June News Digest

May 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Proposes Use of Federal Funds

After months of consideration, Harrisburg announced how it hopes to use millions of dollars in new federal funds.

Last month, Mayor Wanda Williams proposed using the city’s $47 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to support low-income residents, upgrade pools and parks and cover public safety needs.

“It’s not every day we get $47 million to spend to make the city better,” Williams said. “The pandemic has taken so much from us in so many ways over the last two years. This is why it is important we get this right, right now.”

In total, Williams proposed using $42 million of the pandemic relief funds, saving the additional $4.6 million for future uses. Her proposal includes four spending buckets: $14.5 million to help low-income residents, $10 million for beautification, parks and recreation, $9.16 million for public safety and $8.8 million to reimburse the city for lost revenue during the pandemic.

Besides the money that would be used to pay back the city for revenue it lost during COVID, the largest allotments would go to creating an affordable housing program and constructing a water park in south Harrisburg. Williams has delegated $8 million for each.

“We feel that every dollar we requested is certainly necessary,” Williams said.

The affordable housing program would primarily seek to direct financial assistance to nonprofits and developers planning to construct and sell homes to low-income residents. According to city officials, organizations or companies would apply to the program and be evaluated based on standards developed by the Department of Building and Housing Development. The city hopes the money will help build a few hundred new affordable homes, according to city Business Administrator Dan Hartman.

Also for low-income residents, the city proposed allotting $5 million to assist homeowners with necessary home repairs and another $1 million to pay for delinquent trash utility bills. Another $500,000 would fund grants for small businesses affected by the pandemic.

“It’s always been my stance that the people of Harrisburg deserve safe, affordable housing, and this proposal would help that,” said Dennise Hill, director of the Department of Building and Housing Development.

The proposal to create a water park to replace the current Hall Manor pool would constitute another large chunk of funding. Williams said that the park would include a spray area, lazy river, slides, ADA-zero entry points, concessions and community spaces for families. Additional funding would go towards installing ADA-accessible playground equipment in city parks and for tree removal services.

With the funding for public safety, Williams wants to use $5.5 million to upgrade the public safety building’s HVAC system. She also proposed giving $5,000 bonuses, totaling $1.26 million, to police officers and firefighters, using $900,000 to upgrade radio systems for the fire bureau and spending $1.5 million to demolish dilapidated buildings.

The city plans to use the $4.6 million left out of the proposal to possibly cover administrative costs and to act as a buffer in case costs for other projects increase. It may also be used for additional projects, such as repaving city streets, Williams said.

The proposal will now go to Harrisburg City Council for consideration. Hartman said that the administration will formally present the plan to council on June 7.

According to council President Danielle Bowers, council plans to hold additional public hearings on the proposed use of the ARPA funding before voting on a final plan.

State Street Meetings Set

Harrisburg residents this month will get a chance to offer their input on a State Street construction project.

The city has announced three public meetings for residents to review and comment on draft redesigns of the roadway.

“What is clear is we need to give our residents more of an opportunity to voice their concerns on this project,” said Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director.

The State Street Rapid Response project, which began planning in 2018, broke ground in Allison Hill in April. However, only two weeks later, the project came to halt when residents expressed concerns. At a City Council meeting last month, city officials announced that they would go back to the drawing board for a redesign.

The city will bring new drafted designs to the public to gather feedback. Engineers will attend to answer questions and speak to residents.

The meeting dates and locations are as follows:

Wednesday, June 2, 6 to 8 p.m., Harrisburg School District Administration Building, Lincoln School, 1601 State St.
Monday, June 6, 6 to 8 p.m., Kappa Omega Fraternity House, 2020 State St.
Wednesday, June 22, 6 to 8 p.m., Harrisburg School District Administration Building, Lincoln School, 1601 State St.

The meetings on June 2 and 6 will offer residents the chance to comment on draft designs. After those meetings, Dawood Engineering Inc., which provides engineering services to the city, will use public feedback to create a single design. This will be presented to the public at the June 22 meeting, where residents will again have the chance to comment.

Additionally, the city announced a website that will allow residents to send in public comments.

According to Maisel, the process of taking public comment, redesigning the project and resuming construction may take only a matter of months. PennDOT must approve the new plan, as the commonwealth owns State Street.

To comment on the State Street Rapid Response project, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/state-street.

Harrisburg Council OKs Apartment Building

A developer can move forward with renovating a long-abandoned building in Allison Hill.

Last month, Harrisburg City Council approved the transformation of a blighted building at 100 N. 13th St. into apartment units. Council voted in favor of the resolution 5-2, with council member Jocelyn Rawls and council President Danielle Bowers voting in opposition.

Radon Construction plans to renovate the 11,500-square-foot building, formerly the Church of God/Central Publishing House. The renovation includes creating 12 apartment units, which the developer said should rent for about $1,000 to $1,100 a month.

“I believe that would leave our residents cost-burdened,” Bowers said, explaining her opposition to the project.

At a previous council meeting, developers explained how they had to adjust the planned rental rate to cover the rising cost of construction.

Also at last month’s meeting, council approved a resolution to contract with an organization that will assist the city with gun violence prevention efforts. The Research Foundation of the City University of New York, on behalf of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, will provide the service. The $210,000 contract is funded through a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

The organization will study violence in Harrisburg, determine a strategy to address it and assist with implementation. The contract term is two years.

“I think it’s something that’s needed in the city,” council member Ausha Green said.

Street Name Honors T. Morris Chester

A street in downtown Harrisburg has a new, second name to honor local Black history.

Last month, officials unveiled the designation of part of Walnut Street as T. Morris Chester Way, named after a prominent figure in Harrisburg history.

“We are very excited to be celebrating this momentous occasion,” said Harrisburg City Council President Danielle Bowers.

In October, council approved the street name designation to honor the historic figure. The IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, which installed the Commonwealth Monument on 4th and Walnut streets, is responsible for the initiative.

City officials recognized Thomas Morris Chester on what would have been his 188th birthday. Chester was a Harrisburg native and the nation’s first Black war correspondent during the 1860s. He helped recruit Black men into the Union Army and gave a voice to Black soldiers fighting for rights and equality.

“He never backed down from a fight, and the city will never back down from memorializing him,” Mayor Wanda Williams said.

Chester is also recognized as one of the bronze figures in the Commonwealth Monument.

Walnut Street will keep its name, but, from Commonwealth Avenue to Front Street, it has gained T. Morris Chester Way as a second name.

Home Prices Strong, Sales Slip

Harrisburg-area home prices jumped in April, even as sales dipped.

In the three-county region, the median price of an existing home rose to $250,500, a sharp increase from $225,000 in April 2021, as sales fell to 628 houses versus 704 the prior April, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, the median price rose to $230,000 compared to $197,950 in the year-ago period, with total sales falling to 314 from 380 housing units a year ago, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had a median sales price of $290,950 versus $260,000 a year ago, as sales decreased by 20 units to 268 houses, GHAR stated.

In Perry County, the median price also increased, to $208,900 from $156,000 in April 2021, as sales held steady at 36 homes, according to GHAR.

In April, houses were selling briskly, with the “average days on market” at just 16 days, compared to 23 the prior April, GHAR said.

Mural Passport Debuts

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) last month announced “Murals & More—A Walk of Art,” audio-guided tours of two suggested routes that highlight murals, monuments and art.

For the tours, VHH has developed a mobile passport that users can add to their phone’s home screen.

“When you walk through Harrisburg, examples of artistic creativity and collaboration are everywhere,” said VHH President and CEO Mary Smith. “We loved the idea of creating suggested routes that allow visitors to not only see a variety of artwork within a few hours, but also learn about the artists and inspiration for the work through audio clips on the passport.”

The free passport features location information about each stop, along with audio overviews of the artwork, monuments and museums. At each stop, passport users are encouraged to use the check-in feature. After 14 check-ins, they’ll earn an art-themed prize.

Smith praised the work of Sprocket Mural Works, a nonprofit working to enhance communities through art and the organization behind many of the murals featured.

“Murals & More” is the latest addition to a collection of VHH Trails and Experiences designed to package certain themes within the region’s many tourism assets in a way that makes it easy for visitors and local residents to enjoy. Other trails and experiences include:

Brew Barons Beer Trail
Chocolate & More Sweet Treat Trail
Adventure Trail
The Black Travel Experience

“Murals & More” may be primarily centered on free public art, but it’s designed to have a positive overall effect and economic impact for Harrisburg.

“Every project VHH develops is a piece of the overall tourism puzzle in the Hershey Harrisburg region,” Smith said. “By encouraging people to take part in a walking tour, they’ll be passing restaurants, attractions and other small businesses that can also benefit from extra foot traffic in the city.”

For more information, visit www.visithersheyharrisburg.org.

Summer Events Scheduled

Just in time for the warm weather, Dauphin County last month announced its 2022 summer events season.

“We are excited to be back in action this year and here to kick off the 2022 events series,” said Michelle McKeown, the county’s parks and recreation program manager.

The county has a full lineup of seasonal events, including their annual Jazz and Wine Festival, which will take place at Fort Hunter on Sept. 10 and 11. The event will feature eight bands, as well as wine tastings and food vendors. To kick off the weekend, the popular Jazz Walk will return to Midtown Harrisburg.

Dauphin County also has family-friendly events running all summer, from June 3 to Aug. 26. The Sunset Music and Movies series will feature performing arts organizations and movies.

All of these events are free and will take place at Fort Hunter Park Centennial Barn. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic basket. Food trucks will also be on site. Movie showings and live performances will alternate every other Friday.

Proudly PA! is another big event for the county, set for June 11 at Fort Hunter. The event will offer tastings from PA wineries, breweries and distilleries, as well as live music and food.

Other events include BrewFest on July 16 at Fort Hunter, Cultural Fest on City Island in Harrisburg on Aug. 20, Fort Hunter Day on Sept. 18 and Celebrate Wildwood on Sept. 24 at Wildwood Park.

“We wanted to make sure it’s a welcoming experience,” said county Commissioner George Hartwick. “We were intentional about pulling together diverse programming.”

For a full list of events and additional information, visit Dauphin County’s website.

So Noted

Harrisburg University last month announced a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace to support its scholarship program. Under the initiative, people will be able to purchase unique, HU-themed NFTs to help support student scholarships.

MASA Authentic Mexican Cuisine is slated to open this month in downtown Harrisburg at 316 N. 2nd St. Enrique Armas is the third-generation owner of the business, formerly known as Mexico Lindo, which ran as a popular food truck on Market Street in Allison Hill for about two decades.

OurBus is launching a new intercity bus route that will make stops in downtown Harrisburg, the company announced last month. The route begins in Slippery Rock and ends in New York, with additional stops in Pittsburgh, Breezewood and Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.ourbus.com.

Susquehanna Soniqs, a Harrisburg-based professional e-sports team, will open a state-of-the-art e-sports facility on S. 3rd Street downtown, said Soniqs CEO Darren Moore. The LAN Center should open to the public later this summer as a hub for gaming in the area, Moore said.

West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland debuted last month after an extensive renovation, with the grand-opening weekend featuring a variety of film and live performances. The 82-year-old art deco-style theater had been closed since early 2018.

Whitaker Center last month unveiled the new PNC Innovation Zone, a 7,000-square-foot gaming studio that offers children 8 years and older the ability to learn about coding, gaming and related technologies The Innovation Zone also is one of the region’s largest Comcast Lift Zones with free public internet.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 21: Straw Family Trust to D. Boyle, $40,000

Bellevue Rd., 1945: R. Sheffield & L. Adams to 946 S 18th LLC, $64,900

Bellevue Rd., 2024: D&J Properties of Harrisburg to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

Berryhill St., 1425: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to D. Boyle, $49,275

Berryhill St., 1443: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to C. Wheeler, $144,995

Berryhill St., 1616: Rivera Realty LLC to J. de Grullon, $65,000

Boas St., 107: J. Kundrat to C. Michalopoulos, $182,000

Boas St., 1812: MidAtlantic IRA LLC & C. Raup IRA to Cooperwink LLC, $74,900

Briggs St., 253: 253 Briggs St. LLC to SJL Rentals, $140,000

Briggs St., 1708 & 1712: PI Capitol LLC to J. Stoltzfoos, $107,708

Brookwood St., 2450: V. Nauman to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $66,000

Conoy St., 104: D. Wolf to S. Miller, $175,000

Derry St., 1634: E. Bertot & N. Gaskin to M25 Capital Investments LLC, $144,900

Derry St., 2121: W. Zhang to Y. Rodriguez & J. Savendra, $146,000

Edward St., 260 & 3115 Susquehanna St.: C. & K. Gehman to S. Dunklau & R. Anzel, $430,000

Ellersie St., 2417: R. & D. Edwards to K. Tillman, $185,000

Forster St., 1917: T&E Property01 LLC to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $56,000

Forster St., 1934: M. Gillespie to S. Harrison, $90,000

Fulton St., 1420: V. & D. Poplaski to M. Dean & J. Kost, $130,000

Girard St., 735 & 737: Silver Maple LLC to DIMA Properties LLC, $110,000

Green St., 1616: Vandaleh Real Estate Associates LLC & P. Costa to Green Scapes Investments LLC, $140,000

Green St., 3007: R. & T. Speece to V. Agnone & M. McKee, $280,000

Green St., 3011: M. Palermo to K. Bajracharya, $265,000

Harris Terr., 2481: S. Hill to R. Bachrach, $95,000

Herr St., 1615: D&J Properties of Harrisburg to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

Hummel St., 343: A. Semanick to D. Montes, $66,000

Jefferson St., 2247: R. Rammouni to Louis Group LLC, $64,000

Kensington St., 2110 & 2116: M. & A. Robinson to NA Capital Group LLC, $60,500

Kensington St., 2261: E. & D. Ward to J. Scott, $50,000

Kensington St., 2314: J. Regalado to E. Brown, $89,000

Lenox St., 2001: We Buy PA Inc. to Global Reach LLC, $105,000

Lewis St., 323: M. Swilkey to E. Cotelo & C. Shell, $150,000

Lexington St., 2710: T. Lewis to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $80,000

Liberty St., 1428: Silver Maple LLC to DIMA Propeties LLC, $59,900

Luce St., 2361: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to J. Tobe, $125,000

Maclay St., 241: B. & J. Myers to E. & C. Onyewu, $85,000

Market St., 1404: San Pef Inc. to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $125,000

Market St., 1406: San Pef Inc. to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $125,000

Market St., 1600: Lucas Properties to SDFC PA1 LLC, $475,000

Market St., 1850: C. Texidor to R. Torres, $70,000

Market St., 1935: TLC Construction & Renovations LLC to TRYB Investments LLC, $40,000

Market St., 2046: R. Hood to Twelfth Root LLC, $82,193

Mercer St., 2426: A. & G. Kocevar to B&E Development LLC, $70,000

Nagle St., 123: F. Rubinic to S. Kramer, $186,000

North St., 1611: R. Taylor Jr. to D. Scott, $119,000

North St., 1819A: PA Deals LLC to N. Salgado, $120,000

N. 2nd St., 2986: Pennsylvania Commonwealth c/o Dixon University to Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, $4,560,000

N. 3rd St., 3017: J. Crossett & M. Hochstetler to B. & S. Sisco, $166,000

N. 3rd St., 3021: Innovative Assets LLC to I. & J. Vitale, $214,900

N. 4th St., 1727: R. Moss & J. Stark to E. Timothy & C. Moore, $200,000

N. 4th St., 2106: W. Martin to I. Folkner, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2114: M. Goldberg to W. & M. Hyatt, $90,000

N. 4th St., 2404: F. & R. Scott to D. Boyle, $46,400

N. 4th St., 3211: D. Cameron to Q. Loper, $140,000

N. 4th St., 3225: J. Wright to A. Ramirez & C. Barrios, $90,000

N. 5th St., 1706: J. Hawkins to A. & J. Norris, $200,000

N. 6th St., 3161: P. Freeman to D&A Homes LLC, $66,500

N. 12th St., 56: B. & L. Young to F. Velez, $90,000

N. 15th St., 1202: Y. Griffiths to 946 South 18th LLC, $55,000

N. 15th St., 1314: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to Chand Living Trust, $149,900

N. 15th St., 1340: M. Alvarez to M. Tornay, $87,000

N. 15th St., 1415: E. Mantilla to M. Gomez, $94,500

N. 16th St., 523: R&K Realty Group LP to 523 N 16th Street LLC, $50,000

N. 17th St., 66: Great Row LLC to Bond Wolf & Fox LLC, $44,900

N. 17th St., 80: Wofford Enterprises Ltd. to E. Mendoza, $62,000

N. Front St., 2701: Jonas Rupp House LLC to Dilks Properties of Harrisburg LLC, $875,000

N. Front St., 2909 & 2917: M. & S. Wilson to Benmarsh LLC, $1,400,000

Penn St., 1420: P. & K. Lopushansky to Hobbeze Inc., $40,000

Penn St., 1716: D. Rhodes to K. Bentz, $170,000

Penn St., 1828: K. & Y. Cunningham to Panda Real Estate LLC, $110,000

Penn St., 1925: G. & K. Capoferri to A. & J. Norris, $181,000

Penn St., 2119: Obear Properties to JJC Properties, $55,000

Penn St., 2427: M. & Y. Speece to M. Powell, $67,500

Pennwood Rd., 3209: M. Ramirez to P. Grove, $170,000

Pennwood Rd., 3212: M. Udit to I. Foye, $148,000

Radnor St., 642: D. Webber to Horizon Investments RE LLC, $75,000

Royal Terr., 125: El Pejano Trucking LLC to L. Almonte, $91,000

S. 13th St., 1432: R. Mosley to AP Properties Services LLC, $52,000

S. 13th St., 1443: J. & V. Pettis to K. Quinn, $125,000

S. 13th St., 1541: Y. Al Refae & H. Esmaeil to B. Muzirwa, $72,500

S. 16th St., 11: Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC to HTTRINH LLC, $87,000

S. 17th St., 18: M. Nichols to C. Peguero, $68,000

S. 19th St., 19: M. Goldberg to J. Antoine, $99,000

S. 19th St., 226: Great Row LLC to F. Galan, $68,000

S. 20th St., 624: DMA Rentals LLC to M. Ortiz, $90,000

S. 24th St., 704: C. Allen to A. Jacques, $68,000

State St., 1847: Bridger Investments LLC to Adom Investment Group LLC, $190,000

Susquehanna St., 1637: S. Henry to S. & N. Kelly, $115,000

Susquehanna St., 1703: L. Mayton & A. Quick to N. Hoy, $170,000

Susquehanna St., 2130: Zion Management LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $65,000

Swatara St., 2014: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to Chand Living Trust, $129,900

Sycamore St., 1622: T. Nguyen to C. Coronado, $150,000

Taylor Blvd., 30: JEG Properties LLC to Brethren Housing Association, $130,000

Verbeke St., 120: B. & L. Clemente to LanPro Properties LLC, $130,000

Walnut St., 1220: L. & E. Keefer to J. White, $119,900

Walnut St., 1318: C. Tatum to D. Boyle, $42,000

Wayne St., 1713: D&J Properties of Harrisburg to SPG Capital LLC, $64,000

Whitehall St., 2050: Wheatland Restore LLC to T. & D. Smith, $209,900

Wiconisco St., 618: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Mentzer Gap Holdings LLC, $129,995

Zarker St., 1927: M. Baltozer to E. Ayala & N. Vogt, $50,500

Harrisburg property sales, April 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Community Corner: Notable June Events

May 31, 2022 | by Missy Smith

June Community Corner

Summer Reading
June 1-Aug. 15: Swim into Dauphin County Library System’s summer reading program, with activities related to “Oceans of Possibilities.” Register online and then stop by the library to grab your summer reading grab and go bag, while supplies last. www.dcls.org

Free Shakespeare
June 3-18: Don’t miss the 25th annual “Free Shakespeare in the Park” event with “The Winter’s Tale.” The Gamut Theatre production runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg. www.gamuttheatre.org

HBG Flea
June 4: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily 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

Tour de Belt
June 5: Capital Area Greenbelt Association hosts its annual Tour de Belt bike ride, starting at 10 a.m. at HACC, 1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg, and following the 20-mile Greenbelt trail. Proceeds go to Greenbelt restoration and maintenance. www.CAGA.org

Bingo
June 5: Join JFT Recovery and Veterans Support Services for a benefit Bingo at Enola Fire Co., 118 Chester Rd. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and games begin at 1 p.m. Prizes include cash and gift baskets. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Food and drink will be sold separately. www.jft-rvss.org

Business After Hours
June 8: Mingle with business professionals at Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC’s free networking event, hosted by the Country Club of Harrisburg, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Rd., 4 to 6 p.m. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org

Discover Herps
June 9: Young explorers ages 5 to 10 are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1 to 3 p.m., for the Kids Discover series on herping, the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles. See frogs, turtles and snakes up close and learn about what makes each one special. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Food Rally
June 9: 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 at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Film Fridays
June 10, 24: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “The Sapphires,” an Australian film, on June 10 at 7 p.m. and June 24 at 2 p.m. The film follows four Australian Aboriginal women, who become unlikely stars by singing for troops in Vietnam with the help of an R&B-loving musician. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Outdoor Movies
June 10, 24: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation presents “Sunset Series Movie Night” at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with screenings of “Coco” on June 10 and “Raya and the Last Dragon” on June 24. The movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the Friends of Fort Hunter concession stand. www.forthunter.org

Golf Tournament
June 11: JFT Recovery and Veterans Support Services hosts its Annual Benefit Golf Tournament at Rich Valley Golf Course, 227 Rich Valley Rd., Mechanicsburg, starting at 7:30 a.m. Each golf package includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, beverages and food, with the opportunity to win a variety of prizes. www.jft-rvss.org

Bloom Festival
June 11: The Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 7th annual Bloom Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in downtown Shippensburg. Shop for food, crafts, plants, flowers and local produce and enjoy kids’ activities. www.shippensburgbloomfestival.com

Volunteer Day
June 11: Enjoy the outdoors and help with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided and refreshments available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Proudly PA
June 11: Enjoy the Proudly PA! Festival at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 8 p.m., with locally sourced food, live music and wine, craft beer and distilled spirits. Bring your own lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. www.dauphincounty.org

Book Signing
June 11: Laurie J. Edwards, author of four books in the “Unicorns of the Secret Stable” series for young readers will be at Cupboard Maker Books, 157 N. Enola Rd., Enola, 1 to 3 p.m., signing copies of her books. www.cupboardmaker.com

Pollinator Workshop
June 11: Kids ages 6 to 12 are invited to Penn State Master Gardeners’ “Gardening with Nature—Plant a Pollinator Container for Youth,” a hands-on workshop at the Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1 to 3 p.m. Students will learn how to create their own pollinator garden that helps preserve a healthy environment. www.extension.psu.edu

Cancer Benefit
June 11: Head to Bucks Valley Winery and Vineyards, 333 Meadow Grove Rd., Newport, for the 8th annual “Toasting a Cure at the Vineyard,” benefitting PA Breast Cancer Coalition, 1:30 to 7 p.m. The event will feature live music, cornhole, a silent and live auction and a pig roast. www.pbccbenefit.com

Spring Dinner
June 11: BBW and Admirers Central PA chapter will host a late spring dinner and meeting at the Glass Lounge, 4745 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m. For more details, contact 609-870-8853 or [email protected].

Climate Convergence
June 11-13: Pennsylvania Climate Convergence will meet in Harrisburg for a three-day event featuring numerous speakers, a festival of art, music and theater in Riverfront Park, accompanied by a rally and march on the state Capitol and the installation of a 6′ Climate Countdown Clock in the East Wing. Click here for more information and a full lineup of events.

Agnes Commemoration
June 11-27: Historic Harrisburg Association and Shipoke Neighborhood Association host a series of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the devastating Tropical Storm Agnes flood. These include a community celebration on June 11, a garden tour on June 12, an exhibit opening on June 17 and a program on June 27. For more information, see the story in this issue of TheBurg and visit www.historicharrisburg.org.

Cleanup Days
June 11, 18, 26: Wildheart Ministries hosts “Love the Hill” cleanup events, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteer to work outside picking up trash, doing basic landscaping, helping with dumpsite removal or planting flowers in the neighborhood. Bring a pair of gloves, a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and any tools you may have. www.lovethehillpa.com

Juneteenth Week
June 11-19: Juneteenth will be celebrated with a weeklong series of events in Harrisburg, organized by Juneteenth HBG and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg. Events include a conference, social events, a concert and a jubilee. For more information, see the story in this issue of TheBurg and visit www.ypoc-hbg.org.

Secret Gardens
June 12: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the “Secret Gardens of Historic Harrisburg” garden tour, 1 to 5 p.m. Explore Historic Midtown and Shipoke gardens and outdoor living spaces, get landscaper and contractor referrals, and shop a vendor market.www.historicharrisburg.org

Jubilee Day
June 16: Jubilee Day returns to downtown Mechanicsburg for its 92nd year and the first since 2019. Enjoy vendors, games, carnival rides, festival food and more, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. www.mechanicsburgchamber.org/event/jubilee-day.

3rd in The Burg
June 17: 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

Juneteenth Free Day
June 18: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, hosts a Juneteenth Community Free Day with family-friendly activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attend an American genealogy workshop and presentation on local African American cemeteries, listen to a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, and witness living history. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Art on the Farm
June 18: Carlisle Arts Learning Center and Farmers on the Square host “Art on the Farm,” at Talking Breads, 1619 W Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg, 3:30 p.m. Enjoy farm strolls, artist demos, farm education, live music, and local food and drinks. A silent auction will feature baskets and artwork. Tickets are $75 per person or $575 per table. www.carlislearts.org

Father’s Day
June 19: Take dad to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to celebrate Father’s Day, with free admission for all dads. www.hersheygardens.org

Flower Walk
June 19: Take a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., to view fragrant water lilies, yarrow, white beardtongue, blue-eyed grass and common milkweed. Learn how these and other flowers were named and some of their uses by early settlers and Native Americans. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Nature Camp
June 20-July 1: Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, hosts Nature Explorers Day Camp for kids ages 6 to 8. Kids will learn about animal adaptations, explore aquatic life in Paxton Creek and enjoy a live animal presentation. The camp is held over two separate weeks; campers should register for one week only. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Jazz Party
June 23: Enjoy “Flowers & All that Jazz—A Jazz Age Lawn Party” at John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, with live music, food, dessert, wine and beer, a specialty cocktail, raffles, croquet, music, flowers, mansion tours and more, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $60. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Picnic Celebration
June 26: Perry County Council of the Arts hosts its 40th Anniversary Celebration and Membership Picnic at Millerstown Community Park, 110 W. Juniata Parkway, 12 to 4 p.m. Grab lunch from food trucks, take in live performances, have fun with kids’ activities and face painting, and hear from guest speakers and dignitaries. www.perrycountyarts.org

PA Flag
June 30: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to Curiosity Kids to learn about the design of the official state flag of Pennsylvania and create their own personalized state flag, at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is included with general admission to the museum, but space is limited. www.statemuseumpa.org

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Celebration Restoration: Jubilee Day returns to the streets of downtown Mechanicsburg

May 31, 2022 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Images courtesy of Jeff Palm and Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce.

After a two-year hiatus, one of the West Shore’s most-loved annual events is set to return this month.

On June 16, Jubilee Day, known as the East Coast’s “largest, longest running one-day street fair,” will take place for the 92nd year in the heart of downtown Mechanicsburg. It was last held in 2019 then halted due to the pandemic.

“There’s anticipation around town now that we’re doing something that resembles what we’ve always known as Jubilee Day,” said Jeff Palm, executive director of Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event.

“It may not look like it did in 2019, but it will be something that’s familiar and will give everyone a respite,” he said. “The world has changed in the three years since we last held it. It’s a stretch for some companies now with personnel shortages.”

Nonetheless, Palm said that he expects this year’s event will feature at least “a couple of hundred vendors” offering food, games, arts and crafts, business information, retail products, carnival rides and more. Past Jubilee Days have attracted as many as 70,000 attendees.

Palm said that the “whole area” benefits from Jubilee Day, not just the day-of participants.

“Jubilee Day is a chance for our local businesses to promote,” he said.

Friends & Neighbors

The first Jubilee Day took place in 1924. Mechanicsburg Mayor Jack Ritter, who was born in 1936, remembers going as a small child to the annual event then known as “Farmers’ and Merchants’ Day.”

“As a kid, I was excited to smell all the food there and to see all the new cars and farm equipment,” Ritter recalled recently.

In those days, the festival’s span was limited to Main Street from High to Arch streets, though it was halted for several years in the 1940s due to World War II.

“Back then, there were a lot of street vendors and picnic food,” Ritter said. “The car dealers all had their new cars on display, and the local farmers corralled their cows, pigs, sheep and whatever for display. Farmers also had their fruits and vegetables set up for sale all along the street.”

Ritter, a former third-generation owner of Ritter’s Tru-Value Hardware on Mechanicsburg’s Main Street, remembers his father, William R. Ritter, setting up Frigidaire appliances for display outside the store. As a teen, Ritter ran chainsaws for sale outside the business.

Today, Ritter said that he enjoys bringing his grandkids to Jubilee Day, where “they get to run all around.”

“I use that day as a proclamation that calories don’t count,” he quipped. “I enjoy the smells of the crab cakes, pancakes and funnel cakes. People get to see their friends and neighbors there, too.”

Annual Tradition

Jim Schmick is a downtown Mechanicsburg merchant who sets up a sidewalk sale outside of his business, Civil War and More, on Jubilee Day. He’s done so for most of the 21 years his shop has been in business on S. Market Street.

“Jubilee Day needed to come back,” said Schmick of East Pennsboro Township. “It’s always been an annual tradition for our family to bring the kids to Jubilee Day.”

Schmick said that he’s seen people “from all over the U.S.” peruse his sales on Jubilee Day. His shop specializes in Civil War books, videos, prints, ephemera and music, particularly focusing on area milestones that led to the Battle of Gettysburg.

For a 15th year, Palm is overseeing the event planning. He said that he starts planning right after the prior year’s event concludes.

For Palm, the biggest challenge involves logistics or “getting things in place,” such as arrangements for portable restrooms, visitor shuttle service, vendor placements, trash receptacles and so forth. In short, his goal is to provide “a safe and enjoyable time” for all.

“I still had color in my hair when I first started doing this,” he joked.

Jubilee Day 2022 takes place June 16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.mechanicsburgchamber.org/event/jubilee-day.

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June Editor’s Note

May 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, Harrisburg received some stunning news.

It was about tacos.

TheBurg broke a story that the city’s beloved taco truck would be no more. The third-generation owner was trading in his wheels for a permanent, brick-and-mortar location downtown.

You can’t blame the guy. Eventually, we all put aside our nomadic ways and look to settle down in a place with a few rooms and a bath.

I personally delighted in the news, since the MASA restaurant (opening this month) will have extended hours, will be open in the winter, and will be near my house. And, like much of Harrisburg, I love their tacos!

But, even more so, I was happy that their storefront (316 N. 2nd St.) will be occupied again. Much of Harrisburg has survived the pandemic in relatively good shape, but it’s taken a toll on the downtown.

Due to fewer state and office workers, a stroll down 2nd or 3rd streets often seems like a lonely exercise. Yes, the neighborhood has come back a bit, but it has a long way to go to reach its pre-pandemic state.

So, this is an appeal, an appeal to visit downtown Harrisburg. There are some wonderful restaurants there, most still operating. Remember that great meal you had just before COVID hit? There’s no need to sit at home and reminisce—just come on in and take a table!

Since it’s June, that table might be outdoors. And, since it’s June, you’ll also find TheBurg outdoors, as it’s our annual issue focused on “summer fun.”

Within these pages, you’ll discover numerous stories about day trips, festivals and outdoors activities. We also toss in a little history, some arts events and a community feature or two.

June may be my favorite month of the year. The air is warm, and the days are long, perfect for a baseball game on City Island, al fresco dining on a city sidewalk or socializing with friends in your own backyard, late into the night.

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Click here to read the digital version of our June magazine.

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Sipping Surfside: Harrisburg Beach Club brings the shore to the Susquehanna.

May 31, 2022 | by Rachel Lindsley

Photo courtesy of Rachel Lindsley.

Sand? Check. Boat drinks? Check. Sunny, summertime fun? Check and check.

You may never confuse the Susquehanna River with the Atlantic Ocean, but the Harrisburg Beach Club is bringing as much of the shore experience to the capital city as possible.

At the point on City Island, you’ll discover a new hotspot where you can play in the sand[box], grab a drink, eat a meal and find a spot to relax with friends, with an unbeatable view of the Harrisburg skyline to boot.

Co-owners Bryan Donovan and Adam Maust opened the outdoor venue last November with a vision to provide a year-round, waterfront hangout spot for locals and visitors alike.

The cold-weather months can be rough in central PA, but, as the weather has warmed, the Beach Club has hit its stride. Swimming isn’t permitted, but, according to Maust, “we have sand, a beautiful view and live music for guests to relax, play and enjoy.”

The city’s beautiful, century-old bathhouse is the centerpiece of the Beach Club, which the business partners brought back to life as part of the venue’s construction.

“Before we stepped in, the bathhouse had been shuttered for more than two decades, and the beach was hidden behind a dilapidated area of the island,” Maust said. “We worked hard to bring this idea to life, restoring the bathrooms and changing areas for guests who would like to take in the sun while avoiding the water, since swimming is prohibited.”

The Harrisburg Beach Club is open seven days a week, from noon to 10 p.m. during the warmer months, weather permitting. Adirondack chairs and “comfort zones” line the lawn for casual lounging and to take in live entertainment—all free of charge. Patrons can listen to live music throughout the day as the Harrisburg Beach Club rotates artists and genres regularly.

“We pride ourselves on providing a space for local artists to play music,” Donovan said. “We have a broad selection of genres and announce the schedule weekly on social media.”

Only a few steps from the shore, beachgoers will find a bar serving specialty cocktails made with local Hidden Still spirits as well as Pennsylvania-made beers and wine. Want to taste before you buy? Harrisburg Beach Club also offers tastings of their partnered spirits on site.

For a more authentic beach day, parties can rent beach chairs and umbrellas just a few feet from the water. Reservations can be made through their website’s booking portal, where guests can choose a chair location and enjoy personal wait service from the bar and food truck. The owners also plan to launch an app reservation system that will guarantee groups a spot on the beach together, Maust said.

Around the corner from the beach, a food truck serves such savory items as Bourbon smash burgers, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and Coney Island dogs. Starting this month, the food truck will be open daily from noon to 9 p.m.

The Harrisburg Beach Club is a family-friendly venue and even allows canines, if on a leash. Kids can play in the sand, eat some lunch from the food truck or from home and run around in the grass with Fido while adults lounge and sip on spirits. Children under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

“We have worked hard to create a free destination that anyone can come and appreciate at the most beautiful spot in Harrisburg,” Donovan said. “From parents to adult couples and even dogs, too—there is something for everyone at the Harrisburg Beach Club.”

The Harrisburg Beach Club is located on City Island, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.harrisburgbeachclub.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @HarrisburgBeachClub.

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Downtown Rebound: Harrisburg-based nonprofit helps PA towns envision a brighter tomorrow.

May 31, 2022 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Julie Fitzpatrick

For the past 35 years, a unique nonprofit has quietly been making a difference in hundreds of cities and towns across Pennsylvania.

Based in Midtown Harrisburg, the PA Downtown Center (PDC) is powered by a staff of urban and regional planners, preservationists and designers passionate about working with communities and community organizations to help them undertake strategic revitalization plans.

With PDC’s help, communities strive for such important goals as increased quality of life, sense of place, long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Julie Fitzpatrick, PDC’s executive director, said that her greatest job satisfaction comes with helping communities progress in their revitalization goals.

“It’s not always about making it easy for them,” she said. “Sometimes, it might actually be about causing a ruckus because it’s about expanding and growing. But it really is about us helping them be the best versions of themselves.”

Fitzpatrick has been with the Downtown Center since 2005, assuming the helm in mid-2019 following the tenure of long-time executive director, Bill Fontana. During this time, she has built a national reputation as an expert in community revitalization and development, with a knack for connecting with people and helping communities and towns re-discover their own personal brand of magic.

Todd Vander Woude, executive director of Harrisburg’s Downtown Improvement District, said that he has worked with Fitzpatrick and PDC for many years.

“Julie has great knowledge of downtowns and other Pennsylvania communities,” he said. “She’s so easy to talk to and is great at connecting communities to help them solve issues.”

He then added, with a chuckle, “And she knows and remembers everything.”

Host of Services

At its core, PDC is a membership organization. Member communities can tap into a host of network-based meetings and educational opportunities—anything from governance training, financial review processes, partnership building, volunteer development and preservation basics to zoning, budgeting and events.

While communities don’t have to be members to work with PDC, the benefits are persuasive.

“Once you engage in what we offer, it’s just such a host of services and offerings that I really can’t imagine doing this sort of work and not plugging into us,” Fitzpatrick said. “It just helps so much.”

Due to the long-game nature of most community improvement efforts, the field is not for the fickle or faint of heart. Later this month, close to 300 people who have chosen to undertake this difficult work will convene at the Hilton Harrisburg for PDC’s annual conference and 35th anniversary celebration.

Vander Woude, who sits on this year’s conference planning committee, shared his excitement about the event.

“It means a lot to have the conference come here,” he said. “Harrisburg has a great story to tell. The city is really walkable, so we’ll be highlighting some great projects and can’t wait to share ideas and really tell the story of what we’re all about in Harrisburg.”

In addition to the many conference sessions scheduled and an awards dinner, attendees can take advantage of mobile workshops highlighting the city’s various redevelopment projects, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, murals, rain gardens and stormwater management solutions.

Garry Gilliam, founder and CEO of the Bridge Ecovillage (and a Harrisburg native and former Seattle Seahawk) will deliver the opening keynote on the critical role of investing in urban communities to achieving sustainability targets.

Author Philip J. Merrill, CEO and founder of Nanny Jack & Company, an African American heritage consulting business, will present a breakfast keynote titled, “Telling the Fuller Story.”

Wednesday’s closing luncheon will include a panel discussion by the 2022 gubernatorial candidates.

The PA Downtown Center’s tagline long has been, “Helping you make your town a better place.” In our conversation, Fitzpatrick stressed the community-based, ground-up approach critical to success in revitalization efforts.

“Most people who enter this field want to make a difference,” she said. “It’s not about the individual or their ego. It’s about collaboration, relationship building, incremental progress and patience. But with this type of work, you really do get out of it what you’ve put into it.”.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is located at 1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.padowntown.org or phone 717-233-4675.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s 2022 conference and 35th anniversary celebration takes place June 26 to 29 at the Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For conference details, visit www.padowntown.org/conference. Readers of TheBurg can use the code BURG22 for 50% off the conference’s day registration rate.

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Green Getaway: The only destination of its kind in PA, The Nature Inn is an eco-lodge that’s red-hot.

May 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Image courtesy of The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle.

It’s almost exactly in the center of Pennsylvania.

Appropriately, The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle—and its environmentally inspired design—goes to the heart of Pennsylvania’s definition, “Penn’s Woods.” It’s the only lodge, eco or otherwise, located in a Pennsylvania state park.

“It’s a gem, more comparable to a lodge you’d find in the national parks,” said Tara DeVore, assistant manager at Bald Eagle State Park.

Perched atop a hillside, the soaring structure is oriented to a lakeside vista, cocooned by mountains lit by dewy sunrise views, as well as cotton-candy sunset skies. But the 16-room inn’s placement is about more than a pretty view. Everything about the inn is thoughtfully designed in harmony with nature.

It’s Only Natural

Green technology powers The Nature Inn, from geothermal heating and cooling to innovative rainwater harvesting.

Cisterns capture raindrops, and, altogether, the 2,800-gallon system flushes the inn’s toilets. Floor and wall tiles contain 55% recycled glass, and outdoor patio furniture is comprised of 100% recycled aluminum. Furniture and fireplaces are constructed from hardwoods and stones locally sourced from the surrounding forest. Signage explains many of the inn’s fascinating eco-features.

Going green has even garnered gold. The Nature Inn has been named “#1 Eco-Lodge” in the country by USA Today readers, and it’s earned the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification—a worldwide rating system for green buildings.

“There’s nothing else like it in PA,” said Kashia Quay, operations manager. “Sustainability is a large factor. We do everything we can to continue eco-friendly aspects into the property. Everything you look at has a purpose.”

She especially enjoys watching kids search for whole sunflower seed hulls embedded in the hotel’s bio-composite front desk.

Overall, the green design is “groundbreaking,” said Michelle Smithbauer, the park’s environmental education specialist. “It makes people feel better when they’re staying in a state park. It’s a less impactful way of staying in a hotel.”

Bird’s Eye View

Eight rooms are lakeside, while eight face the woods, and all include binoculars, bird guides and balconies. It’s a birders’ paradise—even for the birds. The inn’s large windows of fritted glass—featuring patterns—reduce bird strikes. Bluebirds have their own accommodations—72 wooden boxes sprinkled throughout the park.

“There are over 275 bird species seen in the park,” said Smithbauer. “The lake is large and deep enough to support a large variety of waterfowl, from herons to diving and dabbling ducks. But people get really excited about the bald eagles.”

While many visitors assume the park is named for the beloved national bird, Bald Eagle State Park actually pays homage to a Native American chief.

Additional wildlife includes plentiful white-tailed deer and more elusive residents: black bears, mink and fishers—related to weasels. The nearby “frog pond” is a hotbed of amphibians.

While the park’s traditional campground attracts seasoned campers, the inn attracts a whole different crowd. It could even be thought of as an ambassador for the state park system.

“For sure, the inn introduces people to our state parks. It’s a good buffer, if people aren’t so sure about camping,” said DeVore. “They can feel the comforts of home, but still get out and explore the outdoors.”

On the Menu

Similar to a bed and breakfast, stays include a hearty, hot breakfast. The onsite scratch kitchen offers gourmet lunch and dinner options—including world-famous ice cream concocted nearby, at Penn State’s Berkey Creamery.

Outdoor lovers also can choose from a menu of activities: hiking, biking, boating and summer water sports—including paddle boarding, fishing and swimming at the sandy lakeside beach. Winter adventures include sledding, ice skating and fishing.

“This park is amazing—it has everything you’d hope to find in a state park,” said Charlie Brooks, innkeeper since The Nature Inn opened its doors in 2010.

Inside, green technologies also read like a menu, providing food for thought.

“Environmental stewardship is the tip of the spear,” Brooks said. “For someone thinking about home improvements or new construction, everything in this building is a suggestion to start the conversation.”

And this is one of the primary goals of the innovative property, conceived by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). It’s a green investment.

“It achieves what DCNR was going for—a way to educate people, not in a way that detracts from their stay. It shows them that, ‘I can do something that’s good for the environment, and it’s not going to detract from my home,’” said Brooks, who operates the inn under an equally innovative public-private partnership with DCNR.

Twelve years ago, the inn’s $10 million construction budget had its “skeptics,” Brooks said, amid “the state parks’ ever-tightening budget. But what has always been important to me, is that essentially the inn generates enough income to offset operating costs.”

The good news? The Nature Inn appears to be meeting and exceeding that goal. The bad news? Some nature lovers simply can’t get into the inn.

“We find that peak weekends are booked two years in advance,” said Quay.

The inn’s small size and access to the outdoors are like a ray of sunshine within a pandemic-weary landscape.

“Occupancy rates during the past two years were higher than they’ve ever been,” Brooks said. “Our average occupancy rate now hovers around 80%.”

From every direction, the view is green. While Brooks and DCNR see healthy green growth, they’re planting seeds for green eco-practices. Meantime, backlogged travelers await their visits, green with envy.

For more information on The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, visit natureinnatbaldeagle.com. Writer Karen Hendricks advises visitors to consider off-peak travel times. She recently escaped to The Nature Inn to snag a string of weekdays-turned-truly-remote workdays.

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Rhubarb Rules: This month, show some love to an often overlooked veggie.

May 31, 2022 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

During my weekly trips to the farmers market, I love seeing all the fresh produce that is the hallmark of each season. But I always wonder about a few things.

How many people are buying those eggplants or sweet bulbs of fennel? What about the watermelon radishes and celery root? And is anyone choosing the little baskets of fresh figs for their appetizer plate?

One of the farmers I often speak to at the market was recently lamenting the change in customers’ buying and cooking habits. He claimed that prepared food is so popular that few people regularly are “really cooking anymore.” He wishes he had been an eye doctor.

Well, I do. Cook, that is—and regularly. So, I buy things that actually need to be cooked.

Spring is still with us. The homegrown spring lettuces are a wonderful addition to salads and the “real strawberries” from local farms put the off-season berries in plastic clamshells to shame. Sugar peas must be “strung,” but they are a special treat when cooked with small new potatoes and olive oil.

But what about rhubarb? I still buy it every spring during its very short appearance at the market. If you are not familiar with this special vegetable (that is treated as a fruit), it looks like bright, cherry-red celery. You can’t eat it out of hand like an apple, but, when cooked in sauces and desserts, rhubarb is transformed.

Every year, I look for thin rhubarb stalks, which are more tender than their fuller-figured relatives. Like my mother, I often just cook it with a little water, sugar and orange slices to make a sauce. It can be served with dinner, as a simple dessert with ice cream, or even breakfast with plain yogurt.

The cookbook author and TV celebrity Ina Garten has a similar rhubarb sauce that is even better. Ina adds raspberries and strawberries to hers and serves it with a little whipped cream and a store-bought cookie for a very easy, late spring dessert. Orange liqueur gives the compote a little kick but is optional. I am sharing her recipe with you this month. I hope you will try it for something very different.

Ina’s Stewed Rhubarb with Red Berries

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh rhubarb, cut in ¾ inch chunks (6 to 8 cups)
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 pint fresh or frozen strawberries (thickly sliced)
½ pint fresh or frozen red raspberries
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or Triple Sec (these are both orange-infused liqueurs)
Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for servings

Directions

Place the rhubarb in a large saucepan and add the sugar, salt and 2/3-cup water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the rhubarb is tender and starts to fall apart.
Remove from the heat, stir in the strawberries, raspberries, lemon and orange juices and Grand Marnier if using. Allow the mixture to cool.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

This lovely fruit compote can be made several days ahead and kept in the refrigerator. It is a light dessert and would be a very good choice for a little dinner party.

If cooking with rhubarb is new for you, you will be amazed at how many ways you can use it. There are rhubarb cocktails and rhubarb pies. Rhubarb scones and tangy rhubarb glazing sauces for grilled chicken. Rhubarb crisps and cobblers. Rhubarb relish served with goat cheese on French bread baguette slices.

So, stop a minute at the produce section of your favorite market and think about giving those strange fruits and vegetables a try. Our local farmers will thank you.

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Stem to Stream: If you want cleaner river water, you need good tree cover.

May 31, 2022 | by Dan Miller

We need water to survive. That’s one thing that all of us humans have in common.

Here’s something else we have in common. Nearly all of us can enhance water quality in the greater Harrisburg region by planting a tree.

This summer, that’s the message coming from numerous local environmental groups, such as the PA Parks & Forests Foundation, in addition to government agencies.

An Imperative

A few hundred years ago, no less an authority than Thomas Jefferson extolled the value of trees. The nation’s third president equated killing a tree with capital punishment, saying, “The unnecessary felling of a tree, perhaps the growth of centuries, seems to me a crime little short of murder, (and) it pains me to an unspeakable degree.”

Nowadays, killing a tree probably won’t get you charged with a crime. Perhaps it should, when one considers all the ways trees contribute to water quality.

In case of rain or flooding, trees slow down and reduce the amount of water flowing into a stream or other drinking water source like a creek or river, said Marci Mowery, president of the statewide Parks & Forests Foundation, based in Camp Hill.

Trees do this in a variety of ways, such as capturing rain before it ever hits the ground.

“If you have ever walked down the street on a rainy day, you notice that it is probably safe to stand under the tree,” Mowery said.

Then tree roots absorb rainwater that makes it to the ground.

“An incredible amount of water goes up into a mature tree,” Mowery said. “So, that water is not directly flowing into the waterway from a flooding perspective.”

In addition, trees provide soil stability that prevents erosion. Rainwater trickles down and percolates into the soil and into the groundwater. The water is cleansed and impurities are removed as part of this process.

Without trees and tree cover, rainwater falls on impervious surfaces like blacktop, picking up chemicals on its way to a water source, such as our creeks and rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

Tree cover also reduces temperature.

“Downtown areas often heat up much more quickly” due to the amount of asphalt and lack of tree cover, said Matthew Keefer with the Bureau of Forestry of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Without tree cover, stormwater runoff that heats up can harm ecosystems that depend upon cooler water, especially in streams like the Conodoguinet and Yellow Breeches that are heavily sourced by coldwater springs, said Andrew Gavin, vice president of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

“Those warmer temperatures running off from parking lots and roads can really impact the aquatic ecosystem to the extent they are used to colder water temperatures,” Gavin said.

Ultimately, there are economic consequences, as well. Pennsylvania has 83,260 miles of recreational stream—second only to Alaska in the United States, Mowery said.

“We are a very large tourism state. Nobody wants to recreate if the water is bad,” she added. “We have a large craft beverage industry that depends on clean water. We have a lot of food production companies that depend on clean water. So, it is imperative that we protect this natural asset.”

Positive Aspects

Each year, Pennsylvania loses tree cover to development, whether residential or commercial, Keefer said. At the same time, “we gain forest back from agricultural fields reverting back to woods, so statewide the numbers are consistent.”

The greater Harrisburg area is probably losing more forest cover than gaining, due to the amount of development taking place, Keefer said.

“When you drive on 322 just north of the city (Harrisburg), and you look to the west, you can see new housing developments on top of the ridge, on top of the mountain,” he said. “So, there is certainly development like that happening.”

But Keefer is encouraged by the partnerships and restoration efforts he sees throughout the midstate. He cited examples like Penn State, which is working with school districts to plant trees on land owned by the districts, and Harrisburg, which has an arborist on staff leading efforts to increase tree cover and tree plantings citywide.

The greater Harrisburg area also has many volunteer-based organizations working to establish riparian buffers—tree plantings and tree cover along streams and waterways.

Among the more active is the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association.

The association partners with local municipalities and with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s “Keystone 10 Million Tree” project, which aims to plant 10 million trees throughout Pennsylvania by 2025.

CCWA volunteers have done tree plantings in Ridley Park and Acri Meadow Park in East Pennsboro Township, in Siebert Park in Camp Hill, and in Willow Mill Park and in the DiFilippo Nature Preserve in Silver Spring Township.

The association planted over 1,500 trees in 2021, not including the stormwater basin in East Pennsboro Township, where the association planted thousands of wildflowers and perennials.

In addition, midstate municipalities, including Hampden, Derry, Lower Allen and Londonderry townships, are exercising their authority under state law to levy fees upon businesses and residences to help pay for stormwater system improvements that protect and enhance water quality.

“A lot of municipalities are embracing the fact that it helps to build quality of life for their residents,” Gavin said. “You start to improve the local stream water quality and you improve aesthetics through more green space and connected parks. There’s a lot of rails to trails, and all that goes hand in hand with greening up a municipality. A big component of that is tree planting. All that contributes to a lot of things—a lot more positive aspects to residents, but it improves water quality, too.”

For more information:

The PA Parks & Forests Foundation, www.paparksandforests.org

Susquehanna River Basin Commission, www.srbc.net

Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association, www.conocreek.org

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Soldiers’ Stories: U.S. Army Heritage Center offers an immersive experience in military history.

May 31, 2022 | by Susan Ryder

When it comes to the military life, Joe Boslet knows what he’s talking about.

The Vietnam War veteran volunteers as a tour guide at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) in Carlisle, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with visitors.

“Kids are interested in how I lived,” he said.

They ask about what he ate and what his duties were, he said. Adults and teens often want to know more about combat.

“They usually ask if I killed anyone,” Boslet said.

He answers that question as best he can, emphasizing that combat isn’t like what’s depicted in the movies.

Starting indoors, visitors receive a dog tag card for one of six soldiers, such as Master Sgt. Edward G. Abraham, who served in the Korean War. The card provides specifics about the soldier, such as where he saw combat. At the museum’s end, visitors learn how the soldier fared through the war and whether he arrived home safely.

Displays include gear and weapons, including a parachute jump interactive exhibit.

“Who would jump out of a perfectly safe airplane?” Boslet asked, happy to keep his feet firmly on the ground. In the “Where in the Hell is Korea?” display, the center helps citizens understand that conflict better, he said.

The “On Patrol” exhibit gives the feeling of being there. “There” is Iraq, with four soldiers on patrol, ready to enter a room through a heavy metal door. Each time visitors open the door, they’re greeted by a different scenario. In one, a family sits to eat; in another, militants are armed and ready to fire. It creates a tension unfamiliar to most people, but completely familiar to soldiers.

Would-be sharp shooters can practice their aim at the digital shooting range.

“We go to Gettysburg quite a bit, and this is something different,” said Morgan Smink, who recently visited USAHEC with her children. When asked what he liked best, son Sawyer Smink replied, “The big tanks.”

He’s referring to the exhibits on the one-mile Army Heritage Trail. This flat, cindered path gives visitors a close-up glimpse into the lives of soldiers and equipment used in Army operations. Visitors will walk onto a Redoubt Number 10 reconstruction, an earthen bulwark with vertical pointy logs encircling it, from the Battle of Yorktown, see artillery up close, and marvel at the tanks and helicopters.

“The 155-caliber howitzer—I didn’t know they could get that large,” said 17-year-old Jacob Lapinas.

He, along with newfound friend Adam Whary, visited with a student group from Commonwealth Connections Academy.

“This place is fantastic,” Whary said. “Pieces of history that others need to see.”

Gary Emerson, a veteran of 22 years in the Army, visited that day from Ithaca, N.Y.

“I can see the development of my military career,” said Emerson of the facility.

Those who would like to delve deeper into military history can make an appointment at the U.S. Army War College Library located at USAHEC. There, history buffs, authors and academics can find letters, journals, rare books, unit histories and the like.

“We collect items from the public to generals,” said John Kurash, audiovisual curator.

About 10% of the collection has been digitized.

“It allows everyone in the world to view” the artifacts, documents and audio recordings, Kurash said.

People visit the library for a variety of reasons.

“Not only academics or historians but authors and for genealogy,” said archivist Joanne Lamm, who described her job as “making order out of chaos.”

Archived items include papers that, at the time, may have been considered mundane, such as the receipt of the materials for the A-bomb, and more ominous, like the D-Day invasion plan.

Art-lovers can stop into the Omar N. Bradley Memorial Art Gallery. The rotating exhibit now holds “Carved in Stone, Cast in Bronze: Commemorative Sculpture of the Civil War.” The “Standing Lincoln” by Augustin Saint-Gaudens and marble busts of Gen. George McClellan and Gen. U.S. Grant are included in this exhibit.

After a day of wading through history, walking the trail and experiencing a soldier’s life, visitors can grab a drink and something to eat at Scoops Café. MREs aren’t on the menu, but there’s a nice selection of sandwiches, soups and salads.

So, how did Master Sgt. Abraham from the digital dog tag manage after the war? He received the Bronze Star, was discharged in 1953, obtained his pilot’s license, and served in the National Guard and Operation Desert Storm.

Whether you prefer history or art or just like marveling at the big guns, you can find something to enjoy and learn at the USAHEC.

The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center is located at 950 Soldiers Dr., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.ahec.armywarcollege.edu.

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