On Harrisburg’s eviction day for Greenbelt homeless encampment, occupants pack up, move on

June 1, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Several tents and occupants of an encampment near the Capital Area Greenbelt, off S. Cameron Street, remained at the site on Thursday, the eviction date.

On Thursday morning, Shawn Sweeney wheeled a small cart of items up a dirt ramp, connecting the wooded nature of the Greenbelt trail to Shanois Street, a small side road off of industrial S. Cameron Street.

He waited on a friend with a car to help transport his belongings, which, for several months, resided with him at a small homeless encampment tucked next to the Greenbelt.

Sweeney had only recently found out about Harrisburg’s notice to evict residents of the encampment, which city officials say is largely located on private property, with a small portion on city property, on Thursday, June 1.

Sweeney said that he came to the Greenbelt encampment after two years of living at the longtime encampment under the Mulberry Street Bridge on S. Cameron Street. In January, Harrisburg evicted residents from that encampment, citing health and safety concerns. Now, he had to move again.

Local organizations have come by the Greenbelt encampment to offer assistance with the move, Sweeney explained, but he felt that he didn’t receive any clear instruction about where he should move to, he said.

“They said they had no idea where we should go,” he said. “We had to figure it out.

Sweeney plans to move further up the Greenbelt trail, closer to the Steelton city line.

According to Matt Maisel, communications director for Harrisburg, the city’s “hands were tied” as it faced pressure from the owner of the private land that much of the encampment sits on, as well as members of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, which has its annual Tour de Belt on Sunday, June 4. The city issued the eviction notice two weeks ago, on May 18.

The city has given the 15 or so encampment occupants until 3 p.m. on Thursday to leave the area. Maisel said that police have been notified of the situation, but will only get involved if needed.

“We hope they [the police] don’t have to,” Maisel said. “Service providers have been tremendous in helping to move along the process.”

On Thursday, Ron, Shelby and their dog Tucker remained at the encampment, along with several others who hadn’t left yet. The pair worked to pack up their belongings, which included a few tents, coolers, bins of items and clothing, among lots of other items. Like Sweeney, they said that they also previously lived under the Mulberry Street Bridge.

Ron and Shelby’s dog Tucker eats while the couple packs up their belongings.

Ron and Shelby plan to move to a nearby location along Cameron Street, deeper in the woods. They hope, the deeper they go, the harder it will be for people to find and move them again.

However, venturing out on your own also poses a risk, as people like Ron and Shelby rely on area service providers for food and water. The more isolated they are, and the more that camps are scattered, the harder it is for those providing aid to find them.

“We rely on the food boxes,” Shelby said. “We don’t know if we are going to get them anymore because we’ll be scattered.”

For that reason, another occupant, who asked to be referred to by her first initial, “Y,” said that she planned to move to the large, long-time encampment in South Harrisburg, near the PennDOT building. While she didn’t want to move there, she felt she had no other option, she said.

Y said that a service provider with Dauphin County helped find a site for her at the encampment near PennDOT and is helping her move her belongings over.

“There’s not where else to go,” she said. “I’m trying not to stress, but I’m overwhelmed.”

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 1, 2023 | by Sara Bozich

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

What you’ll find:

For something new: A new cheese shop in Carlisle, a bunch of fun stuff at Harrisburg Beach Club Worth noting: HU Presents The Record Company on Friday at XL Live; Shakespeare in the Park is back; TONS more events Things on my agenda this weekend: TRC, tee ball, Burn30 Open House (join me!)

For your weekend planning

WIN tickets to HU Presents Milky Chance and TALK at XL Live (June 12)
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Add to calendar: Iron Bridge Music Festival (it’s free!) on June 16-17
Sly Fox is in SoMa next month!
Market on Market, downtown Camp Hill’s farmer’s market, is now open Tuesdays
Be sure the full SoMa Block Party Series is on your calendar
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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As Harrisburg prepares to clear homeless encampment, occupants wait, wonder what comes next

May 31, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Homeless encampment just off the Capital Area Greenbelt trail, near S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg.

For several months, Erik has lived in a wooded area just off the Capital Area Greenbelt in Harrisburg.

He’s part of the small community of residents experiencing homelessness who have not only pitched their tents there, but have made a home, building fences, pathways and fire pits.

Two encampments are tucked within the trees, near the Shanois Street access to the Greenbelt, off of S. Cameron Street. On Wednesday morning, a few bicyclists rode along the trail as Erik shared his frustration over a recent announcement that he, along with his neighbors, must pack up and leave.

Harrisburg has stated that the 15 to 20 residents of the two nearby encampments will be evicted on Thursday, June 1. The notice was issued by the city two weeks ago, on May 18.

“I don’t know what everybody’s going to do,” said Erik, who asked that his last name not be used.

The news comes a few months after Harrisburg cleared out a long-time encampment under the Mulberry Street Bridge on S. Cameron Street. City officials said that most of the people at the Greenbelt encampment are not those who were displaced from the bridge.

According to Matt Maisel, communications director for the city, the majority of the Greenbelt encampments are on privately owned land, while a small portion is on city-owned land. Maisel said that both pressure from the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, which holds its annual Tour de Belt on June 4, and the owner of the private property caused them to issue the eviction notice.

“We decided that this area has to be cleared out,” Maisel said. “Our hands are tied here.”

When the city moved residents out of the Mulberry Street Bridge encampment, they designated a space near S. Cameron and Magnolia streets to relocate people. However, Maisel said that only a few people chose to move there, and they left after about a week.

The current Greenbelt encampments are down the road from that location.

With this eviction, Maisel said that the city is not providing a space for people to relocate.

“If we continue to come up with other temporary locations, it becomes an expectation,” he said. “We are here to end unsheltered homelessness.”

With the move-out date a day away, tents and belongings still remained in the encampments on Wednesday morning.

Encampment under a bridge near the Capital Area Greenbelt trail, near S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg.

One woman who asked to be referred to by her first initial, “Y,” has lived at the encampment for about six months. She has set up several tents, which she offers to others who need help, and made a fire pit to cook homemade pizza for neighbors.

Y became homeless after a medical emergency caused her to lose her job as a home healthcare aide, she said. For a while, she lived in an abandoned house, but moved to the Greenbelt encampment when the house was demolished.

As of Wednesday, all of her belongings remained at the camp.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said. “I have to move this all by myself. We put a lot of time and effort into this place. I don’t know where we are going to go.”

According to Dennise Hill, Harrisburg’s director of building and housing development and a member of the Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH), local homelessness service providers visit the encampments daily, and others weekly, to provide resources.

Erik said that one organization dropped off bins for people to use for packing. But so far, he doesn’t believe anyone has left.

“I would be willing to bet, unless they try to arrest us, people are not going to move,” he said.

Hill said that the property owner of the private land would be responsible for enforcing the eviction on his land and the city will enforce it on theirs.

Erik explained that he was shocked when he first heard of the eviction notice, saying that the residents of the encampment have largely kept to themselves.

“I don’t really think we are bothering anyone,” he said. “We try to keep it clean. We are different to society, but we are still human.”

In May, Harrisburg received $2.3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to deploy to area social service groups to assist people experiencing homelessness.

“The service providers have the resources,” Maisel said. “We rely so much on the county and local nonprofits because this is their specialty.”

While Erik said he may move in with his girlfriend, Y said she didn’t know where she was going to go.

The area under the Mulberry Street Bridge has been fenced off since the encampment eviction. While Harrisburg originally put up the fences in order to clean the area and to conduct rat extermination, Maisel said that PennDOT has since taken over the fence rental costs and is responsible for not allowing people to return.

The large encampment near the PennDOT building in South Harrisburg is another option for those who need to move, but Y isn’t interested in moving into a new, crowded community.

She acknowledged the issue with drug use and occasional overdoses that occur at the encampment, but, like Erik, said that people keep their living spaces clean and keep to themselves.

“I guess they got tired of it and want us all to leave,” she said. “People want it to be homeless-free and don’t want to see us here.”

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Community Corner: Notable June Events

May 31, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Grand Opening
June 1-3: Twisted Mad Hatter Tattoo Shop will host a grand opening of their new location at 941 Kranzel Dr., Camp Hill. Enjoy games, raffles, new merch, tattoos and more. www.twistedmadhatter.com

Barnyard Jazz
June 2: Hershey History Center features the Rose Hudson Band at its “Jazz at the Barnyard” outdoor concert series at Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. Event begins at 6 p.m. with live music from 7 to 10 p.m. www.hersheyhistory.org

Sunset Series
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation hosts an outdoor Sunset Music and Movie Series at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Performances start at 7 p.m., movies start at 8:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the concession stand. www.forthunter.org

Free Shakespeare
June 2-17: Don’t miss the 26th annual “Free Shakespeare in the Park” with “Richard III.” 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

Discover Photography
June 3: Young explorers are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to learn about photography concepts and explore the park with a new perspective. Complete a photo scavenger hunt and practice editing your photos. Two sessions are available: ages 8 to 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and ages 12 to 14, 1 to 3 p.m. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

HBG Flea
June 3: 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

Free Organ Concert
June 4: Monica Berney, concert organist, will present a free concert at 4 p.m. at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, sponsored by the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The church provides parking nearby in the Market Square Garage. www.harrisburgago.org.

Tour de Belt
June 4: Capital Area Greenbelt Association hosts the 23rd annual Tour de Belt bike ride, starting at 9 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

Wildlife Search
June 8: Young explorers ages 5 to 10 are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1 to 3 p.m., for the Kids Discover series on herping, the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles. See frogs, turtles and snakes up close and learn about what makes each one special. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Food Rally
June 8: 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

Boat Float
June 10: Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat will host the 2nd Annual Float the Boat 5K on City Island. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Cost is $35 per runner. Proceeds help to fund the maintenance and operation of the riverboat. www.hbgriverboat.org

Volunteer Day
June 10: 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

Creative Workshops
June 10: Stop by Wheel of Light Studio, 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax, for Second Saturday workshops and artist demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.wheeloflightstudio.com

Refugee Festival
June 10: Welcome the Stranger Festival takes place at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Resettled families of refugee and immigrant organizations will sell handmade crafts and apparel. Information about our country’s resettlement process and opportunities will be available. www.cwsharrisburg.org

Kids Garden
June 10: Take the family to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, to celebrate the re-opening of the revitalized Children’s Garden, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include composting, harvesting and wildflower seed planting demonstrations. Enjoy food trucks and crafts and receive a take-home pollinator seed kit. www.hersheygardens.org

Proudly PA
June 10: 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

Juneteenth Week
June 10-19: 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, social events, a concert and a jubilee. www.ypoc-hbg.org

Garden Tour
June 11: Historic Harrisburg’s 2023 Garden Tour offers an exclusive peek inside some of Harrisburg’s most spectacular backyards, patios and outdoor living spaces, as city gardens are at their seasonal peak. www.historicharrisburg.org

Climate Convergence
June 11: Pennsylvania Climate Convergence hosts a Festival for the Planet at Riverfront Park, Front and Market streets, Harrisburg, 12 to 8 p.m. The event features talks, tabling, musical and dance performances, street theater, art installations and interactive art builds, all expressing the need for climate action. www.pennsylvaniaclimateconvergence.org

Cancer Benefit
June 11: Head to Bucks Valley Winery and Vineyards, 333 Meadow Grove Rd., Newport, for the 8th annual “Toasting a Cure at the Vineyard,” benefitting PA Breast Cancer Coalition, 1:30 to 7 p.m. The event will feature live music, cornhole, a silent and live auction and a pig roast. www.pbccbenefit.com

Auditions
June 12, 19: The Susquehanna Chorale will host auditions for all sections. For more information, contact [email protected] or 814-359-8597.

Black Arts Mashup
June 14: Narçisse Theatre Company, 312 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, will host the Young Professionals of Color of Greater Harrisburg’s JuneteenthHBG 2023 “Black Performing Arts Mashup.” The event will showcase the talents of young professionals of color in the performing arts, including music, dance and spoken word. www.narcissetheatre.org

Jubilee Day
June 15: Jubilee Day returns to downtown Mechanicsburg for its 93rd year. Enjoy vendors, games, carnival rides, festival food and more, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. www.mechanicsburgchamber.org

Black Art Expo
June 15: Along with Harrisburg’s Juneteenth celebration, Capital Area Cleanup will host “Evolution: A Revision of Black Art Expo” at Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Three local artists share their representation of the past, present and future of Black art. [email protected]

Gourd Fest
June 15-17: “It’s Always a Gourd Day in PA” and the Pennsylvania Gourd Society host the 2023 PA Gourd Fest at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds. The event includes three full days of classes, instructed by artists from across the country. www.pagourdsociety.org

3rd in The Burg
June 16: 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

Photo Exhibit
June 16: “Moments, Memories and Mindfulness,” photography by Steve Bootay and Evan Wilson, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Free street parking after 5 p.m. www.pinestreet.org

Juneteenth Free Day
June 17: 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

Juneteenth Celebration
June 17: Hope Station will host a Juneteenth Celebration in downtown Carlisle for all to come together and celebrate the freedom of African Americans, 1 to 4 p.m. Explore various vendors, music and kids’ activities. www.carlislehopestation.org

Music Fest
June 17: The Millworks hosts a free summer musical festival, 2 to 8 p.m., on the grass lot at Verbeke and 3rd streets, Harrisburg. The event features live music, food trucks and art vendors. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Father’s Day
June 18: 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 18: 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

Nature Camp
June 19-30: 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. The camp is held over two separate weeks; campers should register for one week only. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Book Talk
June 22: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, hosts Christopher Graham in a conversation about his new book, “Faith, Race, and the Lost Cause: Confessions of a Southern Church,” at 7 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Chocolate Science
June 24: Join the WITF education team at the Hershey Public Library, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to discover the science behind and history of chocolate. This program is designed for kids and teens, 4 to 14 years old. www.witf.org

Block Party
June 24: Church World Service Harrisburg hosts a free afternoon of activities, food and entertainment at its World Refugee Day Block Party, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at their Harrisburg office, Maclay and N. 2nd streets. www.cwsharrisburg.org

Riverboat Anniversary
June 24: The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat celebrates its 35th anniversary, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets include light fare, two drink tickets and live music. www.hbgriverboat.org

Yard Concert
June 24: Tim and Polly Alexander host a front yard concert at Deer Road/White Rock Acres in Boiling Springs, with Time Sawyer at 7:30 p.m. (driveway opens at 6:30 p.m.). Bring your favorite lawn chair, picnic food and cold beverage. Plenty of street parking is available. Guests are asked to register online. www.mansionconcert.com

Italian Lake Concert
June 25: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for the first Italian Lake Concert Series of 2023, featuring Natalie Ness, 6 to 8 p.m. at Italian Lake Park, N. 2nd and Division streets, Harrisburg. www.hyp.org

Tap Talks
Jan. 28: Join Penn State Master Watershed Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna at Appalachian Brewing Co., 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg for “Tap Talks” to learn the geology of the Susquehanna River and the influence it has on water quality, 6 to 7:30 p.m. www.extension.psu.edu

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

Free Movie Friday
June 30: Harrisburg’s summer series, Free Movie Fridays, kicks off with “Encanto” at the band shell in Reservoir Park, starting around 8 p.m. Attendees should bring blankets and lawn chairs. www.harrisburgpa.gov

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

Happenings: Our June Calendar of Events

May 31, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“The Liberty Car: Great War Cadillac US1257X,” through summer 2023

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

“The Eppleman Collection—A Triano Family Gift,” through June 22

“Correlated Cultivations,” a three-artist invitational guest curated by Nate Foster that features the work of Young Won, Earle Rock and Marina Radanovic, through June 22

95th Annual International Juried Exhibition, June 30-Aug. 24

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

“By the Book,” a whimsical, interactive exhibit featuring the artwork of nationally known children’s book illustrator Amy June Bates, June 9-July 22; reception: June 9, 5:30 -7 p.m.

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: Millersburg Area Art Association

MAAA Past Scholarship Recipients Show, through June 24

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

HAAA Rotation Exhibit Galleries, through June 10

HAAA Member Artwork at the Cocoa Beanery, through July 10

HAAA Member Artwork at Backstage Café, Allen Theater, June 1-July 31

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

Juried Student Art Exhibition, through Aug. 24; award ceremony and reception: Aug. 24, 4 p.m.

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

New works by Justin and Joelle Arawjo, Pamela Black, Marsha Souders, The Huckle Buckle Boys, Phil Wells and Judy Kelly, through June 11

New works by PD Murray, Julie Iaria, Carrie Shusta, RLO, Marjorie Taylor, Paul Vasiliades, June 13- July 16

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

Art in the Stacks featuring Paul Nagle, June 1-30

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)
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Stillness & Motion,” a solo exhibition by Louise Thomas, through June 24

Solo art exhibition featuring Karen Van Newhyzen, through Aug. 5

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

“A Flair for Public Service—Genevieve Blatt and C. DeLores Tucker”

“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

“HORSE2AUTO—A Transportation Revolution,” through 2023

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

“Art and Activism at Tougaloo College,” June 10-Sept. 10

“Valery Sutherland—Paintings,” with works completed between 2021 and 2023, illustrating the artist’s investigation into the passage of time and its reflection on nature, through June 18

“Ju Yun—Hybrid Identity,” features vibrant mixed media pieces that take inspiration from the popular culture found in both Korea and the United States, through June 25

“The Creatures Collages” series is the visual component of a collaboration between visual artist Dan Zdilla and composer Rusty Banks, through June 25

“8th Annual Juried Exhibition—Transformative Craft,” June 29-Oct. 15

“The Matter of Money,” artwork by Mark Wagner, who is best known for his intricate collages made entirely from deconstructed U.S. dollars, through Aug. 13

“The Hidden Museum, 2018,” installation in which viewers are challenged to locate “hidden” works of art, through Dec. 31

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

“Rap Retention,” art by Blake Showers, displaying pivotal, illustrious and esoteric moments from hip hop and rap culture, June 2-28; reception: June 2, 6-8 p.m.

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

“Generations—a Celebration of Family Creativity,” June 3-July 8; reception: June 3, 1-3 p.m.

Read, Make, Learn

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

June 1, 29: Fit Chicks in-store and virtual, 4:15 p.m.
June 2, 16, 30: Virtual Booty Blast, 9:30 a.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Yoga for Back Health, 10 a.m.
June 8: Boomer Fit Zoomer in-store and virtual, 4:15 p.m.
June 23: Virtual Barre Intensity Express, 9:30 a.m.

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

June 3: Copper Enameling Workshop (ages 13-adult), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 5-9: Beezzz to Treezzz (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 5-9: Fashion Fun (ages 9-14), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 5-9: Clay Fantasy Camp (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 5-9: Mix It Up (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 6-27: Intermediate/Advanced Painting (ages 16-adult), Tuesdays, 1-3:30 p.m.
June 6-27: Beginning Oil Painting—Yellow Swallowtail, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
June 7-July 5: Art Journaling, Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
June 10: Experimental Mixed Media, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 12-16: “Outsider” Art (ages 5-8), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 12-16: Summer Dance Camp (ages 4-6), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 12-16: Animals in Action (ages 9-14), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 12-16: Clay Critters! (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 12-16: Finding Your Inner Artist (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 19-23: Art & Adventure Camp
June 19-23: Music & Art (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 19-23: The Art of Recycling (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 20-Aug. 1: Tuesday Wheel Throwing 102, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
June: Art Together 1-Day Workshop (ages 6-adult), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 26-30: Be the Curator (ages 9-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 26-30: Cool Cartoons (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 26-30: SPAAAAACE! (ages 9-12), 1-4 p.m.

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

June 20: Sandwich Sensations, 6-9 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

June 10: Reading the Rainbow Book Club at Elementary Coffee, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 14: Spanish Language Conversation Group on Zoom (ages 15 and older), 6-7 p.m.

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

June 8: LEGO Meetup (ages 6-12), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 22: STEAM Stations (ages 6-12), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

June 3: Meet & Greet Artists Reception, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 8: Masked Sing-Along, 6-7 p.m.
June 15: Sip and Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 15: Paws 2 Read (ages 6-11), 6-7:30 p.m.
June 16: Teen Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m.
June 17: Pokémon Go Walking and Meeting Group, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 22: BINGO, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 22: Marble Run Building Challenge, 6-7 p.m.
June 26: Paws 2 Read, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

June 10: Children’s Mansion Tour, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 11: Fort Hunter Mansion and McAllister Cemetery Tour, 1-3 p.m.
June 14, 28: Stories on the Stairs, 10-11 a.m.
June 25: Home Skills from History, 1-3 p.m.

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

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
June 2: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
June 5: Roots & Shoots Program, 6-7 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Book Explorers (ages 3-6), 5:30 p.m.
June 5, 19: Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
June 6: Curl up with the Classics—“Light in August” 10-11 a.m.
June 6, 20: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Summer Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 8, 15: Meet and Greet Library Pups, 10-11 a.m.
June 16: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9-9:45 a.m.
June 16: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime, 10-10:45 a.m.
June 16: Family Paint & Pix!, 6 p.m.

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

June 3: Chicken Gourd Workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 3: Needle Felted Mouse, 1-4 p.m.
June 8: Barn Star Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 10: Flag Wreath Workshop, 1-3 p.m.
June 17: 3-Piece Jewelry Set, 2-4 p.m.
June 23: Chicken Painting on Wood, 6-8 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

June 26: Encaustic Painting, 7-9 p.m.

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

June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.
June 1, 15, 29: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
June 6, 20: Silent Book Group at Starbucks in Hershey Towne Square, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 12, 19, 26: Books and Babies, 10:15 a.m.
June 12, 19, 26: Storytime for Everyone, 11 a.m.
June 13, 20, 27: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m.
June 21: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
June 23: Craft & a Movie—“The Incredibles,” 10 a.m.

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

June 2, 9: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28: Rhyme Time (18 months and older), 10:15-10:35 a.m.
June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28: Toddler Time (18 months-3 years), 10:45-11:05 a.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
June 6: Teen Tuesday, 6-8:30 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Toddler Time in the Park, 10 a.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Story Time in the Park, 10:30 a.m.
June 8: Beginning Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 8, 22, 29: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 10, 24: Block Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 10, 24: Puzzle Party, 11:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 12: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 14: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
June 19: Monday Night Book Club, 7 p.m.
June 24: Trivia at Home—SpongeBob, 6-8 p.m.
June 27: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

June 1: Book Bingo, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
June 7, 21: Paws 2 Read, 5-6 p.m.
June 9: Kline Friends’ Book Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
June 14: STEAM Stations, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 28: LEGO Meetup, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Passageways, 2 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
June 10: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

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

June 9: Egg Drop Challenge, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 12: Taste of Black-owned Businesses, 5-6 p.m.
June 17: Colorful Connections, 12-2 p.m.
June 23: Crafting Free for All, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

June 5, 12, 19, 26: Calling All Coders (children and teens, 8 and older), 2-5 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Code Your Story (children and teens, 8 and older), 2-3 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: LEGO Stop Motion Animation (children and teens, 8 and older), 2-3 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: STEAM Sensory Play Time (ages birth to 5 years), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 10: The Science Spectacular with Eric Energy, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 23: All Together Now with Music Play Patrol, 11-11:45 a.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

June 6, 13, 20, 27: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
June 14, 21, 28: Wednesday Summer Reading, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

June 3: An Evening with Richard Rothstein and Leah Rothstein, 6-7 p.m.
June 7: An Evening with David Sedaris, 7-8 p.m.
June 13: An Evening with Audrey Clare Farley, 7-8 p.m.
June 14: An Evening with Christine Pride, Jo Piazza, and Kate Baer, 7-8 p.m.
June 24: Book Signing with Nick Tabor, 1-3 p.m.
June 27: An Evening with Riley Sager and Ruth Ware

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

June 17: Fluid Art, 12-3 p.m.

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

June 22: A Civil Conversation with Christopher Graham, 7-8 p.m.

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

June 1-Aug. 15: Go Cumberland!
June 1-Aug. 15: All Together Now Summer Reading Challenge
June 1-Aug. 15: Beanstack Challenge Summer Reading Program
June 1: Cook the Book Club
June 1: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 2, 16: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 3, 17: New Cumberland Public Library Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 5: Outdoor Sensory Playtime (ages 0-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 5: VanGo Art Museum on Wheels (ages 6-12), 1:30 p.m.
June 6-Aug. 8: Outdoor Book Babies (ages 0-2), 11: 15 a.m.
June 7-July 5: Ready for Kindergarten (ages 4-5), 10:15-11:45 a.m.
June 10, 24: Teen Grab-and-Go Kits (ages 13-17), 10 a.m.
June 12: Kids Paint Party (ages 6-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 12: Teen Paint Party (ages 13-17), 2:30-3:30 p.m.
June 12, 26: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 13, 27: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 13-July 25: Kids Gardening Club (ages 6-12), Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 16, 30: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 13-17), 4-6 p.m.
June 17: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 17: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
June 19: Summer Yoga for Kids (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 19: Summer Yoga for Kids (ages 6-10), 11 a.m.
June 21: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 23: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 26: The Secrets of Honeybee (ages 7-12), 1:30 p.m.
June 28: STEAM Discovery Zone (ages 6-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 28: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
June 30: PlayDoh Palooza (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.

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

June 3-24: Intro to Pastels, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 25: Drop-In Art at Little Buffalo State Park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

June 8: Macramé Paper Clip Bookmark Workshop, 6 p.m.
June 9: Vintage Tin Earrings Workshop, 6 p.m.
June 10: Second Saturday Workshops and Artist Demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 15: Wood Burning Cheeseboards Workshop, 5:30 p.m.
June 23: Summer Solstice Celebration Paint Party, 6 p.m.

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

June 1: Bird Walk—Nesting Birds, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
June 3: Kids Discover—Photography (ages 8-11), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 3: Kids Discover—Photography (ages 12-14), 1-3 p.m.
June 4: Daisies & Brownies—Shapes in Nature, 1-3 p.m.
June 8: Kids Discover—Herps (ages 5-10), 1-3 p.m.
June 9: Mulberry Tree Walk, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
June 10: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 10: Stained-Glass Workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 15: Paper Making Workshop Part 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 17: Macrame Coasters Class, 2:30-4 p.m.
June 18: Flower Walk—Peak of Blooming, 10:30-12 p.m.
June 19-23: Nature Explorer’s (ages 6-8) Week 1, 1-3 p.m.
June 22: Paper Making Workshop Part 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 26-30: Nature Explorer’s (ages 6-8) Week 2, 1-3 p.m.

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

June 5: STEAM Stations (ages 6-12), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 6: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6 p.m.
June 20: Novel Thoughts Too, 1 p.m.
June 24: Color Connections (ages 18 and older), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 27: Miss Maggie Sings, 3-4 p.m.

Live Music

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

June 9: Top of the World A Carpenters Tribute
June 10: Leonid & Friends—The World’s Greatest Chicago Tribute
June 11: Brothers of the Heart—Fortune, Isaacs, Walker, Rogers
June 17: Happy Together Tour
June 24: Christopher Cross & Justin Hayward with Mike Dawes
June 25: Brian Regan

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

June 1: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
June 2: Jazz in the City
June 3: Tom Rush and Loudon Wainwright III
June 4: York County Honors Choir
June 8: Laughter Saves Lives
June 14: Iris DeMent
June 21: Nickel Creek, Hawktail

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

June 16: Stefon Harris

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

June 9: Solar Federation
June 24: The Bacon Brothers

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

June 18: Time for Tango

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

June 2: Shine Delphi
June 3: North Mountain Ramblers
June 9: Aaron Daniel Gaul
June 10: Tim Colgan
June 16: Matthew Bynum
June 17: Soc Duo
June 23: Curtis Smith
June 24: Noel Gevers
June 30: Josh Krevsky

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

June 6: AJJ
June 10: The Swemo Experience
June 16: Kidd G
June 17: The Best of the Eagles
June 23: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
June 24: Bad Bunny Night

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus

harrisburggaymenschorus.org

June 9, 10. 11, 18: Spring Concerts
June 10: Concert Livestream

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

June 2: The Record Company at XL Live
June 12: Milky Chance at XL Live
June 27: lovelytheband, Beach Weather at XL Live

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

June 27: Diana Ross

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

June 2: The Luv Gods
June 3: Slippery When Wet
June 9: Smooth Like Clyde
June 10: Cody Tyler & Gypsy Convoy
June 16: Cellar Sessions
June 17: Emily’s ToyBox
June 23: Funktion
June 24: Grant Bryan Band
June 30: John King Dance Band

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

June 4: Concert at Peace Church

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

June 3: One Night in Memphis
June 2: Airmen of Note

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

June 22: Christian McBride

The Manor on Front
2971 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-884-9596; themanoronfront.com

June 24: Time Sawyer

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

June 1: Tony Catalano
June 15: Dave Kelly
June 22: Dave McCullough
June 29: Josh Krevsky

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

June 8-11: Jekyll & Hyde in concert
June 22-25: Together Off Broadway—Mermin & Martin

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

June 9: Colebrook Road
June 24: The Dave Matthews Band Tribute

The Peace Church
Trindle and St. John’s Church roads, Camp Hill
717-737-6492

June 4: The Keystone Concert Band
June 11: Norma Swain and Friends
June 25: John Catalano

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

June 28: Open Mic Night

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

June 13: Harrisburg Jazz Collective
June 19: Sam Greenfield

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

June 4: Dave Mason

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

June 2: Harrisburg University presents The Record Company
June 3: Puddle of Mudd
June 10: The Disco Biscuits
June 12: Harrisburg University presents Milky Chance
June 12: Red NOT Chili Peppers
June 16: KIX
June 20: Juneteenth Summer of Soul with Michel’le, Soul For Real, Zhane, Shai, Jeff Redd
June 23: The Reagan Years
June 27: Harrisburg University presents lovelytheband

The Stage Door

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

June 8: Laughter Saves Lives
June 11: Greater York Dance June Show

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

June 16-25: “Hunchback of Notre Dame the Musical”

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

June 16-25: “Urinetown the Musical”

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

June 1-24: “Elvis—A Musical Revolution”
June 30-Aug. 5: Disney’s “Newsies’”

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

June 2-17: Shakespeare in the Park—“Richard III” (Reservoir Park)
June 23: TMI Improv

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

June 2: Divas Down Under present “Summer Beach Party” Drag Show
June 24: Micro Wrestling All*Stars

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

June 2: Free Improv Jam, Hoagie’s Heroes, Ham Juice, Frankenstein’s Monster!, Bandito
June 3: Kid Friendly Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Baby, Love Triangle, Barn Bitches, Uncomfortable, Tiny Town
June 9: Character Class Show, Is That Beef?, Team Z, Leg of Lamp, Phil’s Arcade, Holding Hands w/ John and Tyler
June 10: Free Mixer, This Show Will Self Destruct, Mary Todd Lincoln—The Real Babe-raham Lincoln, Barbra, Tiny French Cigarettes
June 11: Character Class Show
June 16: Free Improv Jam, Hoagie’s Heroes, Ham Juice, Cosmic Trash, The Bondfire Society
June 17: Free Mixer, Baby, Sunday School, Rockstar Goes Supernova, JODY, Barn Bitches Presents The Haircut
June 23: Free Improv Jam, Is That Beef?, Team Z, Midtown Funk, Merely Players
June 24: Free Mixer, Dark Horse, Original Six, Elderprov

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

June 1-4: “Bandstand”

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

June 13-18: “Six the Musical”

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

June 16-July 2: “Beautiful—The Carole King Musical”

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

June 2-4: “Come Blow Your Horn”
June 11: “Picasso at the Lapin Agile”

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

June 1-17: “Poirot Investigates!”
June 28-30: “The Wizard of Oz” Youth Edition

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

June 2: We the People—“Speak to My Soul”

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

June 10: Dance Revelation “Freedom”

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

Pride on the Page: In an acclaimed book, a local activist collected stories of LGBTQ+ trials, triumphs

May 31, 2023 | by M. Diane McCormick

Floyd Stokes

“If you’re looking for unicorns and rainbows, turn the page. But if you want a real-life story about growing up the hard way and still finding that strong person inside, keep reading.”

This is the voice of Tamika Wesley, one of about 50 speaking through “How We Found Our Pride: Letters to a Young Queer.”

The locally produced book, published in fall 2021, presents letters from LGBTQ+ people, plus a few allies, that illuminate their experience in tones ranging from heartbreaking to humorous, from painful to insightful. Each story differs, but all lead to pride, authenticity and advice on finding your tribe.

The book was the brainchild of Floyd Stokes, executive director of American Literacy Corp. in Harrisburg. As he was planning for how to celebrate Pride Month, he remembered a favorite book, “Letters to a Young Brother,” by Hill Harper. For young Black men who rarely see themselves in a positive light, the book offered encouragement and advice.

Stokes wondered if he could do something similar for young LGBTQ+ people, reflecting their struggles, their fight against stereotypes, and their ability to rise above adversity and find success.

With financial support from Capital Blue Cross, Stokes pulled together a local team of artists, editors, advisers and backers to make the project happen.

“There’s so many aspects and so many positive things that have come out of the book,” Stokes said. “A reason why we created the book was to give young people a chance to read other testimonies from people who have overcome obstacles.”

The letters encompass the range of human experience in its racial, ethnic, age and gender diversity. They include a genderfluid 8-year-old, a Fulbright Scholar from Utah, accountants, entertainers and artists, political operatives, teachers and elected officials. Their voices say:

“And she chose love.”

“I see so much pain behind your eyes.”

“All the lying and hiding was eroding my integrity.”

Wesley, a Harrisburg mental health provider, helped Stokes devise the concept and contributed a letter sharing her journey of trials and acceptance and her commitment to helping young people find safe havens. She found the book “inspirational,” especially at a time when more people are coming out, including trans individuals.

“‘How We Found Our Pride’ gives that inspiration to people that they can still have positive effects from coming out,” Wesley said. “They don’t have to be scared. There’s support out there. There’s help out there.”

Wesley and many other authors address the intergenerational dynamics they navigated and, often, the growth of parents and grandparents from resistance to acceptance. Wesley attributes their initial resistance to “the fear and ‘I don’t knows’ and stigma” they grew up with.

“Over time, they see that sexuality and gender does not depict the person themselves,” she said. “I’m still going to be a great person regardless of my sexual orientation. Love is love.”

Next Level

Proceeds from the book funded scholarships awarded by ALC to HACC students last fall and again this coming fall.

“In everything, I believe in education,” Stokes said. “Life is difficult, but you’re better off with an education than without. You can better navigate the obstacles in life. You’re better able, when you stumble, to get up, dust yourself off, and stand on your own two feet.”

In a letter submitted by John J. “Ski” Sygielski, the HACC president shares the memory of finally coming out by publicly thanking his husband of 30 years during his HACC presidential inauguration.

“Were we mocked and jeered?” he wrote. “Not at all! In fact, my husband received more applause than I did!”

LGBTQ+ students have faced ridicule in classrooms and playgrounds their whole lives, said Sygielski. HACC policies “accept and we support everybody,” creating campuses that students consider to be safe spaces.

Some LGBTQ+ students struggle to get or keep jobs due to discrimination and workplace bullying, Sygielski said. The Pride Scholarship, HACC’s newest, tackles that barrier by “letting our LGBTQ community know that there are individuals and organizations that are there to support them in their academic work in the hopes that they will achieve their professional goals, so they can then be employed at some of our major employers in the area.”

In the book, Emily Taylor, of Lower Paxton Township, shared her story of growing up in a conservative Christian household, the painful process of coming out, and the realization that “coming out and owning my truth and my identity was and continues to be worth it.”

Today, Taylor said that she submitted the letter because, “I know what I’ve been through in my personal journey and how difficult that was in many ways.”

“Having people in our communities who are visible and in leadership positions or in positions to have an impact on others and are willing to be open and honest about who they are, it helps other people be more comfortable and see things differently,” Taylor told TheBurg.

Like Taylor, many letter authors wrote about fears that their sexuality or gender status would suppress their careers. Many, however, found embracing their true selves freed them to fully utilize their talents. That was part of Taylor’s story, and she has now “gone to the next level” as HR director for a health care provider.

“Who I am is always going to be a part of how I do things,” she said. “I’m going to always value diversity. I’m going to always want to champion any kind of aspect of diversity because I know what that feels like.”

Candid & Clear

The book is making its way to personal libraries, including the collection of Dr. Vicki Basktecki-Perez, president of Montgomery County Community College. Gifted to her by Sygielski, she shares it with others as a book “that fosters a sense of belonging and offers a candid and clear look” at the personal stories within the LGBTQ+ community.

“It really helps us look at humanity as not binary in anything, whether you look at gender, whether you look at expression, race, ethnicity,” Bastecki-Perez said. “It’s not necessarily just a binary process. It’s fluid.”

Bastecki-Perez leads a campus culture celebrating equity, diversity and belonging for all, and she pinpoints the Pride book’s most valuable takeaway as the notion “that someone can live an authentic life and be happy, be joyous, be healthy and be successful.”

She added that she knows of youth who have shared the book with their peers, so “that singular book has touched more than one life.”

The book’s allies include Leigh-Ann Reitze, who has proudly embraced rainbows in her clothing and décor since her son came out as gay. She has learned everything she can about the LGBTQ+ community so she can proudly stand beside her son, even when he’s rolling his eyes, but those moments have led to incredible experiences—the coincidence of being in Ireland during the Dublin Pride Parade, and a Brooklyn visit this spring to attend a Pride festival and visit Stonewall, a trip they’re calling the “great gay May vacay.”

In her letter, Reitze urges readers who aren’t fortunate enough to have a loving family to find the “people out there who will love you for who you are. Do the things that you’re passionate about, and those generous souls will find you.”

At the book release party, Reitze read a selection from her letter, surprised to find herself getting emotional. Afterwards, another letter author called her “the perfect mom.” Recently, she loaned a copy to a new transgender coworker.

“They took it home, and their girlfriend is reading it right now,” said Reitze. “They said it was really cool.”

Reitze also took the time to read the entire book—it’s a breezy 127 pages—and came away with “a sense of community. I just loved the concept of the book. It’s a nice, easy read about other people in the same boat as us.”

“How We Found Our Pride: Letters to a Young Queer” can be purchased directly from the American Literacy Corporation at www.superreader.org or from Amazon.com.

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

Liberation Celebration: Juneteenth HBG festival returns to commemorate holiday, showcase Black culture, art

May 31, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Dr. Kimeka Campbell
Photo by Chris Gordon

Dr. Kimeka Campbell knows that, not only do many hands make light work, but the more that community members collaborate, the stronger Harrisburg becomes.

One city. One team. One impact.

That’s the motto for Juneteenth HBG, an annual celebration spearheaded by Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg (YPOC), of which Campbell is the co-founder.

The team has brought together leaders from Harrisburg’s art, religious, theater, health, academic and music scenes to create this year’s lineup of events.

“When you bring together the talented people in the city, you have something really nice,” Campbell said.

This is the third year that YPOC will hold Juneteenth HBG to celebrate the holiday, on June 19, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. June 19, 1865 is recognized as the day when the remaining Black slaves in Texas received word that they were free. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a national holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth HBG has grown each year, with 2023 offering a list of events encompassing everything from history to art to education. Events already kicked off in May with a historic walking tour, homeownership class, economic panel and environmental festival. June’s events are gearing up and will take place in mid-June.

First up is the Juneteenth Conference, a daylong event at both HACC and the National Civil War Museum on June 10. Author, activist and TV personality Marc Lamont Hill will present the keynote address and other speakers will discuss topics surrounding homeownership, business, Black history, health and wellness and community development.

A new event this year will be the Juneteenth Interfaith Church Service at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church to highlight the importance of Black churches in the African American community.

Frank Henley

Frank Henley, founder and artistic director at Harrisburg’s Narçisse Theatre Company, is especially excited about one of the month’s events. On June 14, the theater will host a Black Performance Arts Showcase featuring dance, music, spoken word, theater and more.

Narçisse recently moved to a new location on Chestnut Street downtown and plans to hold its grand opening this month, before the showcase.

“The event is going to focus on Black performance art through its many forms,” Henley said. “We are trying to show the strength and transformative power of the arts.”

The show will pay homage to those who lost their lives during slavery, as well as those who made it through, and will spotlight the ways that the Black community has found joy in times of sorrow, Henley explained.

Another arts event, “Evolution: The Revision of Black Arts Expo,” at the Susquehanna Art Museum, will showcase work by local artists on the past, present and future of Black history. Attendees can also participate in an interactive paint session.

Closing out the week, on June 17, will be a Juneteenth concert, and the capstone event, Juneteenth Jubilee, will take place on June 18 at HACC. The concert, at XL Live, will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and artists like Michel’le, Soul for Real, Zhane, Shai and Jeff Redd will take the stage. Juneteenth Jubilee will highlight small, Black-owned businesses and vendors, offer activities for families and have food trucks on site.

Through all of the wide range of events, the focus will be on Juneteenth and what it means for, not only the Black community, but for the community as a whole, Campbell shared. Events like homeownership and economic classes address the systemic issues and impact of slavery, while others like the art and theater events spotlight Black culture and the freedom found in creating and telling a story.

“Harrisburg has the culture, and we are trying to amplify that in all that we do,” Campbell said. “The week is about celebrating the life and culture of the Black community, which we believe goes hand-in-hand with emancipation.”

Since Juneteenth became a national holiday and, with YPOC’s promotion of the celebration over the years, Campbell believes more people are recognizing and understanding the holiday’s significance. But there’s still educational work to be done, and Campbell is hopeful that Juneteenth HBG’s events help further that work.

“It’s not just about recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, but understanding the history,” she said. “Black history and Juneteenth and emancipation are American history.”

Juneteenth HBG will take place at locations around the city June 10 to 18. For more information, visit www.ypoc-hbg.org.

On Your Calendar

Make plans to attend one or more of these Juneteenth events:

Juneteenth Conference
June 10, 10 a.m.
HACC & National Civil War Museum

Juneteenth Church Service
June 11, 10 a.m.
Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Topixx Tuesday Juneteenth HBG Edition
June 13, 7 p.m.
Hurston Manor

Black Performance Arts Showcase
June 14, 6:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
Narçisse Theatre

Evolution: The Revision of Black Art Expo
June 15, 5 p.m.
Susquehanna Art Museum

UPMC Healthy Harrisburg Kick-off
June 17, 9 a.m.
Soldier’s Grove

Juneteenth Concert
June 17, 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
XL Live

Juneteenth Jubilee
June 18, 12 p.m.
HACC

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Green Team: Grassroots organization Capital Area Cleanup hosts trash pickups, educates on environmentalism

May 31, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Leslie Avila has an objective that may seem small, but could make a huge impact.

“One of my biggest goals is to get people to care about putting trash in trash cans,” she said.

If people did that, the environment would reap all kinds of great benefits, Avila explained. Our waterways, food, air quality and soil would all be impacted positively.

Avila is working towards that goal one trash cleanup at a time with her group Capital Area Cleanup. The group, which started about four years ago, has worked to beautify the greater Harrisburg area, as well as educate participants on how to better care for the earth.

Avila, along with co-leaders, Tyler Vaupel and Jazmine Soberanis, kicked off their 2023 cleanups this spring, giving local residents monthly opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in their community.

“Our actions shape the world around us,” Avila said. “We are cleaning up to make our planet better.”

Capital Area Cleanups are different than your average trash cleanup, Avila said, as they include a lot of environmental education. The team instructs volunteers on the difference between waste materials and whether they should be recycled, composted or trashed. The group will then separate them out.

The cleanups take place in Harrisburg and the surrounding communities, with the group beautifying city streets, alleys and even creeks.

In May, the group hosted an event in conjunction with Juneteenth HBG’s weeks-long festivities, at which participants heard from Capital Region Water, Harrisburg Public Works and local activists on environmental topics.

Harrisburg resident Donovan Bailey started participating in the trash cleanups, as well as providing graphic design services for the group, within the past year. When he started volunteering, he didn’t know much about environmental issues, he admitted, but that quickly changed.

“I brought no knowledge to the first day, but she [Avila] has been teaching us every time,” Bailey said. “It’s made me want to take care of the earth and learn more.”

He said he since has invited friends to join the group and wants to continue spreading awareness of the need.

“It’s been nice to see the area I grew up in get cleaned up,” Bailey said. “Knowing there’s a change happening and I’ve helped make it—it warms my heart.”

Why is picking up trash so important to Avila?

It’s more than just a way to make the neighborhoods look nicer, although that’s a huge benefit, as well. A trash-ridden environment can affect the soil, allowing chemicals to harm plants, Avila said. It can also impact the sewer system, making water more difficult to clean and damaging the infrastructure. Trash can also harm wildlife—critters on land and in water.

Capital Area Cleanup volunteers have been surprised by how much trash they encounter on their walks, Avila said. But it’s that awareness that she hopes will drive people to want to make a change.

She’s also noticed the impact on the community as the group has remained consistent over the years.

“People are excited to see everyone so dedicated,” she said.

For more information on Capital Area Cleanup, visit their Facebook page.

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In a Pickle: The sport with the funny name is taking the Harrisburg area by storm

May 31, 2023 | by Dan Miller

Renderings of future Smash Point Pickleball.

Forty-four year old Vinay Joshi has only been playing pickleball since March 2020.

A little over three years later, Joshi and a business partner are about to open the greater Harrisburg area’s first indoor facility devoted entirely to the pickleball mania sweeping the nation.

Smash Point Pickleball, with eight courts, is expected to open the first week of July on Gateway Drive in Hampden Township, between Sky Zone and T.J. Maxx.

Joshi and partner Vijay Varadarajan are leasing a former retail space with 24-foot-high ceilings being redeveloped for the new use. Smash Point will have 25,000 square feet of space, including a 4,000-square-foot lounge.

Joshi isn’t the only one seeing opportunity from the growth of pickleball in the Harrisburg area. Ace Pickleball Club recently awarded 10 franchises for new indoor pickleball facilities nationwide, including one in the Harrisburg area.

Just Start

In 1965, three men on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, Wash., invented pickleball. A fast-paced combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton, pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a net about two inches shorter than a tennis net.

Players use a paddle slightly larger than in ping pong and a ball similar to a whiffle ball, but more durable. Pickleball can be played by two people in a singles match or two on each side in doubles play.

Pickleball used to be considered chiefly a game enjoyed by senior citizens at retirement communities in states like Arizona and Florida. But, recently, the sport has exploded in popularity, driven in part by the need for people of all ages to come up with new social and exercise outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, pickleball was named the fastest growing sport in America for the third straight year by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, according to USA Pickleball. There are now 8.9 million pickleball players in the United States over age 6—nearly double the 4.8 million in 2022, according to the association.

Joshi played racquetball until the pandemic shut down all venues for that sport in early 2022.

“We didn’t have anything else to do,” he said. “We didn’t have an option so I thought, why not try this?”

Joshi quickly got hooked on the sport. The game is simple to learn and a lot of fun.

“From 8 to 80, everyone can play,” he said. “You don’t have to be extremely athletic. You can just start.”

Anyone can learn to play in an hour’s time, and you don’t need a large space, Joshi said. He knows many people who started playing pickleball in their garage or driveway.

Also, the sport isn’t expensive. You can get a decent paddle for $50 or less. Otherwise, you need a ball and the same kind of shoes you’d wear for tennis.

Joshi plays every day, usually early mornings between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. He used to play at Creekview Park in Hampden Township but said the park gets too crowded with other players.

So, he often plays with a friend who built his own pickleball court at this house in Camp Hill. In winter or when it’s too cold or windy or rainy, he plays indoors at the YMCA in Carlisle, which has a basketball court lined for pickleball.

Brings Me Joy

Mitch Dameshek, a special education teacher who lives in Enola, also started playing pickleball during the pandemic. Besides giving him something to do, Dameshek said that pickleball helped him during an especially difficult time.

“I lost my daughter to cancer about six years ago,” he said. “She was 12. (Pickleball) was a great way for me in the last few years to interact socially. I have a new group of friends. It gives me something to do everyday that brings me joy. It definitely offers a relief from the stressors of life.”

Dameshek plays four to five times a week, weather permitting, usually at Creekview.

On a recent Wednesday night at Creekview, three tennis courts were empty but the four pickleball courts were all full, with people waiting their turn to play.

Like Joshi, Dameshek said that a major factor behind the growth of pickleball is how easy it is to learn and play. Pickleball also is more accessible to the average person in a way tennis is not.

“Tennis has never been the kind of sport where you just show up to a park and ask to play,” Dameshek said, whereas pickleball has more of a community feel.

Barry Reynolds lives on the east shore. When the weather is bad, he plays at Friendship YMCA in Lower Paxton Township, which has five indoor courts.

Otherwise, there’s a growing number of outdoor courts he can choose from on the east shore, including in Hershey near the Derry Township Community Center on Cocoa Avenue, off Patton Road near Linglestown, in Brightbill Park and in Koons Park in Lower Paxton Township.

Besides keeping him in shape, Reynolds, 72, enjoys the social aspects of pickleball.

“You have this huge social interaction when you are standing or waiting,” he said. “You make all these friends and have such a good time.”

Reynolds teaches pickleball classes at Friendship. He said his pickleball friends keep telling him to stop because he’s creating more pickleball players, and there aren’t enough courts now.

But Reynolds sees a number of east shore municipalities stepping up with plans to build more pickleball courts.

“It appeals to a lot of older people who are retired and are now looking for something to do,” he said. “Not everybody plays golf.”

Smash Point Pickleball will be located at 97 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Feeling Peevish: You know what really bothers me?

May 31, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

If you’re of a certain age, you may remember an old, crotchety guy named Andy Rooney.

For years, Rooney capped off each episode of the TV program, “60 Minutes,” with his wry observations centered on the petty things in life that bugged him. His weekly complaints included everything from ice hockey to pepper grinders to faucets.

I’m now around the age that Rooney was when he became a national figure, a time, a couple of decades back, when I sat in front of the TV and thought to myself, “What the hell is wrong with this cranky old man?”

Indeed, I now have my own list of little things that bug me. Unsurprisingly, a number of those things pertain to Harrisburg, always the subject of this column.

Now, most of these things are not major issues. So, I won’t point out, for the umpteenth time, the dangerous, overbuilt insanity that is Forster Street.

Instead, they are, as the term “pet peeve” implies, petty and peevish. Or, as Rooney used to famously say, “You know what really bothers me?”

10. Tree Screed. I do a lot of walking around Harrisburg, so notice things that drivers might not—such as the many types of trees planted along city streets. In recent years, people have thrown shade at the callery pear and, indeed, it is a pretty stinky plant (in all respects). But, to me, the worst offenders are those that belong in fields and forests, not tucked into a small square of the concrete jungle. Trees like oaks, elms and firs need a lot of space for their roots and canopies. In the city, they can tear up walkways, invade power lines and damage pipes. My street has several towering, constantly shedding sycamores, and I’ve often wondered—who thought this was a good idea? My kingdom for a dogwood!

9. Plate Pics. If you have pictures of food in your restaurant window, I’m not coming in.

8. Sign Off. Let’s talk real estate signs. No, not the small, residential sale signs that get placed in front of a house for a month or two, but the enormous, wooden signs that some commercial realtors mount on our public sidewalks. For instance, until recently, an enormous sign sat smack-dab in the middle of the brick walk near Front and State streets, a horrible eyesore collecting debris and marring the landscape—for years. These are, basically, huge advertisements and should not be allowed in our public rights of way.

7. Space Race. I’m a big fan of sites like CityLab and Strong Towns, which often offer great ideas for city planners and residents. Then there’s the opposite—urban trends that should stay far away (I’m looking at you, wheelie-popping street bikers). Among those: a rude import from New England that uses folding chairs to reserve street parking spaces, especially after a snow. In my view, shoveling out your car earns you exactly one privilege—the right to use your vehicle. These public spaces belong to everyone, regardless of one’s manual labor. Unfortunately, this behavior seems to have migrated to other snowy cities, including Harrisburg, about the worst thing to come out of Boston since Whitey Bulger.

6. Open or Closed? A few months back, I had a late meeting that, conveniently, was near one of my favorite sandwich shops. Hungry, I looked up the shop on my phone and saw that it closed at 8 p.m. I got there at 7:15, and was it open? No, it was not. I wasn’t surprised. As regular readers know, I love Harrisburg small businesses, but am consistently annoyed by the inability of some to stick to regular hours. It’s certainly not all businesses, but enough lack consistent hours to make it noticeable—and frustrating.

5. Dropping In. So many geese, so much left behind.

4. In the Weeds. On a given Sunday, you may find me in front of my house, pulling and scraping a dozen different types of weeds from my otherwise lovely brick sidewalk. Why then, I wonder, isn’t this expected of others? I don’t mean the old lady up the street, but I do mean some major property owners who, for some reason, seem to be exempt from the city’s mandate that they maintain sidewalks adjacent to their properties. In Harrisburg, some of the deepest pockets, including developers and business owners, are some of the worst offenders. I may find their negligence simply annoying, but a weed-strewn or shattered walk is a serious problem for folks with limited mobility.

3. Step Up. Harrisburg’s waterfront is a gem, but the river is slowly reclaiming its iconic steps. In places, they’re in such bad shape that they’re little more than the crumbled remains of our City Beautiful legacy. I realize that the city government has many needs and limited funds, but this problem has to get on someone’s radar before it’s too late.

2. Bad Vibes. Andy Rooney often would begin his complaining with the phrase, “Did ya ever notice?” So, did ya ever notice that some people play their car music so loud that it literally shakes your house? That.

1. Unsocial. Without question, my number-one pet peeve is the toxicity of social media. In Harrisburg, social media, particularly Facebook, is sometimes used for good, but, too often, it is not. I’m truly shocked by what some people post about us, TheBurg—their assumptions often mean, unhelpful and, even worse, just plain wrong. If you have input or a complaint, please contact us directly. We’re happy to respond in a nice, kind, factual way.

Admittedly, a few of these items may rise above the trivial. So, I’m OK if you take issue with my definition of “pet peeve.” And I’m also fine if you end up thinking: “What the hell is wrong with this cranky old man?”

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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

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A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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