March News Digest

February 26, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Harrisburg officials exit Dauphin County Courthouse.

Harrisburg Mayor, Council Reach Agreement

Harrisburg City Council has re-funded several previously defunded top city positions following an agreement between council and the mayor.

At a legislative session last month, council reallocated money to fund salaries that they had removed as part of the 2026 budget, a move that had resulted in a lawsuit from Mayor Wanda Williams.

Shortly before the meeting, council and the mayor filed a joint motion in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to reopen the case and adopt a joint stipulation that would re-fund the business administrator, project director for business administration/LERTA and create a new director of economic development position. The agreement came after a legal battle between council and the mayor that began with a lawsuit from Williams in early January, in which she alleged that council acted outside of its power.

In the budget, council also removed funding for the police bureau’s director of community engagement and relations and partially defunded the director of building and housing and economic development. Those changes will stand.

“This is not a victory speech. It is a statement of compromise,” Williams said, at a subsequent press conference. “This is a necessary step to move the city of Harrisburg forward.”

As part of the joint motion, Williams agreed to end the practice of appointing “interim” directors without council’s approval, an issue that informed council’s decision to cut funds for some positions.

Council President Danielle Hill also said that council will bring forth legislation that would remove funding for “acting” directors after 120 days on the job without council approval.

“I’m glad we made it to this point where we’re able to have a resolution,” said council member Ausha Green. “We were able to come to an agreement with the administration. “I’m still disappointed that it took lawyers to do so.”

William Penn, February 2026

William Penn Demolition Recommended

Harrisburg school administrators last month recommended demolishing the century-old William Penn High School and turning the cleared property into athletic fields.

After reviewing a slate of options for the district’s long-vacant William Penn building, Superintendent Benjamin Henry presented the administration’s assessment of each possibility to the school board.

Considering all the options’ levels of risk for the district and levels of benefit for Harrisburg students, Henry said that the administration feels that the “best” path for the district would be demolishing the building and constructing athletic fields on the former vocational school’s land.

Athletic fields would be a positive, student-focused move that would help the district expand girls’ athletics, per the administration’s analysis.

“We are growing athletic programs in middle school and especially in our girls’ sports,” Henry explained.

The sprawling building, last in use 15 years ago, sits on an adjoining 27 acres of land overlooking Italian Lake. Officials have weighed what to do with the property since it was vacated.

“I want to make sure everyone understands that this meeting is for the board to understand all the pros and cons over all the proposals, all the options that we’ve been reviewing,” Henry said.

He clarified that the presentation was meant to provide school board members with a comprehensive analysis for informed decision-making in the future.

“This is not just about a building. This is about student safety, fiscal responsibility and educational equality, and again, how we move the district forward,” he said.

City Council, February 2026

Two Apartment Conversions Approved

Harrisburg City Council last month approved two conversions of commercial buildings for residential use.

First, council unanimously approved the second phase of a project to adaptively remake the former Polyclinic Hospital building, at 2601 N. 3rd St., into apartments and commercial space.

The entire project includes renovating all three buildings on the property and constructing over 250 market-rate apartments. Council in November approved the first phase, which outlines renovations to the former nurses’ quarters, the northernmost building.

The second phase targets the largest building on the property and includes creating 130 units with studio, one-, two- and, possibly, three-bedroom configurations. There will also be commercial space, possibly a grocery store, according to developer Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings.

Rent will likely start around $900 per month for studio units and cost closer to $1,400 for one-bedroom and $1,600 for two-bedroom apartments.

Another adaptive reuse project also received the green light from council to renovate a former funeral home at 1332 N. 2nd St. into apartments. The project would add eight units to the five that already exist on upper-level floors.

Developer Breneman Properties plans to construct one-bedroom units, along with one studio and one two-bedroom apartment. Prices will range from around $1,000 to $1,800, a representative for the developer said.

Construction is slated to begin in March and last about eight months.

Council voted 6-1 to approve the project, with President Danielle Hill voting against it, citing a lack of affordable units.

Parks Extension Received

Harrisburg has received an extension to complete several park renovations.

City officials said that they have until March 3 to complete work at 7th and Radnor Park, Gorgas playground, Wilson Park and Reservoir Park, using a state grant.

In October 2022, the city was awarded a $13 million reimbursement grant for COVID relief by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for improvements at the parks.

Harrisburg is on its fourth extension for the grant funds, which would have originally expired at the end of 2023. The previous extension ended at the end of January.

“We realized that we weren’t going to finish for a variety of reasons,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Sanders of the latest extension, during a recent City Council meeting. “Reservoir’s still going to have some issues finishing.”

In November, TheBurg reported that three of the parks, not including Reservoir Park, were on track to be mostly finished by the end of December, according to city officials. While officials have now said that those three parks are mostly complete, they’re estimating completion in March or April. No estimated end date was provided for Reservoir Park.

Of the parks, Reservoir Park has the most work ahead as construction just began in November. Plans for the park include creating a splash alley with water features, among other upgrades.

Officials said that earth work has been initiated, with a site layout done and splash pad equipment delivered. Upcoming work includes construction of restrooms, installing electrical piping and relocating internet cables.

“Despite a later project start, work is progressing well and remains consistent with the planned construction sequence,” said a statement from the city to TheBurg.

The statement from Parks and Rec said that the complexity of the project and the location of the splash pad require extensive reviews.

The Broad Street Market on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Preservation Priorities Set

For the second year in a row, Harrisburg’s historic farmers market tops an annual list of “preservation priorities” for an area historic preservation group.

In late January, Historic Harrisburg Association presented its list of endangered historic structures in the Harrisburg area, naming the Broad Street Market as its top preservation priority for 2026.

“Because it’s so important to the community and to the metropolitan area and beyond, obviously, it’s our first preservation priority at this point,” explained Jeb Stuart, president of HHA’s board of directors.

The market’s 1870s-era brick building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, faced a devastating fire in July 2023. The partially destroyed structure sat vacant for over two years before Harrisburg began the reconstruction process, which was further complicated by a wall collapse in December.

The association’s remaining four preservation priorities for 2026 include:

Former Bishop McDevitt High School, a 95-year-old, neo-Gothic brick building in Allison Hill that served as a school until 2012
William Penn High School, a shuttered, 100-year-old school building near Italian Lake
Balsley House, a dilapidated, Federal-style former grocery store, located beside Sawyer’s in downtown Harrisburg
Riverside Firehouse, a vacant, city-owned former fire station in Uptown that suffered a partial belltower collapse last year

HHA also put about two-dozen other historic structures on its “watch list” for 2026.

Home Sales, Prices Mostly Flat

Harrisburg-area home sales were largely unchanged in January on a year-over-year basis, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 382 homes sold compared to 398 in January 2025, as the median sales price inched down to $270,000 from $277,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 180 houses changed hands versus 221 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $252,000 from $245,897, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County tallied 171 home sales, up from 161 a year earlier, but the median sales price dropped to $299,750 from $335,000, said GHAR.

In Perry County, 29 homes sold, up from 16 the prior January, as the median sales price fell to $249,500 from $283,500, according to GHAR.

The pace of home sales slowed in January, as “average days on market” rose to 40 days from 35 days in January 2025, GHAR said.

So Noted

Dr. Paul Rardin and Dr. Amy Vorhees will lead the Susquehanna Chorale during the 2026-27 season, as the organization conducts a nationwide search to replace Linda Tedford, who is retiring after a 45-year tenure. According to Susquehanna Chorale, Rardin will conduct the Christmas program, while Vorhees conducts the spring performance.

Faniel Yemane will serve as the president of Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) for 2026, according to the organization. In addition, Olivia Edwards Rindfuss and Justine Fabian will serve as co-vice presidents, Alyssa Mancuso as secretary and Andrew Essis as treasurer.

Justin A. Tomevi has been elected president of the York County Bar Association. Tomevi is a partner at Lancaster-based Barley Snyder, serving in the litigation practice group, and serves as an adjunct professor at both Messiah University and Eastern University.

Kim Alvarez has been named vice president of philanthropy for the Harrisburg-based Foundation for Enhancing Communities. According to TFEC, Alvarez brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership. In the role, she will work closely with donors, professional advisors and nonprofit partners to grow local giving and support long-term philanthropic planning.

Lakshmi Polavarapu, MD, has been appointed the interim chief medical officer of Sadler Health Center. In this role, Dr. Polavarapu provides clinical leadership for Sadler’s medical department, according to the community health center that serves Cumberland and Perry counties.

Paul Gellerman last month was named chair of the Broad Street Market Alliance, the nonprofit that oversees the operations and marketing of Harrisburg’s historic farmers market. Gellerman, formerly the board secretary, replaces Tashia James in the post.

Rep. Nate Davidson last month announced his re-election bid to the state House of Representatives. Davidson, a freshman Democrat, represents the 103rd legislative district, which includes a large part of Harrisburg and the west shore communities of Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

Ryan Riley has joined Members 1st Federal Credit Union as senior vice president of marketing. Riley joined the Enola-based financial institution from Harrisburg University, where he led marketing, communications and global partnerships, according to Members 1st.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2469: G&W Rentals LLC to N. & N. Bui, $160,000

Berryhill St., 1241: J. Quinones to L. Lopez, $120,000

Berryhill St., 1621: Marini Property Investments LLC to Padmini Estate LLC, $225,000

Berryhill St., 2124: BAJ Holdings LLC to L. Martinez, $160,000

Boas St., 427: C. Kyne to Royal Legacy Investments LLC, $140,500

Briggs St., 1920: Elevation Properties LLC to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $120,000

Brookwood St., 2168 & 2168 Getty’s Alley: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to JTA Consulting Group LLC, $75,000

Crescent St., 341 & 343: M. & E. Reyes to BZDEL Global Investment LLC, $260,000

Derry St., 2012: M. & L. Lara to DR Properties of PA LLC, $170,000

Derry St., 2500: K. Gonzalez to J. Henriquez & F. Torres, $225,000

Green St., 2915: K. Manderino to M. Heefner & C. Purcell, $425,000

Holly St., 1804: D. Lansanah to Gwen Everett Fashion House LLC, $125,000

Howard St., 1351: M. Nichols to A. Molina, $111,000

Hunter St., 1605: A. & M. Burkhart to B&H Investment LLC, $143,000

Jefferson St., 2225: Easy Exit Home Solutions LLC to Gangsta Girls Real Estate Investments, $73,500

Kensington St., 2314: E. Brown to M. Escalante, $115,000

Linden St., 131: Bridger Investments LLC to A. Bamenda, $151,500

Logan St., 2213: H. Roldan to A. Veres, $85,500

Logan St., 2226: L. Murrell to D. Azor, $160,000

Market St., 1210: City Limits Foundation to Burgos Realty Investments LLC, $128,000

North St., 1712: V. Rivas to J. Torres, $80,000

North St., 1726: M. Dorlean to S. & H. Hernandez, $215,000

North St., 1942A: J. Pavana to E. Nino & M. Ortiz, $65,000

N. 3rd St., 1012: Ex House Buyers LLC to Sarek Properties LLC, $366,000

N. 3rd St., 2007: Portee Properties LLC to Beahive Affordable Housing Outreach Inc., $350,000

N. 3rd St., 2327: G. Reyes to Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC, $140,000

N. 5th St., 3217: M. & K. Treaster to K. Fowler, $180,000

N. 6th St., 2210: C. Shokes to Melo Rental & Services LLC, $160,000

N. 6th St., 2229: Sky Resort Rentals LLC to Cleveland Association LLC, $207,500

N. 6th St., 2628: HBG Rents LLC to Melo Rental & Services LLC, $160,000

N. 6th St., 2941: G. Rubinstein to T. Nguyen & H. Huyen, $230,000

N. 7th St., 2628: W. & D. Foutres to Echo Propco I LLC, $78,000

N. 15th St., 208: US Bank Trust National Association to S. Almonor, $84,001

N. Front St., 1015 & 1017: R. DiShong to Third Street Realty Co., $575,000

N. Front St., 1101: D. Aldous to Operation Grapevine LLC, $200,000

N. Front St., 2745: Deerfield Capital LLC to KS Max Property LLC, $1,040,000

Paxton St., 1926: J. & M. Intrieri to Baker Property Services LLC, $127,500

Penn St., 2105: T. Hage to J. Loose, $125,000

Penn St., 2447: M. DePhilip & J. Reed to K. & L. Emerson, $110,000

Reel St., 2430: 786 Real Estate to M. Figuereo, $135,000

Reel St., 2717: Top Cash Paid LLC to Anderson Family Trust, $95,000

Regina St., 1820: J. Lamb to G. Ramos, $175,000

Rudy Rd., 1902: J&G Partners LLC to J. Guillen & B. Imbert, $248,000

Rumson Dr., 339: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to K&I LLC, $110,000

S. 13th St., 512: H. Sostre to Bencosme Realty LLC, $130,000

S. 13th St., 1525: J. Spagnolo to M. Arnao, $112,500

S. 15th St., 12: Dreams2Reality Services LLC to Dreamland Envision Properties LLC, $125,000

N. 16th St., 1204: H. Loje to J. Mancero, $145,000

S. River St., 321 & 323: T. Nazario to P. McVicar & D. Feger, $182,000

Verbeke St., 1414: Boas Street LLC to A. Mills, $145,000

Waldo St., 2623: A Harper to T. Harper & S. Gillespie, $50,000

Harrisburg property sales, January 2026, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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March Publisher’s Note

February 26, 2026 | by Lawrance Binda

Well, that’s finally over.

Sure, I know, in the Harrisburg area, March sometimes brings us yet more cold and snow, but I don’t care. In my mind, winter is done, finished, kaput.

It’s been a rough one. By Thanksgiving, the weather had already turned blustery and frigid, and the chill seemed to never let up, except for a brief reprieve over Farm Show week. So, I’m delighted to welcome springtime to central Pa., even if I’m a little early.

Starting this month, we put away the snowy landscapes and holiday themes that we often feature on our covers and interior artwork over the long winter. Gone are the stories about comfort foods and cold-weather events and indoorsy things to do with the kids.

At the same time, it’s a tad too early to turn our full attention to things like gardening, home improvement and outdoor sports, topics we’re sure to tackle soon. Here in TheBurg, March is a transitional month.

Therefore, we use this time to highlight the good works of nonprofit organizations in our area. Yes, we do this all year long, but, each March, we add considerably to our coverage, both as a part of regular feature stories and as a part of a special sponsored section.

So, flip open the issue and learn about some of the nonprofits that are making a positive impact in our community. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to get more involved yourself, as a volunteer or even a board member. Whatever your interest or cause, there’s sure to be a nonprofit nearby that’s a great fit for you.

And with that, happy end of winter/beginning of spring, everyone. Many warmer days lie ahead, even if we are temporarily ambushed by—oh no—that dreaded (quickly melting) March snow.

Lawrance Binda
Publisher/Editor

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Political Economy: Will “stuff” finally get done in Harrisburg?

February 26, 2026 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck

Last month, Gov. Josh Shapiro stood inside a cupcake shop in downtown Harrisburg and, before a bank of TV cameras, made a bold statement.

“I care a lot about our capital city, and this capital city deserves better,” he said at Anna Rose Bakery & Coffee Shop on N. 2nd Street. “If I can . . . begin a resurgence here, that’s something I believe is a responsibility of mine.”

That was Shapiro’s second show of support for Harrisburg in as many weeks. In late January, he gathered key downtown stakeholders together in a conference room to hear about Harrisburg’s struggling central business district—that is, what’s left of it.

To paraphrase a line from the classic wartime movie, “Casablanca:” “Welcome back to the fight, governor.”

When Shapiro took office over three years ago, I was hopeful. After all, he was no stranger to Harrisburg, having served here as a state legislator then attorney general.

So, I believed it a reasonable expectation that he would help lead the city into a post-pandemic future—bringing back state workers, adding life to the stagnant downtown, and helping re-energize the small businesses that had suffered so much during COVID.

A few months after, I felt my confidence affirmed when Shapiro stood in front of the Broad Street Market, which had just suffered a tragic fire, and boldly vowed to marshal resources to help rebuild the brick market house.

But none of this happened. In fact, the city’s crisis only grew worse over time.

The Broad Street Market only recently began re-construction, years after the fire and still years from completion. Downtown, a trickle of business closings turned into a flood as even the most committed, long-time restaurateurs and shop owners threw in the towel, as downtown office buildings emptied, as property owners demanded tax relief or desperately tried to unload their buildings.

Mind you, this isn’t all Shapiro’s fault. The city government has been alternately chaotic and inert, leading to bad headlines, low confidence and a general sense of hopelessness. Today, the mayor and city council aren’t even talking, except through their lawyers, much less cooperating on ways to revive the downtown economy.

But the state’s policies—and its inaction—are a big part of the problem.

For years, the commonwealth dragged its feet returning workers to the office following the pandemic. Even now, much of the state’s Harrisburg-based workforce is on site just two or three days a week. Remote work is also responsible for the related loss of visitors, lawyers, contractors, lobbyists, beseechers and all who do business with the state. This is ruinous to an industry town like Harrisburg.

Every time I write on this subject, someone accuses me of “blaming” state workers. To be clear, I’m not blaming workers. The admin in DEP or the middle manager at Ag doesn’t make the rules, and they have no obligation to buy a turkey sub at the local lunch spot (now closed). But I am blaming state policy. You simply can’t disappear so many people, remove so many worker hours, from a small city like Harrisburg without a devastating effect.

As one of the bakery owners told Shapiro last month: “If you want to support a local economy, especially in a city like Harrisburg where it’s so commuter-focused, you have to have a working downtown.”

At long last, Shapiro seems to have gotten the message.

Perhaps his motivation is self-serving. After all, our aspirational governor is running for re-election this year, with his eyes likely set on a White House bid in two years. You know that old saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? Well, I’d like to propose a corollary: the way to a politician’s heart is through his ambition.

The lowly state of downtown Harrisburg may be Shapiro’s Achilles’ heel. It’s the ready counterpoint to his oft-told tale of the I-95 overpass rebuild or his oft-repeated mantra of, “getting ‘stuff’ done.” In Harrisburg, the stuff definitely ain’t getting done.

Well, I don’t care if Shapiro is motivated by personal ambition or by a newly awakened love of Harrisburg. Suddenly, he’s organizing meetings, he’s out on downtown streets, he seems to be listening, he’s pledging his help.

The commonwealth already has allocated some money for an economic development study, which is a good start. But much more will be needed afterwards to robustly fund what comes next—likely a mix of residential, commercial and office, as well as things like streetscape upgrades, road diets, pedestrian corridors and business incentives. Also, the state needs to do something about the insane cost of downtown parking, a system that, incidentally, it controls.

Shapiro now seems to acknowledge the state’s role and responsibility (along with the city and the private sector) in guiding Harrisburg to a brighter future.

In January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report stating that Pennsylvania had the third-highest survival rate in the nation for new businesses, with 51.6% still around after five years.

“Pennsylvania isn’t just attracting new businesses—we’re creating an environment where they can succeed,” responded Shapiro. “From cutting red tape and streamlining permitting to investing in site development, main streets and our workforce, my administration is focused on making Pennsylvania the best place to start and grow a business.”

That’s profoundly not the case in Harrisburg. Perhaps one day, it will be, but to get there, promises need to be kept, focus needs to be maintained, and “stuff” needs to get done.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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“So Beautiful:” A look behind the curtain of Harrisburg High’s revived theater program, helping students find their voice and a place to fit in

February 26, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Jorday Johnson Strawbridge

Vocal warmups began promptly at 3:30 p.m. with the typical do-re-mis mixed with humming and buzzing exercises.

All 16 or so pairs of eyes were on director Jacob Trimble-Waddell as he led the group, students occasionally turning to whisper to a friend.

The teacher began a more complicated string of notes. A pair of girls near the front giggled, breaking the coolness on stage, when the group struggled to find the right high note.

By the time warmups were over and the group transitioned into practicing songs, the teens loosened up, shook off the weariness of the school day.

“Today I’m a lot more goofy than I usually am,” said Jorday Johnson Strawbridge.

Jorday, a 10th grader, decided to go out for Harrisburg High School’s musical this year, at first, not knowing anyone else in the group.

In high school world, frankly, adult world too, that takes guts—nerve that it took her a little time to work up to.

“I was too scared last year,” she admitted. But said that, “I still don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life, so I wanted to see what it’s like being on stage.”

This year’s musical, coming up at the end of March, is only the second one for the high school in about 25 years. New to Harrisburg’s school board at the time, Autumn Anderson said she was shocked to learn that there was no theater program for students before now.

“I was totally on board to support it,” Anderson said of the plan to bring the program back. “Our district kids really deserve a lot of opportunities and options for them to build their creativity.”

While some students joined the club last year to try something new, then-freshman Ariana White might as well have been waiting her whole life for this moment.

“This club popping off was like, ‘Oh, finally I can do an extracurricular,’” she said. “I’ve been interested in musical theater since elementary school.”

Ariana White

Ninth grader Ariana secured the lead role in the 2025 musical “Mean Girls Jr.” “It was like my debut,” she said.

In this year’s “Once on This Island,” Ariana is playing “the goddess of life,” a role that she described as “written for me.” The spunky student knows she’s a life-of-the-party type. This year, she was chosen as theater president and talked about the ninth graders, just a year below her, like a mother talking about her children.

“I love seeing me in them,” she said, calling them “my babies.” “I’m like, ‘I did that last year.’”

New Chapter

The theater club owns the John Harris High School auditorium for Tuesday and Thursday night rehearsals during musical prep weeks. And while the actors and singers practice on stage, the tech team runs things at the back of the large room, sometimes popping up front to joke with a friend on stage.

“It’s fun being back there because I can threaten to turn off their mics,” senior Elisha Garrett, head of audio and visual, said with a smirk.

While Elisha said he was “dragged here tooth and nail” by a friend to join the musical last year, he admitted he’s come to enjoy it and has even made friends.

“At first, it was just because I wanted something to do after school, but then it became interesting,” he said, calling the atmosphere, in typical teen fashion, an “overall great vibe.”

Program director Trimble-Waddell, like the musical club, is new to the school district—a recent college grad hired to teach music for the district. As part of the hiring process, the district expressed its desire that he revive theater in the high school.

Jacob Trimble-Waddell

“I wanted to go to a school district that had a need post-COVID to have some part of their program, music-wise, be rebuilt,” he said.

Since then, Trimble-Waddell has been working to do that, while intentionally making it a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

“There have been so many kids that have joined that there is no other outlet for them,” he said. “Having a space where they can be accepted and welcomed, just having that space does a lot to earn their trust.”

Of course, there’s drama—it’s high school, and it’s drama club. But Trimble-Waddell and the students take it in stride, working on healthy emotional expression and using acting to explore feelings.

This year’s musical, “Once on This Island,” gives them plenty of opportunities to practice that, as it deals with pretty heavy themes of grief, heartbreak, classism and racism.

The musical is a coming-of-age story, set in the Caribbean, of a peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy. Think “The Little Mermaid,” with different twists.

Trimble-Waddell works through the themes with the students, helping them process and relate them to their lives.

Day’nija Andrews

Day’nija Andrews, a senior, is the lead in this year’s show, playing Ti Moune. She’s new to the musical club, but has quickly fallen in love with the music, especially the song “Mama Will Provide.”

The song starts with:

“But on this island the Earth sings
As soon as the storm ends
And as Ti Moune set out
She realized she was walking with old friends
The birds
The trees
The frogs
And the breezes

Ti Moune lost all her fears
She knew Asaka was near her

You’ve never been away from the sea, child
You’re gonna need a helping hand
A fish has got to learn to swim on land”

“It’s about waiting for life to begin. I relate to that,” Day’nija said, referencing her impending high school graduation this year. “It’s a whole new chapter of life. So, I’m scared, but happy to see what happens.”

Theater Kid

Theater President Ariana is always recruiting for the musical.

“Let me count,” she said, turning toward the stage, when asked how many students she got to join this year.

The count came to four, one of whom is a boy, who are often harder to recruit and only make up a small part of the full group.

Trimble-Waddell is often trying to entice kids to join as well.

“Anytime we heard a kid singing in the hallway, we’ll say, ‘Hey, join the musical,’” he said.

One girl was always showing up to school in style. Now, she’s the costume designer for the club. Elisha was another recruit based on his experience helping with sound at his church.

Elisha Garrett

Ariana talks about the musical “literally everywhere,” as the self-proclaimed spokesperson for the program.

“This has shown us her dedication,” said Ariana’s dad, Tim White, who “cried like a baby” during Ariana’s performance last year. “I don’t think she has missed a practice. It’s been very good to see her put her heart and soul into something and be so passionate about it.”

Ariana is proud to be a theater kid.

“This is my second home,” she said.

She knows that theater isn’t always as popular as, say, sports, but said that she doesn’t think her peers see musical kids as “nerdy,” but more of a “cool-weird.”

Jorday embraces it too.

“It’s fun being a theater kid,” Jorday said. “I’ve never [been able to say] that before, so it’s fun.”

Even Elisha, who said that the only musical he had ever heard of before joining the club was “Hamilton,” said that he’s been getting into the music.

He said he has grown in other ways too, like in his leadership skills. Elisha is currently training some younger students on tech to fill his shoes when he graduates this year.

“He’s getting not only the skills of the trade, but also the leadership skills,” Trimble-Waddell said.

Through the program, Trimble-Waddell also sees students being exposed to potential career paths that they may not have known about, especially arts-focused ones.

In the future, he’s hoping to add a pit orchestra to the musicals and further connections with local, city-based theaters as well.

“A big goal for this year and next year is to take these skills that these students learn, that most of them have never done up until now, and say, ‘Hey, these are all the real-life connections. This is actually a job you can go and do,’” Trimble-Waddell said.

District Superintendent Benjamin Henry has been impressed with the program and said that they’ve started introducing theater to the middle schools as well, hoping to “give the kids more opportunities to be exposed to the arts.”

School board member Anderson said that she was blown away by last year’s musical and can’t wait to see this year’s.

Ball-of-energy Ariana, unsurprisingly, is also excited, saying that the group of students has built even deeper bonds this year.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said. “I’m getting to live my dream.”

Harrisburg High School will perform “Once on This Island” on March 27, 28 and 29 at the John Harris campus at 2451 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.hbgsd.us.

“Once on This Island” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.

Photos by Dani Fresh.

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Leaning In: A local commission hands women the microphone

February 26, 2026 | by Jolie Kramer

CCCW at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC’s Catalyst Awards

When the Cumberland County Commission for Women (CCCW) accepted a major regional award, Chair Brianda Freistat stepped up to the mic to share a powerful observation.

“When women hold the microphone, the room leans in,” Freistat said in her acceptance speech. “When women lead policy conversations, the agenda changes.”

That shift is already underway in Cumberland County, thanks to this group of 25 women bringing long-overlooked issues affecting women into the light.

The commission’s mission is simple: to make the county a better place for women and girls. The group works in partnership with County Commissioner Kelly Neiderer and includes professionals from across the county, from New Cumberland to Boiling Springs to Newville, representing a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and life experiences.

The organization was established in 1999 but only recently transformed into an active force for change. Lately, the commission has focused on recruiting community members and setting strategic, attainable goals.

“We used to have less than 15 spots,” said Freistat, a lobbyist and consultant from New Cumberland who has chaired the group for the past 1½ years. “Now, we’re up to 25, and we have a waitlist to get in.”

That waitlist is a testament to CCCW’s growing visibility, which reached new heights when the group was honored as “Government Leader of the Year” at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC’s annual Catalyst Awards in December.

“We were honored and humbled, to be quite honest,” said Freistat. “We are all volunteers. We do this in our evenings and when we can throughout our workdays. For an organization like CREDC to realize community happens when people step up outside of their day to day, that’s humbling.”

The recognition came as the commission was wrapping up a major initiative addressing the county’s childcare crisis.

Cumberland County is the fastest-growing county in Pennsylvania, but, while it has added necessities like grocery stores and hospitals, it hasn’t added nearly enough childcare providers to serve the increasing number of working families. The shortage affects the whole family unit, but the burden often falls disproportionately on women.

“They’re the ones who leave the workforce,” said Vice Chair Becca Zelner. “They’re the ones who have to find different childcare when daycare is closed, when the child is sick. At the doctor’s appointment, who takes them? Mom.”

The group hosted two town halls on childcare—the first to identify the crisis and the second to explore how the business community can help address it. Recently, they released a comprehensive report proposing a private-public partnership model to increase childcare capacity across the county. Working with CREDC, the local chamber and York County’s ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities), the report lays out how businesses can begin working with the community to address the gap.

Showing Up

While the childcare crisis brought CCCW into the spotlight, it’s far from their only issue. The commission addresses a variety of challenges women face in different circumstances and stages of their lives.

“The goal is really to advocate on issues that are important to us and are therefore important to other women in Cumberland County,” Freistat said.

Throughout the year, the commission hosts events that address these various issues. Recent initiatives have included healthcare and wellness fairs focusing on women-specific health needs. At their latest fair, vendors specializing in women’s health sparked conversations about topics often overlooked in traditional healthcare settings, including perimenopause, which is “wildly understudied and undertreated,” according to Freistat.

“Women have different health needs and require different health specialties,” she said.

The commission is also exploring programs around financial literacy for women, recognizing that money management is another topic that often isn’t discussed as openly as it should be.

Beyond healthcare, the commission has tackled housing issues, connecting women with resources on affordable housing and shelter programs. They’ve addressed navigating complex county systems, such as filing for divorce and understanding available support services.

The commission also shows up intentionally at community events, from domestic violence vigils to breast cancer walks to a “Healing through the Arts” event. Women approach CCCW’s table to share their stories and gratitude, and some join the group.

“It’s our simple presence [at events] and them knowing what we do that had an impact on them,” said Tiesha Laryea, CCCW’s communications chair. “That’s why I think this work is important.”

Looking Ahead

The commission has a range of events and initiatives in the works.

For International Women’s Day on March 8, CCCW will collect menstrual products from locations across the county and create care packages.

“If you can imagine for a second, your family is on hard times, maybe you’re 12 or 13 in school, and you’re too embarrassed to go to the nurse or afraid to ask for support,” Freistat said. “We don’t even want her to have to make that choice.”

This summer, the commission will host a roundtable discussion on running for local office, designed to demystify the process and encourage more women to pursue local government positions. The event will feature women currently serving in positions such as state representative, mayor, township supervisor and school board member.

“Women are typically asked to run. Men just say, ‘I am running,’” Freistat said. “It’s one of those outdated patterns. We want to flip that script.”

The conversation will address concerns women often have to consider that men may not, such as childcare logistics and balancing family responsibilities with campaign commitments.

“We want to do the basics of ‘how do I get into government,’ from the moment of filing a petition to what type of staff you need,” Laryea said. “A lot of people who want to run don’t understand the process.”

The goal is to show women that many local positions are more attainable than they realize. And, as Freistat reminded the room at the Catalyst Awards, when women hold the microphone, people lean in. The conversation shifts, the agenda changes. In Cumberland County, that change is becoming a reality.

“Representation reinforces possibility,” said Laryea. “When women lift other women up, it signals, ‘there’s room for you here, too.’”

And judging by that waitlist, more women are ready to pull up a chair.

For more information on the Cumberland County Commission for Women, visit www.cumberlandcountypa.gov/57/Commission-for-Women. Also, follow CCCW on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates on upcoming initiatives.

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A Family Affair: Hornung’s True Value hammers home the meaning of community

February 26, 2026 | by Colin McGuire

Pat Hornung Davis holds photo of Harrisburg’s first hardware store.

Power tools. Pet supplies. Lawn and garden items. Furniture. These are merely a handful of items that one can find at Hornung’s True Value Hardware Store in the heart of downtown Harrisburg.

And while those things certainly hold value for the cadre of customers that frequent the popular business, owner Pat Hornung Davis finds an entirely different definition of value each time she steps into her shop.

“I’m in love with this,” she said. “When I walk in, in the morning, I always catch myself saying, ‘I’m home.’”

She laughed.

“I have so many stories from all these years that people get sick of hearing them,” she added. “People look at me and go, ‘Oh, no. Here she goes again.’”

Davis earned those stories to tell through the years. After her brother and mother began the business some 40 years ago, she stepped in as one of the owners five years later. From there, she wasn’t just smitten with the hardware store business, but she grew an affection for Harrisburg’s downtown community.

In fact, she fell so in love with the community that it wasn’t long until some of them became family of her own.

“I met my husband down there,” she said, referring to the 2nd Street shop. “I even met my kids down there—one little kid came into the store one day. He was 3 years old with a smile, and it melted my heart. His 4-year-old brother came in, too, and I ended up raising them from 3 and 4.”

“I was a single parent at the time,” she continued. “But I prayed for it. I prayed for two little boys to come into my life and there they were. Now, they occasionally work here.”

These days, downtown Harrisburg looks a lot different than it did 35 years ago, when Davis first found herself at the True Value helm. In her mind, the increasing desertion of the area can be attributed to two things—the COVID-19 pandemic and a perceived rise in crime.

“Every time there is a killing or a shooting, it hurts the whole community,” she said. “COVID hurt so much because thousands of people stopped working downtown and stopped having to come downtown, and that needs to stop. More people need to be down here.”

An influx of people shopping downtown would make Davis happy for reasons beyond an increase of sales—her affinity for people shines through each time she speaks. By her own admission, she loves being around them, learning from them, and most importantly, helping them.

Part of that giving nature has forced her store to spill out onto the sidewalk—literally. One of the hallmarks of her business is the plethora of items offered for sale outside the shop. The idea to expand her footprint came as a means of versatility, which is something she believes every business needs to be successful.

Still, those miscellaneous products have had their effects on the business, both for better and for (somewhat) worse.

“I hear about it every day,” she noted with a grin. “‘I’m not walking down this side of the street anymore because I can’t leave without buying something.’ I also hear, ‘Is there anything you don’t have?’ I just love it.”

At the age of 72, Davis has no plans to slow down anytime soon. She has no interest in retirement, and she insisted that the business will stay in the family for at least as long as she and her siblings are alive.

“It’s called Family True Value because we’re a family inside and outside,” she explained.

Her outside family extends far beyond the store’s downtown location. Davis was eager to explain how her business has donated $7,000 worth of paint to city schools, and during Halloween season, she provided toys for more than 1,500 kids at Reservoir Park.

It’s all a testament to the fact that she feels that her time at True Value amounts to much more than a job.

“This is a vocation so I can help people,” she asserted. “We provide essential services to downtown Harrisburg, and even if I didn’t work there tomorrow, I would find a way to help people because I enjoy people too much.”

“We have a saying here,” she added. “If we don’t have it, I’ll get it for you. And if I can’t get it for you, I’ll teach you how to live without it.”

Hornung’s True Value Hardware is located at 223 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-234-3178.

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Spreading Wings: Local parents share tips on guiding your teen into adulthood, while letting them learn for themselves

February 26, 2026 | by Gina Napoli

Illustration by Aron Rook

Have you ever heard of the comparison between raising teenagers and butterflies?

When a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it wriggles, like trying to escape a sleeping bag. Ripping through tender membranes from the inside takes struggle. That struggle allows their wings to grow strong, filling their intricate veins with fortifying blood. Fluid pressure builds, allowing the wings to reach their fullest size, taking shape and solidifying.

Shedding the cocoon is a process that butterflies must do independently. If someone cuts the cocoon to let the butterfly out, blood won’t flow to its wings, and it won’t grow strong enough to fly on its own.

A nun delivered this parenting allegory to an assembly of parents of rising sixth graders. In case the symbology didn’t deliver, Sister spelled it out: “If your child forgets their lunch, don’t leave work to drive fast food to the school office. Don’t do their math homework. Don’t stay up late to paint their solar system planets. Don’t email the teacher and ask for deadline extensions on book reports.” Each example made me shrink more in my seat.

“Your kids will figure things out for themselves. They might succeed, or they might fail,” Sister said. “The best thing you can do is let them handle things either way.”

Nuns are seasoned and wise, but they are not parents. When I researched to find the original author of the butterfly allegory, I found scads of licensed parenting experts and child psychologists using this same comparison. So… origins unknown. Stellar parenting advice, nonetheless.

For solid advice on bridging teenagers into young adults, I interviewed four veteran parents with grown children. All agree that letting kids fail and experience consequences is a necessary rite of passage, both for parents and teens. And most agree with parenting experts that parental oversight should become increasingly less as children grow. (My mother was my first interview volunteer. I delighted in saying, “No,” followed by, “because I said so.” Take that, Boomer.)

Wherever your parenting style lies on the sliding scale between helicopter and laissez-faire, “Most of us raise our kids the way we were raised,” said Harrisburg resident Alan Foster, father of two sons, 31 and 33. Although Foster’s own childhood was not bad, he intentionally made better parenting choices, with a lifelong dedication to “never stop learning.” Like many parents, he balanced between being involved and respecting when his sons needed space, like during failures, dating and heartbreaks.

“Giving space sometimes means being there after they make mistakes, and not gloating by saying, ‘I told you so,’” said Bill Albert, of Camp Hill, who raised a son (44) and a daughter (50). While teaching or helping young adults to find their own balance, you can offer support without enabling. For example, when Albert’s daughter moved into her first apartment and then asked him for rent money, he told her, “You’re welcome to join me for dinner at my house if you’re hungry, but now you need to pay your own bills.”

Time to Fly

There’s no magic age to remove the figurative scaffolding bolstering your children. While the average butterfly cocoons for one to two weeks, some take months or years.

“I believe I gave my daughter too much freedom, expecting her to be responsible for her actions,” Albert said, “Different story with my son. He told me he saw his sister’s mistakes. Our efforts to guide her helped him to take responsibility in his life,” developing a solid work ethic and becoming a safe driver.

If you think about any sibling set, they all grew in the same garden, but turned into different flowers. There’s no guarantee that the seeds you plant will grow the best fruit, but starting your garden on the right foot helps.

As a mother of seven children aged 23 to 33, Michelle Lingle instilled early parenting structures. A real-life Leslie Knope, Lingle presented a united parental front with her husband, formerly my pastor in Harrisburg. They installed time management systems, enforced consistent standards and healthy routines, and used chore charts to teach basic housekeeping. They chaperoned field trips, coached teams, attended holiday concerts, and served as a hub for friends and exchange students.

Depending on the child and the situation, sometimes they helicopter-parented, and sometimes they let off the gas, encouraging kids to advocate for themselves.

“I think there’s a fine line between helping and enabling your children,” Lingle said. “It’s important to meet them where they are, physically, mentally, spiritually. Some of our children had major success with minor helicoptering as they matured. Others not so much . . . they continued to make the same mistakes.”

A technique Lingle used to help her kids solve their own problems was “sounding off.” If they needed to talk about frustrations, parents made themselves available.

“We tried not to fix things for them,” Lingle said. “If they were struggling, we made suggestions. But through the process of listening to them, they often resolved their issues.”

Just before graduating high school, my daughter asked me for a comprehensive list of everything an adult should know. Specifically, what were her knowledge gaps? (In the midst of gathering advice from other parents, I started to wonder, “Where’s MY list, Mom and Dad?”) Resentment aside, I received great advice I hadn’t considered before. Handy tips surfaced, like answering a work phone, inflating a tire, and social media cleanliness (employers do look, Albert reminded). Many commonalities surfaced beyond basic survival skills, like honoring commitments, empathetically respecting others, volunteering/being globally and community-minded, and stepping outside your comfort zone.

A Harrisburg bartender with children 33 and 38 offered these basic parenting reminders, “Let them be kids. Let them be the age they are, but don’t be friends with them,” she said. “And give them unconditional love, no matter what choices they make.”

Parents, I wish you success in your own teenaged butterfly gardens.

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TFEC + TheBurg: Partners in Purpose: Amiracle Community offers space, services for the unhoused

February 26, 2026 | by Lawrance Binda

Marsha Curry and Timothy White

Last August, on a hot summer day, Amiracle Community opened in South Harrisburg, offering space to those displaced by the closure of the nearby “tent city.” The nonprofit Amiracle4Sure acquired the land to offer a place for tents, along with much better access to amenities and services. Recently, we sat down with the executive director, Marsha Curry, who runs the community with her son, Timothy, to find out how it’s going and what comes next.

TheBurg:

Please give us some background about Amiracle Community.

Marsha Curry:

Its intention is to provide housing options for a group of individuals, 100-plus individuals, who have been relocated from the encampment. So, we purchased this space with the intention of providing a space for them to call home.

TheBurg:

What motivated you to start Amiracle Community?

Marsha Curry:

I have experienced homelessness in my past. Prior to coming to Harrisburg, I was in Philadelphia, where I struggled with maintaining and sustaining housing due to a variety of reasons. With that being said, I have a heart, and for the last five years, maybe more, I have been engaged in this countywide community through the Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness. It’s a group of individuals who care for the unhoused community, provide resources and support, and so I’ve been a voice in that space as a person with lived experience. Through my interaction there, for years, we had been talking about finding an alternative to housing for those that were about to be displaced.

TheBurg:

What do you regard as the mission of Amiracle Community?

Marsha Curry:

It is to respect and value the needs of the unhoused community, to provide support and stability with dignity and respect. That’s about the gist of it.

TheBurg:

Can you offer some examples of the impact you’ve had?

Marsha Curry:

I believe the last time we did a count, over 145 individuals have come through this space, have lived in this space. We welcome them and help give them the opportunity to transition. Through direct support, we’re able to provide case management services and help individuals acquire the necessities that they need. If moving into housing is an alternative, we assist with getting that paperwork completed. I think that is something that wasn’t at the previous location, having direct contact with supportive services. They can apply for benefits, put in housing applications and do other things. When people are hungry in our space, the community has responded and provided food. So, I think it’s a good thing that they have a community of support. We collaborate with mental health, substance abuse and several faith-based organizations that do street outreach. Those individuals that had been serving them at the previous location are now serving them at the Amiracle Community location.

TheBurg:

What kinds of challenges have you experienced?

Marsha Curry:

When we first started, it was the heat—burning hot in August. So, we got funding to build pavilions so that they could go and sit under to prevent from being impacted by the heat. Then we weren’t sure how we were going to handle the winter. With the snow, we’ve had tents collapse, but, again, funding allowed for us to be able to replace those tents, rehab those tents, and make sure that that individual has housing. With donations that we get, we get to restore those things.

TheBurg:

What’s next for Amiracle Community?

Marsha Curry:

We are looking to work with an engineer to help us put vision to this piece of property, and how we can bring the resources that are necessary. One of the things we talk about is helping people move into more permanent, structured housing. We’d like to guide them and direct them in that process. We want to make sure they have the things that we have when we go home, such as a kitchen, a bathroom, and making sure that they have someone to teach them the skills to cook and take care of themselves or help them get access to services that they need. So, we’ve started to dream and plan around that right now, and that’s going to take a lot of money. Our very next step, our next immediate need, would be to cover the tent area with the temporary structure. My prayers, if I were to ask for one right now, is to have the funding to be able to build that structure so that we won’t have to be concerned about difficult weather. That, to me, is the most immediate need right now.

TheBurg:

What’s the best way for people to help you?

Marsha Curry:

Of course, everything comes down to finances, right? We have an Amazon wish list that’s on our website. People have been so amazing—the hand warmers, the hot chocolate, the coffee, the food, the clothing. So, the community has been responsive, but right now, I think we could most use monetary donations.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

For more information on Amiracle Community and to find out how to help, visit

www.amiracle4sure.com

TFEC + TheBurg: Partners in Purpose

is a quarterly collaboration spotlighting the vital work of local nonprofits serving Dauphin and Cumberland counties. Through this community-centered initiative, four selected 501(c)(3) organizations will receive an in-depth feature in TheBurg’s print and digital publications in 2026—at no cost to them—thanks to the support of TFEC. Together, we’re elevating the stories of those strengthening our region and making a meaningful impact across central Pennsylvania.

Passion & Intensity: This month, Open Stage brings “Jesus Christ Superstar” to the (very) big stage

February 26, 2026 | by McCaffrey Martone

Carly Lafferty, Brad Leer, and Isaac Austin

Open Stage is heading to The Forum Auditorium, a historic venue in downtown Harrisburg, to present a large-scale production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” For just three performances, audiences can bear witness to this epic rock retelling of Jesus’ crucifixion.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is a completely sung-through rock opera that chronicles the final days of Jesus of Nazareth, uniquely told through the perspective of Judas Iscariot. The show takes audiences directly into the stories of the Bible—one of the most widely recognized texts in the world—asking us to see these religious figures not as distant idols, but as deeply human.

Brad Leer, discussing his role as Jesus, said, “You’re going to be betrayed, you’re going to be crucified, and it’s going to be this ugly end to your life. It’s being done for a bigger reason, but how would you feel? It would be very difficult to believe somebody would not feel scared in that situation.”

Powerful emotions demand a medium that can do them justice: rock music. Originally released as a concept album by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1970—prior to its Broadway debut in 1971—the score has always been essential in capturing the passion and intensity of these characters. Ranging from electrifying hard rock to soaring operatic ballads, a distinct musical identity defines each character, reinforced through recurring melodic themes. The result is a bold, dynamic sound that resonates with audiences of all kinds.

“Having the punk rock aspect is an interesting way to try to encourage audiences to be open to it,” said Carly Lafferty, who plays Mary Magdalene. “If someone is interested in theatre and they’re hesitant to watch this show because they’re not religious, I personally think they should just come watch it as a show. It’s just another story.”

In this story, characters grapple with faith, fame, adoration, betrayal and the influence of public opinion—themes that strongly resonate in today’s world.

“Words can be very strong, whether they’re coming from those with a lot of power or those with no power,” said Isaac Austin, who plays Judas in the production.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” will be one of Open Stage’s most ambitious projects in its 40-season history, featuring a cast of more than 60 performers, including a large ensemble, youth ensemble and a full onstage band. In addition to Leer as Jesus, Austin as Judas, and Lafferty as Mary, the principal cast includes David Ramon Zayas (Caiaphas), Joshua Dorsheimer (Annas), Charissa Moye (Pilate), TJ Creedon (Herod), Tyler Shadle (Peter) and Drew Patti (Simon).

Open Stage Producing Artistic Director Stuart Landon directs the production. Stacy Reck serves as production stage manager, with Karen Ruch as production manager and Kalina Barrett as technical director. Choreography is by Zsuzsanna Smith, costumes are designed by Jacob Schlenker, and lighting by Tristan Stasiulis. Musical leadership includes Anthony Pieruccini as band director, Nick Werner as vocal director, and Delaney Reed as youth vocal director.

Whether you’re a theatre fan, a lover of rock music, a devoted Christian, or simply someone who enjoys a powerful story, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is thunderous, entertaining, and created with care by the artists at Open Stage.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” runs March 20 to 22 at The Forum Auditorium, 500 Walnut St., Harrisburg. ASL Interpretation is available for the March 21 performance. For more information and tickets, visit openstagehbg.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

“Stoney Brook”
Closes March 7
A hilarious, heartfelt parody of childhood friends all grown up

EFF Live!
Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Court Street Cabaret
Smut, laughs and live storytelling

BaRPG
Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Court Street Cabaret
Improv, drinks and dice-rolling fun

“Jesus Christ Superstar”
March 20 to 22, the Forum Auditorium
The rock opera classic, fully staged

The Good at Heart Festival
March 25 to April 2, multiple venues
Plays, panels and performances celebrating social justice

“Anne Frank: Stories from the Annex”
March 26, Studio Theater
Companion pieces exploring history and memory

“Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed”
March 27 to 29, Main Stage
Celebrating a political trailblazer

Court Street Cabaret
Sunday, March 29 at 6 p.m.
An open mic night of music and community

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Adventure Together: This month, find out what Dillsburg’s Moon Tree is all about, and help make a world of difference to local kids

February 26, 2026 | by Natalie diSanto

Child’s Moon Tree inspired art

In 1971, NASA sent the Apollo 14 mission to the moon, a mission manned by three astronauts with 500 tree seeds.

Astronauts, like ordinary people, are multifaceted, and aeronautical engineer Stuart Roosa was not only obsessed with space, but also a lover of trees. Working with the U.S. Forest Service, he conducted an experiment that changed our national landscape. After orbiting the moon, the tree seeds were germinated and planted across the country.

Pennsylvania is home to eight of the Apollo 14 “Moon Trees,” and there’s one right here in central Pa. With just over 700 people having traveled to outer space, a 30-minute drive seemed worth it to visit an organism that has been outside of Earth’s atmosphere.

Located at Dillsburg Elementary School, the Moon Tree was planted through the joint efforts of then PA Department of Forest and Waters Forester Jack Winieski and then-Principal Larry Rhone. Winieski was known for his work engaging younger generations of foresters and had children in the Dillsburg school system during the time that Rhone was making strides to beautify the school campus. The two men met through community work and, together, they secured a Moon Tree sapling and planted it on Arbor Day 1983.

Since the Dillsburg Elementary Moon Tree grows on school grounds, the best time to visit is when school is not in session. The bonus to being considerate is that your family can use the playground post Moon Tree observance. The sycamore looks like any other tree, except the plaque that proclaims its history. It is surreal to see a 5-foot-wide tree and know that, 55 years ago, it was a quarter-inch seed hurtling through space at hundreds of miles an hour. Once you’re ready to play, there are slides, monkey bars and climbing apparatuses to enjoy. There’s also a grassy area, walking path and two baseball fields. The campus makes for a wonderful afternoon.

Paint the Sky

In the RadioLab podcast that introduced me to Moon Trees, the hosts polled kids on what they thought a Moon Tree would look like. Let imagination skyrocket by creating your own Moon Tree, starting with a stick. The stick will become your tree, so find one with twigs branching off the sides like boughs, then paint a galaxy scene on a piece of paper and be sure to include a moon in your sky. Once the paint is dry, glue the stick to the moon, then decorate your Moon Tree. Our Moon Tree hosts a treehouse for aliens with a UFO coming in for landing. Add sparkle to your art by gluing sequins for stars. This project is a fun mixed-media endeavor that engages kids’ imaginations in a big way and opens up discussions on the Earth and its solar system.

Star Students

Children can best reach for the stars when they are happy and well fed. Join an effort to ensure every child has access to food with Cocoa Packs. The Cocoa Packs organization was founded by Christine Drexler with the intent to provide supplemental food and support to local children to enhance their overall wellness. They pursue their vision of a world where all children have what they need to succeed in six counties here in central Pa., including Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Cumberland and York.

Cocoa Packs uses a method called food rescue or the practice of collecting fresh, edible food that would otherwise go to waste from restaurants and other food establishments. Food rescue is both effective and good for the environment as it gets food to those who need it while reducing waste. Cocoa Packs also offers clothing services where folks can donate or receive items. Additionally, the organization has lending libraries, computers, desks, creative stations and homework assistance.

People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to donate their time and talents. Students, scouts, churches, local businesses and other organizations can volunteer and assemble packs. Because of its accessible options, Cocoa Packs is a wonderful way to volunteer with your whole family. If your child could benefit from Cocoa Packs, check out their website to learn about enrollment.

Similar to the journey of a seed sprouting into a tree, each of our actions has an opportunity to become something greater. We see this reflected in the efforts of astronaut Stuart Roosa and Forester Jack Winieski, two people with an adoration for science who made an impact on forestry, each in their own way. We also see it in Christine Drexler, who noticed an issue and took action to help address it. We may see it most in how our children grow into their own individuals. Some live like shooting stars while others resemble meandering constellations. Together, we are building a future to share with those we love to the moon and back.

The Dillsburg Elementary Moon Tree is located at 202 S. Chestnut St., Dillsburg, to the right of the building.

To learn more about Cocoa Packs, go to www.CocoaPacks.org.

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