New Energy, New Cumberland: Revitalization efforts are creating a buzz in the riverside borough

November 30, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

New Cumberland has a new identity.

A brightly colored logo proclaiming, “New Cumberland Borough: Old Town, New Energy” is coming to banners and flags, signs, borough newsletters and “everywhere we can put it,” said Valerie Copenhaver, the Cumberland County borough’s first-ever director of community and economic development.

Like a mosaic, each color and shape on the new logo represents a fresh look at the town’s longtime landmarks: frontage along the Susquehanna River and meandering Yellow Breeches Creek, the beloved New Cumberland Borough Park, and uniquely shaped intersections radiating out to neighboring communities like rays of sunlight.

Branding the borough is just the beginning. There’s an explosion of projects underway, sparked by borough officials, business leaders, residents and community volunteers alike.

“This community is engaged—they’re excited,” Copenhaver said. “One of the reasons why I chose to accept this position is there was so much excitement and energy and such an engaged volunteer base. People just love this community.”

She’s been on the job for about a year, but her economic development roots were planted in the county more than a dozen years ago.

“Back in 2019, the borough realized—in order to continue from a sustainability perspective—they needed to invest in a full-time position to focus on revitalization,” said Copenhaver, who previously worked at the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation.

Her first two projects are big ones—overseeing borough branding and creation of a master plan—following a plethora of community input, via a series of surveys and community meetings.

“What can New Cumberland do to revitalize?” That was the question put to residents, community leaders and business owners.

They had inspiration, seeing the recent successful rehabilitation of their beloved downtown West Shore Theatre by the nonprofit Friends of the West Shore Theatre—and they had plenty of ideas.

One that rose to the top: the creation of a new annual festival in the borough, the Iron Bridge Music Festival. Launched in June 2021, the two-day music festival is coordinated by the New Cumberland Olde Towne Association, which has also organized the borough’s most iconic event, the New Cumberland Apple Festival, every September for 34 years.

“We’re building on the framework of arts and culture that’s already thriving here,” said Nate Dysard, New Cumberland’s borough manager, referencing what he calls a “strong artist community” within the population of 7,500.

Valerie Copenhaver & Nate Dysard

Outdoor recreation is also a priority. In 2021, the borough began leasing land from railway company Norfolk Southern to create Riverside Park. As a result, two additional projects are underway: improving Third Avenue—leading to the river—with a pocket park, string lights and benches, and adding a pedestrian and bike path.

Big picture borough planning is expected to launch in early 2023, when the master plan is unveiled.

“The complete master plan will provide architectural guidelines, some catalyst projects, facade recommendations,” Copenhaver said. “It will touch on floodplain and parking issues, the entire downtown footprint, and as we continue to grow and revitalize, how our downtown should shape itself.”

Flurry of Activity

As the town’s revitalization efforts were kicking off in 2019, borough council member and lifelong resident Chad Wilson became “enthralled” with traditional Christmas markets—inspired by a trip to Germany.

“I came back home and said, ‘We have to have this in New Cumberland,’” Wilson said. “It’s an experience—handmade crafts, phenomenal food, the smells and sights, the crisp air, people getting along—setting aside their differences and having a great time together.”

Under his leadership, New Cumberland’s Christmas Market is set to debut on Dec. 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. on Market Square.

“It’s going to be lit up as brightly as we can, with live Christmas music,” Wilson said. “I would like this to become a marquee event for the borough. What we’re trying to do is bring residents together to have a greater sense of community. But I also think it will bring people in and showcase New Cumberland’s positive changes that are happening—not that we were depressed—but that there are some pretty cool things happening here.”

Drew Lawrence

Another cool thing is the creation of a new nonprofit—The New Cumberland Collective—in 2022. Founder and borough resident, Drew Lawrence, said that it all started when he and his wife noticed the borough’s public parks didn’t allow dogs.

“We asked borough council members if we could change that, and when we were successful, that’s what hooked us—knowing we could have an impact in our community and bring about changes,” Lawrence said. “We just kept looking for things we could do to fill gaps, to make things happen.”

Those things included partnering with the Olde Towne Association to bring outdoor summer movies to borough parks.

“One of the first big things we wanted to make happen was a pride festival. We pulled that together in 80 days, and it was a beautiful event on July 23,” Lawrence said.

The Collective’s latest event was the Merry Merchants Holiday Market on Nov. 20, showcasing about 30 local arts and crafts vendors in the Neato Burrito parking lot.

And there’s so much more in the works, across New Cumberland.

The membership-based New Cumberland Business & Professional Group organizes the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally on Market Square, on the second Thursday of every month, March through December. The Block on Bridge is a collective marketing initiative that freely promotes borough businesses and events.

Whether you call it good vibes or positive energy—it seems to be contagious.

“Each group has their strengths,” Copenhaver said. “I’m just so happy we have so many people that want to give their time to do good things for New Cumberland.”

For more information, visit New Cumberland’s borough website, newcumberlandborough.com and the New Cumberland Collective’s website, newcumberland.co.

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

A Real Joy: Pastor of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Thomas Sweet, retires after years of inspiring inclusivity and service

November 30, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Rev. Thomas Sweet

There have been plenty of big, defining moments during Thomas Sweet’s time as pastor of Market Square Presbyterian Church.

Renovating the sanctuary, installing a new pipe organ and continuing services during the pandemic are a few. But that’s not what he thinks of when he reflects back on his time at the church.

It’s the regular interactions and acts of kindness among church and community members that have made an impression on him—like when a congregant takes a seat next to a visitor or someone volunteers their time in service.

“Really, it is just in the day to day,” Sweet said. “It’s that sense that we are all one. To care for one other in the little ways has been most special to me because those little ways, for the people on the receiving end, it’s a big thing.”

On a chilly November morning, Sweet sat at his desk in the large church, built in the 1860s, on S. 2nd Street in Harrisburg. Out front, passersby might notice the sky-high steeple, stained glass and the “Black Lives Matter” painted on the entrance steps—the perfect picture of the church’s traditional style and progressive ideals that it’s known for.

With only days left in his role, Sweet reflected on his time as pastor.

After 10 years as pastor of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Sweet retired in November. He came to the house of worship in 2012 after long tenures at churches in the Baltimore area and in New York. It felt good to be back in central Pennsylvania, as he had grown up in York, he said.

Market Square was already steeped in social justice and service work—a passion that Sweet had developed while working at previous churches—which attracted him. The mission statement of the church is the best he has seen, he said. It states that the church’s goal is to “proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by welcoming friend and stranger alike into our diverse and inclusive family of faith,” among other sentiments.

Sweet took that mission and ran with it, continuing to build upon Market Square’s outreach programs, including its breakfasts for the unhoused population, partnership with refugee-resettlement agency International Service Center and Korean language services. The church has also embraced the LGBTQ community, environmental initiatives and racial justice efforts under his leadership. Sweet’s wife Lori also served in many ministries and as the curator for the church’s Arts on the Square gallery.

“We like to think anyone can find a home here,” Sweet said. “When the Bible says to welcome the foreigner and the stranger, that’s what we do.”

Choreographer

While the church has around 500 members, a regular Sunday morning service typically draws around 150 in-person attendees, a number that has decreased slightly since COVID, according to Sweet. They also broadcast their services on the radio. It’s the church’s openly progressive stance and emphasis on service that attracts people from the city and surrounding areas, he said. Because Market Square is so upfront about what they believe, there fortunately haven’t been many conflicts over ideals, Sweet said.

Those stances of inclusivity and justice have become a non-negotiable part of leading a church for Sweet. To him, it’s simple—those things were important to Jesus, so they’re important to him.

“Church only seems to make sense to me if we are seeking to follow Jesus and loving our neighbors, seeking the welfare of the city, all of those Biblical teachings,” Sweet said.

John Robinson has been a member of Market Square Presbyterian for about 15 years and was on the committee that originally interviewed Sweet for the position. He remembers hearing Sweet preach for the first time and being impressed with the way he could take Biblical teachings and relate them to everyday life situations.

As the years went on, Robinson saw Sweet’s gentle way of caring for church members and his passion for welcoming the less fortunate.

“I think what we will miss about him is a quiet kind of leadership,” Robinson said. “He never said, ‘This is what we are going to do.’ He’s always collaborating.”

That’s also the way Sweet saw his role in the church—as a “choreographer” who gave leadership to all of the already flourishing programs that congregants served in.

While Market Square searches for a new lead pastor to fill this role, one of the church’s other pastors, Kim Wadlington, will serve in the interim.

As Sweet has stepped away from his role, he knows that it will be difficult to leave his church community and the pastoral life behind. But he leaves with two words, “thank you,” to his congregation and community. After 43 years as a pastor, he’s grateful to have finished this chapter in Harrisburg.

“Market Square, for me, was the epitome,” Sweet said. “To be able to end here, in this congregation, has been a real joy.”

Market Square Presbyterian Church is located at 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.marketsquarechurch.org.

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

Passion for Fashion: Presence Luxury Boutique has the high-end goods

November 30, 2022 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Ashley Sheely

You know you’re in the company of a fashionista when you hear terms like “pieces” and “investments” used to refer to apparel.

These are just some of the words that Ashley Sheely said when I visited her shop, Presence Luxury Fashion Boutique, located on Gettysburg Road in Camp Hill.

Sheely’s passion for fashion goes way back.

“I knew I wanted to work in the business from the time I was 4 years old,” she said.

Describing her fashion background, Sheely became so animated that you could tell right then that she was in her element.

“In high school, I worked for Maggie Adams, a high-end boutique, which gave me great experience,” she said.

Sheely didn’t stop there. She went on to earn three degrees in the fashion and merchandising fields to add to her bona fides. She then did stints in retail environments to learn about leading, hiring and developing a team and networking.

Finer Things

Sheely purchased the 5,100-square-foot shop last December from the previous owner, who retired and moved to Florida. The exterior is an attention-commanding shade of purple, designed to get the attention of passersby.

“It used to be gray and wasn’t painted in decades,” she said. “I had an epiphany and decided to paint it the color of royalty. Now, people come in just to check out what’s inside.”

The roomy interior is also done in hues of purple, with rich grays and metallics rounding out the color scheme. Inviting and attractive couches and high-backed chairs scream lux.

“Our women tend to love and respect art, culture, travel and the finer things in life, and we want to make them comfortable here,” Sheely said.

She sells a variety of fine apparel, including shoes and accessories, costume and fine jewelry, handbags, scarves, blouses, sweaters, blazers, outerwear, skirts, pants, belts, pajamas and gifts.

“I’m bringing my clients the crème de la crème of high-end brands from all over the world,” she said.

Two brands that fly out the door are Joseph Ribkoff and Frank Lyman.

“Ribkoff and Lyman have 1,000 pieces in their collection on a quarterly basis, and I’m selecting the best 150 of those styles from each brand to carry here,” she said.

Others include Diane von Furstenberg, Johnny Was, Zadig and Voltaire, Lisa Todd, Margo Morrison jewelry, Vilagallo, Joe’s Jeans, AZI, Mac Duggal and more.

Trade show travel is something that she does often, visiting New York’s Javits Center twice a year for the Coterie and Magic Show, which attracts thousands of vendors. She also visits showrooms—Mac Duggal is up next on the calendar.

“He’s one of the top dress designers in the world, and they usually ask for my feedback during private appointments,” Sheely said.

Most Rewarding

Debbie Beutler of Mechanicsburg is a client, having purchased her 46th reunion dress and her mother-of-the-groom dress at the boutique.

“She helped me with the dress, shoes and accessories,” Beutler said. “The minute I walked in, we really connected. She’s so genuine, and we’re fortunate to have such a great store in this area.”

Leslie Semones of Camp Hill said that she knew Sheely from her time at Talbots and followed her when she discovered that she was buying a boutique. As a result, she decided to treat her mom to an outfit there.

“I told her that the gift would be her Christmas, Mother’s Day and birthday gift,” said Semones. “Ashley spent so much time making my mom feel like an absolute movie star, and my mom was just delighted.”

In addition to regular hours, Sheely schedules private personal styling appointments throughout the week on request.

“I also help women select a few pieces and show them the many ways they can be worn with our look-books,” she said.

For Sheely, the most rewarding part of owning a store may be the personal connections she makes.

“When you have a private boutique, you form a connection with clients so that you end up knowing about their family, careers and aspirations,” she said. “They trust us for some of the most important events in their lives or sometimes just for a pick-me-up. It’s been an extremely rewarding experience.”

Presence Luxury Fashion Boutique is located at 3580 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-761-8875 or visit www.presenceboutique.com.

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

The Gift of Gettysburg: Count this historic town among your holiday shopping destinations

November 30, 2022 | by Alex J. Hayes

The Christmas Haus

Gettysburg is best known as the site that changed the course of the Civil War in July 1863 and home of the cemetery where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address.

But it may surprise some that this historic town is also full of restaurants and stores, making it the perfect place to visit during the holiday shopping season.

“Shopping in Gettysburg is truly a unique experience where shoppers will find a variety of eclectic household items and décor, clothing, handcrafted artwork and more,” said Carl Whitehill, vice president of the marketing agency Destination Gettysburg. “It truly is like stepping back in time and immersing in the traditions of the holiday season.”

The historic borough is a 45-minute drive from Harrisburg, with most of the trip occurring on smooth U.S. Route 15. The easiest way to access downtown is to enter “Race Horse Alley Parking Garage” into your GPS, since the four-story structure is a short walk from many attractions.

The Majestic Theatre

Next to the parking garage is the Majestic Theater, which has stood in the center of town since 1920. Tickets to the theater’s many 2023 offerings, including The Met Live in HD, National Theatre Live, Trinity Irish Dance Company and the Ken Burns Film Festival, are easy gifts to carry around while exploring other stores.

“Performing arts and cinema are so powerful because audiences are left with lasting memories of the experiences they shared with artists and each other,” said Jeffrey Gabel, Majestic Theater’s founding executive director.

The theater is a few steps from the picturesque Lincoln Square, the site of a large Christmas tree and “Santa’s Shanty,” where youngsters can share their Christmas wishes with the jolly man himself. The square is also home to several unique offerings, including Lark Gifts, Oh, Man! Gifts for Men, and Ploughman Cider Taproom.

Lark Gifts is located inside a former home that was built in 1885. The building rests on the foundation of one of the first houses built on the Square in 1799. Despite its history, Lark owner Timbrel Wallace takes pride in being “a modern marketplace.” Here shoppers can find almost anything, including home decor, whimsical socks, books, puzzles, treats from nearby Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium, and practical items such as earbud cleaning kits and tick-removing tools.

“I listen a lot to customer feedback,” Wallace said. “I try to find what qualities of a product attract customers while focusing on giftability.”

Four streets extend from Lincoln Square—Carlisle (north), York (east), Chambersburg (west) and Baltimore (south).

Shopping options are sparse on Carlisle Street, but Local Flora and Plant Design offers beautiful centerpieces that will add pop to a holiday dinner table. Kip & Idle Home touts itself as a “one-stop shop for designs and decor as unique as you.”

Heading west, Chambersburg Street is home to Adams County Winery, Fresh Boutique, A&A Village Treasures, Sunrise Soap Company and Sweet Repeat Records. The history lover on your list may enjoy a gift from the Army Surplus Store. Dining options here include Gettysburger, Ragged Edge Coffeehouse, Food 101 and Garryowen Irish Pub.

“We have a lot of customers who purchase fresh-roasted, whole bean or ground coffee as stocking stuffers,” said Ragged Edge owner Jacob Schindel.

Nerd Herd Gifts & Games

Returning to the Square and heading east on York Street, Nerd Herd Gifts and Games is a fun spot with a giant chessboard and cornhole games outside of its entrance.

Lea Haskins, Nerd Herd daytime manager, said that the store offers fun for all ages and interests. This year’s hottest game is “Mind the Gap, A Trivia Game for the Generations.”

“It is a great game for families who are getting together,” Haskins said. “You can work cooperatively or pit the generations against each other.”

Artworks Gift Shop and Gallery 30 are must-stops for those with finer tastes. Our four-legged friends are also part of our holiday gatherings, so a visit to The Lucky Paw will make it easy to check them off your list.

If your arms are tired by then, the parking garage is located directly behind York Street so you can unload your treasurers before continuing.

Baltimore Street is the historic corridor President Lincoln traversed on his way to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Many of the buildings Lincoln saw still stand, but our 16th president did not have the opportunity to shop at Four Corners Comics and Games, Dirty Billy’s Hats, Sweeet! The Candy Store in Gettysburg, Gettysburg Polish Pottery, Martin’s Family Shoes or The Antique Center of Gettysburg.

Sweeet!

Madi Eckard, Sweeet! employee, said the store prides itself on using more than 20 different candy distributors so it can offer items not available anywhere else in the area. Leninade, a communist-themed red lemonade soda, is the store’s most popular item.

“We probably go through a case a week in the slow season,” Eckard said.

Lincoln Square and its adjoining streets are Gettysburg’s most popular area, but there is another shopping district visitors often overlook—Steinwehr Avenue. It is walkable from the parking garage, but those who have difficulty spending extended time on their feet would be better off moving their car from the garage to Steinwehr’s on-street metered parking.

Town leaders improved the Steinwehr Avenue visitor experience about five years ago by widening the sidewalks, adding streetlights and bike ramps, and repaving the road. The enhanced features make it easy to shop at the street’s many stores, including Rosie’s Collection, Kilwin’s Chocolates, Civil War Store Gift Shop and Jenni’s Funhouse. If you are on Steinwehr after 6 p.m., celebrate your shopping success with a drink at the unique Reliance Mine Saloon, an underground bar that resembles the interior of a coal mine.

Hopefully, your shopping is complete after a trip to downtown Gettysburg. If a few items remain on your list, the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg, three miles south of town, offers dozens of retailers. Another option is to head east on York Road toward New Oxford, eight miles east of Gettysburg, home to dozens of antique stores with truly unique offerings.

For more information on visiting Gettysburg, visit www.destinationgettysburg.com.

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

Season’s Geekings: Have yourself a nerdy little Christmas

November 30, 2022 | by Matt Caylor

James T. Hirt, local board game expert at The Adventurer’s Guild, showcases top picks for the holidays.

Are you looking for a gift for the geek in your life?

During this holiday season, finding the perfect gift for friends and loved ones can be difficult, particularly if they don’t share the same interests as you.

This gift guide is for all of you shopping for that special someone who can name their favorite “Star Trek” episode or tell you the challenge rating of a goblin in Dungeons & Dragons. Allow this guide to help you find the perfect gift to celebrate a very geeky Christmas.

Experiences

Escape Rooms

Imagine you have 60 minutes to escape a locked room. You are pitting your mind against a set of structured tasks, racing against the clock to find the hidden clues that will earn your freedom.

Does this sound like it would appeal to someone you know? Then look no further than the numerous escape rooms offered across central Pennsylvania.

Escape Games Live in Lemoyne offers two different rooms to experience, with prices starting at $125 for a five-person experience.

Do You Even Escape? in Camp Hill offers three different rooms, ranging from two- to 10-player experiences, with prices averaging around $25 per person.

Escape Room | Hershey will take you from an enchanted forest to the roaring ‘20s and finally through a museum of magic. On Saturdays and Sundays, your adventure will cost $108 for four people.

Epic Nerd Camp

Nearby in Maryland at Camp Ramblewood, Epic Nerd Camp delivers “an adult summer camp program for geeks ages 21-plus who enjoy gaming, fantasy and sci-fi.”

Murder Mystery Dinner

Does that special someone fancy themselves a detective on par with Sherlock Homes? Are they obsessed with true crime podcasts? Then they may be a perfect candidate for a murder mystery dinner.

Locations like Bube’s Brewery in Mount Joy and the Pride of the Susquehanna in Harrisburg offer scripted experiences for a group to participate in. No need to play a role when you can watch performers act out the mystery for your entertainment.

Blacksmithing

Embrace your inner dwarf and forge weapons in nearby Palmyra. The Drunken Smithy offers the opportunity to work on an open forge to create a unique weapon. Prices vary between $100 and $300, but, by participating in one of their “pick a project” sessions, attendees can build whatever suits their fancy.

It is disappointing that they do not offer a Klingon bat’leth, but perhaps, if enough of us make the request, that can be changed.

Products

Board Games

Nothing excites a nerd more than the smell of a freshly opened board game. Consider the following games to drop under the tree this holiday season:

7 Wonders: Architects
Repos Games
2-7 players
60 minutes playtime

Construct a wonder so magnificent it will leave your mark on history! In 7 Wonders Architects, build one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and gain as many victory points as possible to win the game.

Ark Nova
Capstone Games
1-4 players
150 minutes of playtime

Design a modern zoo and run a successful park to support conservation projects.

Wingspan
Stonemaier Games
1-5 players
90 minutes of playtime

You are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves.

Connect with your friendly local game store to find the best game for the audience. Visiting The Adventures Guild, Blue Moon Games or Lazarus Games in the capital region will help ensure you pay the best price and avoid over-inflated costs that can be seen online, particularly during the holidays.

Geek Jerseys

Is your special someone sick of never having anything to wear to “jersey” day at the office? Pick up a Geek Jersey and offer an alternative that will let their geek flag fly. With options ranging from ‘80s pop culture classics to video games to science fiction classics, Geek Jerseys will delight for around $100.

Classic Toys

A gift of a classic toy from the ‘80s or ‘90s is a gateway to the joy of the past. From vintage toys to classic video games, visit Retro & Rad in New Cumberland or The Tatted Toy Guys in Elizabethtown to take a time machine to the past.

Comic Books

Comic books have long outgrown the realm of children and are currently producing in-depth, well-constructed stories for adults. For example, the following encapsulate complete stories that offer unique perspectives.

Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites
Dark Horse

Black magic, demonic frogs and zombie road kill are just a few of the problems plaguing this seemingly sleepy little town. Beneath the quiet streets, a rat cabal plots vengeance, while the dead leave their graves in the local cemetery. With the human residents unaware of the supernatural danger, it’s up to a determined crew of dogs (and one cat) to keep their community safe.

A Man’s Skin
Ablaze

Tackling universal themes through a captivating and subtle fairy tale, Hubert and Zanzim brilliantly question our relationship to gender and sexuality—but not only that. By mixing morality and humor, A Man’s Skin invites us to the mad and noble quest for love.

Mech Cadet Yu
Boom Studios!

Once a year, giant robots from outer space come to Earth and bond with young cadets from the elite Sky Corps Academy to defend the world from the terrifying aliens known as the Sharg. It’s a great honor to be chosen, but this year, well, the wrong kid was picked.

Not sure these suggestions are the right fit for the reader in your home? Visit a local comic store like Comix Connection in Mechanicsburg to ask their in-house experts to discover the best-fit story.

Do you have a perfect gift for that special nerdy someone in your life? Please share it with the community by sending a message to the Harrisburg Board Game Day through email, Facebook, or Instagram.

Harrisburg Board Game Day can be reached via email at [email protected].

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

Merry Kitschmas: Christmas wreaths, created by York’s Liatra Sage, are kaleidoscopes of kitsch

November 30, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Liatra Sage has found her niche with kitsch.

“Some people would describe kitsch as borderline gaudy or tacky, but it’s really fun to me,” said Sage, of York.

Kitsch was king in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s—decades of yesteryear that are now treasure troves of mid-century modern and vintage baubles.

“Marketing was more colorful then,” Sage said. “Now, things are not as colorful, not as fun. I’m not sure what the strategy is behind that, so a lot of people gravitate toward kitschiness because it’s what they grew up with.”

And if there’s one time of year to be kitschy, it’s Christmas. Just as Perry Como croons, “There’s no place like home for the holidays” on now-vintage records, it’s brightly colored, kitschy Christmas treasures that evoke the cheer and warmth of Christmases past, celebrated in friends’ and families’ homes.

Festive Flair

Sage enjoys thrifting and sifting through old holiday décor at thrift stores, flea markets and church rummage sales throughout the year. With a keen eye for kitsch, she gleans a sparkling stash of décor. There are felty Santas, doe-eyed reindeer, ornaments gleaming with satin, sequins, glitter and glitz, plus aluminum tree reflectors glinting silvery, minty aqua and frosty pink.

There are even vintage kitschy elves.

“Isn’t that funny?” Sage asked, wondering if those long-legged, flexible figures—with winking, grinning expressions—were the granddaddies of today’s popular, mischievous elves on the shelves.

But the biggest key to Christmas kitsch? Putz houses. They’re the glitter-encrusted cardboard houses—complete with colorful magenta, gold or turquoise cellophane windows—that once sat under 1950s-era Christmas trees, creating a magical little village under its boughs. Today, smaller putz houses are valued at $10 to $20 apiece, with larger, embellished versions fetching as much as $50.

Sage gives them new homes, nestled within crafty and colorful holiday wreaths that shine and sparkle—because everything old is new again.

“Putz houses are often the focal points,” said Sage, describing her creative process. “I put flocked trees on either side, then build from there. It’s pretty organic, not according to design or plan.”

The wreaths often sell organically too—as soon as Sage posts them on social media or hangs them in her business booth, within a York barn housing antique and vintage treasures. Online, her Instagram accounts feature “all things vintage, kitsch and curious” and “fresh vintage picks” to a combined 22,000 fans. In person, her wreaths of kitsch do a brisk business at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea.

Like the glittering snowflakes they often contain, no two wreaths are alike. Each one’s eclectic collection of kitsch is anything but cookie-cutter replicable. Most are priced in the $150 to $200 range—or higher, depending on its unique vintage value and festive flair.

Vintage, in Vogue

You might think Sage’s obsession and livelihood—based on all things vintage—is surprising, considering her young age of 29. But she’s far from alone. Vintage is in vogue.

“You wouldn’t think there would be so many younger people into vintage, but they are,” Sage said. “There’s a big following.”

If Sage’s appreciation for all things vintage makes her an old soul, it has also driven her sole source of income for the past three years. That’s when Sage describes her hobby turning “hard core” amid the realization that she could make a living from thrifting and repurposing.

“It’s probably my grandma’s fault,” said Sage with a laugh. “I grew up going to flea markets and yard sales with my grandma in my hometown area of Dillsburg. A lot of people say it skips a generation—and my mom wasn’t that into vintage—but I’ve always been drawn to it, the style of it. I love vintage Halloween too.”

So, what does Sage’s grandma think about her kitschy success?

“She discouraged me from going into business at first—she warned me that it could become a money pit. But now, she’s proud of me,” Sage said. “My friends and family are always calling with tips about where to find vintage things.”

Year-round, her booth at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea showcases kitchen items with—no surprise—oodles of kitsch. There are Formica tables with matching chairs, aqua kitchen canisters, novelty salt and pepper shakers (including classic Thanksgiving pilgrims), and plenty of Pyrex cookware—a treasure trove for anyone dreaming of a retro kitchen. A punch of panache is served up, thanks to rotating seasonal décor accents, including Sage’s wintry wreaths.

Salvaging, it turns out, provides a lot of satisfaction.

“It’s not reselling—it’s creating—because with the wreaths, it’s also about being crafty and artsy,” Sage said. “I like being able to thrift because so much gets thrown away, and it’s great to bring new life to it.”

Sometimes, it’s the little things that spark the biggest joys of the holiday season.

“For most people, seeing these wreaths evokes a sense of nostalgia, or their childhood, something along those sentiments,” Sage said. “I know some people might view them as tacky or over-the-top, but I just love the idea of kitschy maximalism.”

For more information, check out Liatra Sage’s Instagram accounts: @thriftkitschwitch is her personal account, and @roadsidevintagepa showcases vintage treasures available at her booth at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea, 3790 E. Market St., York.

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

Carols of Comfort: Joy to the Burg, the Christmas music is come

November 30, 2022 | by Rachel Curry

Doug Wilburne
Photo courtesy of Jerry Kambic, Jerkami Communications Group

To truly understand Joy to the Burg, you have to take a step back.

On Dec. 21, 2019, Steve Schwartz stood with his son as they sold the first album by Joy to the Burg, a local group that spreads Christmas cheer through music and art while raising money to support Harrisburg’s homeless in partnership with Christian Churches United (CCU).

It was the night of 3rd in the Burg, and Schwartz saw beloved local band, No Last Call, walk by.

No Last Call is a 35-person marching band that’s known for showing up in flash-mob style, playing hits, collecting donations and departing. The marching band, including trumpet player Doug Wilburne, had a song on that first-ever album. So, Schwartz exclaimed, “Hey, play your song from Joy to the Burg!”

As No Last Call changed key and played the song, the clock hit 7 p.m. Why was that important? It was the same time that the seasonal walk-in emergency shelter doors opened. There was a risk that the shelter wasn’t going to open at all, but Joy to the Burg was able to raise the money from that initial project in time to get it rolling.

“So, I’m thinking, ‘How cool is this confluence of events?’” Schwartz said. “And I started to cry a little bit.”

Fast forward to 2022, and Joy to the Burg has built something lasting and incredible. Now chaired by Wilburne and supported by a number of other sponsorship committee members (including Schwartz) and Executive Leadership Forum (ELF) members, Joy to the Burg continues to raise money for Harrisburg’s homeless.

“Our band is 100% dedicated to creating fun and joy, and to be able to do that and, at the same time, provide a very meaningful benefit to people in need, is something that just warms our hearts,” Wilburne said.

The album is teeming with music—33 songs, each from a different artist. Well-known local musicians like The Jellybricks, No Last Call, Bob Geiger, Leap of Faith, Shea Quinn, Susquehanna Chorale and others grace the track list. There’s also a special song from Reading native Peter Rogan called “A Home for the Holidays,” which was co-written by Schwartz and Phil Madeira, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and member of Emmylou Harris’ band. In short, the album will make your holiday party all the more special.

Joy to the Burg’s Christmas music album is available as a digital download and can be purchased online or in person at various local establishments. It comes with more than just a download code—you also score a collectible print of Shea Quinn as Santa Claus, the first in what will be a series as the years go on.

More music isn’t the only addition to this year’s Joy to the Burg endeavor. An element of visual art also has been added by way of a collection of eight greeting cards, each from a different Harrisburg artist. Carol Scott, Stephen Michael Haas, Ross Tyger, Janice Hagstrom Bailor, Nora Carreras, Andrea Minick Rudolph, Lori Sweet and TheBurg’s own cartoonist Brad Gebhart all participated in the project, which you can order online or find in person at various locations.

Alice Anne Schwab, executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, facilitated the greeting card project. Schwab has personally worked with CCU on projects for more than 30 years and served as a Joy to the Burg ELF member.

“Susquehanna Art Museum is kind of an anomaly in the community,” Schwab said. “As a non-collecting entity, we are always bringing new world-class exhibitions for the consideration of our community. We often exhibit local artists at the museum, and being involved in the curation of the card project felt like a natural affinity for Susquehanna Art Museum.”

Schwab added that the music and cards are available in the museum’s gift shop.

Also, don’t miss the ABC27 TV special on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m., featuring Joy to the Burg. Days later, on Dec. 11, you can catch them at the Englewood. The first event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be an “easy-listening brunch,” as Wilburne describes it, with a series of Joy to the Burg musicians playing. Then, from 3 to 8 p.m., visitors can enjoy a large collection of bands playing a five-hour musical extravaganza.

Another event, a pop-up holiday happy hour at Strawberry Square on Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m., will include Joy to the Burg entertainment.

As Schwartz, Wilburne, Schwab and the rest of the hardworking team at Joy to the Burg and CCU continue their efforts to spread Christmas cheer for the greater good of the community, one thing is certain—Joy to the Burg has found a place in Harrisburg’s heart, and it’s here to stay.

For more information, visit www.joytotheburg.com.

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

Party Like It’s 1899: Long an escape for Harrisburgers, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort is decked out for the holiday season

November 30, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

Once upon a time, the Harrisburg elite planned summer escapes from the sweltering city.

Mid-July usually brought “the exodus to near-by resorts,” as the Harrisburg Telegraph put it in 1885, and one favorite spot comes up constantly in the society columns.

“Mrs. R.J. Haldeman, of South Front Street, is at Bedford Springs.”

“Two lawyers, James I. Chamberlin and E.M. Haldeman, will drink the invigorating waters at Bedford Springs during the next few days. They started thither this afternoon.”

“Miss Helen Wallace is among the Harrisburgers at Bedford Springs.”

As Historical Society of Dauphin County archivist Ken Frew put it, “Those families had money, so you could see evidence of their having been there and everywhere.” Whether by stagecoach or train, Harrisburgers flocked to the Allegheny Mountains for the “Bedford Cure.”

I followed their path this summer, motoring in a Toyota Tacoma to the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, the “Summer White House” of James Buchanan rescued from dilapidation in 1998 and now a National Historic Landmark. The hallways are lined with Gilded Age-era photos showing young men wearing high starched collars and straw boaters picnicking amid the pines with young women in Gibson Girl linens.

Like those hob-nobbers might have done, I spent glorious afternoons swimming in one of America’s first indoor pools, still fed by mineral springs. I hiked—well, strolled in my Skechers—part of the “Springs Circuit” of trails meandering along Bedford’s seven mineral springs.

Unlike those sepia-toned predecessors, I also got to shop the boutiques of today’s Bedford and hit our favorite joints while we were “near-by.” Plus, to the horse-and-buggy crowd, winter brought the fun to an end, but with our advantages of central heating, hot chocolate and Thinsulate, we can enjoy Bedford Springs now that temperatures are falling.

Crystal Palace

The legend of Bedford Springs goes back thousands of years.

Native Americans recognized the waters’ curative powers. In 1796, a white physician named James Anderson built his home and treatment facilities here. Presidents, cabinet members and regular guests flocked to these rugged mountains to refresh their ailing bodies and souls. Gilded Age politicians came here to plot intrigue against Pennsylvania’s ruthlessly corrupt political boss, Matthew Quay. Harrisburg’s civic lights, with recognizable names like Mrs. Haldeman, Mrs. Hickok and Mrs. Boas, hosted the Harrisburg Cotillion here.

In the winter, today’s Omni Bedford Springs Resort, also known as OBSR, transforms into a crystal palace. Thousands of lights sparkle all around the grounds, lit during the “Grand Illumination” on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and staying on through January. Inside, holiday trees, wreaths and garlands brighten the lobbies and sprawling hallways.

New this year, pastry chef Harshal Naik has concocted a life-sized gingerbread house, complete with shutters outlined in Hershey chocolate bars and filling the marbled lobby with holiday scents.

“You can smell the ginger,” Sales and Marketing Director Jennifer Carter-Brymier told me. “It smells amazing.”

There’s comfort food dining in the Frontier Tavern, with another Harrisburg connection in the root beer float made with Appalachian Brewing Co. root beer. The 1796 Room goes a bit more upscale, with steaks and seafood. I happen to love the ambiance of a lobby bar, so I curled up for people watching while sipping a speakeasy-style Bee’s Knees cocktail of local Wigle Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup made from OBSR honey. If you’re partial to whiskey, Wigle makes the bourbon for the Smoked Old Fashioned from corn grown on the OBSR property.

This winter, come on Friday or Saturday for carriage rides, or try the weekend morning yoga. Hike for history, meditation or scenery. Go on the hunt with a geocaching excursion. Daily historic tours take you in the steps of the famous and infamous. In this secluded setting worthy of Agatha Christie, murder mystery weekends start in January.

Around Town

Only five minutes away, the charming town of Bedford is open for exploring.

I found all the essentials in the downtown shops—alpaca socks, yarn for knitting (because my stash isn’t bursting out of the closet enough), outdoor gear, boutique sweaters and my favorite, all things kitchen at Peppercorn Market. I don’t cook, but I eat and I decorate, so I couldn’t leave without an amazing bramble preserve, some mid-century modern kitchen towels and a history lesson from the owner about the building’s ties to George Washington, land speculator.

Outside of Bedford, plan a stop at the famously stonewalled Jean Bonnet Tavern. Here, Whiskey Rebellion plotters planted a Liberty Pole, George Washington seems likely to return any day to quell the uprising again, and you can get a fabulous burger, entrée or salad with a fresh Pennsylvania draft beer.

While we’re on the subject of eating—plan to gain a pound per day—don’t miss the delightfully quirky Village News in downtown Bedford. It’s a city news store transformed into a bar and grill serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The burgers are tasty, and intriguing murals painted by local artist Kevin Kutz depict The Point in Pittsburgh and a beloved town character.

Then it’s back to the Omni Bedford Springs for a firepit get-together, lawn games, free holiday movie or a haunted history tour. For a getaway this winter or year-round, it occurs to me that the Harrisburg-to-Bedford Springs pipeline endures. Lots of us still hop on the turnpike for a quick and magical (and yes, pricey) getaway. Even back in the day, I’d have happily made the five-hour train trip, donned in my Gibson Girl shirtwaist and skirt, but there’s zero chance of getting my husband in a high starched collar.

The Omni Bedford Springs Resort is located at 2138 Business, 220, Bedford. For more information, visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bedford-springs.

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

Brew Debut: Whiskers Brewing is Newville’s first brewery since Prohibition

November 30, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

A coffee shop, a Chinese restaurant and a brewery.

Those were the top three businesses that Newville residents put atop their wish list, in a recent survey taken by borough officials.

There was one problem—not with coffee or Chinese food. But would a brewery be possible, given Newville’s longtime designation—since the Prohibition era—as a dry town?

Dean Yaukey was going to find out. A longtime local resident, he’d been “homebrewing up a storm” since the pandemic. He and his wife Katie were scouting out the perfect location for a brewery—and they really wanted it to be in Newville.

“I contacted Newville borough in March of 2021, and they said it was going to a vote in May—they were going to reverse their status as a dry town,” said Dean. “The town, the council, the community—they were all for it.”

After 82 years, Newville’s dry town designation from 1939 was lifted. The Yaukeys were so confident in the vote, they applied for a state brewery license and signed a lease for their new brewery, before the vote was official.

Brewing up Business

At 9 S. High St., a 1930s-era car dealership had gone through a string of reincarnations—as a butcher shop, thrift store, florist—but it sat vacant for 10 years.

“I saw the potential in it—I see potential in the whole town,” said Jeff Bouder, who purchased the property almost two years ago.

Bouder’s home and insurance business are across the street, and he serves on the borough’s economic development committee.

“I don’t like to see vacancies in the borough,” he said. “When Dean approached me about a brewery, I was all on board.”

There was a flurry of activity through the summer of 2021.

Renovations transformed the circa-1800s building, and the Yaukeys hit upon a business name—Whiskers Brewing—featuring their beloved English bulldogs on the logo, and tying into Newville’s Big Spring Area High School’s nickname, “the bulldogs.”

“We wanted to be a pet-friendly brewery, so we have a turf area outside,” Dean said. “We call it the bark yard or the puppy patio, so that people can bring their dogs.”

With Dean as head brewer, the dog-themed beer lineup was set, featuring his Bulldog Blonde Ale, a Chihuahua Mexican Lager, Pointer Pale Ale, Old Hound Dog Brown Ale, Pitbull IPA and more.

The Yaukeys traveled to Colorado for training, tailored to new brewery owners. Meantime, the husband-and-wife team was still running their primary business, Phantom Entertainment, offering party inflatables, amusement rides, rock-climbing walls and more. Through the pandemic, that business had stalled, but things were picking up again.

Everything seemed to be going their way, and Whiskers Brewing was set to open in March of 2022.

Tough Luck

On Feb. 28, during a half-hour period of time in the afternoon when no one was at the brewery, flames engulfed the building. A fire marshal would later determine the cause: a USB port charging tablets for servers’ use. The fire company, less than a block away, acted quickly, but the interior was a total loss.

“We were very heartbroken,” said Katie. “But we knew we had to rebuild, and the town was behind us. People on the streets came up to us, [as the building was burning], asking if they could give us donations.”

Community support—and several incredible strokes of good fortune—came out of the ashes.

“Luckily, no one was hurt,” Dean said. “We would have to gut the building down to the studs, but we realized the walk-in beer cooler was untouched. All of our inventory was saved. We didn’t have power for two days, but it stayed cold.”

The day after the fire, Whiskers Brewing posted a “beer sale” on Facebook.

“The community was super supportive,” Dean said. “There was a line of people, going two blocks, up to the corner. They were buying cans, filling up growlers, telling us, ‘We want to do anything to help you.’”

About a month later, the brewery opened its outdoor seating area—offering beer, with dog bowls and biscuits available. Business was brisk through the summer as the interior was rebuilt.

Slightly bowed wooden tables were salvaged—Dean calls them “survivors”—and the metal chairs were grinded down and repainted. Colorful pet portraits, repainted, lined the walls, created by one of the Yaukeys’ daughters. But a cat took the place of honor behind the bar—a framed Nittany Lion pays homage to the family’s alma mater. Not only did Dean and Katie meet at Penn State, but their three children are all in the process of becoming alums too.

Dawn of a New Day

In late September, Whiskers Brewing opened its doors—Katie behind the bar, Dean cooking up flatbreads, pretzel flights and more in the kitchen, giving it away to taste-testing customers and finalizing the menu.

“Every time someone came in, people said, ‘Welcome to Whiskers,’” said Katie. “Everyone was saying it, and it felt cozy in here, as if we were on [the television show] ‘Cheers.’”

So has Jeff Bouder, the property owner, tried the beer—and what does he think?

“I’ve probably tried all 12,” Bouder said with a laugh, “and it’s some of the best beer I’ve had.”

But what Newville is really tapping into is community spirit.

“We absolutely needed this—conversations were disappearing since COVID,” Bouder said. “The fire could have been devastating, but it actually brought a lot of people together. I’ve lived here a long time, and I’m meeting people from town that I didn’t know before. People are getting together and making up for lost time.”

Whiskers Brewing is located at 9 S. High St., Newville. For more information, visit whiskersbrewing.com.

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

Community Corner: Notable December Events

November 30, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Festival of Ice
Dec. 1-2: Kick off the holiday season with a visit to downtown Lewistown to see ice sculptures and carvings, enjoy carol singing, take an old-fashioned carriage ride, visit with Santa, and enjoy music, food and kids’ activities, 6 to 9 p.m. www.jrvvisitors.com

PA Gift Show
Dec. 1-4: Enjoy festive fun at PA Christmas & Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The show features 500-plus vendors filled with unique gifts, in addition to entertainment, food, drink and more. www.PAChristmasShow.com

Light Show
Dec. 1-31: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, for a festive drive-through light show, with hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.ChristmasSpiritLights.com

Kids Cocoa Club
Dec. 1-Jan. 2: Curl up with a good book and participate in a reading challenge with New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (reading challenges). www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Elegant Progressions
Dec. 2-3: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 30th annual “Elegant Progressions,” this year with two black tie progressive dinners. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg. www.elegantprogressions.org

HBG Flea
Dec. 3: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Open House
Dec. 3: Create a special holiday craft (ages 14 and older) and enjoy puzzles and activities at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children ages 3 and older can create a special ornament. Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Holiday Concert
Dec. 3-4: Kick off the holiday season with the Harrisburg Singers’ holiday concert of sacred, secular and inspirational works. Dec. 3 concert takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill at 7:30 p.m., and the Dec. 4 concert at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg at 3 p.m. www.harrisburgsingers.org

Festival of Trees
Dec. 3-18: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees will be up for raffle, and a selection of ornaments will be available for purchase. www.forthunter.org

Fort Couture
Dec. 3-18: View Christmas tree dresses created by Fort Hunter friends and neighbors on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Enjoy imaginative displays with unique dress forms adorned in Christmas decorations. www.forthunter.org

Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 3-18: Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society returns to Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with a display of HO gauge trains that travel over a large layout representing communities in central PA, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org

Crafty Christmas
Dec. 3-Jan. 1: Families are invited to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., to make holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Education Center, located in the Children’s Garden. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays. www.hersheyardens.org

Victorian Tea
Dec. 4: Enjoy a Victorian tea at Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 4 p.m. Tour the historic mansion in person to enjoy holiday décor by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club and view a clear toy candy demonstration. www.forthunter.org

Open House
Dec. 4: The public is invited to the Keystone Musical Arts Center, 3705 E. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 1 and 3 p.m., to enjoy holiday cheer with live music by teachers and students. Guests can meet the teachers and staff and enjoy refreshments. www.KMACenter.org

Natural Ornaments
Dec. 4, 11: Create holiday ornaments with pinecones, milkweed pods and other natural materials at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. All supplies included. Cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. www.wildwoodlake.org

Christmas Fun
Dec. 8: Take an evening stroll along Market Street in Camp Hill for “‘Twas the Night Before,” 5 to 8 p.m., when the street is lit up for visitors to enjoy with shopping, dining, photos with Santa, live music, tree lighting, hot beverages and fun activities. www.camphillborough.com

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

Deck the Halls
Dec. 8: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts its 27th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, at 6 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, live music, holiday décor and a silent auction and raffle. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Film Friday
Dec. 9: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Jinn,” a film about Summer, a 17-year old girl whose world is turned upside down after her mother has a religious conversion, prompting Summer to reevaluate her own identity. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Secret Shop
Dec. 10: The Women’s Club of New Cumberland and Highland sponsors Santa’s Secret Workshop for children to holiday shop for family members, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items are reasonably priced and gift-wrapped. Cash only. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Snowball Saturday
Dec. 10: Take the family to The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., for friendly, indoor snowball fights, a visit with a snowman and a fun winter storytime, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.hersheystory.org

Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 10: Get in the holiday spirit at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt and outdoor street festival with more than 75 craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a living nativity, pictures with Santa, live music and a holiday sing-a-long, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt

Christmas Fest
Dec. 10-11: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. The event features a market of local artisans, tree lighting, caroling by local churches and schools, food trucks, sleigh rides and an ice-skating rink. A tree lighting ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Bethesda Mission. www.bethesdamission.org

Winter Discovery
Dec. 10-Jan. 23: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, where special exhibits and activities highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail to enhance your winter outdoor experience while learning the natural history of the park. www.wildwoodlake.org

House Tour
Dec. 11: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 49th Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advance price tickets for $20 on sale through Dec. 10. Day-of-tour tickets are on sale at HHA, 1230 N. 3rd St., for $25 each. www.historicharrisburg.org

Youth Celebration
Dec. 11: Enjoy Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center’s Youth Christmas Celebration at 1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown, with Christmas skits, songs and dances, pictures with Santa, the Christmas story and a sing-along, 3 to 5 p.m. The celebration includes performances by HCPAC workshop and production participants. www.thehcpac.org

Candlelit Carols
Dec. 11: Arts on the Square hosts “Carols by Candlelight” at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m. Market Square Church sanctuary choir, chamber orchestra and organist will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Randol Bass’ “Feast of Carols” and other favorites. Enjoy carol singing and candle lighting. www.marketsquarechurch.org

Lessons & Carols
Dec. 11: Pine Street Presbyterian Church presents a service of scripture and song at 4 p.m., taking the audience on a progression from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration. A gala reception follows the service. www.maps.pinestreet.org

Holly Lunch
Dec. 13: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Lunch, with basket drawings, cookie and poinsettia sales, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is free; lunch is $10. Register for the lunch at the library, or call 717-774-7820. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Book Event
Dec. 13: Harrisburg Center for Peace and Justice and Harrisburg Friends Meeting, 1100 N. 6th St., celebrate the release of George Lakey’s book, “Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice,” in a free event, 7:15 p.m. Lakey will discuss his life as a Quaker activist, and Midtown Scholar Bookstore will have books available for signing and purchase. www.harrisburgquakers.org

Curiosity Kids
Dec. 15: Young visitors in grades K-2 and families are invited to a retro holiday-themed “Curiosity Kids” at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. Kids can discover holiday traditions, toys and games of the 1970s and 1980s and create their own retro ornament. www.statemuseumpa.org

European Security
Dec. 15: Heather Conley, president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, will discuss the future of European security at a meeting of the Foreign Policy Association of Central Pennsylvania, 7:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Club in New Cumberland. www.fpaharrisburg.org

3rd in The Burg
Dec. 16: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Candlelight Concerts
Dec. 16-18: Susquehanna Chorale presents its annual Candlelight Christmas concerts series on Dec. 16 at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg; Dec. 17 at Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College; and Dec. 18 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg. www.susquehannachorale.org

Stained Glass
Dec. 17: Design a Wildwood-themed stained-glass ornament at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, in a beginner’s stained-glass workshop, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Workshop cost is $50, and all equipment, materials and colored glass will be provided. Pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Hanukkah Party
Dec. 18: Join the Harrisburg Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, 3301 N Front St, for a community Hanukkah party, 10 to 11:30 a.m., with games, crafts, snacks and more. Admission is $10 per family; families should pre-register. www.jewishharrisburg.org

Reindeer Craft
Dec. 18: Make a wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. All supplies to make two small reindeer will be provided, with your choice of decorations from nature. All ages welcome; pre-registration required. www.wildwoodlake.org

Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC invites you to attend their annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Enjoy a beautifully decorated sanctuary as you sing familiar carols, participate in the lighting of candles, and listen to the story of the night that changed the world. Children are welcome. Pre-service music begins at 5:45 p.m.; service begins at 6 p.m. at 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg. https://salemuccharrisburg.org.

Noon Year
Dec. 30: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites families to ring in the “Noon Year,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy hands-on activities, crafts and the dropping of the firefly at noon. Event is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

Countdown
Dec. 31: Families are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can get in the party spirit by making noise stomping on bubble wrap and taking part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org

Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Children can count down to noon at the Popcorn Hat Players’ annual New Year’s Eve party with a balloon drop, noisemakers, party hats, Hawaiian lei and more starting at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org

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

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like