grow as a musician, you appreciate it even more.”

For more information on Honeypump, visit www.honeypump.com.

Taste of Honey
This month, you have several opportunities to catch Honeypump perform.

May 4: Boaters For Boobies Benefit, 7 p.m.
May 8: Tower City Carnival, 6:30 p.m.
May 25: The Barn at Creek’s Bend, 6 p.m.

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

A Shared Journey: “What the Constitution Means to Me” is a timely exploration of rights and identity

April 29, 2024 | by Stuart Landon

In a time marked by political turbulence and societal discord, Open Stage presents “What the Constitution Means to Me,” a compelling and timely examination of our nation’s foundational document.

From May 11 to June 1, audiences will delve into this Tony-nominated, Pulitzer Prize finalist at Open Stage’s intimate Studio Theater.

Playwright Heidi Schreck draws inspiration from her teenage experiences as a constitutional debate champion to craft a deeply personal and thought-provoking narrative. Through a blend of personal storytelling, historical reflection and constitutional debate, Schreck illuminates the document’s profound impact on the lives of four generations of women in her family.

Karen Ruch, who portrays Heidi Schreck in the Open Stage production, emphasizes the relevance of these themes in today’s divided society.

“It’s a play that engages in a debate between our younger, idealistic selves and our older, more experienced selves,” Ruch explained. “It forces us to reevaluate our understanding of the Constitution and its impact on our lives.”

Schreck’s play resonates powerfully in today’s politically charged climate. A captivating examination of the Constitution’s impact on women’s lives, the piece challenges us to confront our own knowledge—or lack thereof—about constitutional law and its implications for marginalized communities. 

“Recent years have seen stark divisions regarding how the Constitution should be interpreted,” Ruch said. “This play urges us to consider where we stand on these crucial issues.”

As Schreck navigates the complexities of constitutional rights, she sheds light on issues ranging from pregnancy and gender-based violence to the everyday realities of life under the shadow of the law.

Joining Ruch on stage are David Richwine as the Legionnaire and Emma Sweigart as the Debater. Together, they navigate a landscape rife with humor, intellect and unexpected twists, prompting viewers to reconsider their understanding of constitutional rights.

Through poignant storytelling and thought-provoking dialogue, “What the Constitution Means to Me” invites audiences to reflect on the vulnerability and resilience of individuals within our society.  

“Audiences can anticipate moments of humor, surprise and challenge,” Ruch said. “It’s a play that invites us to engage with important questions about our rights, freedoms and responsibilities as citizens.”

The principles enshrined in the Constitution are fiercely debated and contested, and “What the Constitution Means to Me” offers a unique opportunity for introspection and dialogue. As the lights rise on this captivating exploration of rights and identity, audiences are not merely spectators, but active participants in a shared journey of discovery. Join Open Stage for an unforgettable experience that challenges perspectives, ignites conversation and reaffirms the enduring relevance of our nation’s founding principles.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” runs May 11 to June 1 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

Stuart Landon is the producing artistic director at Open Stage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

The Popcorn Hat Players present
“The Bementown Musicians”
May 4 to 18. Saturdays at 1 p.m. 

The 31st Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park
“The Comedy of Errors”
May 31 at 7:30 p.m.

At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

EFF Live!
A night of naughty fanfic readings
Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

“What the Constitution Means to Me”
A hilarious, achingly human play by Heidi Schreck
May 11 to June 1
ASL-interpreted performance, Sunday, May 26 at 6 p.m.

Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell
Join the live studio audience!
Thursday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.

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

A Peculiar Triumph: Submit to the quirky comedy, “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed”

April 29, 2024 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Images courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Ann doesn’t exactly know what she wants—but she is clear in communicating that she wants it.

As she reflects on her life, both at work and in her personal life as a submissive, she knows she’s not being satisfied. She just isn’t sure what will satisfy her.

Writer/director Joanna Arnow also stars in her quietly hilarious film, “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.” Ann is a detached but textured oddity of a character who suffers from a serious case of millennial malaise.

The film is comprised of succinct, dryly comedic vignettes framing bits of Ann’s life, each one often only a few seconds long. At first, this is jarring, but as the film progresses, these little snippets become second nature and lend to the greater arc of the story. Arnow (and in a sense, Ann) uses these vignettes to narrow down what she wants in life, navigating through three pillars of her existence: her family, her job and her love life.

Ann’s relationship with her parents is painfully relatable, as none of them can agree with each other and all of them have very different views of their family unit. Her relationship with her workplace isn’t anything to write home about either. In her third year of work, she’s given a trophy congratulating her for working with the company for one year.

The third pillar of Ann’s existence—her love life—is a bit more complicated.

Ann is a submissive, and, over the course of the film, takes on many masters, or doms, none of whom have a level of enthusiasm she finds fit to match. For some, like Allen (Scott Cohen), she seems to be more invested than her master is. He even continues to forget personal details about her, after having been her master for almost a decade. For others, like Elliot (Parish Bradley), Ann is the one who seems to be phoning it in.

Ann’s fascinating journey aside, it needs to be said that Arnow’s vision for the film is well-crafted. This includes her own mastery of Ann’s stilted effect, as well as the tone the editing adds to the story and the stellar performances and frequently uncomfortable energy the cast brings to the table. Despite the quick edits and short scenes, the story has a somewhat glacial quality to it—almost a necessity so that audiences can have the time to sink into the discomfort of the narrative and Ann’s quiet determination to do something before the time has passed.

Does she succeed? I won’t give any spoilers, but there is hope for her in this slow-paced comedy. “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed” will grace the screens at Midtown Cinema in May—this is one you’ll want to catch.

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

May Events At Midtown Cinema

May the 4th Celebration
“Spaceballs” (1987)
May 3 at 9:30 p.m.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)
May 4 at 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival presents
“Madame Rose” (1977)
Sunday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

“Perfect Strangers” (2021)
Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.

Music on the Patio
Every Thursday at 6 p.m.

Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“Starcrash” (1978)
Friday, May 10 at 9:30ish

Saturday Morning Cartoons presents 
“Minions” (2012)
Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m.

“The Land Before Time” (1988) 
Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

Trivia Night
Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night presents  
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)
Friday, May 17 at 9:30 p.m.

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

Burg Review: Theatre Harrisburg’s “Seussical” is a silly, song-y, splentabulous musical

April 26, 2024 | by Gina Napoli

Could I write this at my house? I could click my little mouse. I could keep you in suspense, although I’m sure you’d find me dense.

Theatre Harrisburg brings Whoville to Harrisburg with their wubulous rendition of “Seussical” the Tony-nominated musical, directed and choreographed by Matt Spencer. If you’re a fan of Seuss’s many books, you’ll spot spotted Easter eggs throughout “Seussical,” along with enough outrageous silliness to fill all your refrigerators with green eggs and ham. This play is pure joy, whether you’ve read a stack of Seuss’s books in several nooks, or whether you haven’t read his works since sitting on someone else’s lap.

The Cat in the Hat (Andrew Vinton) shines as our unreliable narrator and overall troublemaker for his co-stars. Throughout the scenes, Vinton seamlessly quick-changes into several other characters throughout the play, weaving us through nonsensical, yet still recognizable bedtime story plots.

We discover the world’s smallest community perched on a clover, painted with the most vibrant, buttery yellow, inspiring a buttery battle with butter knives. Then there’s an elephant named Horton who sits on a bird’s egg for so long that someone sold him to the Circus McGurkus.

Does any of this absurdity ring true? Its truth matters not one whit to me, and I hope not a whole awful lot to you.

But here I’ve gone down a bathtub drain. Call me insane or call me a pain. Back to Vinton. High-energy. Great sense of pacing. Timing: spot-on. Keeps the zany action moving. Super-zooper-flooper-do.

Vinton makes trouble for his young lead Jojo, (Tess Tucker), who is chastised by his parents for having thinks that were too big for his tiny world. Tucker’s voice carries through confidently in both speaking and singing in her TH debut, with the especially vulnerable delivery of my plus-one’s favorite ballad, “Alone in the Universe,” a duet with Horton (Eric Pope). Pope’s performance is both heartfelt and unguarded in its sincerity.

Our characters encounter even more serenading troublemakers in the Jungle of Nool, Whoville, and Solla Sollew, all with amazing voices. To credit the entire talented cast of others onstage and backstage who worked together to spring this story from its pages onto the three-dimensional stage would fill more books than Seuss, himself. All the ink I would have used to type your names went down that long drain. But I say to you, there’s no one more brainy or footsy or you-er than you.

Just the ones with the pipes: Sofiyah Ibidunni makes her TH debut as Sour Kangaroo. With a voice that’s a mix of raspy and soulful, Ibidunni nails every song she sings. Also debuting with TH are Josh Glacken and Sara Burke, as the Mayor and Mayor’s Wife, respectively, with over-the-top performances that are both wacky and wackier. As Mayzie, the irresponsible bird, Alison Whipple delivers songs that are both throaty and seasoned. My favorite troublemakers, the hilarious Wickersham Brothers (Joel Colvin, Kyle Hallam, Francis Dy) give off a funky ‘70’s vibe. This is, incidentally, when I began studying Seuss’s works, diapered scholar that I was.) Colvin double-duties as the General, standing out with his lilting voice.

Not a troublemaker, but an intentionally warbley soprano songbird, Gertrude (Becky Mease) plays the equivalent of an aviary underdog in love with Horton. She is identifiably awkward, yet graceful when the more primped “mean girl” birds pick on her. When Gertrude grows her tail down to there, Mease hits the high notes with flare.

Just one note from my critiquer’s box, where I wear sloppy socks and sit with my fox… Although the costumes and set were beautifully feathered and brightly colored, some of the costumes and props were more representative than literal, so a few animals (figuratively) flew over my head when I tried to identify what was what and who was who in Seuss’s zoo. But even when we couldn’t pinpoint thing one or thing two, we still thought this play was brilliant. How about you?

To everyone in the audience, this play brings positive messages designed to uplift, especially the younger Whos. Anything is possible. A person is a person, no matter how small. My personal favorite is “Tell yourself how lucky you are,” even after your life turns to hot glunker stew on your way to Solla Sollew.

No one is safe from audience participation in the theater, with antics surrounding you, and zany surprises from all around. I won’t spoil the surprises, but it will be amazing all the thinks the cast can think

Oh, the places you’ll go! … Actually, you don’t have to go very far. You could go by foot, or go by car to:

Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, 222 Market Street, Harrisburg. “Seussical” runs through May 12. For more information on show times and tickets, https://theatreharrisburg.com.

I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. I enjoyed this play, 100 percent.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

April 26, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Local officials celebrated Earth Day at a press conference in Reservoir Park this week.

The weather looks like it’ll be heating up this weekend in Harrisburg. Get outside for a stroll in the sun and support some of our city’s great local businesses. Make sure you also find some time this weekend to catch up on this week’s news, below.

Bike Month is in May and local cycling groups have lots of festivities and educational events planned, our online story reported. Also during the month, there will be a Ride of Silence to honor cyclists who were killed or injured on the road.

Deborah and Scott Hershey showcase both of their passions in their storefront in Carlisle, our magazine story reported. Up front is Hershey Violins, Scott’s space, and closer to the back is where Deborah’s art is displayed.

Earth Day was this week and city and local officials celebrated by highlighting environmental initiatives, our online story reported. One of those programs is Lights Out Harrisburg, which aims to help save migrating birds.

Frederick, Md., has a vibrant arts scene and our arts writer Bob MacGinnes took a trip to explore it. Read his story to find out about all the best galleries and shops to visit.

The Harrisburg School District is slated to purchase a large office building on N. 7th Street for the district to use as its new administration building, our online story reported. The current admin building on State Street will become an elementary school, as part of the district’s reconfiguration plans.

Jim Doyle has been dedicated to the ancient art form of Bonsai for over 50 years, our magazine story reported. At Nature’s Way Nursery in Linglestown, Doyle shares his passion with the community.

Knowledge is power, according to healthcare professionals at Capital Blue Cross. Knowing your family health history can help you identify areas of potential concern and reduce your risks.

The Market Street Bridge will close for two nights in May in order for PennDOT to conduct a lighting study related to the bridge rehab project. Read our story for more information and to find detour routes.

PA primary election results came in this week and Democrat Janelle Stelson will face long-time incumbent Rep. Scott Perry in the Harrisburg area’s 10th congressional district race. To find out who won other local nominations, click here.

Sara Bozich has gathered up all of this weekend’s best events in the Harrisburg area. Find her list, here.

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Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Knead Pizza to reopen Midtown shop, nearly two years after unionization controversy

April 26, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Knead plans to reopen its Midtown pizza shop.

A Harrisburg pizza shop soon will fire up its ovens again.

Owners of Knead Pizza told TheBurg on Friday that they would reopen their N. 3rd Street location this summer after being closed for almost two years.

Knead suddenly shut down its slice shop, as well as its location in the Broad Street Market, in August 2022, following efforts by its employees to unionize.

However, Knead owners Jennie O’Neill and Terry Hanley said that they have missed making and serving pizza in their neighborhood and decided to reopen, likely in early June.

“We are happy to be back,” O’Neill said. “One of the best things in the world is people sitting down together over food. Giving that food is amazing.”

O’Neill and Hanley will operate the shop without additional staff and plan to open only on Thursdays and Fridays, from 3 to 8 p.m. Patrons can expect pizza similar to their previous style, with possibly a few tweaks here and there, O’Neill said. However, this time around, only full pies will be available to order, and there will be no alcohol for purchase, as the owners sold their liquor license.

Prior to deciding to reopen, the owners sought to sell the business, but didn’t get any offers that matched what they were looking for. And then, several weeks ago, they decided they’d keep the shop and return to making New York-style pizza.

“We spent a little time in the shop and we were like, yeah, we like what we did here and what we could do here,” O’Neill said.

After Knead closed in 2022, workers and the union that they sought to join, Philadelphia-based UNITE HERE Local 274, filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that the closure was in retaliation to the unionization efforts.

According to Hanley, Knead has reached a proposed settlement for the National Labor Relations Board charge, but does not believe the case has yet been finalized. According to the NLRB website, the case is still open.

“We believe we’ve done everything we need to do,” Hanley said.

In the charge against the business, workers and the union claimed that Knead owners made coercive threats of store closure in response to unionization efforts. They also said that they weren’t being paid half-time pay for COVID-related store closures in retaliation to the union activity.

However, the owners said the decision to close was based on the fact that Knead was losing money, struggling to maintain a lunch crowd and couldn’t find employees to cover shifts when a staff member contracted COVID the same week that employees sought to organize a union.

“We felt our hands were tied. We had very few options,” Hanley said. “We are not anti-union in any shape or form.”

Prior to employees proposing unionizing, O’Neill said that they never heard any complaints about the workplace from staff. UNITE HERE Local 274 could not immediately be reached for comment.

While the owners expect that there may be some public concern about their reopening after everything that happened, they said that from those who know about the reopening, the response has been positive.

“We are going to figure it out as we go and take what comes our way,” O’Neill said. “We just want to make pizza.”

Knead Pizza will be located at 937 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg.

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Harrisburg School District slated to purchase new administration building amidst building reconfiguration

April 25, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg School District is slated to purchase this property at 1010 N. 7th St. to serve as its administration building.

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

At a school board meeting on Wednesday, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved the purchase of a large office building on N. 7th Street for the district to use as its 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.

The district’s administrative offices are now slated to move to the 48,704-square-foot former Penn State Harrisburg Eastgate Center at 1010 N. 7th St.

The district entered into a purchase agreement with Penn State to buy the property earlier this month, but needs to officially settle the purchase. Wednesday’s approval by Suski allows the district to move forward with the settlement.

A February letter of intent to purchase the property, issued by the district, stated that it would buy the property for $3.1 million.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Suski 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.

The program will be piloted over the remainder of the school year. Participants will be paid, through Ngozi, Inc., an hourly rate of $15 for up to three hours per day.

“The hope is that the students will be able to build relationships with these adults,” said Kia Hansard, co-founder of C.A.T.C.H. “They’re building a relationship so that if something were to happen, that relationship is there and hopefully those individuals would be in a position to diffuse it.”

Additionally, Suski approved the district to hire EConsult Solutions to perform a disparity study for the district at a cost of $150,000. The study will evaluate the district’s use of minority-owned businesses and other diverse vendors in its contracting processes and make recommendations for improvement.

For more information, visit the Harrisburg School District’s website.

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Market Street Bridge to close for two nights next month as rehab project moves forward

April 25, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Market Street Bridge

A Harrisburg bridge soon will be closed for two nights, as a roadway project moves forward.

PennDOT announced on Thursday that the Market Street Bridge will be closed overnight on Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7, as crews perform a lighting study related to the bridge rehab project.

The bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. The west span of the bridge, connecting City Island to Wormleysburg, will be open to emergency vehicles only.

PennDOT’s plan for the Market Street Bridge would rehab the aging structure, making some changes to widen sidewalks and shoulder space, as well as adding a separate bicycle and pedestrian lane on top of a utility bridge that would be constructed along the south side of the bridge.

Previously, PennDOT officials stated that they anticipated starting construction on the project in 2025, at the earliest.

During the bridge closure next month, detours will be in place. Drivers heading to the west shore from the east shore should take N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg to Forster Street, turn left on Forster Street to cross the Harvey Taylor Bridge, turn right onto N. 2nd Street in Wormleysburg, turn right onto Stella Street, then right onto Front Street to proceed to Market Street.

Travelers heading east from the west side of the closure should take Front Street to Elm Street, turn left on Elm Street to N. 2nd Street, turn right on N. 2nd Street and continue to the Harvey Taylor Bridge, turn right to cross the bridge to the east shore, then turn right onto N. Front Street to proceed to Market Street.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. For more information on the Market Street Bridge rehabilitation plan, visit the project website.

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Harrisburg to celebrate Bike Month in May with cycling events, Ride of Silence

April 25, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

A past ghost bike display on the state Capitol steps.

Upcoming cycle celebrations may have you ready to roll right into May.

Harrisburg bicycling groups have lots of fun and educational events lined up for the city in honor of National Bike Month in May, including one to bring awareness to bike safety concerns.

“We need to encourage more people to ride,” said Ross Willard, founder of nonprofit Recycle Bicycle in Harrisburg. “I want to see more families riding bikes.”

And while there will be plenty of festivities, bike safety is an important topic for organizers to highlight during the month, Willard said, as cyclist fatalities on roads continue to increase.

On Wednesday, May 15, a group of local bikers will host the Harrisburg Ride of Silence to honor those killed or injured while cycling in the state. The 2.5-mile ride will begin at 7 p.m. behind the Armed Forces Reserve Center on the 2900 block of Green Street. The group will ride in silence to the state Capitol to raise awareness of the need for safer roadway conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.

Also that day, “ghost bicycles” will be on display on the state Capitol steps to represent the 27 bikers killed in the commonwealth in 2023. One red bike will represent the thousands of cyclists who are injured each year.

“Please slow down when you see a biker,” said Diane Dankman-Riley of the Harrisburg Bicycle Club. “We might be riding to school, a job or we might need to be on a bike because we have a handicap or cannot afford a car.”

To celebrate cycling in the city in May, Bike Harrisburg, a city-based organization, will promote group rides, bike workshops and family-friendly events.

Recycle Bicycle is offering Bike Bingo, which gives community members a chance to win a prize by completing tasks like biking to work, biking to a coffee shop or biking to see the sunset.

The Harrisburg Bike Crew will also host several casual social rides in the city throughout the month. The Harrisburg Bicycle Club will hold Sunday morning rides and Friday lunch rides, as well.

On Sunday, May 5, there will be a Capital Area Greenbelt ride at 1 p.m. Participants can meet at the trailhead behind the City Line Diner, 3302 Derry St., for a 20-mile casual ride.

Bike Harrisburg also encourages people to participate in National Ride a Bike Day on May 5, Bike to School Day on May 8 and Bike to Work Week from May 13 to 19.

If after all the biking, you’re in need of a tune up, Recycle Bicycle will offer free bike repair and education on May 17 and 18 at the Broad Street Market.

As Willard begins to see more and more people take up cycling in the city, he’s hopeful that these events will give newer riders a framework for safe cycling practices and bring awareness to the need for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

“We need to educate our riders on all levels,” Willard said. “I’m also looking forward to Bike Month because hopefully it’ll bring attention to some of our problems.”

For a full list of Bike Month events, visit Bike South Central PA’s website. To learn more about the Ride of Silence, visit their Facebook page. For more information on Recycle Bicycle, visit their website.

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