Dauphin County Library System kicks off National Library Week, issues connectivity survey

April 1, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County commissioners George Hartwick (right) and Mike Pries read to St. Stephen’s students at the McCormick Riverfront Library.

On Friday morning, the Dauphin County commissioners read to a group of St. Stephen’s School students at the McCormick Riverfront Library.

The literary event helped to kick off National Library Week, which runs April 3 through 9, within the Dauphin County Library System (DCLS).

“Our libraries are so important to all of us,” commission Chair Mike Pries said before opening a picture book to read to the students.

In tandem with the special week of recognition, the library system will focus on the digital services and resources that it provides, fitting with the week’s theme—“Connect with Your Library.”

Library officials are asking the public to participate in a survey about which digital services they use and what they would like to see offered. According to DCLS Executive Director Karen Cullings, this will help the library determine which future tech purchases and investments they may need to make.

“Public use of the library’s PCs is at an all-time high and use of the Wi-Fi network on personal devices and downloading of e-books and e-audiobooks is experiencing explosive growth,’’ Cullings said. “The library has been through many years of fast-paced change as it has adapted to meet the community’s need for information.”

Everyone who fills out the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card from a local business.

The library system currently offers over 120 public computers and free Wi-Fi across its eight locations.

The McCormick Riverfront Library is currently undergoing construction for an expansion project. Once that is completed, the library will offer more than 3,400-square-feet of added online resources and specialized computer tools for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math learning support, according to officials.

Additionally, to celebrate National Library Week, MARCO, the library’s mobile “Exploration Station,” will visit the following locations:

April 4 – Cumberland Court Apartments, 1111 Capitol St., Harrisburg, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
April 5 – Downey Elementary School, 1313 Monroe St., Harrisburg, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
April 6 – Rutherford Park Townhouses, 337 Brokas Dr., Hummelstown, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
April 7 – Northern Dauphin Human Services, 295 State Dr., Elizabethville, 3 to 5 p.m.
April 8 – Felton Lofts, 100 S. 4th St., Steelton, 3 to 5 p.m.

They will also provide free books for readers of all ages, goodie bags and online library card sign-ups.

For more information about the services that the Dauphin County Library System offers, visit its website.

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Bob’s Art Blog: A Special Day in the Year

April 1, 2022 | by Bob MacGinnes

Part I: The Men Who Fell to Earth

Scientists from NASA put out the alarm as soon as they heard static on their sonar tracking system thousands of miles out in space. It picked up a devastating, 230-kiloton asteroid that could hit Earth early May or sooner. The odds were one in 3,800 that it would actually hit our planet…but still. NASA readily admitted not all asteroids are trackable, but, with the size of this one, that fact fell out the window. Perhaps the noise could be an identified craft entering Earth’s atmosphere. The Northeast coast was the target, but when and where would be anyone’s guess. As the week wore on, the unknown object became the main topic of conversation with speculation rabid. Whatever would arrive by the workweek’s end was headed straight for central Pennsylvania.

The clock struck midnight as the first day of the month arrived, with a glowing streak shot through the rooftop at the Millworks with such force, finally settling on the third-floor art studios. For the local residents, it was a massive jolt causing the Midtown neighborhood of Verbeke and 3rd to come to life with everyone spilling into the streets to find out what caused this catastrophic collision. A spacecraft glowed for city blocks, emitting a strobe show like something out of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” UFOs have always held a certain fascination for the American public, and this one would only serve to advance that notion. When the craft’s doors opened, the Electric Prunes’ “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night” echoed, the reverb feedback created by the guitars thumping bass line.

Art of the Huckle Buckle Boys

As the spacecraft entered the Earth’s atmosphere, it hit a time warp continuum setting the calendar back to 1967, and the occupants within left dazed and confused. As the mothership’s portal swung wide, out stepped Zack Rudy and Garrick Dorsett of Studio 318, Millworks’ very own Huckle Buckle Boys, delivering their out-of-this-world art. “The Men Who Fell to Earth” were none other than comrades-in-arms, brandishing paint and canvas to conquer Earth or at least central PA bringing a fresh palette back with them from their space jaunt just in time for an April 1 arrival. Canvases featuring characters that could easily come from Area 51 showcase optic colors of moondust yellow, Venutian violet, Jovian juniper to include the multi-colored rainbow rings of Saturn. Zack eagerly exclaimed to the onlookers that, “we were off in a dream and went for a ride last night” by the Turtles’ “She’s My Girl,” as Garrick gleefully gushed we even traveled to “Itchycoo Park and touched the sky” by Small Faces. Both agreed, “it’s all too beautiful!”

This blog is delivered in the spirit of the day and all April Fools Day stands for. With a nod to Orson Welles’ Halloween night original broadcast of “War of the Worlds” in 1938.

Look for the unveiling of Huckle Buckle Boys’ room-size mural and beer release collaboration at Spring House Brewery at 209 Hazel St. in Lancaster on May 1. Public invited.

Part Two – More Millworks Mayhem

Works by Erica Binder

Continuing the theme of out-of-this-world art at Millworks finds “Words of love, soft and tender” as once cooed by Mama Cass, lends credence to Karma Ashanti Love, a crafter of consummate skill with her one-of-a-kind rope bags, bowls and baskets. The business-branding name is derived from the designer’s daughters, “tossed with love at the end. Hand dyed ropes and buttons made of clay, complete the labor-intensive process in delivering the final product to the customer,” shared Erica Binder of Studio 212.

Display by R76

Reina Wooden (R76) makes “singing in the rain” easy-peasy with her message laden umbrellas twirling and swirling on the wall recently in the lobby at Millworks. Decked out in eye-catching colors, the protection from the elements is more than functional and fun when the conversation-starters clamor for attention down the boulevards of Midtown.

Art by P.D. Murray

Outsized and outrageously outré iterations that P.D. Murray borrows from The Bard for inspiration, using Shakespearian icons Prospero, Ariel and Caliban from the “Tempest,” King Lear, Ophelia from “Hamlet” and Papageno, Queen of the Night, from Mozart’s opera, “The Magic Flute.” This eclectic group is featured in Murray’s latest array of cotton candy-colored paintings found in Studio 323. Choosing a palette perfect for “Springtime when Man’s fancy turns to thoughts of…” Artist-created libations found at the bar at Millworks, mixed with elan by its in-resident bartender, Roman. Millworks’ artists now have their own signature cocktails available to sip and enjoy. Cheers and happy April Fool’s Day!

April Art Events

“I’m Fine” at Creative York, 10 N. Beaver St. in York, is a community-engaged exhibit of masks and stories dedicated to sculpting mental health awareness through May 21.

Spring Odds One Bizarre is Saturday, April 30, in the parking lot of the Broad Street Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Trader Joe’s opens in Camp Hill, customers come in droves to shop for unique products

March 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Trader Joe’s on opening day, Thursday.

On Thursday morning, 100-year-old Bess Gorelick, strolled into the just-opened Trader Joe’s in Camp Hill.

Gorelick was the first customer to enter, preceding the line of eager shoppers that wrapped around the building at 8 a.m. on the grocery store’s opening day.

“I love Trader Joe’s,” she said. “They have products that they don’t have anywhere else.”

The 12,550-square-foot store is the first Trader Joe’s in the area and the ninth in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, it has over 500 stores in 42 states. It’s known for its unique, quality food products at affordable prices.

At the opening, store captain Jamie Brown welcomed customers into the store, along with a team of Hawaiian shirt-sporting staff members.

“We are super excited to have you all here,” he said.

Since last June, when the store announced it would be coming to the Lower Allen Commons, fans of the franchise were anticipating its arrival.

Customers shop inside Trader Joe’s

For New Cumberland resident Heather Keller, visiting Trader Joe’s before meant taking road trips to different locations. It was something she and her stepmom did together, before she passed away last year.

“She would’ve loved to have one so close,” Keller said. “It’s nice that it’s a little more convenient now, but probably not good for my wallet.”

Keller’s go-to items are the miso soup, mini chicken wontons and the dunker cookies, although she said she could make a long list of favorites.

Inside Trader Joe’s

Other popular Trader Joe’s products include their signature chocolate hazelnut biscotti, kettle cooked chicken soup and “five-buck Chuck.”

Inside, the store features artwork with familiar images to central PA. There is the Market Street Bridge, white-tailed deer, a Nittany lion and even the sign from Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market.

According to the store, it will also participate in the company’s Neighborhood Shares Program, meaning it will donate unsold products to nonprofit, community-based organizations.

Trader Joe’s is located at 3545 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.traderjoes.com.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

March 31, 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: Hersheypark opens this weekend! Have you tried Reiki? Don’t miss this giveaway.

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: Dinner out with a (different) friend, market trips with Bo

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 weekend
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

Check out my ? Spring Bucket List!
Plan for April in SoMa
Make travel plans (with a discount + perks)
Review of Dutch Apple’s Singin’ In the Rain
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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They Made a Stink: Callery pear trees added to noxious weeds list; new tree sales banned

March 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

One of Pennsylvania’s most popular trees is “growing like a weed”—really.

The Callery pear tree, also called the Bradford pear, is known for its quick growth. But state officials recently placed the ornamental pear tree on the noxious weed list, labeled it an invasive species, and banned it from being sold or cultivated in the state. In a nutshell, it’s an illegal weed.

What’s so bad about this specific tree, you might ask? Despite the tree’s popularity as a longtime landscaping favorite, it has a stinky reputation.

“They smell horrid,” said Shannon Powers of the state Department of Agriculture, referring to the trees’ white spring blossoms. Stench aside, that’s not primarily why the trees are troublesome.

Root Cause

“It’s invasive, in comparison to native species that belong here,” Powers said. “An invasive species has the potential to harm our economy and ecosystem. And the harm to the economy comes in, when it damages agriculture.”

Today, the trees—native to Asia—are prevalent throughout Pennsylvania, but the root of the problem goes back a century.

“Callery pears were brought here intentionally in the early 1900s when researchers were looking for a blight resistant species to cross-pollinate with other trees,” said Powers. “No one maliciously brought them here. These pear trees are hardy, resist disease, and flourish, but they’ve become invasive and have spread into woodlands and pastures much more readily than anyone would have thought.”

It’s both costly and challenging to remove them, especially from farmland.

Pennsylvania law classifies three categories of noxious weeds.

Class A weeds, although well-established, are capable of being wiped out. Callery pear trees fall into class B because “they’re so widely established that we can’t feasibly eradicate them, but we can work to control them,” Powers said. The popular, deep-red Japanese barberry shrubs were also recently deemed class B noxious weeds because, not only are the prickly plants invasive, non-natives, but they harbor ticks—serving as potential breeding grounds for Lyme disease. Class C weeds are those not yet detected in Pennsylvania, but on the federal watch list.

So, what should homeowners do about Callery pear trees?

“We’re not saying everyone should go out and chop down their trees,” Powers said. “But property owners can keep an eye on the area where the trees appear to be spreading and get rid of seedlings.”

Sometimes, the prolific trees’ growth is actually their own downfall.

“They have poor form and tight branching, so Bradford pear trees split regularly because the branches get too heavy,” said Ellen Roane, Harrisburg city forester.

When that happens, she said, it’s actually a good excuse to remove the entire tree.

It’s a common scene in Harrisburg because there are more Callery pear trees than you can shake a stick at. More than 700 were counted, Roane said, during the most recent inventory of city street trees. That means Callery pear trees account for more than 10% of the trees lining Harrisburg roadways.

Street trees are planted and maintained by property owners, but because they’re within the public right of way, they’re regulated by the city. When property owners contemplate planting trees, they must consult the city’s “approved species list.”

“The Callery pear hasn’t been on the approved species list for Harrisburg since at least 2015,” Roane said.

Her reaction when she heard the Department of Ag was banning further sales of the tree? “I thought, ‘Finally, thank God,’” she said.

But in the meantime, she’s stuck regulating these now-noxious trees.

“If it was on my property, I would remove it—it’s just really problematic,” Roane said. “We’re not mandating that at this point, but the city does have a program for low-income residents and senior citizens. We will remove or prune trees if they’re not in great condition, at no cost.”

The Norway maple is another tree on Roane’s hit list. It too, is “highly invasive,” she said, and slightly more prevalent than Callery pear trees in the city. Both are examples of streetscape species once thought to be good choices—but today, we’re paying for those mistakes of the past.

Leafy Lessons Learned

“The most important thing is, when you’re looking at your landscaping, learn about what you’re buying, look at what’s going to thrive in your area, and look for native plants,” Powers said. “Native plants are not going to cause problems down the road.”

Recommended street trees on Harrisburg’s “approved species list” today include red oak, swamp white oak, linden, black gum, serviceberry and the Kentucky coffee tree, among others.

Homeowners headed out to nurseries across the state this spring likely won’t find trees labeled Callery or Bradford pears anymore, although nurseries have two years to deplete their supply and comply with the ban. But there are plenty of better options.

“We had 523 trees arrive yesterday, and that’s just the beginning of our spring stock,” said Alicia, nursery manager, during the first week of March at Stauffers of Kissel Hill Linglestown.

Her best advice for native alternatives to Callery pears?

“The most popular trees, especially for spring blossoms, are actually cherry trees,” she said.

For more information on noxious weeds in Pennsylvania, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/NIPPP. For Harrisburg’s tree information, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/parks-recreation-facilities/trees.

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Electric Avenue: Are EVs a good option for your average city driver? Our reporter wanted to find out

March 31, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

“When we get up to this red light,” said Faulkner Nissan of Harrisburg salesman Gavin Winfrey, “I want you to put your foot down. So, that way, you can feel the linear acceleration.”

“By put my foot down, you mean what?”

“I mean put your foot down on the gas,” Winfrey said. Then he corrected himself. “The accelerator.”

“Now?” I asked.

“Now.”

So, I accelerated. And I said, well, a word that’s not used in polite company.

“You weren’t expecting that, were you?”

“No, I was not!” I squealed as the Nissan LEAF practically punched the air with a gentle whir.

This story began on the question, “Is it practical to own an EV if you live in the city?” Many city residents might be ideologically inclined to stop chugging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, but how do they charge up? No driveway. No garage. No charger around the corner. It’s a challenge, even enthusiasts agree.

But my research turned into one big test drive for me. I’ve been thinking about a new car. Will it be an EV? Read on.

Early Adopters

In early 2019, Doug Neidich drove his new Nissan LEAF to Pittsburgh. The trip took 10½ hours. He had time to ponder.

“I wanted to get into this early for the education I received, and when I was in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania, two-thirds of the way to Pittsburgh at 11:30 at night, sitting in a Sheetz and waiting for the tow truck to show up, I sat there thinking, ‘Well, I was in this for the education, and I’m getting one,’” said Neidich, the CEO of Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development.

In Neidich’s defense, part of the learning experience was finding out that his LEAF charged to the European standard instead of the American. Finding a European-standard charger on your travels is “like finding a unicorn in the woods.” By now, he knows where they are and knows to double check that they are, in fact, operational.

For most EV owners today, chargers are popping up like mushrooms after a storm, and apps send them to those appropriate for their vehicles. Winfrey suggests that EV drivers talk to their employers about installing chargers. He also envisions a world where business owners entice customers to charge while they browse—which I noticed at the Neighbors & Smith plaza in Camp Hill.

However, chargers are not ubiquitous. Midtown resident Ryan Unger doesn’t know of any in his neighborhood. He takes his girlfriend’s Volkswagen ID.4 to the charger on 2nd and State streets or to the lineup outside the State Museum on 3rd Street.

Challenges arise. If it’s daytime, there’s parking to pay for—a hefty sum with downtown Harrisburg’s $4-an-hour fee. And while signage designates the spots for EVs only, it doesn’t seem to be enforced.

In fact, notes Neidich, there is a term for internal combustion engine vehicles owners who deliberately hog EV spaces—“ICEing the charger.”

But to all my what-ifs, there are answers. What if I don’t have time to charge? Find a fast charger, and find something to do for an hour or so. What if I’m planning a long trip? Chart out your stops and top off as you go to get through the next stage. What if the chargers are all taken? Rarely happens. What if my flivver breaks down in some remote spot, and I lost the crank handle?

Sorry. Wrong century.

“It’s one of those things where you do have to do your research,” Winfrey said. “If you know someone who has one, pull them aside, and talk to them. Get some tips and tricks. It’s not the same driving experience.”

Democratizing a Charge

Technology leaps forward, notes Andy Daga, CEO of Momentum Dynamics, Malvern. The EV charging stations now appearing are impractical in urban environments for their expense and susceptibility to vandalism and weather, he said.

Daga’s firm has developed automatic charging and is working toward its incorporation into a national charging network. The system uses magnetic induction to transmit power from an inground charging pad to a vehicle above.

In Daga’s vision of “organic charging,” automatic chargers are beneath the surface in parking lots at grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants and theaters.

“People have vehicles for reasons,” he said. “They go places. Why don’t we put the charging infrastructure in the places where they continually go? Park for 15 minutes or 30 or 60 minutes, and get 100 miles to 150 miles of range extension without spending a moment of your time charging. You won’t even need to think about it. It happens in the background, just like E-ZPass does.”

City dwellers aren’t alone in needing simplified access to charging, Daga said. Rural and suburban dwellers need answers, too—not to mention disabled motorists needing hands-free charging.

“The solution ultimately has to fit everybody’s lifestyle,” he said.

EVs actually have at least one urban advantage. City driving outperforms highway driving in mileage because a car sitting in traffic isn’t tapping into the battery.

“Once you drive an electric vehicle, you will never go back to a gasoline vehicle,” said Neidich.

Charging 101

If you’re “slim on time,” you need a fast charge, which still takes up to an hour for a full charge, said Winfrey. Below that, Level 2 chargers are increasingly available, but a full charge can take many hours. The day Winfrey discovered that the city of Harrisburg has chargers in the City Island parking garage, he plugged in his car “and was walking around taking photos of Harrisburg.”

So, owning an EV makes you stop and smell the roses?

“Oh, yeah,” said Winfrey. “Certainly.”

Many streetside chargers are Level 2, and overnight juicings are frequently mentioned. Even when Unger searches out a fast charger, he still needs to fill the time.

“I’ll just bring my iPad and watch a TV show or read while it charges,” he said.

He added that a viable charging network pumps up the economy.

“It is incumbent to build out that infrastructure if we want to be the location of choice for young professionals and younger residents,” Unger said. “Anything we can have to be more attractive to live in is a positive for us in this region.”

Plugging into a regular, 110-volt home outlet takes days to charge, but home upgrades to Level 2, 240-volt chargers are easy. Seriously. They’re on Amazon for $200. For city dwellers, stringing an extension cord to the street is not recommended, I’m told.

The city communications office didn’t respond to my emailed question about whether a resident could turn a backyard into a driveway for Level 2, at-home plug-ins.

Easier to ask forgiveness, I say.

Coming Up

Neidich has preregistered for Nissan’s next-gen EV, the 300-mile-range Ariya. Also, he read about an Israeli company promising, by 2024, a battery that gets 100 miles per five minutes of charge.

“When you talk about a city resident who doesn’t have a garage or doesn’t have off-street parking, and doesn’t have availability of a Level 2 charger within walking distance, that’s got to be their answer,” he said. “What they really want is what the world has come to completely take for granted with gasoline-powered vehicles—a quick stop at a fueling station, and, 15 minutes later, they’re in great shape.”

It’s coming in two or three years, he said. The world of EVs “is definitely changing in a hurry.”

And now for my decision. The new-car hungries are hard to deny, but my Nissan Sentra remains fun to drive. Yes, it’s emission-belching, but I’m a fuel-conscious driver. For me, a full charge on an EV could last a couple of weeks. For long trips, my crystal ball sees a convenient, fast-charging infrastructure and longer-range batteries in the near future.

So that’s my decision. In about two years, maybe the stars will align, and I’ll join the EV revolution.

Plus, Daga said, most automakers are committing to upfitting their EVs for automatic charging, which should incentivize progress on that organic experience. And if they’re not around by the time I get my EV, my first trip might be a hop across the river to Neighbors & Smith. Plug in my car, and then sip a One Good Woman coffee while I find a cute sweater at Little Black Dress and matching shoes at Plum Bottom? Yes, please. After all, I’ll doing my part for the environment.

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Floral Connections: Creator, client intersect, bond at Woodland Floral Design Co.

March 31, 2022 | by Molly Foster

Photos by Tales and Trees Photography

Serving others is not always one-size-fits-all.

Meaningful connection and impact can be found down all paths—both well worn and less so.

This is a lesson that Misha Dennison learned in late 2020, when she left her job as a social worker to become a florist full-time. And it’s helped form the basis for her Biglerville-based business, Woodland Floral Design Co.

“I always knew I wanted a job where I could help people, and when I thought about the wedding industry, I never equated being a wedding florist as being as much of a help as being a social worker,” Dennison said. “But, it’s really just a different way of serving people. Even if it is just through flowers, to me, it’s so much more than that.”

Dennison first explored floral design when she interned with C&J Catering several years ago. However, it wasn’t until a peer from high school posted on Facebook looking for an affordable wedding florist, after exhausted DIY efforts, that she fully gave it a try. And she offered to do it for free.

“We just paid for the florals,” said Alyssa Rowe Aucker of Carlisle, who married Lance Aucker in November 2019. “I wasn’t her best friend or her sister; I was just someone she vaguely knew from high school. It meant so much to me for her to go through that much effort to make my wedding day special, despite not getting much compensation out of it at the moment.”

But those first free floral creations for Aucker—a classic pairing of white roses and eucalyptus—have since paid off more than tenfold. If you scroll through Woodland Floral Design Co.’s Instagram feed, you’ll see just how much her business has blossomed. Last year, she averaged 65 weddings, and, as she entered the new year, she already was nearly booked for 2022.

The evolution of her designs over time tells a story, too. They all share locally sourced blooms and a mix of dried pieces, adding Dennison’s signature texture and whimsy. But, in each bouquet, you see bits of the bride’s personality pulled through. Some are composed of vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows, while others feature more muted neutrals and toffee tones.

“I can never really create the same design twice, because each is for a different couple,” Dennison said. “It’s inspired by them.”

From inquiry to day-of delivery, Dennison’s heart and hands are behind the Woodland Floral Design Co. brand. She does it all herself. And she has no intention of outsourcing any element of her work, even as the business grows, for the same reason she wants to stay within the wedding industry—the people.

“It’s so important to me to know that my clients aren’t just hiring a florist,” Dennison said. “They’re looking for someone to connect with.”

It’s a blurry line where Dennison ends and Woodland Floral Design Co. begins. In many ways, they’re one and the same. She lives a mission of serving others in her daily life, offering a gentle smile and an ear to listen to those who need it. And, if you were to visit her wilderness-nestled house, you’d see proof of her passion scattered in every room—stacks of inventory inching toward the ceiling and dried flowers delicately draped from curtain rods and laundry racks.

Dennison is excited that she soon will have a more defined space to channel her creativity, as her screened-in-back porch is being transformed into an office that will overlook the woods. She hopes that this office will bring in an abundance of natural light—a blissful retreat as she tinkers on projects. It also will give her an opportunity to make more connections and build community with her clients, rooted in the same core mission that started it all.

“As my business has evolved, it has shown me and reminded me daily what my priorities are,” Dennison said. “So, as I look forward to what the future might hold, I think those priorities will be the same. I will still be asking myself, ‘How can I better serve?’—not only my clients, but my clients as people, whose lives, even if it’s just for a short period of time, intersect with mine.”

For more information on Woodland Floral Design Co., visit www.woodlandfloraldesignco.com.

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April Editor’s Note

March 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, a sculpture of a newsboy stood proudly in front of our office—for a few hours anyway.

We participated in Harrisburg’s Ice & Fire Festival, which featured ice sculptures placed throughout the city. A paperboy—perfect for us!

A warm weekend followed by rain showers quickly reduced the little guy to a formless, blobby shape and then to a cold puddle of water.

As I assessed the situation, mid-melt, some wise guy walked up to me and said, “He’s mostly gone. Kinda like the newspaper industry, huh?”

Ouch.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong either. Over the past few years, Dauphin County alone has lost three venerable weekly newspapers. By my count, only two papers based in the county still exist that regularly publish news.

There was a time—and it wasn’t terribly long ago—when a town of any decent size had its own local newspaper. There were more than a dozen in Dauphin County alone.

You may not have read them to find out what was happening in China, but that wasn’t their purpose. You read them to find out what was happening down the block, which, in the scope of things, was likely a lot more important to your life.

Council actions, the school board, local businesses, development—it was all there. Local ads, too, for restaurants, realtors, retailers, etc. So much has been lost. No Facebook page can replace the reliable, relevant information that’s disappeared from so many communities.

At TheBurg, we’ve adapted by combining old-school newspapering with the best of the digital world, boosted by a modern aesthetic and true care for our community. Any business that’s survived the online revolution and two years of pandemic must be doing something right, and that applies doubly to the struggling newspaper industry.

So, open up the April issue and see for yourself what we’ve been up to. Then visit our website, read our online-only news, check out our blogs, listen to our podcast. We may have lost our icy newsy, but we believe that we’ve found a winning formula for high-quality, 21st-century local journalism.

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

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Reality Check: So, when are we getting all those new apartments?

March 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

We recently wrote about a rather audacious proposal for downtown Harrisburg.

A jet-setting diplomat bought the aged federal building and wants to transform it into hundreds of luxury apartments replete with a heated rooftop pool, restaurants, bars, a speakeasy, a health club, co-working space, a Michelin-rated chef and a “panoramic elevator.”

Online and via text and email, our readers wondered whether such a project could or would ever be built in little old, post-industrial Harrisburg. Some, floored by the ambitious plan, asked if it was “real.”

So, is it?

Well, the new owner ponied up $10 million for the old building, so there’s that, I responded. And he’s now on the hook for hundreds of thousands in yearly property taxes. Besides this, I honestly don’t know what to expect.

I then added this: I’ve been around this town long enough to treat every building proposal—not just this one—with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Over the past few years, developers have proposed many large projects for Harrisburg, mostly residential, but few have been built—or even begun. Today, hundreds of apartments exist on paper, with scant evidence that they’ll be sites of moving-in parties anytime soon.

But I don’t mean to dump on these would-be projects, either.

In truth, it’s hard as hell to undertake a substantial build, or even a major renovation, in Harrisburg. So, my skepticism has nothing to do with the intentions of the developers. I know that, over and over, they’ve faced mammoth issues getting their apartments off the page and into the air.

For decades, there was next-to-no residential development in Harrisburg. In fact, the opposite happened. Since the 1950s, the city lost about half of both its housing stock and its people, becoming a shadow of its once vibrant, bustling self. Despite being a capital city, Harrisburg was part of the long line of battered PA rust-belt towns stretching from the Delaware to the Ohio.

The tide started to turn only recently as more people began discovering this well-located, often-charming city with a singular waterfront. First, several local developers bought up long-shuttered and underused old properties for conversion to small- and mid-sized apartment buildings. Then, starting a few years ago, proposals for new development and large-scale rehabs began to filter in.

And that’s basically where we stand today.

With a few notable exceptions, major residential development seems to have stalled. As I say, I believe that, generally, the builders are well intentioned, their projects a response to surging demand for housing in Harrisburg. However, they face two enormous, related problems.

First, despite rising rents in the city, developers still have trouble getting projects to “pencil out,” developer lingo for being profitable—or at least breaking even. Over the past year, skyrocketing construction costs and, now, rising interest rates and a skilled labor shortage, have only made this existing problem worse.

Secondly, Harrisburg has had challenges attracting outside investment. Many of the city’s larger proposals will cost tens of millions, requiring deeper pockets than typically found around central PA. The big money rarely makes it in here, as potential financers calculate that they can get a better return elsewhere.

This leaves many projects reliant on both local sources and on subsidies.

I like it that people with roots here want to build here. These developers understand the city, the people and the market better than an outsider, and many are willing to accept a lower return on investment or hold a property long-term to make a project work. But, as I said earlier, despite their good intentions, they often can’t undertake them without the help of outside funds.

To help close the financing gap, some developers have sought subsidies, usually in the form of state redevelopment grants. But these grants, however coveted and competitive, usually cover just a small part of a large project. With labor and material costs running hot, a million or two bucks, at this point, probably won’t make that much difference to a project’s fate.

So, are these projects real? That is, are they really going to happen anytime soon?

Over the past few years, I’ve gone from, “I think so,” to, “I don’t know.” As things stand today, these big projects face formidable obstacles on the road to their ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

A few years from now, will I be relaxing by a stunning new rooftop pool in downtown Harrisburg, Capitol dome in view, cold margarita in hand?

Let’s just say that, as it stands, I’m holding off on buying that Speedo.

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher/editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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

Community Corner: Notable events in April

March 31, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Get That Job

April 1-29: Attend Get that Job! workshops virtually or in-person at Fredericksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn how to present your best self with a strong resume, concise cover letter, targeted interview, good communication and more. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

HBG Flea
April 2: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for growth in the community by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Book Release

April 2: Maria V. Snyder celebrates the release of “Up to the Challenge,” a collection of short speculative fiction at Cupboard Maker Books, 157 N. Enola Rd., Enola, 1 to 3 p.m. www.cupboardmaker.com

Book Sales
April 2, 16: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across from the library. Shop for books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records, tote bags, notecards and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Maple Sugar Fest

April 3: Learn the mysteries of making maple syrup, Native American sugar making, tree tapping and children’s activities at the Maple Sugar Festival at Fort Hunter, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 4 p.m. Taste test different types of maple syrup and shop a variety of maple products. www.forthunter.org

Art in the Wild
April 3: Meet Art in the Wild artists as they put the finishing touches on their installations for Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor art exhibit, with a theme of “Sunlight and Shadows.” Take a self-guided, 3-mile trail walk to meet the artists and observe the process of creating outdoor art, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Stand Against Racism
April 4-May 2: YWCA Greater Harrisburg hosts “Stand Against Racism Challenge: A Virtual Community of Growth,” April 4 to May 2, in which participants can engage with curated articles, podcasts, videos, activities and more on the Challenge website or app. The annual Race Against Racism 5k run/walk will be held on May 14. www.ywcacarlisle.org

Kids Discover

April 5, 15: Young explorers ages 5 to 10 are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for the “Kids Discover” series. Participants can discover signs of life in vernal pools (thawing ground filled with water), on April 5, 2 to 4 p.m. On April 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m., they can search for and examine nests and make their own nest to take home. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Explore! Kids

April 6: Kids in grades 3 to 5 are invited to the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to explore industries that helped shape the state, 11:30 a.m. “Explore!” programs are included with general admission, but space is limited. Sign up at the ground floor information desk. www.statemuseumpa.org

Peaceful Poses

April 6, 8: Children ages 3 and older are invited to a yoga adventure with Ann Fields, founder of Peaceful Poses Kids Yoga, at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. On April 6 at 7:30 p.m., kids can wind down with PJ Yoga on Zoom, and, on April 8, they have the option to do virtual or in-person yoga at 10 a.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Spring Gardening

April 6, 13: Penn State Extension presents its “Veggie 101-201 Series” at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join Dauphin County Master Gardeners for an evening workshop virtually or in-person. Cost is $5. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Nature Lab
April 8: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, hosts a talk with Bert Myers, director of environmental education for the state Department of Environmental Protection, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Learn about falcon natural history and Pennsylvania’s successful peregrine falcon reintroduction. www.statemuseumpa.org

Film Friday
April 8: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Aga” on Film Friday. The Bulgarian film about Aga, Nanook and Sedna are the last members of their ethnic group and live in a yurt on the snow-covered fields in the far north. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Guitar Show
April 8-10: Artisan Guitar Show will be held at Best Western Premier and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with handcrafted guitar exhibitors, attend master classes and enjoy a concert series. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Craft Sale
April 9: Central Dauphin High School Band Boosters hosts its 30th Annual Craft Sale at 437 Piketown Rd., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for handmade items from more than 150 vendors. Parking and admission are free. Proceeds benefit high school band programs. www.cdramband.org

Bunny Trail

April 9: Celebrate spring on the bunny trail throughout the Harsco Science Center at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The trail includes craft stations, Hershey’s candy stations and photos with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $5 per person; kids 2 and younger are free. www.whitakercenter.org

Volunteer Day
April 9: 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 will be available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Curious Kids
April 14: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites kids ages 3 to 6 and their families to “Curiosity Kids” at 11:30 a.m. Learn the history of pretzels and why Pennsylvania is the largest producer in America. Test your pretzel twisting skills. www.statemuseumpa.org

Food Rally

April 14: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, March to December, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants, and cap off the evening with shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Spring Happy Hour
April 14: YWCA Junior Board will hold its spring happy hour, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Harrisburg Country Club, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Rd. Tickets are $20 in advance. Proceeds benefit YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Camp Reily Program. www.ywcahbg.org/events

3rd in The Burg
April 15: 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

Easter Dinner

April 17: Enjoy a free Easter meal at JFT Recovery and Veterans Support Services, 300 Market St., Lemoyne, 2 to 6 p.m. Side dishes are welcome but not required. www.jft-rvss.org

Plein Air

April 18-27: Artists will paint outdoors on both sides of the Susquehanna River during the 2nd annual River Towns Plein Air event hosted by Marietta Art Alive. Public is invited to observe artists at work. The 10-day painting period culminates in an art exhibit opening on April 29 at 5 p.m. at Marietta Community House Studio 264. www.mariettaartalive.com

Earth Day

April 20: Kids in grades 3 to 5 can learn about reducing, reusing and recycling at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, during Explore! Earth Day at 11:30 a.m. www.statemuseumpa.org

Embrace Grace

April 20: Single and Pregnant? Make friends in a judgment-free community of women who want to encourage and support you. Receive a free baby shower too. Event at 7 p.m., Christian Life Assembly, 2645 Lisburn Rd., Camp Hill. Pre-registration required. www.clacamphill.churchcenter.com

Book Sale
April 21-24: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host its Spring Book and Media Sale, April 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 23, 1 to 5 p.m., and April 24, 1 to 4 p.m. (bag sale day). www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Fundraising Event
April 22: Vision Resources of Central PA hosts the 22nd Annual Visions of Monte Carlo benefit fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey, 4650 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, for a dinner, auction, raffles, music, dancing, casino-style games and more, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 22: West Shore Chamber of Commerce holds “Soiree by the Beeches,” with live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres by the water at Allenberry Resort, 1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs, 7 to 10 p.m. Wear your best prom formal attire. www.wschamber.org

Free Spa Night
April 22: Spa night for single moms, with free neck massage, facials, foot soaks, food, coffee and more. Event takes place at Christian Life Assembly, 2645 Lisburn Rd., Camp Hill. Pre-registration required. www.clacamphill.com/events

Litter Cleanup
April 23: You can make Harrisburg a cleaner and safer place to live, work and play by participating in the 10th Annual Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup. This event leaves a huge impact in a few short hours every year. www.cactricounty.org/ghlc

Wetlands Festival
April 23: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, displays and music and talk to representatives from environmental groups. www.wildwoodlake.org

Civil War Presentation
April 23: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, offers the next presentation in its “Lessons in History” speaker series, “Slogging to Richmond: Environmental Influences on the Union Failed Peninsula Campaign, 1862,” with Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver, 1 to 2 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Bag Bingo

April 23: Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Delta Research and Education Foundation will host “Designer Bag Bingo,” 4 to 7 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. www.dstharrisburg.org

Flower Walk

April 24: Take a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 3 p.m., to look for early spring flowers such as Dutchman’s breeches, trout lilies, spring beauties and flowering trees. Learn interesting facts about these early spring bloomers. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

State of Arms
April 25: Steven Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who studies nuclear arms control, Ukraine, and Russia, will discuss the current situation in Ukraine in a Foreign Policy Association webinar at 7:30 p.m. www.fpaharrisburg.org

Award Ceremony

April 28: Join the Salvation Army Harrisburg in honoring Micah Parsons with the “Celebration of Potential” award at its annual community event at The Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., 6:30 p.m. Parsons is a Harrisburg native, Penn State alum, Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Defensive Rookie of the Year. www.pa.salvationarmy.org/harrisburg-pa

Library Benefit

April 29: Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 South Market St., hosts “A Taste of Western Lancaster County,” a celebration of food, beverage, music and fellowship, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Savor samplings from regional restaurants and enjoy wine, beer tastings, and live entertainment by local artists. www.etownpubliclibrary.org

Plant Sale

April 30: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts their annual plant sale at Foundation House, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials and more. Susanna Reppert of the Rosemary House will offer a free workshop on growing and using herbs at 10 a.m. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Odd Ones
April 30: Odd Ones Spring Bizarre will be held at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this spring alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

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