Dawes, Elle King slated for Harrisburg concerts in early 2023

October 24, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Next year is already looking good for high-quality concerts in Harrisburg, as several major acts plan to stop by early in 2023.

On Monday, Harrisburg University Presents announced that Elle King will play at XL Live on Feb. 25, with opener The Red Clay Strays.

King burst on the national music scene in 2015 with her debut album, “Love Stuff,” which included the popular single, “Ex’s & Oh’s.” More recently, she hit the charts with a duet with Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

King, whose music encompasses country, soul, rock and blues, is a four-time Grammy Award nominee who has received honors from the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards. Tickets go on sale on Oct. 28.

A couple weeks later, indie band Dawes will return to Harrisburg, playing on March 11 at XL Live, HU Presents announced last week. The band is touring in support of its latest record, “Misadventures of Doomscroller,” which dropped over the summer. Tickets for this show are currently available.

For additional information and tickets to Harrisburg University Presents upcoming shows, visit www.concertseries.HarrisburgU.edu.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

October 21, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Library System and local officials finish cutting the ribbon for the McCormick Riverfront Library expansion project.

It’s an eventful Friday in Harrisburg with 3^rd in the Burg taking place at venues around the city. Get out and about in the crisp fall weather, but first, make sure you get up-to-date on this week’s local news.

Bob’s Art Blog highlights the beauty of autumn and features the artists who are inspired by it. Writer Bob discusses the “Water of Life” show at St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery, as well as other local happenings.

The Broad Street Market has a new executive director, Tanis Monroy, our reporting found. Monroy is a long-time Carlisle resident and has served as chair of the Amani Festival, a multicultural festival, in Carlisle.

“Call Jane” is a “fatefully relevant” film about an underground organization of women who help others get abortions, our movie reviewer said. The film plays in October at Midtown Cinema.

Daystar Center, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Harrisburg, has provided long-term residential treatment to about 130 men each year. In our magazine story, find out how the organization supports men through counseling, spiritual guidance and life skills training.

The Federal Building in Harrisburg will head back to auction next month, our reporting found. Last year, development company Global Ocean Investments purchased the building for $10 million and proposed turning it into luxury apartments.

Gulliver’s Run, a race planned for Nov. 6, benefits canine cancer research. In our magazine story, read the story of organizer John Heycock and of the pooch who inspired the annual event.

Harrisburg’s holiday parade will march down N. 2^nd Street next month, our online story reported. The parade’s theme is “Very Vibrant Holiday,” and will take place on Nov.19.

The Harrisburg School District, at a community forum, discussed recent violent incidents that have taken place in its schools and initiatives to combat them, our online story reported. Superintendent Eric Turman announced several security upgrades and plans for a mentorship program.

Lawyer Corky Goldstein is celebrating his retirement after a distinguished, decades-long career, our magazine story reported. Goldstein is known in the Harrisburg community for his friendly personality and for standing up for those in trouble.

Mayor Wanda Williams discussed her first year in office at the “State of the City,” an annual event held by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, our online story reported. Harrisburg officials shared examples of progress in the city over the past year in the areas of finance, public safety and economic development.

The McCormick Riverfront Library celebrated its grand opening after a yearlong construction project to renovate and expand the building, adjoining it to the neighboring Haldeman Haly house, our online story reported.

Sara Bozich has a full weekend lineup of events, including fall festivals, author meet and greets and live music. Find them, here.

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Affordable housing development breaks ground in Harrisburg with goal to provide high-quality living

October 21, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

George Fernandez of Fernandez Realty Group (far left) and local officials break ground on Sycamore Homes.

George Fernandez knows what it’s like to live in low-income housing, which is why he’s passionate about creating a better experience for other Harrisburg families.

On Friday, Fernandez, CEO of Latino Connection, broke ground on Sycamore Homes, a $3 million affordable housing project planned for Allison Hill.

“It feels amazing,” he said during the groundbreaking ceremony. “This is uniquely important to me as it takes place in my hometown of Harrisburg.”

Sycamore Homes will be a four-story building with 23 affordable studio apartment units, around 500 square feet each, completed by Fernandez Realty Group. The project site is currently an empty, grassy lot across from Foose Elementary School on the 1400-block of Sycamore St. The project was approved by City Council in July.

According to Fernandez, construction is slated to begin by the end of this month and will likely be completed by the end of 2023. Wormleysburg-based Steel Works Construction is the general contractor on the project.

Rendering of Sycamore Homes, from Fernandez Realty Group’s website.

Growing up, Fernandez’s experience living in affordable housing included dysfunctional appliances and an overall dilapidated apartment, he said. With this project, he hopes to create a completely different, more high-quality, experience for renters. His goal is to offer fully furnished units.

Rent prices will be based on federal HUD guidelines, Fernandez said, but will likely fall around $760 to $800 a month.

“Affordable housing is coming to fruition today,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. “It’s very important. There are so many people every day […] losing their homes to the higher cost of rental.”

The Sycamore Homes project, so far, has received $400,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and another $150,000 from Dauphin County.

During the ceremony, Fernandez got emotional talking about the impact that he hopes his first development project will have. Safe and affordable housing can impact residents’ ability to maintain a job, stay healthy and can boost their sense of dignity and pride, he explained.

“You’re about to witness the start of something that will change lives,” he said.

For more information about Sycamore Homes, visit their website.

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Harrisburg to kick off holiday season next month with annual parade

October 21, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Students with the Susquehanna Dance Academy perform at last year’s parade.

It’s almost that time of the year again.

In a long-running tradition, Harrisburg will ring in the holiday season with its annual downtown parade, slated this year for Saturday, Nov. 19.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Very Vibrant Holiday,” with marchers kicking off at 10 a.m. from Front and Market streets. The parade then will wind its way from Market Street to 2^nd Street, up 2^nd to North Street, then back down Front Street.

The parade will feature giant parade balloons, marching band and dance/step/drill team performances, decorated floats, characters and, of course, and an appearance by Santa Claus.

After the parade, attendees can head to Strawberry Square to meet Santa, enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies and find out the winners for best marching band, dance/step/drill team and “Best in Theme” winners.

Marching bands are awarded $500 for 1st place, $300 for 2nd place and $200 for 3rd place, along with trophies. The top-three dance/step/drill teams receive trophies and the “Best in Theme” winner receives a $100 Amazon gift card and trophy.

Parade-goers can get four hours of free street parking in the downtown area using the code LUVHBG in the Parkmobile app. A discounted $10 rate is also available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Market Square Garage.

This year’s holiday parade is sponsored by Cargill, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore Harrisburg, Mid Penn Bank, Capital Blue Cross, Belco Community Credit Union, Xfinity, Staybridge Suites, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Spirit Sound & Light and Park HBG.

For more information and a map route, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/parade.

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At “State of the City” address, Harrisburg officials tout growth in finances, policing, community engagement

October 20, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams speaks at the “State of the City” address on Thursday.

At an annual luncheon and address, Harrisburg officials shared positive news and examples of progress in the city over the past year in the areas of finance, public safety and economic development.

Mayor Wanda Williams addressed a room of community members on Thursday at the Hilton Harrisburg for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC’s annual “State of the City” presentation.

“The state of our tremendous city, the capital of the Keystone State, Harrisburg, is stronger than it’s ever been in decades,” Williams said.

Williams, joined by seven department heads from her administration, shared highlights from her first 10 months in office, including retiring a chunk of Harrisburg’s debt, hiring additional police officers and crafting a balanced budget.

“What we’ve started is strong, but we are not satisfied,” she said. “In just 10 months, we have accomplished so much, but there is so much left to do.”

Williams expressed her desire to showcase the work of those in her administration, giving them each several minutes to share updates from 2022.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams spoke with the press following the “State of the City” address.

Harrisburg’s financial state was a big focus of the event, with officials noting this year’s expected budget surplus of $1.5 million and the city’s recent $8.4 million final payment on general obligation bonds dating back 25 years. According to Williams, the city has plans to pay off its remaining debt to bond insurer Ambac Assurance Corp. by the end of the year, making Harrisburg debt free.

Additionally, the city has received $47 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding due to the pandemic. City Council has allocated about $15.6 million of the funds so far.

“Thanks to Mayor Williams, our financial house is in order for the first time in decades,” said Marita Kelley, the city’s finance director.

In another highlight from the event, police Commissioner Thomas Carter shared that the bureau took 218 illegal guns off the streets. According to Carter, the department has 136 police officers currently and hopes to reach a complement of 158 officers by 2023.

In the technology realm, Director of Information Technology Steve Bortner, shared that the city soon will upgrade its IT infrastructure, transitioning from an aged mainframe to a new, enterprise resource planning system with help from Texas-based Tyler Technologies. This will make tax billing, licensing, codes and asset management, among other functions, more accessible, he explained.

Officials from other departments also presented updates in the areas of parks and recreation, housing, equity and inclusion and community engagement.

This year, the mayor has begun hosting open door Fridays, meeting weekly with residents, and, a few months ago, the city hosted its first Juneteenth holiday celebration, officials noted.

In closing, Williams explained her commitment to all neighborhoods and residents of the city and her desire to continue to move Harrisburg forward.

“We can’t go back where we were and change the beginning” she said. “But we are going to start, and we are going to change the ending of how we are going to revitalize the city of Harrisburg.”

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In the Books: Ribbon-cutting marks completion of McCormick Riverfront Library renovation, expansion

October 20, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

Dauphin County Library System trustee Andrew Enders and Executive Director Karen Cullings, flanked by members of the Pennsylvania Past Players and local and state officials, finish cutting the ribbon at today’s rededication.

Flanked by 19^th-century gentlemen in frock coats and ladies in hoop skirts, Andrew Enders said that Harrisburg needs its newly renovated and expanded McCormick Riverfront Library.

“Today isn’t just about opening this space to the public, but it’s also about programming this space with meaningful programs for our community so that we launch this library forward for the next 100 years,” said Enders, co-chair of the $3.5 million capital campaign to modernize Dauphin County Library System’s flagship. “Because yes, history does inform the past and the present, but it’s the future I’m most excited about.”

And to raucous applause from the 200 or so attending the grand reopening, Enders added, “Harrisburg deserves nice things.”

The library held the rededication ceremony on Thursday morning, following a yearlong construction project. Under a vaulted ceiling, with sunlight streaming through clerestory and fan windows, a lineup of fundraisers, elected officials and poets said the project fills a need for a place where all are welcome and discourse is civilized.

A child is busy at play in the new children’s room.

Since 1914, McCormick Riverfront Library has stood at Front and Walnut streets. The graystone building stands on the garden plot of Sara Haldeman Haly, the 19^th century socialite whose 1895 bequest of $60,000 launched the modern library system in the county. In a stroke of serendipity, the renovation adjoins the library with that benefactor’s home next door–Haldeman Haly House, built by the architect of Pennsylvania’s first state capitol and once home to a governor who championed free compulsory public education.

Partnerships forged through the renovation project will help the library reach new members and audiences, said Board of Trustees President Annie Garner before the program. They were attracted to the cause by the idea of restoring 3,000 square feet of library space, once crammed with storage and staff, to public use, she said.

“It is a welcoming space to gather, to learn, to research, to dialog, to understand,” she said.

Members of the Pennsylvania Past Players descend the grand staircase that links the library’s main building with the new Haldeman Haly House addition.

As the scent of coffee from the newly installed Good Brotha’s Book Café filled the air, Dauphin County Library System Executive Director Karen Cullings called the project “collaborative.” She thanked the business, foundation and individual campaign donors, the designer and contractors who blended historic and contemporary elements and the staff who worked on the project and kept the library open during renovations.

“Your library is now poised to help generations immerse themselves in our region’s heritage, which is rich in history and achievement,” Cullings said. “And you know what? You can even get a great cup of coffee right down there at Good Brotha’s Café.”

Again, the crowd burst into grateful applause.

Campaign co-chair Susan L. Anthony said supporters and backers coalesced quickly, despite the intervening pandemic. As one donor told her, people give to people, and they responded “with open hearts.”

State Sen. John DiSanto, who secured a major state grant toward the project, and state Rep. Patty Kim shared fond memories of libraries as places of learning, open to all. Dauphin County commissioners noted the role of the library in community unification, education and linking residents with social, housing and job supports.

State Librarian Sue Banks called the renovation “a model project for the entire state, for the country, especially in terms of a user-focused service and facility.” The planned reopening of the renovated State Library at the other end of Walnut Street will create a “corridor of learning and knowledge and exchange and support and history,” she said.

Phyllis Hicks, executive director of the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, remembered when the library’s patronage reminded her of her days in the segregated South. Among the audience attending the rededication, she marveled at the diversity of the crowd.

“The library looks like America,” she said. “This is the America that my mother dreamed of. We’re moving in the right direction.”

T. Morris Chester, a Harrisburg native and 19^th-century journalist and abolitionist, holds a place of honor in the new T. Morris Chester Welcome Center and Research Collection. His fight is not over, speakers said.

“He was unsung for 100 years before people started recognizing him again,” said Cate Barron, president of PA Media Group, a project backer. “It was a terrible omission. We’re helping with anything we can do celebrate his story and his incredible achievements.”

Yvette Davis speaks with Hettie Love, a long-time library supporter who plans to celebrate her 100th birthday this month by reading to students in the new children’s room.

The Pennsylvania Past Players–costumed reenactors sharing the stories of historic fighters for justice–now have office space and a versatile community room for salons, presentations and dances.

“We have waited so long for an anchor that makes history matter,” said Lenwood Sloan, the troupe’s leader. “For us to be in residency here allows us to develop understanding of not only why history matters but also develop other interpreters.”

Library regular Phillip Davis already has his spot picked out. The curved carrel upholstered in mustard yellow, he noted, “has USB ports and everything.”

“I just check out books and read,” he said. And the renovation “really is nice. I love it.”

The day’s theme centered around the library’s welcome to people from all walks of life, from the unhoused and underrepresented to families and professionals on lunch break.

“This is our community’s space,” Enders said. “It’s a unique space in Harrisburg. There isn’t anything quite like this building. A flagship library is something that is particularly special, and one that is so airy and light and bright and welcoming — this is special. We want people to linger. That’s my favorite. Hang out. This is it.”

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Once, twice: The Federal Building in Harrisburg slated for auction again

October 20, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg

Maybe the second time will be the charm?

Next month, the Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg once again will head to auction, according to a listing from the real estate broker, the Dunkle-Vartanian Group of Marcus & Millichap.

The online auction is slated to take place Nov. 14 to 17 at a starting bid of $4 million, according to the auction listing.

Last February, the federal government sold the 251,000-square-foot downtown building at auction for $10 million to Justin Etzin, a diplomat and businessman from the Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa.

At the time, Etzin, CEO of a development company called Global Ocean Investments, told TheBurg that he intended to convert the boxy, glass-walled, 1966-era building into a 288-unit “luxury” apartment building with several restaurants, bars and other amenities, including a rooftop pool.

In June, he updated his plan to include 200 apartment units, an 8,000-square-foot addition for two rooftop restaurants, a movie theater, a fitness center and a salon. He stated that he intended to begin construction in early 2023, once the federal government entirely vacated the 11-story building, envisioning a two-year build-out.

Etzin did not respond to an email, sent yesterday, inquiring about the auction and if it meant that he is abandoning his redevelopment plan.

Since his purchase, Etzin has listed the building back on the market at least twice, once for $22 million and again for $18 million. However, he previously characterized the re-listings as standard practice in the industry and said he intended to carry out the redevelopment project.

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

GSA had hoped to substantially complete the new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse in Midtown over the summer, but now has moved the timeline to sometime this winter.

Click here to view the auction listing for the Federal Building.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

October 20, 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 your weekend planning
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
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For something new: Harrisburg Book Festival in effect; The *LAST* SoMa Block Party of the season is TONIGHT (bundle up!)

Worth noting: Hippo Campus at XL Live tonight; new Whitaker Center exhibit opens; 3rd in the Burg Friday!

Things on my agenda this weekend: After being out of town, then home-bound for what seems like 2 weeks, I have a vibrant social schedule, starting with the McCormick Library Grand Reopening, SoMa Block Party, XL Live stop, Whitaker Center new traveling exhibit, 3rd in the Burg — then perhaps Pumpkinfest on the weekend!

For your weekend planning

Plan a holiday-themed trip ?
Harrisburg Book Festival is Oct. 19-23
Market on Market now open Tuesdays in Camp Hill
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.

Top Weekend Recs

Check out AAA’s Pet Costume Contest!
TONIGHT is the last SoMa Block Party of 2022
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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At community forum, Harrisburg School District highlights new initiatives to address recent violence

October 18, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman addressed the crowd at a community forum.

Parents, community members and staff filled a Harrisburg school auditorium on Tuesday to address recent incidents of violence among students and to hear about possible solutions.

The Harrisburg School District hosted a community forum where administrators discussed the challenges facing the district and the steps they are taking to reduce violence.

“Collectively, everyone in this room has to be part of the equation,” Superintendent Eric Turman said at the forum, held at Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus. “The reward I want as a superintendent is to be able to look back on Harrisburg in the next couple of years and look at the transformation, not only of the district, but of the city.”

Turman acknowledged that there has been a significant increase in incidents this school year, compared to last, in addition to higher suspension rates. In late September, after a fight involving several students, the district announced that it would temporarily increase police presence and safety measures within the high school.

While Turman mentioned the programs that the district already offers, such as counseling and therapy for students and family supports, he focused on new additions and next steps.

Just over a week ago, Wendell Morris began a position as the district’s new director of school police. Morris, a retired state police officer, will work to increase safety measures in the district and partner with local police. However, whether or not the district increases police presence in school longer-term would require further conversations with the community, Turman said.

Additionally, Turman noted that the district recently hired more safety monitors, bringing the total count to 41 across all schools.

Other new safety measures include the installation of $2 million worth of security cameras in the district’s schools and vape and marijuana detectors in bathrooms.

To prevent violent incidents, Turman discussed plans to assist students academically and emotionally, hopefully decreasing negative behavior. He introduced a new mentorship program for students that he hopes to roll out by January and additional career pathways programs to encourage academic growth.

“You can suspend [students], you can do all these things you want, but you’re not going to change that behavior until you get […] that kid to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Turman said.

Turman also encouraged parents to get involved and not to be afraid to reach out if their child is in need of help.

Lynnette Wade, a parent of a student, attended the forum on Tuesday hoping to hear what the district is doing to address the violence. While she was pleased to hear of the new programs in the district, she was unsure if they would adequately confront the issue.

“It was good information,” she said. “I think the initiatives are good if they’re all put in place. However, I thought they were going to be more focused on the violence that’s happening. It’s a major problem.”

School board director Steven Williams attended the event and saw it as a good starting place to build a “deeper relationship” between the district and community.

“I think it starts to address the community’s concerns, but it has to be an ongoing conversation,” he said.

Turman explained that the district plans to have additional future community forums and smaller-scale meetings with parents.

“We all want a quick fix,” he said. “We want to solve the problem now, but it’s going to take some time.”

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Bob’s Art Blog: The Poetry in October

October 18, 2022 | by Bob MacGinnes

“Pot of October” by Jovana Sarver

The English poet, Gordon Sumner, queried, “Will you be my love upon the fields of barley? Many years have passed since those summer days…”

Over the course of Bob’s art blogs, it has become common knowledge that I have an unabashedly amorous affair with the month of October–the most beautiful of the year for those too enamored with autumn. It seems to be the most fleeting month as well, gone almost as soon as it arrives. October brings with it life-affirming themes, even though it is a season of transition from warm, golden days to those that change the landscape around us, blanketing the earth for the days ahead of winter.

“Water of Life” at St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery

“Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink…” Thus penned Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his epic poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” in 1798. Little did Coleridge know that, almost 225 years later, the world would be facing drastic climate change. Hurricanes, floods, apocalyptic rain and the list goes on prove that he was a soothsayer of circumspect consideration.

St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery’s current “Water of Life” exhibit touches upon those topics, among others, in a tightly juried show of 23 works from 14 artists. Not to dismiss global alarms, the gallery also pays notice to the roles, both sacred and secular, that water plays in the everyday world, adding a few cautionary tales to the mix.

The exhibit does an exemplary job of the artist’s dilemma in bridging sacred and secular worlds as often they appear to be in direct conflict. In religious terms, water is spiritually linked to purity and baptism, being born again in water resurfacing as a new child in faith, washed clean of sin. Unique works from photography to collage to paintings, water is the focus foregrounded in the viewer’s collective conscience. In this exhibit, less is truly more with each selection standing apart brilliantly.

The jurors awarded local artist Lori Sweet with “Best in Show” for her acrylic painting, “Baptism: The Blessing of Water,” which depicts “a woman holding a bowl of water flowing out into the world.” The woman is caught between the worlds of the seen and unseen, offering blessings to both.

Julie Riker, well-known plein air painter, embraces “alla prima,” which means completing the work in one session, which she feels “keeps the surface fresh.” Julie was honored for her painting, “The Color of Water,” given the jury’s “Award for Excellence.” It is an oil on canvas that features rushing blue and white water by a lakeside shore, shimmering to its very bottom where life is present in the everyday order of nature.

“The Color of Water” by Julie Riker (photo: Jana MacGinnes)

Jonathan Frazier’s “Susquehanna Light” is another representation of plein air painting at its best. Jonathan captures an “exquisite sense of colors that abound in our local landscapes as the light changes over the course of the day.”

“Susquehanna Light” by Jonathan Frazier (photo: Jana MacGinnes)

Craig Bomberger, local art teacher, takes a tongue-in-cheek approach with his acrylic on canvas, “Opening Up to the World,” with a “bright and vibrant” palette of colors capping off the body of water with a wide-eyed character, perhaps symbolizing that we are intertwined with nature. Both bubbly and buoyant, it lifts the spirits of onlookers.

Half of community-minded art couple of Vivi on Verbeke, photographer Jeb Boyd offers a grand scale black-and-white study entitled, “Viaduct Vista: Steamy Susquehanna,” a dramatic shot of the conduits of calibration, channeling the ebb and flow of the great river. Partner Vivian Sterste-Brandler’s painting, “Spiritual Retreat at Fuller Lake,” offers insight as to how water can restore and heal just by being near it.

Daniel Petruzzi mixed his loves for art history and philosophy, bringing an amalgamation of methods and meanings to the foreground in his work, “The Maintenance of Empire.” This multi-media work-on-paper won the “Cathedral Prize” and is a testament to the dualistic themes of control and surveillance.

“Water of Life” can be viewed at St. Stephens Riverfront Gallery through Nov. 20 on Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m. For a relatively small exhibit, “Water of Life” makes a powerful statement on many levels and may just surprise you like a wave at the beach that comes out of nowhere.

Artist Spotlight: Carrie Feidt

Artwork by Carrie Feidt

In a world that can appear constantly to be wearing a frown, it’s refreshing to see a smile turned upside down. Art can move us in many ways, connecting on levels with our inner child. There is art, pure and simple, that just makes us smile and warms our heart. More often than not today, that can be just what the doctor ordered. Carrie Feidt is such an artist who has honed her craft for over 10 years, and, in doing so, has brightened the homes of many local residents. She creates mood boards with her paintings, taking the viewer to a seaside landscape or down a dark, spooky alley with only a flicker of light. Other avenues feature frolicking kittens or holiday-themed vignettes. Black- and-white images in her photography offer local points of interest. Carrie’s works have been featured at the Ned Smith Nature Center, the Civic Club of Harrisburg, Millersburg Art Association and at regular plein air sessions she holds throughout the area. For many artists, “edgy” may be their focus, but for Carrie Feidt, sweet and innocent wins the day. As I’ve read, never underestimate the social awareness and sense of reality in a quiet person. They are some of the most observant, absorbent persons of all. Carrie’s fall events are:

~The SoMa Block Party (S. 3rd St., Harrisburg) on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

~3rd in the Burg in SoMa on Friday, Oct. 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sip @17 (17 S. 3rd St.)

~Face painting at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit’s Fall Fest on Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

~Live painting at the Ned Smith Center for Nature

~Art’s Veteran’s Day Gala at the Country Club of Harrisburg from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

People who are interested in the paintings can reach Carrie by calling or texting 717-350-1072, or by emailing [email protected].

Post Script

There is great poetry in October. It’s evident everywhere you look, and the brisk weather takes the eye to the skyline as the trees shed their blanket of nature’s beauty. The magic of the month becomes ever elusive, capturing the joy of little faces on its very last day.

“I swear in the days left, we’ll walk in fields of gold.” ~Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting

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