Doggone Good: Harrisburg entrepreneurs open hot dog franchise downtown

April 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

LaToya Williams and Hauson Green, owners of The Original Hot Dog Factory-Harrisburg.

Ever try a bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with an onion ring? How about a Jamaican jerk chicken dog or a breakfast dog?

Those just a few of the 26 unique combinations customers can try at Harrisburg’s newest hot dog spot downtown.

“They’re messy, full of toppings, and you’ll leave full,” said co-owner LaToya Williams. “Everybody loves hot dogs.”

The Original Hot Dog Factory is having a grand opening on Saturday at 317 Market St., the former home of the Flamingo Grille. It’s one of the Atlanta-based franchise’s 25-plus locations across the country.

While the franchise may be national, everything about its ownership is local. Owners Williams and Hauson Green, two long-time Harrisburg residents, are ready to try their hands in the restaurant industry.

Both owners are entrepreneurs at heart, Williams previously having owned a dollar store and Green currently working as a barber at his family’s business, Heads Up, a barbershop in Uptown.

For Williams and Green, their new venture into the hot dog world represents a chance for growth and a new challenge.

“I thought, I should invest in myself,” said Williams, a surgical technician. “I’m excited for growing the business and giving people a chance to be a part of it. I’m nervous, but it’s a good nervous.”

The Original Hot Dog Factory on Market Street in Harrisburg

When customers enter the small shop on Market Street, they’ll likely be greeted with a smile by Tevin Cornelius, Green’s nephew. He’s one member of the small staff, which Green said is already like a family, or in Cornelius’s case, is actually family.

Customers can order from a long menu of topping-loaded beef, turkey, Italian and chicken dogs, as well as sausages and bratwurst. Straying from their namesake, they also offer wings, burgers and chicken sandwiches and nuggets. To top it off, they have several deep-fried sweets, including Oreos, Twinkies and funnel cake sticks.

“It’s comfort food,” Green said. “It brings people together.”

The “Boston Dog”

But the food is just a small part of Green’s mission for the restaurant. He’s all about mentorship—investing in the next generation. It’s what he does with the youth who come into his barbershop, and it’s what he plans to do at the restaurant.

“I like giving back,” he said. “I want to teach young entrepreneurs. It’s not about the money, but the impact on lives.”

Green hopes that he can serve as a role model and leader for his employees, who he hopes will own their own businesses one day.

“He’s super successful and has taught me so much,” Cornelius said. “I’m excited to step out and try something new.”

The Original Hot Dog Factory held a soft opening on Tuesday and remains open until Saturday—the official grand opening. It’s already been crazy busy, Williams said, but it’s a good thing.

“I was not expecting this response, but I’m super grateful,” she said.

The Original Hot Dog Factory-Harrisburg will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

April 7, 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: Looking to add some plant bbs to your home? Check out The Vintage Vine HBG’s Online Plant Sale Benefitting the Junior League of Harrisburg. Spring temps must be on the way: Lancaster Brewing Co.’s Blue Trail Shandy is back!

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: Checking out the new Lebanon Valley Libations Trail (follow along on IG!), Easter-type stuff with the kiddo

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

For your weekend planning

Call for sponsors and vendors: Plants + Pints 2022
My trip to Lancaster last month
View our local Restaurant Directory
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

Look for my Easter Brunch/Dinner list on the blog
Check out my ? Spring Bucket List!
Plan for April in SoMa Harrisburg (next week!)
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.

Like this content?

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Setting Sail: New Harrisburg riverboat leader follows her father’s course.

April 6, 2022 | by Diane White McNaughton

Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat

Appropriately, Kim Rice landed upon a nautical term to describe the similarities between her and her late father, former Dauphin County Commissioner Fred Rice.

“We are both boat-rockers,” she said. “We are not afraid to rock the boat.”

It’s exactly that fearlessness that propelled Fred, back in the early ‘90s, to become the second chairman of the board of the Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat. And it’s the same fearlessness that now allows daughter Kim to follow in his wake.

Kim said that her late father inspired her own journey.

Fred Rice was outgoing, energized by people, and knew virtually everyone, she said. His hunting cabins in Dauphin and in Perry counties were full of friends, laughter and fond memories.

“He lived life to the fullest,” Kim said.

He was in the Lions Club and Safari Club, was a Gov. Tom Ridge appointee to the Mid-Atlantic Fish Commission, and chaired the Lower Paxton Republican Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he was a successful insurance and investment consultant.

When Dauphin County Commissioner Jack Minnich resigned to become the court administrator in 1985, county judges selected Rice to replace him, and his journey to launch the boat began.

“He was so excited about it,” Kim said, citing her father’s friendship with one of the founding riverboat members, Mike Trephan.

“My dad was really good at wheeling and dealing to get people to do stuff for him,” Kim recalled, with a laugh.

The late luxury homebuilder, Stan Custer Sr., built benches. Then-Mayor Steve Reed offered aid. And his list of allies grew.

Fast-forward 30-plus years. After former board chair, local attorney Deb Donahue, approached her in 2019, Kim joined the board. Their executive director had just resigned, and a new executive director lasted only weeks.

“Deb and I were doing everything,” recalled Kim, who also holds down a full-time job with the commonwealth.

Donahue, whose father Bruce Miller was also a noteworthy local leader, served as president of the board from 2018 through 2021. Kim took the helm at the end of last year.

As the first female president of the Pride, Donahue had rough waters to navigate, including a pandemic, funding shortfalls, board resignations, internal power struggles, maintenance issues and more. Kim inherited much the same.

“I love the riverboat. I do enjoy riding on it,” she said. “I love going to City Island. I love going to meetings there. It brings me closer to my dad. He loved the river, and he loved the Pride of the Susquehanna. I am honored to do it.”

She is humble when considering her dad’s legacy.

“I can’t match my dad and his contacts,” she said.

Rough Waters

The last few years have been tough ones for the Pride. In 2018, high water repeatedly grounded the riverboat, which was just beginning to recover when the pandemic hit.

Board members have frequently paid for the operation and repairs of the boat out of their own pockets, Kim said,

“My goal is to get it to be self-sustaining and not be in such jeopardy,” she said.

Therefore, she plans to focus on grant-writing, marketing, expanding the board and fundraising. Exciting new programs for younger people also are waiting at the dock.

She said that COVID-19 and its two years of restrictions hit every nonprofit like a hole in the hull. In the first year of the pandemic, they had to operate at a 25-person limit instead of 110, complying with restrictions imposed upon bars and restaurants because they serve alcohol.

“We lost our shirt to cover the cost of the crew and fuel,” Kim stated frankly, noting the $300 per hour expense to operate the boat.

This year, she noted, the board already secured a gaming grant from the Dauphin County commissioners for $75,000. However, that is not nearly enough to help them swim long-term.

“This boat is 34 years old, and there are constantly things that need repair,” she said.

To help maintain the Pride, she is working with new board member Lorri Ribbans to utilize the skills of Dauphin County Technical School students.

This year, Kim and her board’s plans for the Riverboat include a first-ever 5K “Float the Boat” walk and run for the Riverboat on Sunday, May 15. Sponsors, runners and walkers are still needed.

A popular veterans’ cruise will be held on May 30, over Memorial Day weekend, and is free to veterans.

Public cruises will resume in May, only on the weekends, said Melissa Snyder of Daza Development, who is aiding in the daily operations of the nonprofit.

In June, the Riverboat is expected to start full week and weekend public cruises. Starting in June, they also will have:

“Princess” and “Superhero” cruises for kids
River School on Saturday mornings
Murder mystery dinners
“Dinner on the River”
Wine on Wednesday
Jazz and other music cruises.

Still in the works are “Bourbon on the Boat” (bourbon tasting cruise) and “Trivia Tuesday.”

Popular country singer Garrett Shultz is on tap for a major fundraiser, Boat-toberfest, in October. A tribute to late board member, attorney Bill Cornell, is also planned.

Kim said that a leader can’t be afraid to ask for help, so she is. The riverboat needs welders, sponsors and donors.

When Kim was cleaning out her parents’ things, she found a Nick Ruggieri print of the riverboat, signed by Captain Jack and two other captains as a thank you for her father’s service.

The riverboat may still be buffeted by rough waters. However, that print reminds her that rocking the boat can keep them sailing smoothly up the Susquehanna for years to come.

The Pride of the Susquehanna sails from City Island, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.hbgriverboat.org.

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Harrisburg nears end of rent relief program, has funds for a few more applicants

April 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

During the pandemic, Harrisburg offered financial assistance to those behind on rent and utilities due to COVID.

The city’s rent relief program is finally nearing the end of its funding, but still has enough for a few more applicants.

According to Dennise Hill, director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development, Harrisburg has $60,000 left of its original $500,000 in federal funds. She encouraged those who may still be in need of financial assistance to apply. They have enough to help about 10 more applicants, she said.

“Now would be the time to apply,” Hill said. “We are here to help.”

Since Harrisburg first announced the rent relief program in Nov. 2020, about 175 applicants have received assistance, according to the city.

Dauphin County also disbursed rent relief funds for much of the pandemic, but has paused that program as much of the money has now been spent.

To apply for the rent relief program, contact Dennise Hill at (717)-255-6411.

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Harrisburg considers gun violence prevention strategy, prepares to disburse federal housing funds

April 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council at Tuesday’s work session

At a work session on Tuesday, Harrisburg City Council addressed the recent spate of gun violence in the city, discussing a strategy that might offer help.

Council is considering a contract with the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, on behalf of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, for consulting services to study and combat group violence in Harrisburg.

“This is not the end all be all, but I think it’s an excellent start,” explained Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter.

The organization would study Harrisburg’s street violence, provide a strategy plan and assist with implementation. They would also work on identifying members of violent groups, attempting to speak with them, providing resources to them and assisting those who may wish to get out of the group, according to police officials.

“It’s getting the community buy-in to tell the members we are not going to take this anymore,” said Adrienne Hoffman-Lewis, crime analyst for the police.

The $210,000 contract would be for a two-year period and funded through grant money from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. According to Hoffman-Lewis, it would take three to four months for the strategy to be implemented once the contract begins.

Some council members wondered whether the program would be effective.

“This sounds like it could be promising in some ways, but it also just sounds like a lot of information gathering,” said council member Ausha Green. “What are we going to do with it?”

Council will further discuss the resolution at their next work session.

In other news, annual federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will soon be allocated to local organizations, once voted on by council at the next legislative session.

Harrisburg will divvy up these Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds allocated from both the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. During the pandemic, the federal Department of Building and Housing Development did not allot these funds due to the influx of CARES Act funding that they instead worked to distribute.

The following organizations are recipients of the 2020 and 2021 ESG funds:

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, $50,000
Christian Churches United, $100,000
Shalom House, $50,000
YWCA, $50,000

The following organizations are recipients of the 2020 CDBG funds:

Justice House of Hope, $84,728
LHACC, $45,000
PAIRWIN (Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network), $39,220
Salvation Army, $75,000
The Worship Academy, $50,000

Additionally, $244,031 will go towards debt service, $425,000 for public improvement/public facilities, $344,746 for housing programs, $200,000 for demolition and $75,000 for the Dauphin County Library System.

The following organizations are recipients of the 2021 CDBG funds:

Center for Employment Opportunities, $25,000
AJB Drug & Alcohol, $48,586
Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, $35,000
The Rock Church, $100,000
Justice House of Hope, $15,272

Additionally, $240,000 will be used for debt service, $504,600 for public improvement/public facilities, $359,066 for housing programs and $218,000 for demolition.

The city will likely hold a workshop for potential applicants for the 2022 federal housing funds in mid-May, according to Dennise Hill, director of the Department of Building and Housing Development.

Also on Tuesday, council discussed a bill that would require Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission meetings to be recorded and shared publicly.

Currently, the meetings are documented by a court stenographer but transcriptions are not easily accessible and can be costly.

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Harrisburg asks residents, businesses to turn off lights at night to save migrating birds

April 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

Harrisburg is asking residents to take a simple step to help solve a huge issue for migrating birds.

From now through May, the city, along with local bird advocates, are encouraging people to go lights-out at night to prevent bird collisions with buildings and windows.

“What we are asking is for businesses, municipalities and residents to turn off their lights from midnight to 6 a.m.,” explained Ali Bowling, president of the Appalachian Audubon Society.

Bowling explained that, during the night, as birds migrate back north for the season, interior and exterior lights can be very distracting, causing birds to crash into buildings.

According to the National Audubon Society, a national nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats, up to 1 billion birds die each year across the United States colliding with buildings and windows.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said that the city will participate in “Lights Out Harrisburg,” and she invites businesses and residents to do so, as well.

The state Department of General Services plans to turn off lights in 15 buildings in the Capitol Complex during this time, including spotlights on the Capitol dome and lights in the Keystone Building atrium. Strawberry Square will also participate.

“Turning down lights in our tallest buildings will not only protect countless birds, but also save energy and reduce carbon emissions,” said Jason Snyder, the department’s acting deputy secretary for property and asset management. “We’re pleased to partner on the Lights Out initiative and are committed to preserving the safe passage for our friends in the skies.”

Harrisburg will join over 30 cities nationwide for the Lights Out initiative.

In the fall, peak migration will occur between Aug. 15 and Nov. 15 as birds travel south.

“If we can resolve this issue with a simple fix, then why not do it?” Bowling said.

For more information about “Lights Out Harrisburg” or to pledge to participate, visit the Appalachian Audubon Society’s website.

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Youth Poetry Slam to give Harrisburg young people a positive outlet during recent violence

April 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

State Museum of Pennsylvania

Feeling the weight of recent violence in Harrisburg, Nathaniel Gadsden wanted to bring something uplifting to local youth during a difficult time.

On April 10, Gadsden’s organization, Writer’s Wordshop, will host a Youth Poetry Slam in downtown Harrisburg with the goal of providing an outlet for young people to express themselves.

“We’ve got to put our abilities to work to help young people,” he said. “We are hoping to inspire not only the writers, but also the community members.”

The event encourages youth from 4^th to 12^th grade to read an original work of poetry. Participants will be split up into three divisions according to age and compete to win cash prizes.

The poetry slam will take place at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, from 1 to 4 p.m. Entry is free, but registration is required for participating youth. There will also be vendors, music and door prize giveaways. Participants will receive a gift bag and there will be free book giveaways for children in attendance.

Gadsden reflected on his youth and how much poetry meant to him as a child, giving him a way to be heard. He hopes that it will do the same for students participating in the poetry slam.

“We want to see them using their voices for positive things,” he said. “A lot of young people have dealt with trauma. If we can get them to unpack that stuff in a positive way, we can make a difference in our community.”

Nicole Wilkerson, a co-organizer of the event, is also hoping to see youth recognize the value of poetry and writing and the ability it has to open doors to future career paths.

Gadsden is expecting to see many young people involved in the poetry slam, noting that students from local schools will likely be in attendance.

“We are hoping to inspire students just to write—period,” Gadsden said.

For more information, contact Nathaniel Gadsden at 717-608-2312 or [email protected]. To register for the Youth Poetry Slam, click here.

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Harrisburg breaks ground on Chutes and Ladders playground in Reservoir Park

April 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Sign for the Chutes and Ladders playground coming to Reservoir Park

Harrisburg is finally putting shovel to dirt on a construction project to make Reservoir Park more enjoyable for residents.

On Monday, city officials broke ground on the Chutes and Ladders playground, which will replace outdated and underused equipment in the Allison Hill park.

“We all loved playing the Chutes and Ladders board game when we were younger, right?” Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said at the ground breaking. “Soon, our children will get to live it and experience it. The work we are starting here today will lead to needed improvements for this entire park.”

The $1 million playground project has been in the works for years, but will finally begin to take shape this year. It is part of Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park Master Plan, which aims to increase traffic and interest in the 87-acre park.

Rendering of the Chutes and Ladder playground design

First, the city will replace existing playground equipment with new attractions. The playground will be based off of the popular board game, “Chutes and Ladders,” and will allow visitors to engage in a life-sized version. The city expects to complete the playground by August.

In a subsequent phase of construction, the city will create additional parking, add a “tot lot” playground for younger children, plant trees and increase walkways in the park.

The Chutes and Ladders playground was paid for with over $724,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, $250,000 from The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and just under $50,000 from the city’s general fund.

The city is currently applying for grants to help pay for the next phase of the project.

Harrisburg City Council recently voted to allow the city to apply for several park-related grants, including one with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ C2P2 Park Rehabilitation and Development Subprogram. If awarded, the funds would support phase two of the Reservoir Park project.

The city will also apply for a grant with DCNR to fund the development of a Harrisburg City Parks Master Plan. According to city officials, this would help create a vision for the city’s parks and assist with applying for future grants.

For more information on the city’s parks, visit their website.

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Road milling begins on 2nd Street, as the two-way conversion project proceeds

April 4, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The milling process began on N. 2nd Street on Monday

Harrisburg is driving forward with a long-awaited project to transform N. 2^nd Street from one-way to two-way traffic.

On Monday, construction workers and equipment took over a stretch of the street as they began milling the road—a major next step in the multi-year initiative.

The milling process, which includes removing the top layer of pavement from the road, will take about three weeks, according to the city. One or two lanes may be closed at portions of the road during construction. The road will remain one-way during the 2022 construction season, the city said in a statement.

Parking will be restricted on certain parts of N. 2^nd Street on the following dates:

April 4: Right side, Forster Street to Hamilton Street
April 5: Left Side, Forster Street to Hamilton Street
April 6: Left side, Clinton Street to Woodbine Street
April 7: Right side, Clinton Street to Woodbine Street
April 8: Right side, Maclay Street to Radnor Street
April 11: Left side, Maclay Street to Radnor Street
April 12: Left side, Schuylkill Street to Division Street
April 13: Right side, Schuylkill Street to Division Street

“No parking” signs are posted. These parking restrictions are enforced from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city ceremoniously broke ground on the two-way conversion project in May 2021, with the goal of making N. 2^nd Street safer and more walkable. Since then, contractors have constructed many ADA-accessible ramps at intersections along the street to comply with PennDOT’s construction guidelines.

In addition to converting the street to two-way traffic, the plan calls for the construction of several roundabouts at intersections along the corridor and added pedestrian and bike-friendly elements.

The N. 2^nd Street project is part of Harrisburg’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030.

For more information about the N. 2^nd Street two-way conversion project, visit the city’s website.

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“Panchatantra Tales” to bring Indian dance, culture to the theater stage

April 4, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dancers in “Panchatantra Tales” at a rehearsal

Rachita Menon remembers reading the Panchatantra, a series of Indian fables, as a young girl.

Now, those childhood stories, that many Indian children like Menon grew up with, will become a stage production for the first time.

“Those stories always stuck with me,” she said. “I wanted to bring them to life.”

Menon’s Rasika School of Dance has collaborated with Gamut Theatre to create “Panchatantra Tales,” bringing Indian classical and folk dance to the stage in central PA. The show will run at Gamut Theatre for one weekend only, from April 8 to 10.

At her dance studio in Enola, Menon teaches the traditional south Indian dance style “Bharatanatyam.” She has always felt that this style of dance would be perfect for the stage, with its expressive hand gestures and beautiful dress, she said.

“We’ve seen this in bigger cities, but we haven’t seen something like this in central PA,” Menon explained.

The “Panchatantra Tales” was written by Sean Adams and is co-directed by Menon and Gamut’s Executive Director Melissa Nicholson. It is based on Indian stories that are comparable to “Aesop’s Fables.” The show is both comical and packed with meaning, touching on themes of kindness and respect, much like the original stories.

The show follows a noble king in ancient India who has three big problems: his children, the reckless and lazy royal princes. He fears for the future of his people, and thus consults with a wise guru, who teaches the young princes through animal stories and folk tales. These lessons are woven together to form the Panchatantra (“Five Treatises”). In the end, the princes will learn about dharma–the duties and virtues expected of us–and the importance of being part of a bigger picture.

Both students from Rasika School of Dance and actors from Gamut’s Young Acting Company will perform together in the show. Performers range in age from 6 to 18 years old.

“This is a big dream come true to me,” Menon said. “To promote this style of dance in a way that the global masses can relate to. It’s crossing boundaries.”

Audience members can expect to see lots of dancing, of course, but also singing, beautifully designed costumes, exciting fight choreography and classical Indian hand gestures. It’s a play that anyone of any age will enjoy, Menon said.

“It’s an experience that everyone should come watch,” Menon said. “It’s not something you’ve seen before.”

Gamut Theatre is located at 15 N. 4^th St., Harrisburg. For more information about “Panchatantra Tales,” visit their website. Tickets for the show are still available, but selling fast, according to Menon. They can be purchased on Gamut’s website.

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