Dauphin County awards millions in gaming grant funds to area nonprofits, businesses

February 22, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

The Dauphin County Commissioners at Wednesday’s public meeting

Dozens of local projects are set to receive annual gaming grant funds.

The Dauphin County board of commissioners on Wednesday approved grant allocations to nonprofits and businesses, funded by the county’s share of revenue from Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

The grants will support infrastructure, emergency services, health and public safety and human services projects, among others, across Dauphin County, East Hanover Township and several contiguous municipalities.

Harrisburg-based projects that were awarded gaming grant funding include:

City of Harrisburg (Renovate MLK City Government Center floors and restrooms and purchase three police vehicles)-$290,000
Harrisburg Housing Authority (New construction of 42 affordable apartment units; conditioned upon full funding and tax credits)-$115,000
All You Can Inc. (Purchase 15-passenger van for youth program)-$23,000
American Literacy Corp. (Funding for computer, printer and software)-$4,000
Breaking the Chainz (Restoration and rehabilitation of 5 apartments)-$15,000
Bro2Go, Inc. (Purchase van to transport under-served population to work)-$23,000
Capital Area Greenbelt Association (Paxtang Parkway Trail restoration project; conditioned upon easements/ownership of sewer lines being finalized)-$65,000
Capital Area Soccer Association (Replacements and renovations to fencing and safety netting)-$5,000
CASA Charter School Foundation (Construction of state-of-the-art music recording and television production studio classrooms) -$50,000
Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick (Rehabilitate Shanahan Center –Phase II of Cathedral Education Center project)-$50,000
Chris Dawson Architect, LLC (Lowengard Building redevelopment project)-$55,000
Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, Inc. (Renovation/roof drainage project)-$21,589
Community Check-Up Center (Construction of elevator/lift system)-$57,650
Dauphin Co. Library System (McCormick Riverfront Library ADA accessibility and additional services)-$90,000
Downtown Daily Bread (Emergency shelter, meals and human services)-$5,790
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg (Walking and fitness trail expansion and repairs)-$15,000
Ecumenical Food Pantry (Emergency food assistance)-$10,000
Fernandez Realty Group Affordable Houses (Construct Sycamore St. low-income housing project; conditioned upon securing affordable housing funds and City of Harrisburg funds)-$90,000
Fox’s Wash & Go (Phase 1 construction of new laundromat; conditioned upon receiving bank loan approval)-$70,000
Gamut Theatre Group, Inc. (Debt reduction for building loan)-$20,000
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area (Framing and shell costs for affordable housing project)-$40,000
Harrisburg Area Police Athletic League (Youth crime prevention program)-$10,000
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HUE Invitational Esports Event)-$20,000
Historic Harrisburg Association (Install new HVAC system)-$15,000
Jewish Family Service (Elevator installation project)-$65,000
com (Renovate 1408 N. 3rd St. with electrical work)-$25,000
The National Civil War Museum (Long-term debt reduction)-$35,085
Nativity School of Harrisburg (Purchase new van to transport students)-$35,000
Open Stage (Upgrades to HVAC, plumbing, construction and signage)-$40,000
Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region (Closing the food loop –create hub for food and farm for local community)-$20,560
Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church (Entrance sign project)-$15,000
Paul Missionary Baptist Church (HVAC improvements)-$16,000
Stephen’s Episcopal School (Free meal program for students; conditioned upon no additional requests for this project)-$40,000
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association (Building revitalization and technology and security upgrade)-$5,000
Susquehanna Art Museum (Create accessible outdoor event space; conditioned upon repaying $25,000 to Dauphin County IDA for RACP grant)-$40,000
Tabernacle Baptist Church (Hope & Healing project)-$5,500
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (Debt reduction on projector project)-$15,000
United Way of the Capital Region (Expand access to health care to low-income families/individuals)-$15,000
Veterans Outreach of PA (Tiny homes community for veterans)-$40,000
Vice Capital (Savoy 48 –mixed-use development project)-$100,000
Vision Resources (Facility roof replacement)-$15,000
Zembo Shrine (Preservation of building –roof repair)-$29,000
Zeroday Brewing Co. (New restaurant design and construction project)-$16,750

According to Dauphin County officials, a record number of applicants applied for funds this year. Just over 200 applications were filed, requesting a total of over $20 million. On Wednesday, 151 projects were awarded money.

The funded projects will provide an estimated $78 million in additional investments in the county and over 2,365 jobs will be created or maintained in relation to the projects, according to the county.

The following is a complete list of the projects that were awarded funds this year:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township ($517,000 Annual road maintenance and repair; $50,000 fire company hose and nozzle project; $100,000 fire safety equipment; $18,000 temporary shelter supplies)-$685,000
Derry Township ($123,500 Public Works Dept. F550 truck with plow and spreader; $47,000 Police Dept. interactive training simulator; $140,000 Hershey Volunteer Fire Co. new fire engine; $9,500 Hershey History Center building enhancements and technology upgrades; $15,000 Hidden Still Inc. construction, facility tours and education programs; $50,000 Mary’s Training Center HydroWorx treadmill; $12,392 Vista School ADA improvements and AED replacements)-$397,392
Middle Paxton Township ($163,000 Potato Valley Road improvement and Red Hill Road Bridge replacement project debt reduction; $98,000 Dauphin Borough construction of community building; $30,000 Dauphin Recreation Association pool repairs; $40,000 Dauphin Middle-Paxton Fire Co. outdoor sign) -$331,000
Rush Township ($50,000 new building to store equipment; $101,247 Jefferson Township tractor-loader) -$151,247
South Hanover Township ($200,000 municipal complex debt service; $100,000 new public works facility) -$300,000
West Hanover Township ($300,000 Debt reduction of fire engine; $45,960 Tall Cedars of Lebanon pavilion and roof replacement) -$345,960

Municipal and Municipal Services

Berrysburg Municipal Authority (Debt service for Sewage Treatment Plant System project)-$24,000
Conewago Township (DCIB loan debt reduction for Meadow Lane project)-$82,000
Court Administration for Magisterial District Judges (Debt reduction on construction of new MDJ facilities)-$165,000
Dauphin County General Authority (Golf course irrigation system debt payment)-$115,000
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (Debt service on solar farm project) -$246,000
Dauphin Co. Parks & Recreation Department (Design and construct 1-mile paved accessible trail loop at Detweiler Park)-$140,000
Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office (Debt reduction of new portable and mobile police radios) -$15,815
Derry Township Municipal Authority (Reduction of debt on Ridge Rd drainage improvement and Spring Creek Interceptor Upgrade project) -$65,000
Duncannon Vol. Fire Co. #1/Reed Township (Radio replacement) -$35,000
Jackson Township/Fisherville Vol. Fire Co. (Fire Station addition construction debt)-$25,000
Gratz Area Fire Co. No. 1/Lykens Township/Gratz Borough (Replace airpacks on engine and rescue engine)-$43,63512
Gratz Borough Water Co./Gratz Borough (Water meter replacement project and infrastructure improvements)-$59,05213
Halifax Fire Department/Halifax Township (Purchase new air packs)-$35,000
City of Harrisburg (Renovate MLK City Government Center floors and restrooms and purchase three police vehicles)-$290,000
Harrisburg Housing Authority (New construction of 42 affordable apartment units; Conditioned upon full funding and tax credits)-$115,000
Highspire Borough Authority (Wastewater treatment facility improvement project)-$90,000
Hummelstown Borough (Debt service for new municipal bldg., DCIB debt service for Swatara Township Authority biosolids dryer, stormwater construction projects, and Bullfrog Valley stream restoration project)-$140,000
Hummelstown Chemical Fire Company No. 1(Debt reduction on 107 ft. ladder truck)-$25,000
Liberty HoseCo. No. 1/ Williamstown Borough (Debt reduction on heavy-duty rescue truck)-$40,000
Liberty Hose Company No. 2/ Lykens Borough (Purchase 34 air pack cylinders and one RIT air cylinder)-$13,700
Londonderry Township (Fire engine procurement project)-$155,000
Lower Dauphin School District (Retaining wall repair/renovation project)–$45,000
Lower Paxton Township ($206,875 Police worn body cameras debt reduction; $90,000 Fuel tanks replacement)-$296,875
Lower Swatara Township (Annual payments on two DCIBloans)-$111,500
Lower Swatara Vol. Fire Department (Debt reduction on Tanker 59)-$45,000
Lykens Borough (Paving, milling and overlay project)-$115,000
Middletown Volunteer Fire Dept./Middletown Borough (Pumper Truck debt reduction)-$38,000
Mifflin Township (Weaver Rd. culvert replacement project)-$140,000
Millersburg Area School District (Security and accessibility upgrades at schools)-$15,000
Millersburg Borough (Revitalize Market Square Park)-$140,000
Millersburg Fire Co. No. 1/ Upper Paxton Township (Purchase mobile radios for the station and apparatus and three firefighter radios)-$62,450
Penbrook Borough (Asylum Run sewer project debt reduction)-$90,000
Pillow Borough Authority (Standpipe rehabilitation project)-$40,000
Pillow Fire Co./Pillow Borough (Pumper rescue transmission replacement and purchase of SCBA units)-$60,000
Reed Township (New municipal building)-$65,000
Reliance Hose Co. No. 1of Elizabethville (Debt reduction on Pierce pumper truck; conditioned upon applying the grant to one debt payment)-$35,000
Royalton Borough ($84,500 Borough Hall roof repairs; $20,000 Police in-car cameras)-$104,500
Steelton Volunteer Fire Department/Steelton Borough (Replace two portable radios and fire turnout gear)-$19,060
Steelton-Highspire School District (ADA compliance seating and ramps at War Memorial Veterans Field)-$40,000
Susquehanna Township (Replacement of Crown Point Park playground equipment, debt service on 2015 DCIB loan and construction of Public Works equipment storage facility)-$140,000
Swatara Township (Development and construction of emergency operations center and law enforcement facilities)-$155,000
Washington Township (Debt relief for municipal building roof replacement)-$65,000
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. No. 1 (Debt reduction on new fire rescue)-$30,000
Wiconisco Township (Upgrades to Pump Station No. 2)-$40,000

Other

Advanced Training Programs, Inc. (Purchase youth uniforms)-$6,500
African Chamber (Assist individuals to full citizenship)-$65,000
All You Can Inc. (Purchase 15-passenger van for youth program)-$23,000
American Designed Technology Management (Expansion of operations and purchase equipment)-$42,200
American Literacy Corp. (Funding for computer, printer and software)-$4,000
The Arc of Dauphin County (Horticulture and cooking class lab expansion)-$13,000
Berrysburg Borough-Mifflin Township Recreation Assoc. (Playground/Park project)-$43,000
BP Consulting Resources (Neighborhood delivery service; conditioned upon agreement with Housing Authority of County of Dauphin)-$40,000
Breaking the Chainz (Restoration and rehabilitation of 5 apartments)-$15,000
Bro2Go, Inc. (Purchase van to transport under-served population to work)-$23,000
Campus Cinema LP (Improve theater projectors, seating and small renovations)-$10,000
Canthodel Holdings dba Harrisburg Heat (New glass walls and scoreboard; conditioned upon not requesting scoreboard funding in the next three years and completing a full season or return the grant funds)-$10,000
Capital Area Greenbelt Association (Paxtang Parkway Trail restoration project; conditioned upon easements/ownership of sewer lines being finalized)-$65,000
Capital Area Soccer Association (Replacements and renovations to fencing and safety netting)-$5,000
CASA Charter School Foundation (Construction of state-of-the-art music recording and television production studio classrooms)-$50,000
Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick (Rehabilitate Shanahan Center –Phase II of Cathedral Education Center project)-$50,000
Central Dauphin School District (Camera replacement project)-$40,000
Chambers Hill Fire Co./Swatara Township (Update handicapped parking to meet ADA requirements; conditioned on full funding)-$15,000
Chris Dawson Architect, LLC (Lowengard Building redevelopment project)-$55,000
Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, Inc. (Renovation/roof drainage project)-$21,589
The Circle School (Debt reduction on new building)-$18,000
Club Clippa dba Steelton Hair (Building and site improvements for expansion and safety)-$5,500
Cocoa Packs, Inc. (Funding to build a future for Cocoa Packs)-$15,000
Coexist Gallery (Trailer acquisition)-$12,000.
Community Aid (Second dock door)-$30,000
Community Check-Up Center (Construction of elevator/lift system)-$57,650
Dauphin Co. Anglers & Conservationists (Repairs, replacements and upgrades at cooperative trout nursery; conditioned upon matching the grant award)-$30,000
Dauphin Co. Critical Incident Stress Management Team (Provide training for CISM team)-$14,500
Dauphin Co. Library System (McCormick Riverfront Library ADA accessibility and additional services)-$90,000
Diverse Investment Group (Investment in building shipping container modular style affordable housing)-$40,000
Downtown Daily Bread (Emergency shelter, meals and human services)-$5,790
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg (Walking and fitness trail expansion and repairs)-$15,000
Ecumenical Food Pantry (Emergency food assistance)-$10,000
Fernandez Realty Group Affordable Houses (Construct Sycamore St. low-income housing project; conditioned upon securing affordable housing funds and City of Harrisburg funds)-$90,000
Fox’s Wash & Go (Phase 1 construction of new laundromat; Conditioned upon receiving bank loan approval)-$70,000
Friends of Midland (Continued restoration and preservation of cemetery)-$5,000
Gamut Theatre Group, Inc. (Debt reduction for building loan)-$20,000
Graceful Acres (Debt reduction and purchase of ADA-compliant lift)-$8,000
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area (Framing and shell costs for affordable housing project)-$40,000
HANNA Foundation (Provide packs of food to food-insecure students)-$15,000
Harrisburg Area Police Athletic League (Youth crime prevention program)-$10,000
Harrisburg Area YMCA Friendship Branch (Facility security upgrades)-$7,123
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HUE Invitational Esports Event)-$20,000
Historic Harrisburg Association (Install new HVAC system)-$15,000
The Historical Society of Millersburg & Upper Paxton Township (137-year history digitization project)-$6,000
Homeland Center (Acquisition and installation of new IP/Cell dialer)-$7,500
J & K Investment Holdings (Construct new 4-unit townhouse project)-$30,000
Jewish Family Service (Elevator installation project)-$65,000
Keystone Plus (Expand building infrastructure by extending sewer and water lines)-$15,000
Linglestown Baseball Association (New dugouts for three fields at Koons Park)-$10,000
Manada Golf Club, Inc. (Replace outdated dam)-$75,000
Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania (Upgrades to refrigeration and freezer)-$10,000
Millersburg Ferry Boat Association (Retaining wall project)-$10,000
com (Renovate 1408 N. 3rd St. with electrical work)-$25,000
The National Civil War Museum (Long-term debt reduction)-$35,085
Nativity School of Harrisburg (Purchase new van to transport students)-$35,000
Neighboring Group (Convert steel shipping containers into modular spaces for student instruction)-$40,000
Open Stage (Upgrades to HVAC, plumbing, construction and signage)-$40,000
Panther Ram Foundation (Provide support for NutriPacks program)-$15,000
Paxtonia Athletic Association (Baseball/softball facility improvements and equipment)-$25,000
Penn State Health (Community outreach program for Penn National Racetrack backstretch workers)-$15,000
Pennsylvania State University (Phase III of Harrisburg Innovation Park planning project; conditioned upon establishing partnership with the Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority evidenced by a Cooperation Agreement)-$25,000
Peyton Walker Foundation (4-minute city –AED rapid response project)-$45,000
Phase 4 Learning (Upgrade equipment and career center)-$15,000
Pop’s House, Inc. (Mortgage debt reduction on veterans’ home)-$10,000
Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region (Closing the food loop –create hub for food and farm for local community)-$20,560
SkyPixGroup, LLC (Drone technology and mobile command center purchase)-$22,000
Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church (Entrance sign project)-$15,000
Catherine Laboure Athletic Association (Gym refurbishment)-$50,000
Paul Missionary Baptist Church (HVAC improvements)-$16,000
Stephen’s Episcopal School (Free meal program for students; conditioned upon no additional requests for this project)-$40,000
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association (Building revitalization and technology and security upgrade)-$5,000
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (Upgrade baggage handling system)-$65,000
Susquehanna Art Museum (Create accessible outdoor event space; Conditioned upon repaying $25,000 to Dauphin County IDA for RACP grant)-$40,000
Tabernacle Baptist Church (Hope & Healing project)-$5,500
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (Debt reduction on projector project)-$15,000
United Way of the Capital Region (Expand access to health care to low-income families/individuals)-$15,000
Veterans Outreach of PA (Tiny homes community for veterans)-$40,000
Vice Capital (Savoy 48 –mixed use development project)-$100,000
Vision Resources (Facility roof replacement)-$15,000
Williamstown American Legion (New wiring and air conditioning at JFK Hall)-$14,075
Woodridge Home-Owner’s Association, Inc. (Spring Garden Dr. stormwater basin repair)-$36,000
Zembo Shrine (Preservation of building –roof repair)-$29,000
Zeroday Brewing Co. (New restaurant design and construction project)-$16,750
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (Administration) -$725,000

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Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, indie band The Head and The Heart to play Riverfront Park this summer

February 21, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Get ready for more outdoors music in Harrisburg this year.

Harrisburg University Presents announced on Tuesday that artists Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and The Head and the Heart will perform in Riverfront Park over the summer.

Singer-songwriter Isbell will perform with his band, the 400 Unit, on July 26 and indie-folk band The Head and the Heart will take the stage on Aug. 26, both as part of HU Presents’ 2023 Summer Concert Series.

“We’re so excited about this year’s Summer Concert lineup,” said Frank Schofield, HU’s director of live entertainment. “This series in picturesque Riverfront Park has become a highlight of the season in downtown Harrisburg, and we can’t wait to share these incredible artists with the community. Stay tuned as we continue to announce the entire series.”

These are the first announced shows for the 2023 outdoor series in Riverfront Park, although the concert promoter has recently shared many shows that it has lined up for the spring in the city.

Isbell and the 400 Unit return to the city after performances in 2019 and 2021. They will be joined this year by special guest S.G. Goodman.

Isbell released his first solo album, “Sirens of the Ditch,” in 2007. His latest album, “Weathervanes,” is expected on June 9.

The Head and The Heart released their fifth album, “Every Shade of Blue,” in 2022 and headlined shows across the country during their 2022 tour.

Tickets for both concerts will go on sale to the public on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information about Harrisburg University Presents, visit their website.

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Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg sells again, second time in a year

February 21, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg

Harrisburg’s Federal Building has sold to an out-of-state buyer, though it’s unclear what plan the purchaser has for the downtown structure.

On Feb. 8, an entity called 1422 Route 179 Florida Realty LLC, bought the boxy, 11-story building for $13.13 million from Delaware-based RRF Building LLC, according to Dauphin County property records.

RRF is owned by Global Ocean Investments, a company based in the Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa.

Global Ocean had purchased the building a year ago from the federal government at auction for $10 million. Following the purchase, company CEO Justin Etzin unveiled an ambitious plan to convert the building into a 200-unit luxury apartment building, along with a high-end, rooftop restaurant, a fitness center, movie theater and salon.

However, in November, Etzin put the 251,000-square-foot, 57-year-old building back up for auction. He previously had listed the property twice for sale, once for $22 million and again for $18 million, though he insisted, as of last June, that he still planned to complete the building’s redevelopment.

A contact for Global Ocean could not be reached immediately for comment, nor could TheBurg reach the purchaser.

According to Florida corporation records, the contact for 1422 Route 179 Florida Realty LLC is Yasser Halal of Old Bridge, N.J., though the company’s “principal address” is listed as being on Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is putting the finishing touches on a new federal courthouse at N. 6^th and Reily streets in Harrisburg, eliminating the need for its downtown building. It also plans to move employees from other federal agencies who currently work in the building to other locations.

In December, federal, state and local officials ceremonially cut the ribbon on the new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse, though it was not yet occupied.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

February 17, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

PA Latino Convention officials announced that their annual event will come to Harrisburg in September.

At TheBurg, we strive to highlight the good things happening in our community. This week was no different, as we shared lots of positive stories of do-gooders and uplifting events in Harrisburg. Find all of our local coverage, below.

TheBurg Podcast reveals unsung heroes in our midst. For a year, podcast host Karen Hendricks asked guests to identify an unsung hero and she compiled them all here.

Capital Region Water and several governmental agencies have reached an agreement to improve area waterways over the next 10 years, our online story reported. On Monday, the parties filed a modification to a prior “partial consent decree” that functions as a plan to improve Harrisburg’s water/sewer infrastructure.

Harrisburg nonprofits will receive thousands of dollars in annual federal funding after City Council approved the allocations this week. In our online story, see which housing and social service organizations were awarded.

Hershey’s “Therapeutic, Adaptive and Wheels on Ice” group gives special needs participants a chance to find confidence and passion on the ice. In our magazine story, read more about the impact of the program.

The Ice & Fire Festival will return to Harrisburg in March, our online story reported. The event will feature over 60 ice sculptures, fire dancers, vendors and food trucks.

“Into the Woods” will deconstruct your favorite fairy tales and explore the darker nuances behind them, our magazine story reported. The show is playing now through March 11 at Open Stage. In addition, read our review of the show, here.

Judith Hill and Rev. Billy Gray, two long-time community activists, were honored by Harrisburg recently for their work in the city. Two streets received secondary names to recognize the leaders. Read about Hill and Gray’s impact on Harrisburg in our magazine story.

“No Bears” plays this month at Midtown Cinema. In our magazine story, see what our reviewer has to say about the Iranian film.

The PA Latino Convention will be held in Harrisburg in September, our online story reported. The event will include workshops and panel discussions around issues facing the Latino community.

PHFA issued a call for artists to apply to create a mural for its N. Front Street office, our online story reported. The agency is looking for a design that reflects its mission of assisting people with housing needs.

Protesters gathered outside the Humane Society of Harrisburg this week to oppose a scheduled euthanasia of a dog, our online story reported. After several hours, a volunteer took the dog, Pursuit, from the facility.

Rosemary shared a meal perfect for Valentine’s Day in our February issue of the magazine. Find the recipe for Penne alla Vodka, here.

Sara Bozich has a full list of events for your weekend, here.

Theatre Harrisburg’s “Pieces” is a dramatic story of dysfunctional generational dynamics and tragedy, our reviewer says. The show, by Harrisburg playwright Paul Hood, runs through Feb. 19.

Unsung Heroes are all around Harrisburg and our magazine story highlights several of them. Read about ordinary people from the community showing extraordinary kindness and service.

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Harrisburg School District in search of group to operate Joshua Farm, provide educational programming

February 17, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Joshua Farm. File photo.

The Harrisburg School District is searching for someone ready to plant educational seeds, as well as literal ones.

On Wednesday, the district issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the operation of its Joshua Farm property, which has historically been used to benefit students and community members.

For years, the farm, located at 213 S. 18^th St., was operated by a Harrisburg nonprofit, Joshua Group, before they ended their involvement in May 2022. Starting in 2007, the organization oversaw operations at the farm, teaching Harrisburg students about agriculture and nutrition. They also regularly sold produce at a stand in Strawberry Square.

However, during the pandemic, the program was put on hold, and, in 2022, the nonprofit decided to focus more heavily on academics to address student learning loss from the pandemic, said Executive Director Jeannetta Politis. They then turned management of the property back over to the district. Shortly after, Harrisburg-based Wildheart Ministries leased and operated the property.

The district’s RFP states that it is again looking for persons or entities to lease the property and provide daily management and oversight of the farm. The document also stated that the district’s goal is “to restore community pride in the farm and for the farm to be viewed as an asset to the community.”

Superintendent Eric Turman was not available to comment on the district’s plans for the farm.

Proposals are due to the district by March 2 at 3 p.m.

The initial term for the selected operator of the farm will be for 26 months with an annual one-year renewal option, the RFP states. The term would begin on April 1.

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

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Hues & Houses: PHFA issues call for mural artists to help celebrate their anniversary, their mission

February 17, 2023 | by Karen Hendricks

Scott Elliott stands by the wall slated for a PHFA mural project.

Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians have found a place to call home over the past 50 years, thanks to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).

Now, the state-affiliated agency wants to celebrate its milestone anniversary year by commissioning a mural for its Harrisburg home office.

PHFA invites all Pennsylvania-based artists to apply and submit their concepts for a mural to be created in celebration of the agency’s 50th anniversary. The mural will grace one entire wall in the agency’s lobby, just inside their N. Front Street office.

“Even better if a central Pennsylvania artist is selected,” said Scott Elliott, PHFA’s communications director. “We want to be part of Harrisburg’s mural scene because we view ourselves as a community partner with the city—and what better way to express that by becoming part of the mural scene that’s so vibrant?”

Currently, a timeline of the organization’s history occupies the wall, but Elliott said that will be removed to give the selected artist a blank canvas from which to work.

“We want the mural to add a ‘wow factor’ to our lobby, to tell our message in a powerful visual way of who we are and how we help people. Our agency is colloquially known as an agency with a heart—and we would like the public to know how much we care about Pennsylvanians and their housing needs,” Elliott said.

The exterior of PHFA’s building in downtown Harrisburg

Interested artists are invited to email Elliott at [email protected] to obtain specific guidelines such as dimensions and possible themes. Artists are encouraged to explore the agency’s website at phfa.org for inspiration—via countless stories of successful home ownership. And artists are also welcome to stop by PHFA’s office at 211 N. Front St., to see the wall in person.

Overall, Elliott said that the agency is “very open-minded” about the mural’s artistic style. Potential designs could depict PHFA’s diversity in customers as well as diversity in housing, since the agency assists renters and homeowners alike—even helping some residents stay in their homes through a foreclosure prevention program.

“We want the mural to share the message of what we’ve done for the last 50 years, and continue to do—and that’s providing people with housing they can afford,” Elliott said, “because when they have a home, it gives them stability in their lives.”

Ultimately, “home” is a beautiful concept that Elliott and PHFA would like every visitor, customer and employee to be reminded of, when they enter the organization’s Harrisburg office.

The project timeline includes the following dates:

Deadline for artists to apply: April 4.
An artist will be selected and announced during PHFA’s anniversary celebration on May 3 at Whitaker Center.
PHFA would like the mural to be completed by Labor Day, Sept. 4.

All interested Pennsylvania-based artists are invited to contact Scott Elliott for the Mural Request for Proposals (RFP) via email at [email protected]. For more information on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), see phfa.org.

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Burg Review: Wind down a path of villainy, hilarity at Open Stage’s “Into the Woods”

February 17, 2023 | by Gina Napoli

Cast of “Into the Woods”

Cleverly and absurdly twisted, intertwined, and set to music, now playing at Open Stage is the Broadway musical “Into the Woods,” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, directed by Open Stage’s Stuart Landon.

Unless you were raised in the woods, you’ve picked up enough Hans Christian Anderson and Brothers Grimm fairy tale plots that you’ll easily follow this fairy tale mash-up, with jokes and references wrapped through the play like vines through a forest. It’s a long story on an unmarked path with no breadcrumb trail. Still, you’re unlikely to get lost.

Woven into the story is the theme “wishes,” with the Baker (Robert Campbell) and the Baker’s Wife’s (Alexis Dow) wish for a child driving the main plot. The Witch (Stacey Werner) sends them on a quest for specific items to craft a potion she wishes for, with the promise to lift the childless curse from the Bakers’ house.

The couple’s quest leads them into the woods, where they stumble into other assorted fairy tale heroes and personified animals. They all sing their way through the woods, clutching their shawls and aprons or riding their stick horses, in pursuit of fulfilling their own wishes.

The soundtrack for “Into the Woods” serves as the main storytelling vehicle to bring out the actors’ emotions, developing their characters and powering the multiple stories through the journey. The play is well cast with strong and seasoned actors, with each able to carry their own tunes and styles, yet still find complementary harmonies with singing partners.

The appropriately sinister Witch brings out the dichotomy of a villain layered with the vulnerability of a woman terrified of both losing her child and herself. You can pick out their trademark flinty vocals in any group song, and they especially shine in the powerfully dark solos “Witch’s Lament” and the accusatory “Last Midnight.”

Werner’s duet with Rapunzel (Gabrielle Dina), “Stay with Me,” is a heavy song about a mother protecting her child from the big, bad world. Werner pulls their vocals from deep within, showing the Witch’s fear and ferocious mama bear qualities. Dina’s girlish vocals give the sharp contrast needed in the mother/daughter relationship.

Dina’s performance as a young girl is completely convincing, with her higher-pitched voice, cutesy mannerisms, and pigtails. If “To Catch a Predator” were still on air, it could easily be her next acting role. Despite her adorable charm, she looks terrifying running with a knife.

Dina doubles as Little Red Riding Hood, performing the lighter half of the duet “Hello, Little Girl” with the Big Bad Wolf (TJ Creedon). It’s a disturbing song about child abduction that Creedon huffs and puffs life into with his breathy voice. The delivery is smarmy in every way, with Creedon even howling at the end in perfect character.

Seriously, that song had me thinking I should protect my daughter by locking her in a tower with no door.

The characters’ many sorrows and struggles shine through in their individual singing styles. Both in her many duets and her solo “On the Steps of the Palace,” Cinderella (Chloe Acquaviva) has a sweet lilt in her singing voice, with a wistful naivete that slowly diminishes as she grows older and her burdens become more worldly. As she becomes surer of herself, she becomes less so about her Prince Charming (Creedon).

Creedon’s performance made me both squirm as the Big Bad Wolf and laugh just as hard as Cinderella’s Prince. In the song “Agony,” a duet with Rapunzel’s Prince (Keel Warner), Creedon and Warner play off each other’s comic timing, combining emotive singing with hilarious facial expressions.

The Campbells’ duets tug at the heart and showcase their chemistry. Most touching are “Maybe They’re Magic” and “It Takes Two.” Especially funny is the line “The end justifies the beans,” after purchasing a cow from Jack.

Two solos skipped into my typically villainous heart, for both the storytelling and the excellent singing skills. As Jack, Tyler Shadle delivers the heartbreaking “I Guess this is Goodbye,” when he sells his cow/best friend (Warner). In her Little Red Riding Hood character, Dina performs “I Know Things Now” about being disillusioned.

Although playing more minor characters, Chris Krahulec gets an honorable mention for belting out the dual roles of Jack’s Mother and Cinderella’s Stepmother, Ethel Merman-style, and Chris Gibson for an emotional delivery during his half of the duet “No More” with Campbell. Although not in a singing capacity, the talented Nick Werner even steps away from his keyboard a few times to hilariously double up as other characters.

Although fairy tales are traditionally children’s stories, this “Into the Woods” adaptation carries a parental advisory label. Some of the mature content and bad decisions take a dark turn down the wooded path. Also, the stage itself is a small space full of big voices and lots of action. Some of the outbursts may put your little ones on sensory overload. No one will call you a witch if you leave them home at your gingerbread house (with a sitter who isn’t an evil stepmother, of course) to protect them from these cautionary tales.

While we’re on the subject of cautionary tales, here’s mine… Although Act 1 is what Director Stuart Landon describes as “a self-contained story, much like the Jr. version,” this play has an Act 2. Don’t be like this reviewer and walk out the double doors at intermission, raving to your plus-one about how hysterical and well sung this play is, thinking Act 1 was all they wrote.

Grimmer and dimmer than Act 1, Act 2 contains new wishes, heavier consequences and moral dilemmas for the kingdom, and poses the question, “Are the characters really living happily ever after?” Act 2 was so worth the walk of shame from my car, parked in a land far, far away.

“Into the Woods” runs until March 11 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.openstagehbg.com/show/woods.

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Employee Assistance Programs Can Help Calm Life’s Chaos

February 16, 2023 | by THINK Capital Blue Cross

Close up of two business coworkers having coffee in a hotel lobby

There’s no getting around the numbers. Whether in their personal or professional lives, people are increasingly prone to mental health issues, substance abuse, financial challenges, and other stressors.

Consider:

According to Mental Health America’s 2022 data, some 50 million U.S. adults – or nearly a fifth of Americans age 18 and over – have a severe mental health issue.
A CreditWise survey found that 73% of Americans rank their finances as life’s No. 1 stressor, yet financial literacy among U.S. adults has fallen 19% over the past decade.
Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that more than 20 million Americans have a current substance abuse disorder.
Relationship problems, feeling overwhelmed at work, or struggling with time management can also spike stress and cause chaos in our lives.

Enter employee assistance programs, or EAPs. While people sometimes associate EAPs exclusively with behavioral health issues, they are more than that.

“As we all know in today’s world, many factors go into our having good mental health,” said Linda Burdge, who oversees employee benefits for Capital Blue Cross. “It is not only diagnosed health issues, be they physical or mental health, but also our relationships, our finances and even how we treat ourselves, such as through healthy eating. Our EAP vendor provides insight into all these issues and more.”

And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that “EAPs can identify and address a wide range of health, financial, and social issues.“

In other words, EAPs can help employees calm some of life’s chaos.

Proven Results

A National Behavioral Consortium study found 94% of EAP users reported satisfaction with EAP service, 86% showed clinical improvement after EAP assistance, work productivity increased 86%, and absenteeism declined 64%.

A study published by the National Institutes for Health echoed the findings, reporting that EAP use reduced employees’ psychological distress and absenteeism, and increased their life satisfaction, workplace productivity, and engagement.

That comes as no surprise to Heather Windemaker, Capital Blue Cross manager of leave administration.

“The overall value of EAPs is to holistically provide employees with resources to assist them,” Windemaker said, “and not just focus on the issue at hand.”

Capital Blue Cross offers wide-ranging EAP services also available to those residing in the employee’s home. All full-time and part-time Capital employees and their dependents – which include an employee’s spouse and any other member of the employee’s household – are eligible to use the program. Available services include general mental health, stress and anxiety, depression, grief, eldercare issues, financial wellness, substance abuse counseling, and more.

Their Best Selves

EAPs can help employees be their best selves, personally and professionally.

“We recognize that we’re all human and have outside factors that effect and impact our employees,” Windemaker said. “Having a good EAP allows the employee and family members to receive the help and support they need, so they have the ability to focus on daily living and activities.”

Life can get messy. EAPs offer employees the solace of knowing that when it does, their company can connect them to trained professionals who can help.

THINK (Trusted Health Information, News, and Knowledge) is a community publication of Capital Blue Cross. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and news on the latest health and insurance issues.

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The PA Latino Convention to come to Harrisburg in September with education, networking

February 16, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

PA Latino Convention officials announced that their annual event will come to Harrisburg in September.

At the end of this summer, hundreds of professionals, students and activists from the Latino community will gather in Harrisburg for an event focused on empowerment.

Officials with the 2023 Pennsylvania Latino Convention announced on Thursday that the organization would hold its annual networking, educational and advocacy event at the Hilton Harrisburg.

“I want the Latino Convention to be the hub to nurture the next generation of Latino leaders,” said convention chairman Norman Bristol Colon.

The sixth annual event will take place from Sept. 20 through 22 and include panel discussions and workshops on topics such as education, health, civic engagement and economic development, among others, within the Latino community.

Organizers expect at least 600 attendees from across the state. They will also work with local school districts to bring in middle and high school students for special workshops and college fairs.

During the press event, Colon cited data around the growing population of Latinos in the commonwealth, noting that there are 1.1 million Latinos in the state. The group has also made up over 50% of the state’s population growth in the past two years, he said.

Colon cited housing insecurity, voter disenfranchisement and poverty as some of the top issues within the Latino population—one’s that they will discuss at the convention.

While much of the event requires registration, all of the workshops will be free and open to the public, organizers explained.

“We are honored to host this year’s Pennsylvania Latino Convention,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, in a statement. “I can think of no more perfect place than the capital of the Keystone State to hold this event. As Harrisburg goes, so goes the rest of Pennsylvania.”

For more information on the PA Latino Convention, visit their website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

February 16, 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: Palentine’s Day Cocktail Class tonight at sip @ soma! Worth noting: 3rd in the Burg is Friday! Join us at sip @ soma Things on my agenda this weekend: sip @ soma, 3rd in the Burg, PSU wrestling match

For your weekend planning

Palentine’s Day Cocktail Class at sip @ soma Feb. 16
3rd in the Burg with KLYR Rum and Cork & Fork at sip @ soma
View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

sip @ soma with Castlerigg Wine Shop during Ice & Fire Festival
Kickstart your health with Whole Body Reset
HU Presents announces spring 2023 lineup
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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

What you’ll find:

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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