The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 20, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Historic Grace UMC Church in Harrisburg

Unseasonal heat may have you searching out some low-key activities this weekend. Our idea: spend some time reading TheBurg stories you may have missed last week, which we conveniently list and link below.

2^nd Street construction continues apace, as the city announced that traffic signals would flash yellow from Forster to Division streets. This was just the latest step in the gradual transition of the road to two-way traffic.

Arts writer Bob takes a gander at the busy week and month in and around Harrisburg. Check out recent artsy developments in his latest blog.

French cooking isn’t typically on the menu for our food writer, Rosemary. But, in this month’s column, she trades in her usual focus on Italian cuisine for a trip to Provence.

Grace UMC marks 200-plus years as a congregation with a service and a celebration. According to our online story, they’re also observing a revival after their church almost closed.

HAAPI stands for Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander group, which held a heritage celebration this weekend. Our magazine story details how the group formed and its mission to promote tolerance.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival returns to live screenings, as well as virtual options, according to our magazine story. The festival starts this weekend and runs through June 1.

HU Presents added another major outdoor show to its Summer Concert Series. Soul rockers Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats are slated to play Riverfront Park in late September.

Philanthropy may not be on the mind of young people, but it should be, according to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. To help motivate giving, TFEC announced a contest to foster interest in regional philanthropy.

Primary election day set the stage for the general election in PA this November. Check out our online story to see who came out ahead as party nominees in and around Harrisburg.

Sara Bozich has moved outdoors, with all the warm-weather events and festivals popping up around town. In her weekly column, she lets you know what’s on her to-do list.

Wanda Williams has been mayor of Harrisburg since January, the first change of administration in eight years. Our magazine profile offers an in-depth look at the long-time public servant even though, as she tells our reporter, “I think everyone knows about Wanda already.”

Whitaker Center this week announced an addition to its science and arts offerings, the PNC Innovation Zone. This new video and e-gaming center will help stimulate interest in STEAM and high-tech fields, according to officials.

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PennDOT closer to Market Street Bridge rehab plan, adds separate utility bridge

May 20, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Market Street Bridge, from Harrisburg

The future of the Market Street Bridge appears to be coming into focus, as the PA Department of Transportation seems to be settling on a rehabilitation plan.

On Friday, PennDOT stated that it expects to move ahead with “modified Option 1,” which adds a new utility bridge to the previously announced plan.

“PennDOT has selected to proceed further with the design and environmental clearance based on a modified Option 1 with the addition of a separate utility bridge to relocate all utilities to reduce the overall construction time” according to the department’s announcement.

Last January, PennDOT unveiled three possible plans for the $63.8 million, multi-year project and asked for public comment. The plan now proposed came about as a result of that comment, PennDOT said.

Option 1 maintains the current, four 10-foot lanes for both the “eastern” bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg to City Island, and the “western” bridge, from City Island to the west shore.

Smoother sidewalk surfaces would be provided for each bridge. Metal hatches would be removed from the sidewalk areas, and the sidewalks will be replaced.

For the western bridge, two 7-foot sidewalks, along with 2-foot shoulders, would be constructed, which would provide additional space for bicyclists and a buffer area between vehicles and pedestrians on the sidewalks. Additional bicycle signage and pavement markings, such as sharrows, would also be added from the west shore to the east shore.

PennDOT said this option would allow it to have the flexibility to re-stripe the roadway in the future to take out a lane and add additional bike/pedestrian space if needed.

A diagram shows proposed changes to the west part of the Market Street Bridge. The bridge’s current configuration is at the top and proposed configuration at the bottom. Courtesy: PennDOT

Notably, this plan calls for the addition of a narrow utility bridge next to the Market Street Bridge. Currently, utilities, including include gas transmission lines, multiple fiber optic telecommunications lines and a sewer line, run beneath the sidewalks of the bridge.

According to PennDOT, building a separate bridge for the utilities will shorten the construction period from about 10 years to five to six years. Construction is slated to begin in 2024.

A rendering of the Market Street Bridge, with the construction of a separate utility bridge. Courtesy PennDOT

The project would proceed in three phases:

Phase 1 – Construct the utility bridge and relocate all utilities from Market Street Bridge to the new utility bridge. Existing travel lanes will be maintained except for short-term lane closures with flagging to accommodate utility reconnections.

Phase 2 – Construct the westbound (upstream) side of the bridges. One eastbound lane will be maintained with all westbound traffic being detoured via Harvey Taylor Bridge. Access to City Island will be from the eastbound ramp.

Phase 3 – Construct the eastbound (downstream) side of the bridge. One eastbound lane will be maintained on the upstream newly constructed side with all westbound traffic being detoured via Harvey Taylor Bridge. Access to City Island will be from the westbound ramp.

Information, including a project overview, project displays, and methods to provide comment, can be viewed on the project website at Market Street Bridge. An in-person open house plan display will be held on Thursday, June 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kinsley Hall, 20 Market St., Wormleysburg.

Comments will be accepted through Friday, June 17.

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Grace UMC marks 200-plus years with service, celebration on Sunday

May 19, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Grace United Methodist Church

Harrisburg is rich with majestic, historic churches, and one of the most famous will mark an important milestone this weekend.

On Sunday, Grace United Methodist Church will celebrate its bicentennial as a congregation.

Grace traces its roots back to 1810, with a visit from an early Methodist circuit ride preacher who passed through the fledgling city. A decade later, the congregation was strong enough to hire its own minister and embark on building its first church, which was located at 321 N. 2^nd St. in Harrisburg.

In 1871, construction began on the current, Gothic-style church at 216 State St., a block from the PA Capitol. In fact, the state legislature met in the church for over a year after Harrisburg’s original Capitol building burned down in 1897.

In recent years, the church was slated to close, but the congregation rallied to keep the doors open, even as most other UMC churches in the Harrisburg area were shuttered and sold.

For Sunday’s event, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Ball Steiner, the co-superintendents of the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, will be featured guest speakers, according to the church.

The celebration was originally planned for 2020, but didn’t take place due to the pandemic.

“Now, as public gatherings are again taking place, the worship will focus both on the church’s long history in the community and its continuing rebirth from a time in which it was targeted for closure,” according to a release from Grace UMC.

Grace United Methodist Church, 216 State St., Harrisburg, will hold its worship service and celebration starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 22.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 19, 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: The SoMa Block Party Series is back, and it starts TONIGHT. If you do one thing this weekend, make it this.

(Still) Worth noting: Check out my private Facebook community, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: SoMa Block Party tonight, 3rd in the Burg in SoMa Friday, put in my garden in insane heat, Rent on Sunday!

Don’t forget to support your local brewery! Click here to find one near you.

For your weekend planning

Start a book club
Call for sponsors and vendors: Plants + Pints 2022
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

Everything you need to know about the SoMa Block Party Series
Subscribe & save with Broadway Series at Hershey Theatre
Make travel plans (with a discount + perks)
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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

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Local races set for PA House; Harrisburg-based candidates perform well in Democratic primaries

May 18, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Patty Kim

Rep. Patty Kim fought off a primary challenge by Heather MacDonald to capture the Democratic nomination for re-election to the state Assembly.

In unofficial results, Kim, of Harrisburg, captured about 76% of the vote versus about 24% for MacDonald, of Camp Hill, for the 103^rd House district seat, which represents about half of Harrisburg and the close-in west shore suburbs of Lemoyne, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

Kim, the incumbent, now will go on to face David Buell in the November general election. Buell defeated his Republican opponent, Jennie Jenkins-Dallas, in Tuesday’s primary.

In the 104^th legislative district, Harrisburg council member Dave Madsen won his race unopposed. Last month, the nominating petitions of two of his Democratic opponents were successfully challenged for the open seat, and their names were removed from the ballot.

Madsen will run unopposed in the general election, as no Republicans sought the seat, which includes east and south Harrisburg and several nearby suburban communities.

In the 105^th district race, Susquehanna Township Commissioner Justin Fleming bettered activist Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township for the Democratic nomination for the open seat. No candidates ran for the Republican nomination.

In the 106^th House district, Republican incumbent Tom Mehaffie won his race running unopposed. He faces no Democratic opposition in November.

For the U.S. House, Harrisburg council member Shamaine Daniels was in the lead for the Democratic nomination for the 10^th congressional district. She led Rick Coplen of Carlisle by about 53% to 47% of the vote, with about 93% of ballots counted. The winner will face incumbent Rep. Scott Perry, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

The general election is slated for Nov. 8.

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Fund Your Cause: Contest launched to foster interest in regional philanthropy

May 17, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Photo by Dani Fresh

A new initiative hopes to “spark” interest in philanthropic giving in central PA.

On Monday, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) announced the kickoff of its first-ever Spark! contest and campaign.

Spark! aims to help people within the greater Harrisburg area realize their philanthropic dreams—regardless of their age, gender, income level or ethnicity.

The winner of Spark! will receive a $10,000 area-of-interest fund, in which dollars will be used to support local nonprofits and empower them to make a difference in their communities for a cause they are passionate about.

“The word ‘philanthropy’ has a stigma attached to it. Many assume it is only reserved for a specific type of person, one with a certain amount of wealth and stature,” said TFEC President and CEO Janice Black. “Our vision in creating Spark! is to break down these misconceptions and show members of our communities that anyone can be a philanthropist, and everyone can make a difference.”

Spark! starts off by asking people to consider what motivates them and the causes they care about most. They then submit it for a chance to create their own fund.

Submissions will be accepted through Thursday, June 30. Afterwards, all verified entries will be open to the public for voting.

The top five finalists with the most votes will move on to the closing round, during which the public will cast their final votes and select the winner. The official Spark! winner will be announced Wednesday, Sept. 7.

“TFEC exists to help all individuals make a difference and contribute to the passions and charitable dreams that drive them,” Black said. “Spark! helps us deliver that message and start fostering the next generation of givers. We want everyone to feel empowered and know they can create real change in their community.”

For more details on how to enter, along with eligibility requirements and Spark! contest rules, click here.

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State-of-the-art e-sports, gaming facility debuts at Whitaker Center

May 17, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Whitaker Center CEO Ted Black (right) speaks during the opening of the new PNC Innovation Zone.

Downtown Harrisburg took another step towards becoming a regional hub for e-sports on Tuesday, as Whitaker Center opened a dedicated facility for video games and e-sports.

The new PNC Innovation Zone is a 7,000-square-foot facility that combines the existing, 40-foot-tall Select Medical Digital Cinema with a newly constructed, purpose-built gaming center.

Whitaker Center CEO Ted Black said that video games and e-sports help stimulate interest among young people in other, related, STEAM activities, such as coding, graphic design and computer networking, as well as help break down gender and equity barriers to technology.

“Purposeful gaming at the PNC Innovation Zone is a natural extension of our founders’ visionary leadership,” Black said.

The gaming studio portion of the project encompasses 2,000 square feet on Whitaker Center’s second floor, roughly where the box office, gift shop and coffee shop formerly were located. It includes:

Capacity for as many as 30 gaming stations and 12 gaming consoles
10 75-inch, high-definition flat screen televisions
12-foot, high-definition projection screen
E-sports tiered seating for spectator viewing
High-tech conference room

The PNC Innovation Zone will host weekly activities, including game designing, building and coding, as well as competitions. Black said that Whitaker Center will continue to develop new uses and educational applications for the facility.

Young people inside the gaming studio

Partners in the project include PNC Bank, which helped finance the facility, and Comcast, which is providing the connectivity. It’s one of the largest Comcast “Lift Zones,” which provides free Wi-Fi access in neighborhood community centers.

The project also was partially funded with a $750,000 state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant, which Whitaker Center received in 2020.

“I’m going to be even more proud to see the smiling, energetic, thriving young faces that will be coming through this area for years to come,” said Jim Hoehn, PNC’s regional president of Central Pennsylvania and a Whitaker Center board member, at the opening.

The PNC Innovation Zone is the latest gaming and e-sports facility for downtown Harrisburg. Harrisburg University’s championship e-sports team, the HU Storm, also have a state-of-the-art facility in Whitaker Center and, just last week, TheBurg reported that the region’s professional e-sports team, the Susquehanna Soniqs, soon will open the LAN Center, a community gaming facility on S. 3^rd Street.

To learn more about Whitaker Center, visit their website.

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HU adds rockers Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats to its summer concert lineup

May 17, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The outdoor concerts keep coming to Riverfront Park, as Harrisburg University today announced a September show by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

According to HU Presents, the “rock and soul” band will play in Harrisburg on Sept. 20.

“We are excited to add a high-energy band like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats to the HU Presents Summer Concert Series lineup,” said HU President Dr. Eric Darr. “We look forward to welcoming the community to Riverfront Park this summer for great music in a beautiful, outdoor setting.”

HISS Golden Messenger will open the show with their unique blend of rock, blues, folk and indie sounds.

This marks the seventh major outdoor show over the next few months, all part of HU Presents’ “Summer Concert Series.”

Other shows in the series include include Death Cab for Cutie, with special guest, Illuminati Hotties on July 14. Legendary hip-hop collective, The Roots, will perform on July 15, and Icelandic rock band KALEO, with Special Guest White Reaper, will play Aug. 17. Pop-rock band, LANY, with special guest, Surfaces, will perform at Riverfront Park Aug. 19. American indie rockers Lord Huron, with special guest First Aid Kit, will play Riverfront Park Aug. 20. And HU Presents the National at Riverfront Park on Sept. 24.

For the series, the university is partnering with Dauphin County, the City of Harrisburg, Clair Global, PNC Bank, and Troegs Independent Brewing.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats’ tickets will be available to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 20 at this Link. For tickets and information about Harrisburg University Presents’ entire lineup of shows, visit www.concertseries.harrisburgu.edu.

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Bob’s Art Blog: 3rd in The Burg Preview Weekend; This, That and the Other

May 16, 2022 | by Bob MacGinnes

THIS: 94^th International Juried Art Show at AAH

May signifies several arrivals, from May Day to the flowers that bloom to my birthday and, just days later, 3^rd in the Burg. This May’s edition speaks to longevity, too. Not me at 71 years old, but the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 94^th Juried International Art Show with its opening reception on Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m.

“La Petite Mort” by Nicole Dube

After 90-plus years of this global show, the AAH has it down to a science. Curator Rachel O’Connor and CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas promise a stellar cast of artists and art from near and far. The gallery will be chock full, covering every medium imaginable. Juried selections are being finalized with submissions aplenty. Ms. O’Connor captured one under serious consideration for a preview glimpse.

Carlisle photographer extraordinaire, Nicole Dube, created a digital photograph that is thought provoking and haunting with a nod to portraiture of the past. Dube’s staging was potent enough to capture the second-place award in photography for this prestigious show. Her focus is a lovely female figure in repose, slouched down in a chair that alludes to an air of mystery shrouding the scene. The color photograph, entitled “La Petite Mort,” only widens the divide as open-ended and with inconclusive evidence in view.

Better call Poirot. Festivities for Friday night feature artist/musician Jonathan Frazier, laying down music perfect for the season. Guest juror is Nadiah Rivera Fellah, curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Exhibit sponsors are Traci Meloni and David Volkman. The show runs from May 20 to July 7.

Art by Wei Guo Peaden

The international theme continues at Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center. Operating under the umbrella of the AAH, Carrie Wissler-Thomas provides area businesses with art exhibits. Chinese artist Wei Guo Peaden showcases art diversity through her “Traditional Chinese Paintings,” which foster community involvement. The show runs now through Aug. 31 at city hall. The exhibit features watercolors with ink. Chinese traditional painting subscribes to the aesthetic employed in calligraphy, adhering to finely executed brush strokes. The show is open to the public during regular business hours at 1 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg.

THAT: Youth Art Exhibit at Nyeusi Gallery

At what age does possessing artistic talent begin and creativity start? In all likelihood, in the womb, as mankind is genetically wired at birth. That predisposition takes root when mentored by parents, teachers and even friends of a like mind.

Nyeusi Gallery in Midtown is giving children, ages 5 and up, their own exclusive exhibit to show their art, with an opening reception on Sunday, May 22, at 6 p.m. Before the gallery opened its doors last September, one of its foundational cornerstones was built around community involvement beyond the Midtown corridor where Nyeusi is located at 1224 N. 3rd St. This latest exhibit will add one more dimension to that promise. After all, the future lies in the hands of our youth, both intellectually and creatively.

Gallery owners Dr. Dale Dangleben and Michelle Green are playbook proponents of placing programs promoting art at the center stage of their mission to keep young people involved. Through interest and endeavors that engage young hands as well as minds, Nyeusi keeps exploring new avenues for participation.

In addition to youth art, Michelle holds regular chess club sessions for kids while her partner keeps the intellect sharpened by featuring trivia podcasts imparting wisdom for all ages. Both invite young and old alike to this first annual “Youth Art Exhibit” this Sunday evening. Bring the kids and grandkids to open up a world of possibilities. After all, there is no age limit when it comes to art. The exhibit runs May 22 to June 22.

THE OTHER

A thank-you event recently took place at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC) on Cinco de Mayo, the art haven hosting a party for M&T Bank’s salute to nonprofits in the area. Setting the stage is a crucial part of the puzzle for any event, requiring an artistic ambience that sets the bar high. No one does it better than the ladies at CALC. This party was spearheaded by Maureen Madio, who paid great attention to the smallest details.

Cinco de Mayo at Carlisle Arts Learning Center

Entering the upstairs gallery at CALC, guests were transported to Mexico’s land of enchantment with handmade paper flowers forming a garden of gorgeous grandeur. Making Madio’s May flowers even prettier than the real deal was no easy feat, but she topped that off by mixing a medley of margaritas, made memorable by their colorful array. She was assisted by Cathy Stone, curator, Becky Richeson, executive director, and Lauren Aungst, ceramic studio coordinator, as well as Savannah Manetta, art instructor at CALC and the AAH.

The party was a hit by all standards. The fete thanked the nonprofits of Carlisle and featured an impassioned speech by Morgan Rector, vice president of M&T Bank, who eloquently paid tribute to the tireless board members and staff who often operate behind the scenes. These nonprofits are agents of change, making the Carlisle community a noteworthy contributor to a better way of life in central PA. The longstanding partnership, with CALC hosting this annual event, is underwritten by M&T Bank in recognition of nonprofits’ achievements and services.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 13, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams and City Council President Danielle Bowers unveiled the new street name for a section of Walnut Street.

Another week of news in Harrisburg has come and gone, and, as always, we’ve been here to cover it all. Wondering what happened at City Council on Tuesday, why Walnut Street has a new name, or what films will play at this year’s Moviate Film Festival? Find all the answers, below.

An Allison Hill development project received approval on Tuesday by Harrisburg City Council, our reporting found. Radon Construction will transform the long-abandoned building at 100 N. 13^th St. into apartment units.

TheBurg Podcast celebrates culture in this month’s episode. From soccer culture to AAPI culture to the culture of family-owned restaurants, the May edition’s guests cover it all.

The Central PA Unity Cup, planned for May 12 to 21, will bring together culturally diverse teams for a soccer tournament, our online story reported. Nine teams representing countries from around the globe will compete.

Dauphin County announced its summer event series on Wednesday, our online story reported. The parks and recreation department plans to hold the annual Jazz & Wine Festival, the Sunset Music and Movies series and Proudly PA!, among other events.

Eagle F.C., based in Mechanicsburg, is a U.S. semi-professional team formed under the United Soccer League’s new women’s league, launching this month. In our magazine story, hear from players about how the new team fills a gap between college and professional soccer.

Harrisburg designers work behind the scenes to make many local students stand out in their gowns and tuxes for prom night, our magazine story reported. Chances are, if you’ve seen the pictures of bright, flashy, extravagant prom attire, you were looking at the handiwork of one of these local fashion gurus.

Harrisburg Food Tours takes guests through the Broad Street Market and to Midtown restaurants for sweet and savory samples, our magazine story reported. Founder Nada Walton guides guests, adding stories of culture and history along the way.

Harrisburg 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. In our online story, see what specific projects she wants to fund, including an affordable housing program and water park construction.

Harrisburg officials unveiled the designation of part of Walnut Street as T. Morris Chester Way, named after a prominent figure in Harrisburg history, our online story reported. Thomas Morris Chester, a Harrisburg native, was the first Black war correspondent in the nation during the 1860s.

Harrisburg University announced that it would develop a marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), our online story reported. People can purchase NFTs of moments in HU history, and the money will help fund HU’s student scholarship program.

Home prices in Harrisburg increased in April, while sales dipped, our online story reported. In the three-county region, the median price of an existing home rose to $250,500, a jump from $225,000 in April 2021, as sales fell to 628 houses versus 704 the prior April.

Moviate Film Festival returns to Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg this weekend, our online story reported. The festival will feature underground, avant-garde films.

OD’s Fish House cooks up family-style plates for customers to eat in or take home. Owner Otis Harrison sells 14 kinds of fish, from catfish to whiting filets to porgies, tilapia and trout. Read more about the Harrisburg business, here.

PA Greek Fest returns this weekend for its 50^th anniversary, our online story reported. The festival will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camp Hill and feature traditional Greek dishes.

Sara Bozich has a list of Harrisburg-area events to brighten up another rainy weekend. Find them, here.

A State Street redesign will be the topic of several upcoming public meetings in Harrisburg, our online story reported. Residents will have the chance to comment on the project, which was sent back to the drawing board after residents expressed concern with the construction last month.

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Saturday

Sunday

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