Local group Strong Towns to host community discussion this week, part of its ongoing speakers series

Strong Towns Q&A with Lancaster City Council member John Hursh (left) beside Strong Towns members Grant Elledge and Brandon Basom

With a series of planned community Q&As, local group Strong Towns Harrisburg is hoping to inspire positive change in the area.

“We’re focused on educating and activating residents of Harrisburg for the sake of the good of the city,” explained Grant Elledge, Strong Towns Harrisburg cofounder. 

Elledge was one of three members who established Harrisburg’s chapter of the local Strong Towns movement in 2022. The national nonprofit has more than 290 chapters across the country, dedicated to growing towns with smart infrastructure decisions.

On Wednesday, he will moderate a discussion with Dauphin County Commission Chairman and U.S. congressional candidate Justin Douglas alongside two other Strong Towns members, who are taking questions from community members ahead of the event.

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Pursuit Coworking. The Democrat will speak to Harrisburg community members about working within bureaucratic systems to create change.

“We all interact with this kind of broader bureaucracy,” Elledge explained. “And a lot of people have experienced—and this isn’t unique to Harrisburg by any means—some frustration of just, ‘I want to see this thing change, but how would I even start going about figuring out how to do that?’”

This Q&A will mark Strong Town’s third speaker in the series. The group designed the series to engage people with elected representatives and other community stakeholders using hopeful, positive conversation.

It previously hosted then City Councilman-elect Rob Lawson and Lancaster City Council member John Hursh as guests.

Justin Douglas

For Wednesday’s event, Elledge said that the group is excited to host Douglas because he has the background to discuss the government at different levels.

He is informed both by his role chairing the Dauphin County Commission and his current candidacy in this year’s congressional election, running to unseat Rep. Scott Perry (R-10).

“He definitely has a unique vantage point,” said Elledge.

Elledge and other Strong Towns members are hoping the conversation will serve as a catalyst.

“We are hoping that people will feel the power to be able to pick up a particular project or a thing that they’re concerned about—whether that’s through the context of Strong Towns or totally unrelated to the rest of the group—and be able to get some traction,” he said.

Future Strong Towns Q&A panels are already planned for May and July.

They will feature Lawrance Binda, publisher of TheBurg, and Richard Farr, executive director of regional public transit provider rabbittransit.

Strong Towns is a national organization that encourages residents’ engagement with their towns for systemic change. To learn more about Strong HBG, visit its Facebook page.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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

What you’ll find below:

For something new: Hershey Theatre reopens today! Sunday Food Truck Night In SoMa start this weekend. Los Tres Cubanos Cigar Lounge is now open.

Worth noting: First Friday York; First Saturday at The Millworks; 9th annual Ice & Fire Festival in Downtown Harrisburg

Things on my agenda this weekend: Lots of local live theatre! Early bday dinner with the fam.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


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Harrisburg City Council slated to clarify “acting” director appointments, weighs requiring trash cans at corner stores

Harrisburg City Council in January

Harrisburg city council discussed on Tuesday a resolution that would stop the mayor from appointing department heads without their approval.

At a work session, council briefly talked about legislation that would amend the code to clarify how long acting department heads can serve before requiring council’s consent.

The legislation comes after a legal battle between Mayor Wanda Williams and council.

Williams sued council for defunding several top city positions as part of the 2026 budget. As an explanation for defunding and partially defunding two of the positions, the business administrator and director of building and housing development, council said that those directors had remained in temporary roles past 120 days, at which time “acting” directors are supposed to be approved by council. Williams had maintained that they were not “acting,” but “interim” directors, a title that is not in the city code, but which mayors have used in the past.

Council won the lawsuit and, soon after, council and the mayor came to an agreement that a few positions would be refunded, and that Williams would end the practice of appointing “interim” directors.

Council’s proposed amendment on Tuesday would further clarify the process of appointing “acting” directors by saying that, after 120 days, acting heads’ salaries would be halted.

“This was a good thing that we were able to get it in this form so that it’s understood by not only us, but any future council members and future administrations,” said council member Lamont Jones. “One of the things we got out of this was putting to bed old practices from previous administrations.”

Council also discussed a new ordinance, initiated by council member Ralph Rodriguez, that would have the city install trash cans outside of corner stores and bodegas. The ordinance would also require the store owners to keep them up, but the city would regularly empty them, as well.

Rodriguez said that he proposed the ordinance in response to concern from residents about trash and in conjunction with the city’s comprehensive plan.

“It was just something that, not only myself, but a lot of community members, for as long as I’ve been on council, have spoken about corner store ordinances and the cleanliness of our neighborhoods,” Rodriguez said.

Director of Public Works Dave West assured council that the city would make sure the cans were emptied and not overflowing.

Council is slated to vote on both bills at next week’s legislative session.

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Ice & Fire Festival to return to Harrisburg with sculptures, food, music

Ice sculpture outside TheBurg office in Midtown in 2025.

The weather may be unseasonably warm this weekend, but Harrisburg is prepping for a very cool event on Saturday.

The city’s ninth annual Ice & Fire Festival will take place on March 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring dozens of ice sculptures, food and festivities.

“For nine years, this festival has transformed the coldest season of the year into one of the warmest celebrations of community you will find anywhere,” said Mayor Wanda Williams at a press conference Monday morning. “It has become a true Harrisburg tradition.”

Throughout downtown, Midtown, City Island, Reservoir Park, Italian Lake and Shipoke, the city will install 68 ice sculptures at businesses, parks and other locations. Sculptures include a Yorkie terrier, Pikachu, books, “67”, a sloth and several photo op sculptures as well. At 5 p.m., sculptures will be illuminated.

Due to the forecasted warm weather, city officials said they plan to place sculptures in shaded areas and will take them down if any become a safety hazard from melting.

Additionally, in the downtown area, there will be fire dancers, iceless ice skating, live music and performances, an artist market, an ice slide and live ice carving. And while the weather may not warrant it, the city will have fire pits with free s’mores kits and warming tents.

Also downtown, over a dozen food trucks and vendors will be serving up tacos, mini donuts, Filipino cuisine, milkshakes, empanadas and more.

Downtown and Midtown businesses will offer drink and food specials as well.

Krapf School Bus will offer free ADA accessible shuttle buses for festival attendees between City Island, downtown and Midtown. Buses depart every 30 minutes, roughly between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Beginning Friday, March 6 at noon, portions of N. 2nd Street will close to traffic. Expanded closures will take effect Saturday, from 6:30 a.m. through 11 p.m.

Discounted $10 parking will be available in the Market Square Garage from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg.

For more information on the Ice & Fire Festival, visit the city’s website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Damien Randell of Damien’s Fried Chicken

It’s starting to look a little like spring, isn’t it? The sunshine is melting away the last of our snow here and (today at least!) you could probably even get away with going outside without a jacket.

Speaking of jackets, you’ll see the new cover of our March issue around town this week. The issue focuses largely on local nonprofits that are making a difference in our region.

On the daily news front, we’ve been covering stories around Harrisburg all week online, too. See below for the latest headlines, which include updates on what will happen to William Penn, City Council’s latest ICE-related legislation and the story of the Broad Street Market’s new fried chicken vendor.

Our weekly coverage is compiled for you here:

Black authors in the Harrisburg area are bringing their perspectives to fiction and nonfiction alike. Read more in our February magazine story.

Bob’s Art Blog highlighted creative leaders of color across Harrisburg this past month. Read more in our February magazine story.

City Council passed legislation to limit the Harrisburg police’s ability to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday, our online story reported.

Damien’s Fried Chicken, a new Broad Street Market stand, is now open for business. Find out more in our online story.

Harrisburg officials, from the school district and Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, discussed the unique challenges facing Harrisburg’s city and schools Wednesday, our online story reported.

Harrisburg police said homicides were down in 2025 in their annual report, which was released this week. See more trends in our online story.

Harrisburg school board voted Tuesday night to demolish William Penn, a century-old school building that has sat vacant for 15 years. Read more here.

Our Adventure Together columnist explores fungi with her kiddo. For more, see our February magazine story.

Our publisher Lawrance Binda wonders in his latest column: now that Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed on to help revitalize Harrisburg’s struggling downtown, can we look forward to change? Read his March magazine column.

Sara Bozich has compiled the best events of the weekend in her Weekend Roundup, including 2026 Capital Area Polar Plunge at Gifford Pinchot State Park. Check out the full list.

Whitaker Center has opened a new live-animal exhibit, featuring sloths and more. “Survival of the Slowest” explores the world’s slowest-moving species, our online story reports.

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Top 7 Corporate Event Branding Companies in Pennsylvania [2026 Guide]

When holding an event in central Pennsylvania, such as a local chamber of commerce gathering or a healthcare conference, it is a good idea to hire an event branding company. These solutions help build brand recognition and drive measurable business results. Local businesses should step up their event presence, leaving a memorable and impactful impression on guests.

How to Choose the Right Provider

When choosing a provider, it is essential to consider several factors. They must match the vendor in terms of scale, meaning the provider should be able to handle the size of your event or business in general. The provider should demonstrate corporate experience, highlighting their expertise and ability to help your company brand itself during events.

Another key consideration is the provider’s understanding of your local market. There are some global agencies with specialized views, but you should ensure they understand your region specifically. The provider must have specific capabilities that fit your business’s needs, such as designing or production. Ideally, the provider will take a consultative approach to branding. They do not take over, but they do provide helpful advice to boost your brand.

What are the Top-Rated Branding Solutions for Corporate Events in Pennsylvania?

The following are the top-rated solutions for corporate event branding for Pennsylvania businesses, along with more information about their specialities.

Each branding solution was chosen based on its ability to work with businesses in central PA and the size of the event it can handle. The ranking was determined by comparing each branding solution’s key features, including what it is known for and the team’s strategy.

1. Artistic Imprints

Artistic Imprints is ranked the best branding solution overall for corporate events in Pennsylvania. Located in Camp Hill, PA, the company specializes in bringing brands to life, utilizing over 20 years of experience in personalizing promotional items, signage and awards. Its website lists some of its many positive testimonials, showcasing its high ratings and satisfaction among clients.

Artistic Imprints serves as a one-stop shop for customers, keeping each client’s branding on file in case they return for more assistance. The solution provides marketing materials and dedicates each product, offering limitless items and Direct-to-Film (DTF) capabilities. It works with large corporations and small businesses, so it can handle events of any size. Clients can select materials based on their individual budgets.

2. True Fit Marketing

True Fit Marketing is best for clients looking to focus on storytelling in marketing and branding. Located in Southpointe, PA, the solution features genuine reviews from verified partners on its site. These reviews showcase its specific services, including the full scope of its marketing capabilities. It also integrates well with your existing team.

The solution handles events of any size since it works with many different types of businesses. It tailors its marketing approach to your specific business, addressing any concerns and matching your budget.

3. Top Brand Worldwide

Top Brand Worldwide is best for those seeking a global perspective on branding. While the solution is located in New York, New York, it works with clients globally, including those in central PA. There are many positive reviews on the solution’s website, highlighting its track record for customer satisfaction.

Its services involve corporate event designing. The solution utilizes AI-powered tools for maximum efficiency, and the team is available 24/7 due to its global outreach. It strives to make events unique and memorable. Top Brand Worldwide helps with any size events, and its prices typically range from $40K to $2M, but it can fit many budgets.

4. Rank Media Agency

Rank Media Agency is best for clients who desire continuous growth. The main office is in Montreal, Quebec, but it also has an office in Miami, Florida and serves businesses across North America. There are multiple client success stories on its website, including reviews written by company CEOs.

Its services include digital growth, brand identity creation and a complete marketing experience. The solution hosts events digitally, making it suitable for events of all sizes. Because the solution offers a wide range of services, prices vary from business to business.

5. Calaveras

Calaveras is best for companies looking to launch multichannel initiatives, especially ones involving social media. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it can deliver services to customers in central Pennsylvania. The website features multiple success stories, including reviews from actual CEOs.

Its services include strategizing, creativity, branding and social media, with branding being the most relevant toward events. It works with businesses of all sizes, so it can also handle many different types of events. When you contact the solution and describe the event, a team member can give you a price estimate.

6. RMNG

RMNG is the best solution for interactive events, specifically pop-ups. Its main headquarters is in Los Angeles, California, but it has served businesses in 48 states. The solution has earned several awards and worked with many notable companies.

RMNG primarily creates pop-up experiences for customers, and the team helps brainstorm unique strategies aligned with your company’s brand. Pop-ups are typically smaller events, but the solution is ready if the turnout becomes large. An estimated price range is between $74K and $250K, but if the pop-up is in multiple locations, then it is usually greater than the minimum.

7. HKO Agency

HKO Agency is the best branding solution for companies seeking a data-driven approach to event branding. It works with clients around the world, but it is based in Miami, Florida. The website features multiple real branding examples, completed for other clients, to truly showcase its abilities.

Its services focus on delivering results by analyzing historical data, determining precision value and focusing on both social media and general branding. The solution can handle any-sized event, and its pricing depends on the event itself and any additional branding or marketing services it provides.

Branding Solutions Comparison Table

The following table outlines the key features of each branding solution for quick comparison.

Branding Solutions Best For Location Event Size
Artistic Imprints Overall Camp Hill, PA Many sizes
True Fit Marketing Storytelling Southpointe, PA Any size
Top Brand Worldwide Global perspective New York, NY Any size
Rank Media Agency Continuous growth Montreal, Quebec Any size
Calaveras Multi-channel initiatives Pittsburgh, PA All sizes
RMNG Interactive events Los Angeles, California Typically small, but can handle larger
HKO Agency Data-driven approach Miami, Florida Any size

A Holistic Approach to Branding

Strategic event planning helps grow businesses, sometimes serving as customers’ first experience with the company and providing an appropriate venue for networking. Businesses that invest in event branding through a holistic approach set themselves up for success. Companies in central Pennsylvania should elevate their event branding in 2026 to fully leverage these benefits.

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From Renovation Inspiration to Celebrity Appearances: The 2026 Home + Garden Show Arrives in Harrisburg

Meet celebrity guests Richard Karn and Virginia Chamlee at central PA’s largest home show.

With more than 200 of the area’s top home and garden professionals showcasing the latest products and trends, the 2026 Pennsylvania Home + Garden Show will provide homeowners and consumers with an abundance of inspiration and solutions from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8 at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

The region’s largest home show is the most comprehensive and convenient resource for fresh ideas, practical advice, innovative products and fantastic deals in remodeling, home improvement, interior design and outdoor spaces.

As Show Manager Jenna Naffin said, “There’s no need to spend hours searching on the internet when you can make one visit to the Pennsylvania Home + Garden Show to talk to trusted home and garden professionals and find everything you need for your home projects.”

Show visitors will experience a welcome burst of Spring in the show’s expansive gardens and impressive outdoor living displays created by the region’s top landscapers, contractors and nurseries. They can also acquire pro tips from local and national designers and experts, explore small-space living solutions, and shop for fresh Spring flowers, plants, and exquisite, locally-made artisanal items.

But that’s just a start – Pennsylvania Home + Garden Show’s many special features and events include:

Celebrity Guest Appearances

  • Richard Karn is known to millions of TV viewers from his role as Al Borland in the hit show Home Improvement and as a former host of Family Feud. He’ll talk about Home Improvement, his own carpentry experience, and more, as well as answer audience questions and meet with attendees following his Main Stage appearances on Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m.
  • Virginia Chamlee is the artist, writer, author and thrift shopping expert whose book Big Thrift Energy is the comprehensive guide to finding secondhand treasures. She’ll share her experiences and valuable advice on the Main Stage before meeting with show attendees on Thursday, March 5 at 5 p.m. and Friday, March 6 at 1 p.m.

Exclusive Features

  • Expansive garden displays and outdoor living exhibits showcasing the latest trends and offering endless inspiration, created by A.H. Reiff Landscape Supply, Burdges Water Gardens, Jesse James Hardscaping, DJR Landscaping, , and QnC Construction
  • A plethora of fresh, colorful blooms and spring plants from local greenhouses and purveyors, including Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses’ mobile plant shop, Fern, and Palmyra Greenhouse’s vintage flower-filled truck, Rosie
  • Plant Bar where visitors can design and make their own custom potted houseplants to bring home, and a fully-stocked Garden Market loaded with plants, gifts and decor, both from Plantscapes By Design
  • Street of Small Space Living featuring TSI Sheds and Lancaster Log Cabins that demonstrate how compact living solutions – a high-end park model, a stylish cabin, and a cozy A-frame cabin – can enhance your lifestyle, add value to your property, and bring simplicity and sustainability to your life
  • Immerse Yourself In Color with David’s Interiors’ fully-decorated rooms that celebrate rich, saturated hues and layered tones, showing how to embrace color as a statement and turn your home into a masterpiece of bold elegance
  • Spring Luxury Picnic & Tablescape by Backyard Bliss is an enchanting, Spring-inspired display that blends luxury picnics, elegant event décor, and artfully designed tablescapes to inspire stylish seasonal gatherings of all sizes
  • Local libations and more: Sample and bring home wines from Juniata Valley Winery’s relaxing Wine Garden, and play family-friendly backyard games while sampling and purchasing spirits from Hazard’s Distillery’s Whiskey Backyard
  • Potting Shed Perfection – Built by Dauphin County Technical School students, this attractive and practical structure helps with garden planning, storage and cultivation, and will be auctioned during the show
  • Tiny Home – Students from Dauphin County Technical School have built an 8′ × 22′ tiny home complete with fully functioning electrical and water systems. Perfectly suited as a hunting cabin or simple in-law quarters, this tiny home is a practical and affordable option.
  • Ask A Designer! Attendees with questions about home design can consult (for free) with Abby Fitzgerald, interior designer and owner of Fitz Haus Interior Design
  • Grow + Gather + Create by Stoltzfus Storage Sheds showcases three trending outdoor spaces—a cozy she shed for relaxation, a lush greenhouse for cultivating plants, and a versatile studio shed for unleashing creativity
  • Specialty markets: Harrisburg’s Homegrown Market offers unique items from local artisans and retailers, and The Barking Lot pet market is filled with treats, toys and accessories for four-legged family members, from which a portion of sales will help support Canine Rescue of Central PA
  • Doggy Fashion Show on March 7 at 12 p.m. will feature a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing parade of adorable, adoptable dogs from Canine Rescue of Central PA, all dressed in their Spring finery

Tickets & Discounts

  • $11 each for adults at the box office, and free for children ages 12 and under
  • $2 discount on adult tickets when purchasing tickets online (through March 4)
  • $4 adult admission after 4 p.m. (at box office)
  • Senior Day – Thursday, March 5: All show visitors ages 60 and over receive a 50% discount on admission at the box office (with valid ID)
  • Hero Day – Friday, March 6 All active military personnel, veterans, firefighters, police, first responders, nurses, doctors and teachers get one free admission at the box office (with valid ID)
  • Friends & Family Day – Sunday, March 8 Visitors will enjoy 2-for-1 priced tickets after 1 p.m., and fun family activities including free face painting for kids
  • The Book Bank benefitting The Four Diamonds Fund & Children’s Miracle Network Show visitors who bring a new book to donate to the Book Bank at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA to help to build a “library of love,” will receive $2 off tickets at the box office. The children undergoing treatments at the center will be able to enjoy the books together with their families during a difficult time for them.

Location: PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center (Main Hall), 2300 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Enter the parking lot as directed and enter using the Maclay Street entrance.

Show hours
Thursday, March 5: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, March 6: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 8: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Parking info, list of exhibitors, and all other show info is at www.pahomeshow.com

Follow the PA Home + Garden Show on Facebook and Instagram

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With sloths and other slow movers, live animal exhibit opens at Whitaker Center this week

A chameleon

A new exhibit featuring live animals opens at Whitaker Center on Friday.

“Survival of the Slowest: Counterintuitive Adaptations” will teach visitors how some of the world’s slowest-moving species have adapted to survive using defenses that make speed irrelevant.

Like how rattlesnakes use venom to kill prey so they can eat at their leisure. Or how sloths’ slowness and nocturnal nature sets them up to avoid their main daytime-hunting predator, harpy eagles.

The exhibit boasts 19 habitats containing live animals and plants—this includes the two-toed sloth, green iguana and chameleon alongside dozens of other slow species.

“We know our community is hungry for programming that challenges and inspires,” Mary Oliveira, president & CEO of the center, said. “This exhibition delivers that, and we’re proud to bring it to Harrisburg.”

Oliveira added that the program is sure to spark curiosity and deepen visitors’ connections to the natural world. 

Hands-on encounters and live educator-led presentations will run in line with the exhibit to show visitors how slowness, camouflage, venom, energy conservation and other traits enable entire species to survive.

Produced by Canada’s largest exotic animal rescue organization, Little Ray’s Nature Centres, the exhibit runs Feb. 27 to May 24. The Whitaker Center is open Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the exhibit, visit the Whitaker Center’s website.

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Harrisburg officials explore overlap between challenges facing the city, the schools

 

Harrisburg School District officials speak with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

Harrisburg city and the school district share a unique set of challenges, including financial issues arising from past overspending and a declining tax base, which both were discussed by city officials at a Wednesday meeting.

At the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority’s (ICA) monthly meeting, board chair Doug Hill welcomed top officials from the Harrisburg school district to present an overview of the district’s finances.

“You have a comparable history to ours,” Hill told district Superintendent Benjamin Henry and Chief Financial Officer Marcia Stokes. “Not identical, but have had some financial issues that you’ve wrestled with, with some success, as has the city.”

While the entities operate separately, both entered into various forms of state oversight around 15 years ago due to unlinked financial management issues. 

As the city was plagued by mounting debt from a failed waste-to-energy incinerator project, the school was almost simultaneously struggling with debt caused by hundreds of millions in school renovations. The state placed the city under Act 47, a program for financially distressed municipalities, in 2010. Two years later, in 2012, the state appointed a chief recovery officer for the school district. Still struggling in 2019, the state appointed the district a receiver.

While the district exited state receivership last year, Stokes emphasized the city and schools’ situations are to some extent linked as the district can not exit financial monitoring until the city itself exits its own recovery status under Act 47.

Hill noted another overlap between the two.

“We are all reliant on some of the same tax bases,” he said.

It’s a tax base that often proves challenging for two entities already struggling financially. Stokes noted during her presentation that in 2011, the district had just under $1.6 billion worth of taxable assessed value. Last year, it dropped to under $1.5 billion.

“Over nearly a 15 year history, where most municipalities are increasing in assessed value, we have continued to decline,” Stokes said.

She added that properties in Harrisburg have a greater percentage of untaxable assessed value than those that are taxable. This is largely due to the sprawling state footprint, an entity that does not pay property taxes. As a high-poverty, underfunded district, Harrisburg schools also rely heavily on state aid. Stokes said 60% of district revenue comes from the state.

“If we made a perfect world and all of our properties in our municipality were taxable, that would be another $49 million per year that the district would be able to generate in tax revenue,” Stokes said. “$49 million every year we never can tap into for a source for supporting education.”

ICA board member Kathy Speaker MacNett said that a big obstacle—in the way of both the city and the district’s retention of a more taxable population—was the reputation of Harrisburg schools.

“Young couples move here, establish home bases, and when kids come into the picture—they go elsewhere,” MacNett said.

Henry said the district was looking to address this problem by sharing more of its success stories.

“We have great schools. We have kids that get scholarships to go off to college. We have some great opportunities for our kids in the community, but we have to get out there and tell the story,” he said.

Marcia Stokes presents to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

He and Stokes listed a few: the district brought back its musical theater program last year (after roughly two decades without one), started an eSports league, and has secured a fleet of 13 crossing guards to help elementary school students walk to school.

Stokes said in the future the district would be interested in collaborating more closely with the city to go after grants that would be beneficial to both parties and to increase the availability of out-of-school activities for students.

“We need to focus on becoming a suitable choice for the residents within the community and that means improving both our image and our product that we’re putting out there,” Stokes said. “And if we can do that, then I think that’s a contribution we can make into the revitalization of the city itself.”

Henry said that the district works hard every day to make change happen.

“We have to turn the corner on what we’re producing and we are doing this every day. But again, it takes all of us,” he said. “It can’t take the school district in isolation. It takes the whole community to come together in order to move the needle on academics and get people to understand that we have a great city.”

To learn more about the ICA, visit its website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

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

What you’ll find below:

For something new: Survival of the Slowest opens Friday at Whitaker Center

Worth noting: Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Capital Blue Cross POPS 4: Golden Age of the Silver Screen this weekend; Maple Sugar Festival is Sunday at Fort Hunter Park

Things on my agenda this weekend: professional dev, yoga, youth baseball, dog-sitting, ??

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


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