Community Corner: Notable April Events

March 30, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Spring Gardening
April 1: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners hosts its Spring Gardening Symposium at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9:30 to 11 a.m. This session’s topic is “Creating Healthy Garden Soil.” www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Craft Sale
April 1: Central Dauphin High School Band Boosters hosts its 31st annual craft sale at 437 Piketown Rd., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for handmade items from more than 150 vendors. Proceeds benefit high school band programs. www.cdramband.org

Retirement Workshop
April 1: Dauphin County Chapter of the PA Association of School Employees will host a pre-retirement workshop at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1280 Clover Lane and on Zoom, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., for Dauphin County public school employees eligible for PSERS benefits and planning to retire within four years. www.dcpasr.org

HBG Flea
April 1: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

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

Bowling Benefit
April 1-28: Register your bowling team for Bowl for Kids’ Sake to raise funds for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region’s one-to-one youth mentoring program. Enjoy pizza, drinks, raffle prizes and bowling. More details are online. www.capbigs.org

Art in the Wild
April 2: Take a self-guided, 3-mile trail walk to meet “Art in the Wild” artists as they put finishing touches on their trailside installations and observe their processes of creating outdoor art, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Egg-Stravaganza
April 2: Families with kids ages 2 to 8 are invited to New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, for a community Easter Egg Hunt, 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. Crafts and games will be available, and prizes will be awarded. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Girls who Code
April 4, 18, 25: Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for girls in grades 6 to 12 to use computer science to impact their community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Girls will build skills in teamwork, confidence, time management, communication and more. www.hersheylibrary.org

Health Summit
April 6-8: Latino Connection will host the 2023 Latino Health Summit at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 701 Penn St., Reading, with a theme of “Restoring and Transforming Health in Our Communities.” Network with and learn from thought leaders, private and public-sector organizations and community members. www.latinoconnection.org

Church Service
April 7: Salem United Church of Christ, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, will host a Good Friday service at 12 p.m. Special music will include selections by the St. Thomas Dulcimer Society. www.salemuccharrisburg.org

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

Creative Workshops
April 8: Stop by Wheel of Light Studio, 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax, for Second Saturday workshops to create ceramic faerie houses, macramé bunny ears, and hand-painted birdhouses, and to try your hand at Earth Day papermaking, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event also features artisan demonstrations. www.wheeloflightstudio.com

Alzheimer’s Fundraiser
April 8: Harrisburg Beach Club, City Island, hosts “The Longest Day—an Island Getaway” fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association, 4 to 7 p.m. Relax along the river and enjoy live music, contests, prizes, cornhole, mini golf, food, beverages and more. www.harrisburgbeachclub.com

Plein Air
April 12-19: Artists will paint outdoors on both sides of the Susquehanna River during the 3rd annual River Towns Plein Air event hosted by Marietta Art Alive. The public is invited to observe artists at work. The 8-day painting period culminates in an exhibit opening on April 21 at 5 p.m. at Marietta Community House Studio 264. www.mariettaartalive.com

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

Civil War Presentation
April 13: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, hosts “A Civil Conversation” with Peniel E. Joseph, professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin, 7:30 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Guitar Show
April 14-16: Artisan Guitar Show will be held at Best Western Premier and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with handcrafted guitar exhibitors, attend master classes and enjoy a concert series. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Travel Fair
April 15: Where & When Pennsylvania hosts the 5th Annual PA Family Travel Fair at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd., Lancaster, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discover fun and affordable PA vacations, and participate in raffles and giveaways, kids’ activities and exhibitors, entertainment and mascots. www.whereandwhen.com

Dance Class
April 15: Dwennimmen, a local, community-based African dance and drum company, presents Souleymane Solos Sana Traditional Malian Dancer Master Dance class at 5 Bridges Health & Fitness, 4450 Oakhurst Blvd., Harrisburg, 2 p.m. All levels are welcome. Facebook: Dwennimmen African Dance Community

Gettysburg Museum
April 15-16: Adams County Historical Society’s new museum, Gettysburg Beyond the Battle, 625 Biglerville Rd., will open its doors to the public, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy self-guided museum tours, special programming, book signings, living history, live music, kids’ activities and more. www.achs-pa.org

Earth & Art Fest
April 16: Join New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, and New Cumberland Collective for the first New Cumberland Earth & Art Festival with educational sessions, plein air painting, a sustainable fashion fair, art and goods market, food trucks, music, a student art show and more, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Earth Day
April 19, 22: Kids and families are invited to the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn more about the trees in Pennsylvania, how they make our lives better and take a seedling home to plant. www.statemuseumpa.org

Discover Pollywogs
April 20: Kids ages 5 to 10 are invited to Detweiler Park, 1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin, for a day of pond/creek exploration, 2 to 4 p.m. Using nets, kids can catch and release tadpoles and other critters. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 20: West Shore Chamber of Commerce hosts “Soiree at the Farm,” with live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres by the water at Farm 1840, 101 State Rd., Mechanicsburg, 6 to 9 p.m. Wear your best formal attire. www.wschamber.org

Bagels & Bingo
April 21: Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg to enjoy a bagel, cream cheese, and light refreshments, while playing rounds of bingo, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to win door prizes including raffle baskets and gift cards. The event is free for members. www.jewishfedhbg.org

Gospel Concert
April 21: Bethel AME Church, 1721 N. 5th St., Harrisburg, hosts a Women’s Day Benefit Spring Gospel Concert with Nicholas Carter and Divine Connection at 6 p.m. Admission is $25. Facebook: Bethel AME Church

3rd in The Burg
April 21: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Fundraising Event
April 21: Vision Resources of Central PA hosts the 23rd Annual Visions of Monte Carlo benefit fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey, 4650 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, for a dinner, auction, raffles, music, dancing, casino-style games and more, 6 to 10 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Litter Cleanup
April 22: Help make Harrisburg a cleaner and safer place to live, work and play by participating in the 11th annual Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup, alongside hundreds of volunteers, 8 to 11 a.m. www.cactricounty.org/ghlc

Cleanup Event
April 22: Wildheart Ministries will host a cleanup event at 333 S. 13th St., Harrisburg, and throughout South Allison Hill, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by lunch, as part of the Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup. www.lovethehillpa.com

Odd Ones
April 22: The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, hosts its annual Spring Odd Ones Bizarre, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors will set up throughout the building and on the rooftop. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Earth Day Fest
April 22: Stop by Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St., to celebrate Earth Day with food, live music, kids’ activities, a makers’ market, environmental information tables and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/earth2etown

Gamut Gala
April 23: Gamut Theatre hosts its annual fundraiser, The Gamut Gala, 4 to 7 p.m., at its home at 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. The event features great food, open bar, entertainment and live and silent auctions. www.gamuttheatre.org.

Tonight’s Sky
April 26: Families are invited to join the planetarium director at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St, Harrisburg, at 2 p.m. to explore the night sky. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets and special celestial events. www.statemuseumpa.org

Junior Foodies
April 27: New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts Junior Foodies—Fruit Pie Challenge for ages 6 to 10, 6 to 7 p.m., in conjunction with Longwood Gardens’ Community Read selection, “Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story about Edna Lewis.” www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Plant Sale
April 29: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts their annual plant sale at Foundation House, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials and more. Event includes a free workshop on growing and using herbs at 10 a.m. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Wetlands Festival
April 29: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s treasured wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities at the 23rd Annual Wetlands Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks and wildlife exhibits, and interact with members of environmental organizations. Visit www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Ukrainian Music
April 29: Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus will sing at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $25 or $5 for students and may be obtained at the door or on the website below. There will be a freewill offering to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine. www.musicbytheriver.org

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Harrisburg SoMa Sips festival to feature craft beverage vendors, live music, food

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

A past SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

An event is brewing in Harrisburg to bring the community together for some spirited company.

The SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival will take place on Saturday, April 22 in downtown Harrisburg, featuring Pennsylvania craft producers, food trucks and live music.

The festival, from 1 to 5 p.m., will be held on S. 3rd Street, between Market and Chestnut streets, in the city’s SoMa neighborhood.

Vendors will include breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries, along with non-alcoholic options. There will also be several food trucks and live music from bands Midnite Riot and Shine Delphi. Additionally, attendees can enjoy a pinball lounge, yard games and a photo booth.

“We’re excited to host this street festival in SoMa Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, who is presenting the event in partnership with Sara Bozich Events. “If you haven’t made it to one of our SoMa Block Parties – or even if you have – you’re in for a treat. Sara has put together a great lineup of vendors and entertainment, and we really hope people will enjoy exploring the SoMa Harrisburg neighborhood for the afternoon.”

Throughout the summer months, Sara Bozich Events holds monthly SoMa Block Parties in the area, which also feature vendors, music and more.

Tickets for the SoMa Sips are required and can be purchased for $25 for adult general admission or $10 for designated drivers.

General admission ticket holders will receive 10 tasting tickets good for samples from any vendors.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival, visit Sara Bozich Events’ website.

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Tree Time: Harrisburg to plant dozens of trees in Uptown, seeking volunteers

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Volunteers plant a tree at a city planting day in 2022.

Harrisburg has plans to make the city a little greener and needs some help making it happen.

The city announced that it will plant 75 new trees in Uptown Harrisburg on April 21 and 22 and is calling on volunteers to assist in planting them.

The new trees will be planted between Division and Maclay streets, from 2nd to 7th streets, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

“Trees provide essential ecoservices to urban areas, like cleaning and cooling the air, reducing stormwater runoff, and taking up carbon, while also adding tremendous beauty to our homes and streets,” said Ellen Roane, city forester. “Yet for far too long, the rate at which street trees are removed in Harrisburg has exceeded the number that are replanted, resulting in a net loss of tree cover.”

According to Roane, in recent years, in an effort to reverse this trend, significant funds have been allocated to the city’s Shade Tree Program toward the purchase of new street and park trees. Since 2019, about 500 new trees have been planted in the city.

For the April planting, all trees will be bare root and between 8 to 10 feet tall, but are lightweight and easy to lift, Roane said.

Volunteers who sign up for the Friday, April 21, tree planting will meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Green and Seneca streets, at 9 a.m. Those participating in the Saturday, April 22, tree planting will meet at the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church at the corner of Green and Schuylkill streets, also at 9 a.m.

Tools, work gloves, water and snacks will be provided.

Harrisburg’s community tree plantings take place every spring and fall in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Property owners are offered new street trees at no cost.

“We are always looking for neighborhoods in need of trees where resident interest in increasing tree cover is also high,” Roane said. “If you know of such a site, or would be willing to help with outreach to such neighborhoods, please let us know!”

To sign up to volunteer for the April Harrisburg tree plantings, click here. For more information, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg Housing Authority recognizes demand for housing as it prepares to open Section 8 waiting list

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg Housing Authority leasing office

For those with housing needs, the Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) will soon reopen its financial assistance program.

The authority announced that on March 29 and 30, it will accept new applicants to the waiting list for its housing choice voucher, or Section 8, program for the first time in about two years.

According to Oche Bridgeford, director of communications and compliance for HHA, it has taken that long to work through the entire previous waiting list, as the agency typically receives thousands of applicants during each application period.

It’s hard to know how many people will apply this time around, but Bridgeford expects the need will meet or exceed last year’s demand, especially considering the effects of COVID and a hot housing market.

“The hunger for housing is as intense as it’s ever been,” he said.

According to Bridgeford, the authority will select 1,500 applicants to enter the waiting list. From there, vouchers will be awarded to applicants using a lottery system. Those who apply quickly and are eligible may receive a voucher within several weeks, but others may wait up to two years.

“We are working to make sure the process is smooth and to make sure as many people that are in need can apply,” Bridgeford said.

The authority has 1,500 vouchers in total, including those that are already assigned. Currently, the authority has 1,240 residents housed with vouchers.

With a voucher, a tenant is responsible to pay up to 30% of their income for rent and utilities.

Once a resident receives a voucher, they have 60 days to find housing before it expires. They may request a 30-day extension. However, if housing isn’t found, their voucher will be withdrawn.

While the authority helps to point residents in the right direction when it comes to finding housing, Bridgeford described a rental market lacking in affordable housing options and landlords willing to accept vouchers.

“There is a limited amount of affordable housing, especially for the Section 8 program,” he said. “Someone could get a voucher and not be able to find housing.”

The authority recently launched a program to address this issue, offering sign-on and retention bonuses for landlords who decide to accept vouchers.

The program is still too new for the authority to tell if it’s getting more landlords on board, but Bridgeford is hopeful.

“One of our biggest issues is finding quality properties and partners,” he said. “We are always trying to increase that.”

HHA will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program beginning on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and closing on Thursday at 3 p.m. Applications must be submitted via the authority’s website. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For those without internet access, the following nonprofit partners will provide access to computers and assistance:

Tri County Community Action, 1514 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC), 1319 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
YWCA of Greater of Harrisburg, 1101 Market St., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

The Harrisburg Housing Authority’s leasing office is located at 916 S. 14^th St., Harrisburg. For more information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, visit their website.

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At ceremony, adaptive bikes donated, provided to children with disabilities

March 28, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

An adaptive bike recipient rolls through the atrium of Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Eight central PA children are the new owners of adaptive bikes and strollers, which were distributed on Monday at a ceremony at Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Capital Blue Cross, based in Susquehanna Township, and Pittsburgh-based Variety, the Children’s Charity joined forces to distribute the equipment during a ceremony in conjunction with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“Today was a touching and poignant reminder of how important it is for all of us to feel like we belong,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash.

Variety, the Children’s Charity funds and delivers medical equipment and services to children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability. Capital Blue Cross provided a donation for the bikes.

“Variety’s programs align wonderfully with Capital’s values and mission,” Shamash said. “Variety goes above and beyond to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, and Capital goes the extra mile every day to improve the health and well-being not only of our members, but of the communities they call home.”

Former Gov. Tom Corbett and several area officials were also on hand during the presentation and donation.

During the ceremony, several children rode their new bikes and strollers around the Capital Blue Cross building atrium, as dozens of employees looked on.

In all, five children received bikes and three received strollers. Among the stroller recipients was 7-year-old Thomas of Elizabethtown. His mother, Charlotte, said the stroller will keep him safer.

“This is more suited to his needs,” Charlotte said. “Thomas runs off a lot when the opportunity arises, because he can get out of the stroller he currently uses. He needs something that will keep him safer as he grows, so the adaptive stroller will make a big difference.”

Variety the Children’s Charity began its adaptive bike program in 2012 and now serves 59 Pennsylvania counties. It has presented more than 6,100 adaptive bikes, strollers, and communications devices, and provides the equipment at no cost to qualifying children and families.

For more information on Capital Blue Cross, visit their website. For more information on Variety, the Children’s Charity, visit their website.

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Pest Prevention: Spotted lanternflies headed back for the summer; city forester shares mitigation tips

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

City Forester Ellen Roane and city Arborist Cody Legge secure a sticky band spotted lanternfly trap on a tree at Italian Lake Park in Harrisburg.

With summer around the corner, one pesky insect is on its way too.

Spotted lanternflies will again descend on Harrisburg in the warmer months, feasting on trees and plants around the city. Ellen Roane, city forester, has some tips for dealing with them.

“They’re just a pest,” said Roane of the spotted, black, red and grey invasive fly.

The bugs, currently in egg form, will likely hatch toward the end of April and develop over the summer months into adult form by late June.

On Tuesday, Roane and city staff began placing traps along trees at Italian Lake Park in Uptown Harrisburg, with plans to do the same at other city parks, such as Reservoir Park in Allison Hill.

According to Roane, the insects are attracted to trees like the tree of heaven, red maple, black walnut, silver maple and willow, among others. The flies will feast on these trees, often leaving behind a sticky honeydew secretion, prone to growing black mold.

While spotted lanternflies are not known to kill trees directly, they can weaken them over time, especially small trees. They can also cause damage to grape vines and other produce plants. Other than that, the bugs are mainly a nuisance, Roane described, as sometimes hundreds may cover a tree, but they are not harmful to people.

Now through April is the best time to begin setting up traps on trees, and Roane has suggestions on the best way to catch the pests.

In the early spring and summer months, it’s best to set up a sticky band trap that will catch lanternflies in their nymph stage. This can be made by wrapping sticky paper around the trunk of a tree and securing a piece of screening around it so that other insects or animals, such as butterflies, squirrels and birds, don’t get caught.

Roane recommends using a roll of giant flypaper, cutting it in half to make about a 5-inch-wide band of paper to wrap around the tree. This paper can be purchased online. Then, measure a piece of mesh window screening that is double the circumference of the trunk. Secure the mesh over the sticky band using thumbtacks and pleating it so it doesn’t stick to the band.

In the later summer months, when lanternflies have reached their adult stage, Roane recommends using a circle trap, which can be purchased online or made using items like screening, small pieces of wood and a clear plastic bag.

City Forester Ellen Roane shows a circle trap to catch spotted lanternflies at Italian Lake.

After the flies hatch and feed on the upper branches of the tree, they will eventually fall off and try to climb back up, which both traps will attempt to stop.

Either trap must be replaced periodically, Roane advised.

Other ways to rid your environment of the pests could include stomping on them, using a systemic insecticide treatment for larger trees and scraping gray egg masses off trees and into alcohol to kill them. Each egg mass can contain 30 to 50 lanternfly eggs.

How bad will the spotted lanternfly infestation be this season?

It’s too soon to tell, Roane said. But through a few simple methods, residents can at least manage how many pests invade their yards and living spaces this summer.

To learn more about spotted lanternflies and how to create your own traps, visit the PennState Extension website.

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Hamilton Health breaks ground on Steelton facility, will be fourth satellite location

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Hamilton Health’s CEO Terese Delaplaine (center) is joined by local, county and state officials at the ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday.

A new satellite location for Hamilton Health Center has begun construction, part of a larger, mixed-used project in Steelton.

Area officials gathered on Friday at the site on N. Front Street in the center of the borough to ceremonially break ground on 20,000-square-foot healthcare facility.

The new facility is part of a 102,000-square-foot, mixed-use development called The Steel Works Revitalization, developed by Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners. In addition to Hamilton, the development includes a retail store and a 41-unit apartment complex with additional first floor commercial space.

At the groundbreaking, Hamilton’s board Chair Michael Harris stated that the expansion positions the organization “to meet growing needs of the community.”

“We all look forward to serving the Steelton area,” he said.

Hamilton’s Steelton location will consist of a two-story steel building with about 10,000 square feet of space per floor.

The first floor of the building will include a clinical space for eight family practice exam rooms, a Women’s Infant & Children (WIC) office, and a space for the future Hamilton Pharmacy location that will include a drive-through for prescription care. The second floor of the facility will house office space for staff and providers. In addition, the roof of the building will utilize green technology with 7,000 square feet of solar panels.

The Steelton facility will mark the fifth location for Hamilton Health, a federally qualified health center. In addition to its main facility in Harrisburg, Hamilton has sites in Union Deposit, Millersburg and Newport.

For more information on Hamilton Health Center, visit their website.

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Game On: New e-sports center debuts in downtown Harrisburg

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, accompanied by HU President Eric Darr, cuts the ribbon on the new LAN Center in downtown Harrisburg.

Do you want to play a game?

If so, you’re in luck, as downtown Harrisburg has a new facility, called the LAN Center, for state-of-the-art e-sports gaming.

The center will serve as the home for the Harrisburg-based Soniqs, a professional e-sports team. It also will be available to Harrisburg University’s varsity e-sports team, the Storm, and clubs and groups for private events, according to HU.

A local area network (LAN) gaming center is a facility where players use a computer connected over a LAN to other computers, primarily for competing in multiplayer games.

“We wanted to build the LAN Center in the middle of downtown Harrisburg so we could give back to the gaming community,” said Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, who cut the ribbon, officially opening the center on Monday morning.

LAN Center patrons will be able to participate in tournaments, engage in casual play with peers, and watch games as spectators. The center will include gaming set-ups and spectator seating for e-sports events. E-sports professionals will also teach workshops and other educational events in the roughly 2,000-square-foot space, which was constructed by Harrisburg-based JEM Group.

The center features Intel NUC PC’s built with 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900 CPU’s, 16GB of RAM, and RTX 3060 TI’s. Accompanying the PCs are ViewSonic’s 27-inch 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor. At each setup are Glide Gaming Chairs from Zipchair, which feature ergonomic support, height controls, adjustable armrests and tilt tension regulation.

“We really wanted to give people a space where they could come, play, and learn,” Moore said.

The LAN Center is located at 19 S. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Soniqs website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

March 24, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Police Bureau’s Cpl. Don Bender with K-9 Zoe at retirement ceremony.

It’s officially spring and we at TheBurg couldn’t be more excited for the warmer days ahead! Just as April showers bring May flowers, Fridays bring our weekly roundup of Harrisburg news stories. Find all of our coverage, below.

Arlene Holmes has been at the helm of Holmes-O.K. Lettershop for 57 years, our magazine story reported. The Lemoyne design and print shop provides services for clients like the Kiwanis, the West Shore Lions and the Distinguished Daughters of PA, among others.

Artist Cheryl Kugler has created drawings of 100 cats and kittens from Lemoyne-based Loving Care Cat Rescue that still need homes, our magazine story reported. She recently held an art show and sale to benefit the nonprofit, as well.

Bike share is back for the season in Harrisburg with the return of Susquecycle, our online story reported. The program, run by Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, offers bikes for rent at locations around the city.

Friends of Midtown will host its first Midtown Makers Series throughout April, our online story reported. The month will feature a long list of workshops taught by local artists on everything from candle making to painting to knitting.

“HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown” will debut at Gamut Theatre in early May, poetically sharing stories of hair inequality and Black hair history, our reporting found. The show, presented by Reclaim Artist Collective, will include true stories from local community members.

Harrisburg city and the school district will host a job fair on March 25 for residents searching for employment, our online story reported. The event will allow people to network with local professionals, business owners and city and school district officials.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau celebrated the retirement of one of its four-legged officers this week, our online story reported. K-9 Zoe served with the bureau for nearly seven years before recently being diagnosed with lymphoma.

Medard’s House, a New Cumberland youth center, focuses on giving youth productive, supervised things to do during the after-school hours. In our magazine story, hear from students on how the program has impacted them.

Our theater reviewer reflects on Open Stage’s current production of “Anne & Emmett,” an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, both fatal victims of racial prejudice. The play is graphic, heartbreaking and powerful, she shares.

Sara Bozich has tons of great ways to spend the weekend, here. From concerts to art exhibits to adult egg hunts, there’s something for everyone.

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Harrisburg city and school district to host job fair, networking event

March 23, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building

Harrisburg residents seeking employment will soon have a chance to network with business owners, local professionals and city officials.

The city, in partnership with the Harrisburg School District, will host a Contractor, Vendor and Employment Resource Fair on Saturday, March 25, at the district’s Lincoln Administration Building on State Street.

“The city of Harrisburg is open for business, whether that’s on Main Street or in city hall,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “If we’re going to promote working in or for the city, then we need to have the resources available for anyone who wants to take part in what we’re building. I’m thrilled to partner with the Harrisburg School District to ensure anyone who wants to work here has that ability.”

The fair, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will give businesses and people seeking employment the chance to meet with business and hiring professionals and officials from both the city and school district. Human resources staff will be present to give guidance on the application process.

Contractors, vendors and suppliers also can engage with administrators to learn more about the procurement process.

Spanish translation support will be available.

“The Harrisburg School District is excited to welcome talented, qualified contractors and vendors, including local, minority and women-owned entrepreneurs,” said district Superintendent Eric Turman. “We are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with the city of Harrisburg, so that together, we can create innovative partnerships that will benefit and support our diverse school community and city.”

The Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building is located at 1601 State St., Harrisburg. For more information, click here.

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