Life Lessons: TheBurg Podcast, December 2022

December 8, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

It’s a great time of year for reflection and perspective. This month’s podcast guests offer their life wisdom on career paths, retirement, and what makes Harrisburg a great place to live.

Guests include:

Freelance writer Diane McCormick, who previews her upcoming story about Harrisburg ranking #2 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S.

Thomas Sweet, newly-retired pastor of Harrisburg’s Market Square Presbyterian Church, who shares the best advice he ever received—and much more.

Carl Shuman, a retired Harrisburg lawyer who has found a new career as a writer and children’s book author.

Plus Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg, pops in for his monthly feature, “The Most Harrisburg Thing”—and ties into this theme of beginnings and endings in a very Harrisburg way.

Special thanks as always to Harrisburg band YamYam for our podcast music.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

A Real Joy | Timeless Tales | Editorial: Greetings, Governor

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website, WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren ([email protected]) or contact Karen directly at [email protected].

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Harrisburg plans to ring in the new year with fireworks, strawberry drop

December 8, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A new year is just around the corner, and Harrisburg plans to ring it in with a bang.

The city will host its annual New Year’s Eve Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 31, featuring a strawberry drop and fireworks.

Harrisburg will bring the festivities back to N. 2^nd Street after holding the event on City Island last year to allow for social distancing during the pandemic.

To kick off the evening, families can participate in the “Countdown to Kid-Night” event starting at 9 p.m. There will be a balloon drop of over 1,000 balloons, a milk and cookies toast, games and more in the MLK City Government Center downtown.

Harrisburg’s signature strawberry drop will take place downtown at the Hilton Harrisburg at midnight followed by fireworks as the year turns to 2023.

Many restaurants in the city will also offer dining specials for the holiday.

On-street parking is free after 5 p.m. downtown on Saturday and free on Sunday. Parking will also be free on Monday, Jan. 2. The Market Square Garage is offering $10 parking from 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. on Jan 1. The garage will accept cash only for the day.

N. 2nd Street will close from Chestnut to Walnut streets at 6 p.m. and will reopen following the midnight fireworks display.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 8, 2022 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What you’ll find:

For something new: Lots of great holiday events for the whole family!

Worth noting: Shop my Gift Guide (below)

Things on my agenda this weekend: Tonight I’ll be at ‘Twas the Night Before in downtown Camp Hill, then HU Presents Bob Moses at XL. Friday and Saturday, more unpacking, and on Sunday, I’m going to The Englewood for the Joy to the Burg event.

For something new: Check out HHA’s Candlelight House Tour on Sunday

Worth noting: Things on my agenda this weekend: ‘Twas the Night Before, followed by HU Presents Bob Moses at XL! (tonight), more unpacking, Who’s Holiday at Open Stage (Saturday), Joy to the Burg at The Englewood (Sunday)

For your weekend planning

My #shoplocal Gift Guide!
TONIGHT: Downtown Camp Hill’s ‘Twas the Night Before
TONIGHT: HU Presents Bob Moses at XL Live
Enter to WIN a Radish & Rye Gift Card
View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Add to calendar: December in SoMa featuring Tröegs – Special Holiday Event!
Add to calendar: Holiday 3rd in the Burg in SoMa
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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Parking in Harrisburg free over Christmas weekend, trash pickup will change

December 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

What better gift than free parking?

Harrisburg announced on Wednesday that Park Harrisburg will offer free parking in the city’s metered areas during the long Christmas weekend.

Free parking will extend from Dec. 24 through 26. No tickets will be given in metered areas during that time. People who pay for parking will not be refunded.

“We hope this offers the people of Harrisburg a little relief around the holidays,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “I’m really appreciative of Park Harrisburg and [Senior Manager] Nancy Keim for making this possible for our residents and anyone who visits the city. We don’t want parking to get in the way of everyone having a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Harrisburg city offices will be closed from Dec. 25 through 27.

For New Year’s Eve, parking is free downtown after 5 p.m. on Saturday and free on Sunday, as usual. Parking will also be free on Monday, Jan. 2.

Additionally, trash and recycling collection will be impacted during the holiday season. According to Harrisburg Public Works Director Dave West, the week after Christmas, trash pickup will operate on a modified schedule, shifting its work-week from Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Saturday, Dec. 31.

Residents’ trash and recycling collection will take place one day after normal pickup.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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

Harrisburg School Board elects president, vice president for the new year

December 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A previous Harrisburg School Board meeting (file photo)

The Harrisburg School District Board of Directors on Tuesday voted to maintain its current president, while electing a new second-in-command for the new year.

At an annual reorganization meeting, school board members voted to re-appoint board President Brian Carter, who also served in the position in 2022, and to appoint Roslyn Copeland as vice president.

Copeland, who was elected for a four-year term school board position in 2021, replaces Steven Williams as vice president.

As the district remains under state receivership, board members lack the power to vote at board meetings. Receiver Dr. Lori Suski has the sole vote on all agenda items brought before the board.

However, board members participate in monthly meetings by asking questions and talking about agenda items during roundtable discussions. Directors are also appointed by Suski to the Dauphin County Technical School Joint Operating Committee and Act 141 Recovery Plan Advisory Committee and serve as Pennsylvania School Boards Association liaisons and HACC delegates.

For more information about the Harrisburg School District Board of Directors, visit their website.

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

State, local officials to cut the ribbon on new federal courthouse in Harrisburg this week

December 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A rendering of the completed federal courthouse (credit: U.S. General Services Administration)

After a years-long planning and construction project, the federal courthouse in Harrisburg appears to be nearing an opening.

Officials will cut the ribbon on the newly constructed courthouse on N. 6^th Street this week, announced the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) on Monday.

The building has been under construction since January 2019, as part of a $200.9 million project to relocate the Harrisburg courthouse and provide a larger, updated building. The existing Ronald Reagan Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg no longer had the space to meet federal requirements or the increasing caseload, according to the GSA’s website. The N. 6th Street location was chosen in 2010.

The new 243,000 square-foot Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse is located at N. 6^th and Reily streets. It contains eight courtrooms and eleven chambers and will house the Pennsylvania 3rd Circuit U.S. Courts, U.S. Courts, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Trustees, Homeland Security and Federal Public Defender.

The ribbon cutting will take place on Friday at 10 a.m. and attendance is by invitation only.

According to Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, Mayor Wanda Williams will be in attendance.

GSA did not specify exactly when courthouse personnel will begin to work from the new building.

For more information, visit the U.S. General Services Administration’s website.

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Project to make Harrisburg’s MulDer Square safer, greener nears completion

December 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A new roundabout was recently constructed at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets in Harrisburg.

A project to make a Harrisburg neighborhood safer and greener is getting closer to completion.

Harrisburg announced on Monday that road construction in MulDer Square, the area where Mulberry and Derry streets meet, will largely be finished this month. The corridor will likely reopen to traffic on Dec. 23.

The project began in July, closing off Mulberry Street, from the Mulberry Street Bridge to Derry Street.

“This is one of the areas that had high fatalities due to accidents, so the point is to slow down any type of negative congestion in the area,” the city’s project manager Percy Bullock said.

According to Bullock, the construction included installing a roundabout at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets, making sidewalks ADA-accessible and updating street lighting. Side streets Nectarine and Evergreen were also paved and Nectarine Street was transformed into a pedestrian-focused green walkway.

Additionally, the city is also working on a project to transform the Derry Street cul-de-sac, which was previously a vacant, blighted area, into a linear park and pathway. The park will stretch from Sylvan Terrace to S. Cameron Street and include benches, ADA-accessible features, new trees and landscaping.

The park project will likely reach completion in April or May, according to Bullock.

The MulDer Square Redevelopment Project is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

For more information on the MulDer Square construction and other Vision Zero projects, visit the city’s website.

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New flavor celebrates 70 years of Farm Show milkshakes

December 5, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The new orange cream milkshake

If you live in the Harrisburg area, there’s a good chance you’re a fan of Farm Show milkshakes.

Well, the PA Dairymen’s Association has some big news for this year’s Farm Show: a new flavor.

To celebrate seven decades of the iconic milkshake, the association will expand its lineup of flavors to include an orange cream milkshake.

“2023 will be extra sweet as we celebrate our 70^th birthday of serving our famous Farm Show milkshakes with our new delicious, limited-edition orange cream milkshake for all to enjoy,” said PA Dairymen’s Executive Director Dave Smith.

The new flavor joins the long-time offerings of chocolate, vanilla and a mix.

In case you can’t wait for the Farm Show itself in January, the association is hosting “Milkshakes on the Moo-ve” birthday pop-up events this month. They include:

Friday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., West Shore Plaza, 1200 Market St., Lemoyne, (directly across from Karns Foods), which includes a 70^th Birthday Milkshake Toast at 10:45 a.m. with PA Dairy Princesses.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stauffers of Kissel Hill Fresh Foods, 1050 Lititz Pike, Lititz
Friday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cross Roads Sale & Market, 5415 PA-25, Gratz
Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Karns Foods, 6001 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg
Thursday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kennie’s Markets, 217 W. Middle St., Gettysburg

In addition, the first 50 milkshakes at each pop-up will be free, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA.

Proceeds from these events support PA Dairymen’s philanthropic efforts. Over the past four years, they have donated more than $1 million to programs including The Calving Corner; agricultural and educational projects; initiatives and scholarships; the Fill A Glass with Hope® fresh milk campaign for neighbors in need; the Choose PA Dairy consumer education and awareness campaign; the PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Education Lab that travels to schools; the PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Program and others.

The 2023 PA Farm Show runs Jan. 7 to Jan. 14. The food court opens a day earlier, at noon on Jan. 6.

For more information, visit www.PADairymens.com.

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

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 2, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Grace United Methodist Church on State Street will host one Harrisburg’s three winter overnight shelters.

Our December issue of the magazine came out this week! Grab a copy and find tons of holiday stories behind our cheery cover art. But first, find all of this week’s news, below.

Apricot Lane Boutique owner Jillian Tompkins strives to offer clothing items for every woman who visits the store, our magazine story reported. The boutique opened this summer in Camp Hill.

Dauphin County announced its 2023 proposed budget, which was significantly lower than last year’s budget, our online story reported. The $221.6 million general fund budget doesn’t include a property tax increase.

Dauphin County Library System announced that it will eliminate late fees in an effort to make reading more accessible, our online story reported. The system joins libraries nationwide that are going fine-free.

December events are just getting started in Harrisburg. Find a full list of holiday-themed activities in our Happenings column, and even more in our Community Corner.

Governor-elect Josh Shapiro will make his way to Harrisburg in January and our editor welcomes him. In his column, he shares hopes for a renewed relationship between the state and city.

Harrisburg made the list of “most neighborly cities in America,” and our editor agrees that it’s a pretty friendly place to live. Read what he has to say about “neighborliness” in his editor’s note.

Harrisburg’s Narçisse Theatre Company announced that it soon will have a home of its own, after years of performing in local venues, our reporting found. The theater will be located at 312 Chestnut St. downtown.

Jawns on Fire recently opened in Lingelstown selling sneakers, streetwear and more, our magazine story reported. The shop offers an inclusive environment for old and new sneakerheads.

Santa Claus is coming to Harrisburg this month, our online story reported. The city will hold its annual “Santa In The Park” event in the Reservoir Park Mansion on Dec. 10.

Sara Bozich has lots of activities to get you in the holiday spirit this weekend. Find them all, here.

Utility bills are set to rise for Harrisburg customers in 2023, our reporting found. This week, Capital Region Water passed its budget with new rates for next year.

Winter overnight shelters opened this week in Harrisburg offering a warm place to stay for unhoused residents, our reporting found. Downtown Daily Bread and Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area will operate the three shelters through the end of March.

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New lunch, breakfast eatery slated for Strawberry Square food court

December 2, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The future home of Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in Strawberry Square

Here’s something tasty to look forward to in the new year—a new burger and chicken place inside Strawberry Square.

Owner Mina Gabriel plans to open Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in the food court during the first quarter of 2023, according to Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square.

“We are excited to become part of the fabric of downtown Harrisburg with this new venture,” Gabriel said. “We look forward to providing delicious fresh breakfasts and lunches to Strawberry Square’s customers.”

The menu will include made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and falafel wraps, plus a variety of side dishes, including loaded fries and onion rings. Fresca also will offer all-day breakfast, serving items like bagel breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast.

“The downtown community has long expressed interest in a burger joint in the Square,” said Brad Jones, president & CEO of Harristown Enterprises. “Fresca answers that call with fresh, made-to-order burgers as well as other sandwiches, salads and sides. They will also provide customers with another breakfast option here in the Square.”

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

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What you’ll find:

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A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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