New executive director hired to lead Broad Street Market in Harrisburg

October 16, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Broad Street Market in Harrisburg

Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market has a new day-to-day leader, as Tanis Monroy has been named the executive director, according to sources.

On Sunday, market board Chair John J. Sygielski posted news of the hire to his personal Facebook page, which included a picture of him and Monroy in the market. The selection was confirmed by several other market sources, who said that Monroy officially started in the job last week.

“As the chair of the Market board, it was my pleasure to on-board him this weekend,” Sygielski wrote on his Facebook page. “Please visit this city landmark and say hello to Tanis and patron[ize] many of our 40 vendors, many who are HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, alumni.”

Sygielski is also the president of HACC. Sygielski and Monroy could not be reached immediately for comment.

Monroy is a long-time Carlisle resident and community activist. He’s served as chair of the Amani Festival, a multicultural festival, in Carlisle. According to the Carlisle Sentinel, Monroy and his wife Colleen opened the Bridge, a community space in downtown Carlisle, in June.

As executive director, Monroy will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the historic farmers market in Midtown Harrisburg, a wide-ranging job that includes everything from vendor recruitment to staff supervision to customer interaction to financial matters and more.

The market’s leadership post has been vacant for most of this year following the departure of Josh Heilman, who served in the position for nearly three years. The market has had numerous executive directors, a job formerly known as the market manager, over the past decade.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

October 14, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg opened to two-way traffic this week.

TheBurg was honored this week to receive numerous awards for writing, reporting and art at the Keystone Professional press awards ceremony. Thanks to you, our readers, for your support so that we can continue to provide quality content. On that note, find all of this week’s news below.

Bike share is back in Harrisburg, as the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission unveiled the new program on Monday, our online story reported. People can now rent a pair of wheels at six locations across the city.

TheBurg Podcast for this month features stories of people and organizations around Harrisburg doing the right thing and helping others. Listen to the podcast, here.

Free trees are available to the community as Harrisburg-based Pasa Sustainable Agriculture plans to distribute 10,000 next weekend, our online story reported. The giveaway is in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Ten Million Trees initiative, which aims to plant 10 million trees in the state by 2025.

Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square opened last month, housing local food vendors like Yianni’s Gyro, Kimchee Girl and Taylor Chip Cookies. Find out more about what the new market has to offer, in our magazine story.

Harrisburg’s N. 2^nd Street made the switch from one- to two-way traffic on Thursday after a year-long construction project, our online story reported. The corridor, from Forster to Division streets, features roundabouts, speed bumps and other traffic calming infrastructure.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced its 2022 Catalyst Award winners this week, our reporting found. M&T Bank and the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University were among this year’s honorees.

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire presented its annual awards and swore in five new firefighters, our reporting found. The bureau distributed awards for heroism, CPR saves and bravery, among other honors.

Home prices rose in the Harrisburg area as sales decreased in September, our online story reported. Find out how many houses sold in the tri-county region compared to this time last year.

Jumping rope builds a bond between members of Harrisburg’s 40+ Double Dutch Club, our magazine story reported. The club provides local women with exercise, fellowship and fun.

Mini food pantries are popping up around Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. With the community’s help, businesses and organizations have found a unique way to assist their neighbors in need.

Open Stage’s “Treasure Island” is showing from now through Oct. 29. In our magazine story, read about what to expect from the adventurous and action-filled performance.

The PA National Horse Show returned to Harrisburg this month, our magazine story reported. The 2022 show runs Oct. 13 to 22 at the PA Farm Show Complex, where it began in 1946.

Sara Bozich has gathered all of the best events happening this weekend in Harrisburg. Find her list, here.

Volunteers are needed to help Harrisburg plant trees in the city’s Allison Hill and Bellevue Park neighborhoods, our online story reported. Volunteers will plant 70 trees from Oct. 28 to 30.

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Doing the Right Thing: TheBurg Podcast, October 2022

October 13, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

As hard as the pandemic was, and continues to be, for many people, there also continue to be glimmers of light, silver linings, business expansions, and stories about people helping others—doing the right thing.

And that’s the theme… that links all of today’s podcast interviews, together:

Peter Leonard, CEO/Owner of Little Amps Coffee Roasters, location of the Green Street Community Pantry
Kristin Messner-Baker, owner of The Vegetable Hunter, whose Harrisburg restaurant has expanded to Carlisle and Hershey
Kellie Black of Middletown, who recently launched Harrisburg’s chapter of the 40+ Double Dutch Club

Many thanks to the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau for sponsoring this episode of TheBurg Podcast, through their Cumberland Valley Beer Trail, with 29 locations—including Harrisburg—where everyone can find their flavor. For more information, see VisitCumberlandValley.com.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Mini but Mighty | Market Launch | Jump for Joy

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

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website for more of her writing, journalism and PR work.

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

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It’s Official: Harrisburg’s 2nd Street opens to two-way traffic, reversing 7 decades as urban highway

October 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Cars head north and southbound for the first time since the 1950s on N. 2nd Street at the Reily Street intersection.

After decades, a main Harrisburg roadway has made the switch from one-way to two-way traffic.

On Thursday at noon, the first car made its way southbound down N. 2^nd Street in Harrisburg. This was a historic drive, as the road has been a three-lane, one-way corridor since the 1950s.

With the opening, N. 2nd Street is now officially a two-way street between Division and Forster streets.

“I’m excited to see this take place,” said Percy Bullock, project manager for the city. “2nd Street is finally open.”

The project comes to a close after years of planning and over a year of construction, with several delays to the timeline. The city broke ground in May 2021. The goal was to make the roadway safer and more walkable for pedestrians, as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate pedestrian fatalities.

City project manager Percy Bullock answered questions from the media just after N. 2nd Street switched to two-way traffic.

According to Bullock, the new two-way street hopefully will redirect traffic from the corridor, which cuts through residential neighborhoods, to other roadways in the city such as N. 7^th Street.

The road now has three roundabouts where traffic lights used to be at Verbeke, Reily and Kelker streets. There are also raised pedestrian crosswalks and speed bumps at intersections and the speed limit has been lowered from 35 to 25 mph to slow traffic, Bullock explained

Within the hour after N. 2^nd Street officially made the switch to two ways, cars headed down the road, maneuvering new roundabouts, speed bumps and raised crosswalks. Traffic moved smoothly and slowly. One large truck made a tight turn at an intersection, partially running over the roundabout and medians, but that’s expected, Bullock explained at a previous press conference. It’s why the roundabouts were built low to the ground.

Cars maneuver a roundabout on N. 2nd and Kelker streets.

Bullock said that he understands that it may take some time for motorists to adjust to the new traffic pattern, but encourages drivers to be “patient.”

On Thursday, several city police officers and community service aides were stationed along the roadway to assist with the transition.

One long-time N. 2^nd Street resident, Joel Burcat, stood at the N. 2^nd and Division streets intersection on Thursday morning waiting to see the first cars make their way southbound on the road.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” he said. “I think it will make a positive impact in our neighborhood. It’s a big improvement for the city.”

In 2013, TheBurg published a lengthy feature story about the history, the promise and the perils of 2nd Street, when it was still a three-lane, one-way urban highway. To learn more about the history of the street, click here.

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Harrisburg Chamber names recipients of 2022 Catalyst Awards

October 13, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

M&T Bank and the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University have been named 2022 Catalyst Award winners, as the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced its most recent list of people and organizations serving as positive forces for our area.

The recipients are among eight awardees for one of the area’s most prestigious annual honors.

“We are incredibly proud to honor this group of visionary and dynamic individuals and businesses for their commitment to our region,” said Ryan Unger, president & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. “This diverse group has demonstrated the characteristics and values of being true catalysts for change and opportunity in our region.”

In addition to the Catalyst Award itself, the chamber and CREDC announced the winners of additional awards under the Catalyst framework to honor others in the Harrisburg area. They are:

Athena Award: Kathleen McKenzie, Highmark Blue Shield
Corporate Diversity Champion of the Year: The GIANT Company
Diversity Influencer of the Year: John “Ski” Sygielski, HACC
Entrepreneur of the Year: Derek Dilks, Dilks Properties
Government Leader of the Year: Nathan Silcox, Hampden Township Commissioner
Small Business of The Year: Cornerstone Coffeehouse
Volunteer of The Year: Davis Holliday, Searcher Films

Each year, a panel of local business and community representatives select the recipients, according to the chamber.

In 2018, TheBurg received the Catalyst Award.

The annual Catalyst Awards ceremony will take place on Dec. 7 at the Hilton Harrisburg and is open to the public. For more information and tickets, visit www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org.

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Harrisburg in search of volunteers to help plant trees in Allison Hill, Bellevue Park

October 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Volunteers plant trees at a spring planting event in April. File photo.

This fall, Harrisburg is looking for community members willing to lend a hand to help beautify the city.

The city announced on Thursday that it is in need of volunteers to plant street trees on Oct. 28 to 30.

Most of the planting will take place on Oct. 28 and 29 in Allison Hill on the 1800-block of Forster and Briggs streets and on the 800- and 900-blocks of N. 18th Street. Planting holes will be partially pre-dug, and volunteers will plant 45 trees. Participants will meet at Pleasantview Park at 19^th and Forster streets.

On Oct. 30, volunteers will plant an additional 25 trees in the Bellevue Park and Shipoke neighborhoods, with a meet up location at 143 Briarcliff Rd.

The meet up time for all three days will be at 9 a.m. for a demonstration and team assignments. Planting will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to the city, the trees are 7- to 9-feet tall and are bare root trees, making them easy to handle.

The city encourages wearing sturdy shoes or boots, long pants and a jacket and bringing any tools you may have. They will provide water, snacks, safety vests and some gloves and tools.

The planting will take place rain or shine, but if severe weather is predicted, registered participants will be notified by email no later than 8 a.m. on the day of the event, if it will be postponed.

To register to volunteer for the fall tree planting, click here. For more information, visit the city’s website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

October 13, 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
Like this content?

For something new: Try “The Sunflower” at Cornerstone Coffeehouse; great acts at XL Live Fri & Sat with Harrisburg University Presents

Worth noting: Creatures of the Night opens at ZooAmerica; Visit Hershey-Harrisburg’s Harvest Hops through Nov. 30

Things on my agenda this weekend: Heading to a mini getaway in the Poconos! Follow along on IG.

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.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Top Weekend Recs

Check out AAA’s Pet Costume Contest!
WIN a Pumpkin Spice gift pack from Cornerstone Coffeehouse
Save the date for 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.

Like this content?

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Tree for Free: Local environmental organization to hand out 10,000 trees to community

October 12, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Trees to be distributed by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture next week.

One local organization plans to hand out thousands of trees next week in hopes of making the community a little greener.

Harrisburg-based Pasa Sustainable Agriculture will distribute 10,000 trees for free to community members on Oct. 21 during 3^rd in the Burg.

The giveaway is in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Ten Million Trees initiative, which aims to plant 10 million trees in the state by 2025.

“We are really excited about the opportunity and can’t wait to see where the trees end up,” said Ashlee Dugan, development assistant for Pasa.

From Oct. 12 through 21, people can shop at Radish & Rye Food Hub on N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg to receive a voucher for a free tree. While vouchers are encouraged, they are not required, Dugan said.

“They do such a wonderful job of supporting local farms,” Dugan said of Radish & Rye. “We thought that was a natural partnership.”

On Oct. 21, trees will be available for pickup from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pasa’s office, 1631 N. Front St., Harrisburg. The organization moved its headquarters to this location around a year ago and views this project as a way to introduce themselves to the community.

Available tree varieties include Smooth Alder, Serviceberry, Buttonbush, Dogwood and Sycamore, among others. They are all small saplings, Dugan said. Community members may take more than one tree.

According to the Ten Million Trees initiative’s website, over 4 million trees have been planted by the program since 2018.

Dugan explained the benefits of planting trees for the environment, including cutting back on erosion, keeping farms healthy and playing a role in water treatment.

“Trees are one of PA’s greatest assets,” she said.

For more information on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, visit their website.

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

Harrisburg Bureau of Fire presents awards, swears in new firefighters at ceremony

October 11, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams swears in five new firefighters to the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire

At an annual event, Harrisburg firefighters have been recognized for their actions both locally and nationwide.

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Fire held its swearing-in and awards ceremony, distributing awards for heroism, CPR saves and bravery, among other honors.

“Today is another great day in the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire acknowledging some of the great men and women that we have protecting not only the city of Harrisburg, but the Harrisburg region,” Fire Chief Brian Enterline said.

At the ceremony, the bureau swore in five new personnel, bringing its complement to 93 firefighters, the highest number the bureau has had since the early 1990s, according to Enterline. New firefighters include Garret Morey, Corey Lease, Justin Kahill, Bryan Rooney and Tyler Bender.

Enterline noted other areas of growth within the bureau as they explore the possibility of opening another fire station within the city and as they increase efforts to assist other departments regionally.

Four firefighters were promoted to officer positions, including Deputy Fire Chief Floyd Wise, Battalion Chief Charles Zavrel, Capt. Byron Worner and Lt. Justin Zimmerman.

Firefighter Marty Henderson retired after 27 years with the bureau.

“You have the most sincere thanks and gratitude not from not just me, but from all the residents of the city of Harrisburg,” said Mayor Wanda Williams to members of the bureau.

The following awards and recognitions were given to firefighters in the bureau:

Award of Merit—Battalion Chief Floyd Wise, Lt. Robert Lohin, Lt. Corey Stone, Fire Chief Brian Enterline, William Russo, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli, Brian Riddle, Zachary Miller
Unit Citation—William Junkin, Bobby Jones, Jonathan Little, Justin Barnes, David Gilkey, David Aguayo, Brandon Trygar, Kevin Craver, Battalion Chief Cornell Bradford, Patrick Fuller, Billy-Bob Holtzman, Brayden Byers, Capt. Jeremy Saul, Jonathan Morrow, Michael Shaak, Lt. Brian Yonkin, Cedric Yates, Lt. Matthew Kuntz, Joshua Winters, Lt. David Schock, Nathan Martin, Lt. Jeffrey Miller, John Peskie, Shakur Hakeem-El
CPR Save—Wilbert Turner, Ryan Spangler, Nicholas Hurst, Hadiel Bey, Jonathan Little, Thomas Cucchiara, David Aguayo, Jamie Kleckner, Dylan Landuyt, Timothy Wolcott, Joseph Kuhn, James Grundon, Connor Davis, Jared Day, Jonathan Felty, Codie Schaffner, Lt. David Schock, John Peskie, Austin Howard, Capt. Jeremy Saul, Shakur Hakeem-El, William Kauffman, Scott Young, Justin Zimmerman, Cody Durham
Heroism—Ryan Spangler
Bravery—Pablo Passalacqua
Reverend Dennis E. Snider Customer Service Award— Corey Stone

The following citizens were also awarded for their assistance to the bureau:

Citizen Commendation—Rick Weyandt, Brian Smith, Johnny Irizarry, Amir Speaks, Ihyanaa Griffin

Additionally, the bureau introduced a new award for Regional Rescue Deployment, which was given to a number of firefighters for their services outside of Harrisburg.

The ceremony also recognized former bureau firefighter, Battalion Chief Clarence E. Fry, who died in the line of duty in 1977.

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Listen Up: Americans face threats to hearing, but solutions exist

October 11, 2022 | by Think Capital Blue Cross

Female doctor examining the ear of a senior woman in clinic. ENT physician examining ear of a female patient with an instrument.

Some 22 million American workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work each year, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Occupational hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition among adults behind hypertension and arthritis. American businesses pay an estimated $242 million annually in workers compensation claims tied to hearing loss, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Hearing loss is about more than missing out on conversations. It can lead to depression, feelings of isolation, and cognitive impairment, and it can increase the risk of workplace accidents, according to research from the Mayo Clinic and Grigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Fortunately, much is known about preventing hearing loss, and many resources exist to help keep workers and others safe in a noisy world.

Factory workers, musicians, farmers, dental workers, construction workers, coaches and game officials, military personnel, and first responders often face hazardous noise levels, according to NIOSH. The cumulative effects of hazardous noise levels can be serious.

“People with hearing loss face an increased risk of disability and dementia, and men with hearing problems face an increased risk of depression,” said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, chief medical officer at Capital Blue Cross, citing research from the University of Bordeaux in France.

Loud music, crowd noise, traffic noise, and other sounds of everyday life can slowly chip away our hearing health. Researchers largely agree that 85 decibels is a kind of tipping point when it comes to noise hazards. NIOSH reports that a person exposed to sounds levels of 85 decibels for more than eight hours could begin to damage their hearing, and adds that safe exposure time gets cut in half for 3-decibel increase above 85 decibels.

Normal conversation registers between 60 and 70 decibels while fireworks or gunshots can soar to ear-splitting levels of 140 or 150 decibels. A person pushing a lawnmower registering between 90 and 110 decibels would risk hearing damage in less than 30 minutes without protection, NIOSH estimates.

“The world can be a noisy place,” Dr. Chambers said. “The best advice for employers and workers is to take sensible precautions and to learn more about hazardous noise exposure.”

Anyone with a smartphone, for example, can download free noise meter apps like the NIOSH Sound Level Meter.

The NIOSH website is loaded with helpful information. It urges employers to require ear protection, to identify dangerously noisy areas, and to encourage employees to have annual hearing exams to determine baseline hearing ability.

NIOSH’s “Buy Quiet,” initiative encourages machine makers to design quieter tools, and machine users to buy or rent quieter tools for their employees. It even maintains a database of power tools ranked by how much noise they make.

And while occupational hearing loss is not reversible, technology can help. Dr. Chambers said the risks of depression, disability, and dementia often associated with hearing loss can be reduced with the use of hearing aids.

THINK (Trusted Health Information, News, and Knowledge) is a community publication of Capital Blue Cross. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and news on the latest health and insurance issues.

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What you’ll find:

For your weekend planning

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Like this content?

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