Happenings: Our March Calendar of Events

February 28, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

Packard Showroom Exhibit Presented by Keystone Packards, through April 23

“Survivors: Unrestored Classic Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles,” through April 23

“Pedal Cars & Go-Karts”

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Beauty & Discovery,” artist invitational featuring the work of Pamela J. Black, Ashley Moog Bowlsbey and Jessie Waite, through March 31

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

Photography by Beth Hager, illustrating the appreciation of the commonplace through landscapes, architecture, still life and more on paper, canvas and metal, and craftswoman Kari Hultman, exhibiting woodworking, leatherworking and miniatures, March-April; reception: March 20, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Go for the Gold,” members’ annual color show, featuring artwork in hues of gold, through March 5

“A Celebration of Student Art,” highlighting a broad selection of projects from Carlisle Area School District K-12 students, March 17-April 9

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

March artist of the month

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Lenkerville Elementary Student Art Show, March 2-April 2; reception: March 6, 3-5 p.m.

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Beyond Limitations” digital sculpture, 3D printing and virtual reality by Joe Meiser, through March 6

“Senior Show I,” March 26-April 10; reception: March 26, 7 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Tara Chickey, Amie Bantz, Tina Berrier, Averil Shepps, Caleb Smith, through March 13

New works by PD Murray, Reina 76, Rebecca Adey, Paul Gallo and Susan Bailey, March 15-April 10

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA)
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Weaving Creativity,” a display of traditional and modern hooked rugs by the Magdalena Rug Hookers of Perry County, paired with basket designs by Teena Beutel, through April 22

Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA)
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Natural Elements” artist invitational with Judy Bouder, Toby Bouder, Carolyn Pio, Todd Tabb and Hyeyon Wilson, through March 5

“Good Taste,” on-trend artwork depicting food and cooking, as well as home goods to use in the kitchen, for entertaining and to simply enjoy the art of food, March 12-April 23

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Game Changers: Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across the state in diverse fields and detailing the contributions they made and challenges they faced in their lifetimes.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“Mythologies of Motherhood,” personal stories of artists currently raising children, March 10-June 26

“Approximate Release,” a sculptural installation in the DeSoto Family Vault by Ron Lambert, through April 10

“In Nature’s Studio,” showcasing a bounty of early 19th century through late 20th century American artists’ depictions of the landscape, through May 22

“Hedy O’Beil—The Late Work,” a selection of work from the 1970s to mid-1980s, through June 19

“Project—Nature,” a sneak peek of the current VanGo! Museum on Wheels exhibition “Nature in Art,” featuring the work of Victoria Fuller, through Aug. 22

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

“Our Strength is Our People—The Humanist Photographs of Lewis Hine,” through April 6

Read, Make, Learn

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

March 1-April 15: Hand Building (6 Tuesdays), 6-8 p.m.
March 11: Indigo & Shibori, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 11: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
March 12: There’s Gold in those Petals, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 12: Eucalyptus Magic-Gold Edition, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
March 16: Suicide Loss Survivors, 5:30-7 p.m.
March 17-31: Play with Clay at the End of the Day (ages 10-15), 3:30-5 p.m.
March 22-April 12: Abstract Painting, 12-2 p.m.
March 23-April 27: Fundamentals of Photography AM Session, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 26: Drawing on Enameling with Metallic Pens, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 30-April 27: Wednesday In-Person Art Club (grades K-2), 3:45-5 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

March 17: Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration, 6-9 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23: All Ages Storytime on Zoom, 6 p.m.
March 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25: Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5 years) on Zoom, 10:30-11:10 a.m.
March 1, 7, 8, 22: Born to Read (birth-18 months) on Zoom, 9:30-10 a.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22: Virtual Tween Dungeons and Dragons, 4-5 p.m.
March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18. 23, 25: Toddler Storytime (ages 19-35 months) on Zoom, 11-11:40 a.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24: Virtual Anime Club, 4-5 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25: Virtual Teen Dungeons and Dragons, 4-5 p.m.
March 15: Animal Crossing New Horizons 2.0 on Zoom (ages 18 and older), 4:30-6:30 p.m.
March 16: Virtual Young Adult Book Club (ages 13-18), 4-5:30 p.m.
March 16: Voter Information Session on Zoom, 6-7 p.m.
March 22; Women’s History Month—Esther Popel on Zoom, 6-7 p.m.
March 29: Spanish Language Conversation Group (ages 15 and older) on Zoom, 12-1 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

March 2: Toddler Time, 10:30 a.m.
March 3: Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Fiber Artists, 3 p.m.
March 8, 22: STEM Stations, 4:30 p.m.
March 10, 24: Knitter’s Group, 5 p.m.
March 12: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.
March 12, 19: LEGO Club, 11 a.m.
March 15: Musik Time, 10:30 a.m.
March 19: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.
March 19: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

March 2: Virtual Illustrated Talk—Hoofprints in History, the Role of the Domestic Dairy Cow, 7-8 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

March 1: Teen STEAM Lab—Self-Care DIY, 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Career Exploration Workshop, 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
March 2: Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
March 2: Artificial Intelligence—A ‘Hear Me Out’ Dialogue, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
March 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30: Discovery Zone Fun, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24: Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25: Get That Job! Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
March 5: Library for Lunch, 1 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19, 26: Teen Grab and Go Bag (ages 7-12), 1 p.m.
March 5, 19: STEM Grab & Go, 1 p.m.
March 7, 21: Zoom—Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45 p.m.
March 8: Curl up with the Classics—“Things Fall Apart,” 10-11 a.m.
March 8: Comics Club, 6-7 p.m.
March 8: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
March 10: Plot Twisters, 6-7 p.m.
March 11, 25: Peaceful Poses Children’s Yoga Story Time, 10-11 a.m.
March 11, 25: Film Fridays, 7 p.m.
March 14: Philosophers’ Roundtable, 2-3:30 p.m.
March 14: Mission Transition Kindergarten, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
March 14: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
March 15-May 3: Natalie D. Craumer Writers’ Workshop—Critiquing the Critique, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 18: Family Movie Nights, 6:30-8 p.m.
March 26: Paint with Us, 1-3 p.m.
March 28: Virtual Fredricksen Reads—“The Paris Library,” 7-8 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

March 5: Spring Greens Painting Class, 4-7 p.m.
March 12: Process Painting, 10-11:30 a.m.
March 25: Acrylic Glaze Painting, 6-8 p.m.
March 26: Mosaic Cross Workshop, 1-4 p.m.
March 27: Paper Quilling, 1-3:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Chapter, National Railway Historical Society
www.harrisburgnrhs.org

March 12: Railroad and Model Trains Show at Harrisburg Scottish Rite Theatre, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Harrisburg Young Professionals
hyp.org

March 8: Toastmasters Meetings, 6-7 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

March 11: Painting Glowing Watercolors, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22: Girls Who Code, 6 p.m.
March 2: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
March 2: Hear Me Out—Artificial Intelligence, 5:30 p.m.
March 2; Silent Book Group at Mount Gretna Craft Brewery, 6:30 p.m.
March 3, 17: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19: Chess Club, 1 p.m.
March 7: Pencils and Pints at Troegs Brewery, 6:30 p.m.
March 10: Hershey Area Neighbors and Newcomers, 10 a.m.
March 16: String Art After School Craft, 3 p.m.
March 19: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.
March 19: ZooAmerica presents Native Pennsylvania Species, 2-3 p.m.
March 21: All Things Disney Trivia, 7 p.m.
March 21, 28: Facebook Live—Books and Babies (birth-12 months), 10:15 a.m.
March 22, 29: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m.
March 24, 31: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15 a.m.
March 26: Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 26: Blood Drive, 11 a.m.
March 26: Cooking with Herbs on Zoom, 2 p.m.

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
historicharrisburg.org

March 28: Fourth Monday Program—“The Bridges She Built: Women’s Role in Creating and Restoring Historic Bridges,” 6-7:30 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

March 1: Tween Scene, 6-7 p.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Tea and Stitches, 10 a.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
March 7, 14, 21, 28: Storybook STEAM, 6:30 p.m.
March 9: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
March 11, 25: Dungeons and Dragons (ages 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
March 12, 26: Block Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
March 14, 28: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
March 17: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10 a.m.
March 19: Adventure Club, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
March 19: Teen Squad, 3-4 p.m.
March 21: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
March 22: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

March 2, 9 ,16, 23, 30: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19. 26: Passageways, 2 p.m.
March 6, 13, 20, 27: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
March 8, 22: Queers and Quests game night, 6 p.m.
March 10: Aging with Pride Luncheon, 12 p.m.
March 12: LGBTQ Book Club, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 15: Beginner Ballroom Dance Lessons, 5:30 p.m.
March 15: Advanced Ballroom Dance Lessons, 6:30 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
March 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30: Free Tax Preparation, 5:30-8 p.m.
March 3: Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25: Online Science Fiction Book Club
March 4, 11, 18, 25: Star Trek Rewatch online group
March 21: Mystery Book Club (in person and online), 6-7 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

March 4: An Evening with Shelley Puhak, 7-8 p.m.
March 24: Michael Neiberg with Ian Isherwood, 7-8 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

March 5: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
March 12: Kids Printmaking class with Amie Bantz 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 24: Intro to Landscape with Amie Bantz, 6-8 p.m.
March 27: Fluid Art with Ann Benton Yeager
March 18: 3rd in the Burg

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

March 12: Lessons in History with Garry Adelman, 1-2 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

March 1-28: Beanstack Challenge—March Mindfulness (ages 0-18)
March 3: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 3, 17: Block Party! (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
March 5, 19: New Cumberland Public Library book sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
March 8: Book Review Program, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
March 7, 21: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 7-28: Outdoor Storytime & More (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
March 8: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
March 8-29: Outdoor Book Babies (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
March 9, 23: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 12: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 15: Leprechaun’s Garden (ages 4-8), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
March 19: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 19: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
March 20: Friends Cultural Series: The Lemoyne Susquehannock Site, 3-4 p.m.
March 22: Kid Builders! (ages 3 and older), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
March 23: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
March 28: Music & More Mondays (ages 3-7), 5:30-6:30 p.m.

March 30: KIND Club—Kids Interested in Novels of Diversity on Zoom (ages 8-12), 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

March 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21: Little Explorers Early Learning Classes, 10:30-11 a.m.
March 2, 9, 16, 23: Smart Start Storytime, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
March 3, 10, 17: Little Explorers Early Learning Classes, 1:30-2 p.m.
March 14: Palmyra Public Library Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

March 19: Basket Weaving—Small Market Basket, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

March 2: Explore! PA Architecture, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 2-31: Highlights Tour, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Wednesdays-Sundays)
March 3, 17: Family Gallery Tour—Paleontology, 11:30 a.m.
March 4, 19: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
March 9, 23: Giant PA Map, 11:30 a.m.
March 10, 24: Curiosity Kids, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 11: Learn at Lunchtime—1681 Pennsylvania Charter, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
March 16: Explore! Seasons—Spring, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 23: The Games & Puzzles Challenge
March 25: Virtual Adventures in Nature Lab—Freshwater Mussels, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

March 5, 12, 19, 26: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19, 26: Young Artist Camp, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

March 2, 9, 16: Dr. Seuss Science Series, 10-10:45 a.m.
March. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Wednesdays Walk at Wildwood, 12-2 p.m.
March 3, 10, 17: Advanced Fly Tying Classes, 6-8 p.m.
March 5: Kids Discover—Woodpeckers (ages 4-6), 10-11:30 a.m.
March 5: Kids Discover—Woodpeckers (ages 7-10), 1:30-3 p.m.
March 11: Astronomy Program, 8-10 p.m.
March 12: Spring Wreath Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
March 12: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 12, 19, 26: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Spring Symposium, 9:30-11 a.m.
March 19: Hello Spring!, 2-3:30 p.m.
March 23: Birdwalk—Waterfowl and Early Spring Migrants, 8-10 a.m.
March 24: Skunk Cabbage Walk, 2:30-4 p.m.
March 26: Bear Boy Scouts—Fur, Feathers & Ferns, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
March 31: Educator Workshop—Biodiversity, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

March 5: Heirloom Seed Swap & Garden Workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 31: Cli-Fi Short Story Writing Workshop Wrap-up, 7-9 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

March 5: Chris Lane
March 6: Bill Engvall
March 12: The Oak Ridge Boys
March 13: The Irish Tenors
March 25, 26: Celtic Woman
March 27: Straight No Chaser
March 31: America

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

March 5: The Dirty Sweet
March 26: Tannahill Weavers presented by Susquehanna Folk Music Society

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

March 3: SON VOLT, Jesse Farrar of Old Salt Union
March 4: Jazz in the City
March 5: Start Making Sense
March 6: Téada presented by Susquehanna Folk Music Society
March 12: York Symphony—Queen
March 19: High Noon—A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd & Southern Rock
March 24: Langhorne Slim, Riddy Arman

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

March 3: Karaoke, Open Mic with Dave Gates
March 10: Randy Z
March 20: Sviraj
March 24: Lil Brother Band

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Industry Night w/DJ Caraby
March 4-5: The Badlees Reunion Weekend
March 9: Special Jazz Evening w/Ryerson & Rudolph
March 12: The Cure + The Smiths Tribute
March 13: Harrisburg Jazz Collective
March 18: Kilmaine Saints
March 19: On The Lash
March 19: Hometown Strangers
March 25: Rhett Miller w/Corinna Joy
March 26: Cold Spring Union w/Olivia Farabaugh
March 27: Sunday Jazz Series w/Bones of Contention

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

March 4: Boundaries
March 4: Ace Frehley
March 9: The Districts
March 10: Flatfoot 56
March 10: Jamestown Revival
March 11: Devon Allman Project & The Samantha Fish Band
March 12: Summer Salt
March 12: Figure presents Terrorvision
March 16: Trapt
March 17: Keller Williams
March 17: The Dangerous Summer
March 18: Vic Dibitetto
March 23: Extinction AD
March 24: Attila—Rage Fest
March 31: The Slackers

Harrisburg Scottish Rite Theatre
2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-238-8868; valleyofharrisburg.org

March 12: An Evening of Rock n Soul

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

March 19, 20: Masterworks—Heroes

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

March 5: Il Divo
March 9: Red Hot Chili Pipers
March 10: Joe Bonamassa
March 13: Brit Floyd (H.U. Presents)
March 26: Brothers Osborne

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

March 13: Brit Floyd at Hershey Theatre
March 24: Mayday Parade at XL Live
March 26: Wolf Alice at XL Live
March 31: The Maine at XL Live

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 4: The Stylistics
March 10: Celtic Thunder Ireland
March 12: The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and The Box Tops
March 24: Kristin Chenoweth

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

March 26: EnVaGe Chamber Concert

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

March 23: 40th Anniversary Concert with Stuart Malina, Ya-Ting Chang, Andreas Oeste, Jason Vieaux, Peter Sirotin, Dawn Wohn, Timothy Deighton, Fiona Thompson

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

March 25: Messiah University Concert Choir

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House

67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

March 26: Charlie Zahm

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

March 26: Amy Yang

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

March 3: The Klezmatics at Kulkarni
March 6: Téada
March 26: Tannahill Weavers at Appalachian Brewing Co.

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

March 18: Samara Joy with Pasquale Grasso Trio
March 25-26: Candace O’Donnell
March 29: Malevo

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

March 5: Steve Vai
March 7: Tower of Power
March 27: The Allman Betts Band

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

March 4: The Floozies, Daily Brea, Phyphr
March 11: Scythian, The Wilson Springs Hotel
March 12: Jameson Rodgers & Special Guests
March 18: Circles Around the Sun, Mikaela Davis
March 19: Coheed and Cambria, Sheer Mag
March 21: Dark Star Orchestra
March 23: Railroad Earth
March 24: Mayday Parade
March 26: Wolf Alice
March 31: The Maine

Zeroday Brewing Co.
925 N. 3rd St, Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

March 4: DJ Kyn
March 18: Kevin Koa

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

March 20: Jay Leno

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

March 11: Rob Ward, Brian Tidwell, Rod Caine

The Belmont Theatre

27 S. Belmont St., York

717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

March 18: “Now & Then”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

March 2-April 16: “Singin’ in the Rain”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

March 4: TMI Improv
March 5: “3 Billy Goats Gruff”
March 12-27: “Orlando”

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

March 13: Queens Who Brunch
March 19: Fifty Shades Male Revue

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

March 18-20: “The Jungle Book The Musical”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

March 4: Rehoboth Beach Queens Invasion!
March 4, 5: Tim Young
March 11, 12: Chris Harvey, AJ Wilkerson
March 18, 19: Rich Vos

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

March 4: Heartthrobs, The Outsiders, Meetwood Flac
March 4, 6: Level 1 Class Show
March 5: Solo Sleepover, Love Triangle, Barn Bitches
March 11: Leg of Lamp, The Outsiders, Introduce a Self
March 11, 13: Level 3 Class Show
March 12: Free Mixer, Ferret Prom, Bandito, Don’t Play with Deacon
March 18: Midtown Funk, Larry Bird, Cheese
March 19: Free Mixer, The Outsiders, Sugar Weasel, Rockstar Goes Supernova
March 25: Teen Girls, Same Each, HIT BITS
March 26: Free Mixer, Snicker Casket, Critical HIT!, Elderprov

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

March 3: “Blippi the Musical”
March 15-20: “Fiddler on the Roof”
March 25: Lewis Black

Keystone Theatrics

The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; www.keystonetheatrics.com

March 5-26: “Curious George—The Golden Meatball”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

March 3-13: “Wait Until Dark”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 20: “Mutts Gone Nuts”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

March 6: Catapult—Magic Shadows!
March 18: HYPROV—Improv Under Hypnosis

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

March 1-2: “A Year with Frog and Toad”

Narçisse Theatre Company
[email protected]; www.narcissetheatre.org

March 11-13: “Colorized—A Journey of Identity Through Art and Dance”

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

March 4, 5, 11, 12: Court Street Cabaret
March 4-12: “The Mad Ones”
March 17: “The Diary of Anne Frank”
March 26: “The Obstructed View”

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; www.oystermill.com

March 18-April 3: “Parade”

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

March 4: We the People First Friday
March 4: On Screen/In Person—Equal Means Equal
March 5: Family Fun Fest—Collision of Rhythm

Zeroday Brewing Co.
925 N. 3rd St, Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

March 17: Boozy Bingo w/Felicia O’Toole

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Arthouse Advisory: This year’s Oscar-nominated animated films are creative and compelling, but also are for adult eyes

February 28, 2022 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“Robin Robin”

It’s happened again.

This year’s lineup for Oscar-nominated animated shorts is not kid-friendly (except for “Robin Robin”). Not only are the majority of the films not kid-friendly, but two have major warnings for very adult content.

It is an interesting trend, as many people still see animated films as cartoons solely made for kids, but filmmakers have been stretching and defying those boundaries for years.

Content warnings aside, it’s an extremely compelling program. Each film has a different emotional pull—from hilarious to disturbing to heartwarming—and a different animation style, from cel animation sketches to stop-motion to 3D digital animation. One film has photorealistic characters except for over-emphasized faces and stroke marks for shadows. One features a shiny ceramic character and her wool-felted dog.

The storylines are pretty diverse, as well. “Bestia” shows a horrifying, beautifully symbolic depiction of a woman who works as a secret police agent in the former military dictatorship of Chile. “Robin Robin” is an overbearingly adorable story of a robin who is raised by a family of rats and just wants to be a rat herself. “Boxballet” depicts an unexpected relationship between a boxer and a ballerina. “The Windshield Wiper” is… well, it’s hard to pinpoint what the film is about as it’s about contrasts, contradictions and happenstances, and seeks to answer the question, “What is love?”

And then there’s “Affairs of the Art,” which is this reviewer’s favorite of the bunch. “Affairs of the Art” is irreverent, lighthearted and hilarious. Directed by Joanna Quinn, the film is narrated by a character named Beryl, a factory worker in her late 50s who is obsessed with drawing and wants to be a famous artist. She details all of the obsessions in her family, going from family member to family member. The film will make you cringe continuously, while simultaneously warming your heart with its off-kilter energy. Beryl, who has been the star of several of Quinn’s other short films, is the everywoman trying to make something of herself. Her facial expressions will make you absolutely fall in love with her.

Will it have a chance of winning “Best Animated Short?” Maybe, though historically, the winner has been kid-friendly—an irony, given the direction that the category has been trending. It warms the heart to know that filmmakers keep making these amazing animations despite that caveat.

The animated shorts program will play alongside the live action and documentary shorts programs at Midtown Cinema. If you’re a grownup—make sure to catch them all.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

March Events At Midtown Cinema

Down in Front! riffs on

“The Wasp Woman” (1959)

Friday, March 11, 9:30 p.m.

National Theatre Live

“King Lear”

Sunday, March 13, 5 p.m.

“Follies”

Sunday, March 20, 5 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night

“Airplane” (1970)

Friday, March 18, 9:30 p.m.

Red Carpet Evening

Including reception and Oscars watch party

Sunday, March 27

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

Green Cuisine: Rosemary honors the Irish this month with a unique soda bread recipe

February 28, 2022 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I have always loved St Patrick’s Day, and I don’t really know why.

As I’m 100% Italian, perhaps my favorite day in March should be St. Joseph’s Day, which is celebrated on March 19. In southern Italy, especially in Naples, St. Joseph is honored for bringing deliverance from a drought. Special foods and breads are made to celebrate the day.

But no. As a little girl, I busied myself drawing shamrocks, rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold. And now, as a “home chef,” I love to make beef stew, shepherd’s pie and corn beef and cabbage on that special day in March. I once spent an entire day making shamrock cookies—rolling three little balls of green dough onto a tiny “stem.” There were a lot of them and, unfortunately, they were not a big hit.

One of my favorite treats to make on St. Patrick’s Day is Irish soda bread. It is a “quick bread,” so known because it relies on baking powder and baking soda for leavening rather than yeast. Quick breads are easy to make. If you have ever whipped up some banana or zucchini bread, you have made a quick bread.

I rely on James Beard’s version of Irish soda bread. It is from a little cookbook I have long treasured called “Beard on Bread.” Written by the renowned chef, teacher, author and restaurateur, it covers every type of bread recipe you might ever look for.

Chef Beard uses whole wheat flour and promises this bread “will be different from every other bread you can find in the world.” It is best if you can make it the day you are serving it, but it comes together easily. A hearty soup, maybe lentil or ham and bean, to accompany it would be perfect. Beard offers another tip—always slice it thin!

James Beard’s Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 level teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon double acting baking powder
1½-2 cups buttermilk

Directions

Combine the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to distribute the baking soda and baking powder.
Add enough of the buttermilk to make a soft dough (like a biscuit dough but firm enough to hold its shape).
Knead on a lightly floured board for 2-3 minutes until smooth and velvety.
Form into a round loaf and place on a well-buttered sheet pan.
Cut a cross on the top with a sharp, floured knife.
Bake in a pre-heated, 375-degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until the loaf is nicely browned. (It should sound hollow if you tap it on top.)
The cross on top of the loaf will spread open as the bread bakes. It is the distinctive characteristic of Irish soda bread.
Let the bread cool slightly on a rack before slicing it very thin.

Many Irish soda bread recipes call for raisins to be added. So, if you like, you can fold a cup of black or golden raisins into the batter as you are combining the dry and wet ingredients.

Any leftover bread can be toasted for breakfast. Lather it with sweet cream butter and orange marmalade. (You are celebrating, after all.)

I wish readers of TheBurg a happy and fun “St. Patty’s Day,” even if your green beer days are over!

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

Love and Identity: “Profoundly fluid, poetic” story opens this month at Gamut Theatre

February 28, 2022 | by Carolina Nicholson

Gamut Theatre’s mission is to tell classic stories in new and exciting ways.

In this effort, they have managed to marry the ideas of “classic” and “contemporary” into one union, taking concepts that should be at odds with each other and letting them flourish together.

Such is the case with their spring showcase production, “Orlando.” Despite being written in 1928, this story is as relevant as ever for those who seek to truly know themselves. In a conversation with the director, Francesca Amendolia, I was able to learn more about the play.

“‘Orlando’ is a profoundly fluid, poetic piece of theater, one that makes unusual demands of the cast and crew and one that asks the audience to embrace that fluidity, to follow Orlando’s story with gentle curiosity and without judgment,” Amendolia explained.

Orlando, a young nobleman in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, yearns for love and adventure and to find his place in the world. So strong is his longing that he becomes untethered in time. Two hundred years of adventures and loves later, Orlando (who is now only 30) awakes from a weeklong sleep to discover she has become a woman. Transformed and yet essentially the same person, Orlando still hungers for adventure and love and understanding. So, has anything really changed?

“As a culture, we’re currently immersed in a long and complicated conversation about gender and gender expression,” Amendolia said. “Because so many young people are at the forefront, it can seem like a very modern conversation, but it isn’t. ‘Orlando’ was written almost a hundred years ago and, when Virginia Woolf titled it a ‘biography,’ she wasn’t entirely joking. The novel’s inspiration, Vita Sackville-West, was not only bisexual but also what we might today call gender fluid—she had a male persona named Julian. ‘Orlando’ reminds us that there’s nothing new about humans trying to figure out who they are.”

And in this vein, Orlando’s experience with loneliness and isolation throughout an extended timeline is very poignant to people right now. As we emerge from a pandemic that has been life-changing for so many, this story about finding your way to an earnest bond with others, while maintaining your own identity, is more relevant than ever.

So, what is “Orlando” really about?

“Orlando” is about finding yourself. “Orlando” is about gender. “Orlando” is about how deeply Virginia Woolf loved Vita Sackville-West. “Orlando” is about loneliness. “Orlando” is about love and loss. “Orlando” is about innocence and maturity. “Orlando” is about creativity and poetry. “Orlando” is about time. “Orlando” is a trans story. “Orlando” is a history, a biography, a fantasy.

“Here’s the real answer—the more we try to categorize ‘Orlando,’ the more we lose the point,” Amendolia said. “Woolf herself didn’t confine ‘Orlando’ to a single genre, instead interweaving fiction and biography, fantasy and history. There’s no single label that we can affix to ‘Orlando.’ There’s no box that ‘Orlando’ can’t kick to pieces.”

Maybe that’s the greatest takeaway for audiences. You can be who you are without trying to fit inside a designated box.

Audiences can expect to feel celebrated and entertained and, hopefully, more connected to each other. The intention of the play is to convey how important every human being is, regardless of how they define themselves.

Amendolia believes that there will be a wonderful aftertaste for those who come out to see this show.

“‘Orlando’ offers a glimpse of something beautiful—a world where people are entirely free to figure out who they are without judgment or restriction or fear, a world in which people can find their voices and then raise them to say true things,” Amendolia said. “For two hours, all of us will be in that world together, and I think that has the power to change us all for the better.”

“Orlando” runs March 12 to 27 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gamuttheatre.org or call 717-238-4111.

UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

TMI Improv

Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Doors and bar open 45 minutes prior to the performance.

Tickets are $10.

“Three Billy Goats Gruff”

Feb. 19 to March 5

Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Group performances available on weekdays. Please contact 717-238-4111.

Tickets are $10.

“Orlando”

By Virginia Woolf

Adapted by Sarah Ruhl

March 12 to 27

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Doors and bar open one hour prior to the performance.

Tickets are “pick your price.” You can choose the recommended $38 ticket or a discounted ticket price of $26 or $14.

At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

“The Mad Ones”

March 4, 5, 11 & 12 at 7:30 p.m.

March 6 at 3 p.m.

The Obstructed View

March 26 at 8 p.m.

Harrisburg Black NewsBeat

with Dr. Kimeka Campbell

March 9 & 23 at 8:30 p.m.

Court Street Cabaret

March 4, 5, 11 & 12 at 9:15 p.m.

“The Diary of Anne Frank”

Staged Read Through

March 17 at 8 p.m.

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

Dose of Salt: Savor the relaxing, therapeutic air at a nearby salt room

February 28, 2022 | by Gina Napoli

Gulien’s Massage & Saltroom, Palmyra

After this long winter, you may yearn for a day of beach therapy, taking in the warm, salty sea air.

Unfortunately, it’s still too cold to spend much time luxuriating by the seashore. But, much closer to home, there is a salty substitute.

Halotherapy, or salt therapy, allows you to immerse your body in salt and fill your lungs with concentrated salty air to harness its curative properties. It’s like a day at the beach in less than an hour’s time.

Eve Marton, co-owner of Gulien’s newly reopened farmhouse-style salt room in Palmyra, learned about halotherapy during school field trips to salt caves while growing up in Eastern Europe.

“We learned that pink Himalayan salt is the best type because it’s mineral-rich,” she said. “Salt is so important for your cellular function. It’s a natural antihistamine and contains antiseptic properties.”

Ionically charged with beneficial elements like potassium, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium and bromine, salt has been used throughout the world, over centuries, to treat a long list of physical and mental ailments.

Modern salt rooms use a halogenerator, which micronizes salt and disperses microscopic particles into the air.

“The salt particles convert positives ions into negative ions, which is vital in strengthening the body’s immune system,” said Mel McGuire, owner of SaltEFX, located near Linglestown. “And it has a positive effect on the respiratory system and skin ailments.”

With a long list of touted benefits, the therapeutic claims do tend to raise the proverbial eyebrow. So, I had to see for myself during my own 45-minute salt room session.

Salty Benefits

To enter the salt room, I removed my shoes and walked barefoot through a floor coated with literally tons of salt—about eight inches of granules the size of garbanzo beans. After burying me under a salt pile, the attendant handed me heated rocks for each hand and placed a salt bag onto my stomach. That served as a good reminder to breathe through my diaphragm.

I did a few snow angels, but I mostly stayed still and relaxed, saturating myself in the ambiance. The salt bricks, arranged like beautiful mosaics around a warm fireplace, glowed to create the sensation that I was in a pulsating, neon crystal ski lodge. Halotherapy met color therapy and sound therapy for a balancing triad of mind, body and spirit.

Even lying on a heated floor, the salt quickly cooled most of my exposed skin. But my feet continued to burn and throb as if they had their own pulse.

“The salt is drawing out pollutants and inflammation,” McGuire said. “Can you feel your body detoxifying?”

That’s the moment I turned over and planted my face in the salt. Take that, acne and double chin.

Even if you have no physical afflictions, the relaxing atmosphere may calm your mind, allowing you to absorb the salty benefits into your mental psyche. Or you could indulge in a spa treatment with salt. It’s used in beauty treatments to exfoliate skin, reduce swelling in feet and under eyes, and detoxify glands in bath water.

Good For You

There’s a checklist for attending a salt session.

The rules vary per salt room, but there are some common threads—refrain from applying scented products to your body, no smoking prior to your visit, no eating or drinking, and wear comfortable clothing. Although salt absorbs bacteria, you won’t want to disturb the other guests by bringing the funk.

But you can bring your children. McGuire said that even young children respond well to halotherapy. Marton will even set up a playroom for your kids with sand and salt toys, complete with table soccer.

If you are under a doctor’s care, please consult your physician to discuss whether halotherapy is safe for your medical situation. Halotherapy, while practiced around the world, is considered an alternative treatment.

What should you expect after your session?

Your skin will definitely have a chalky coating. Your entire body will look like a gymnast’s hands. Your lips will taste like soft pretzels, minus the pretzels. But I found that it was worth it to feel your skin’s new softness, to restore your balance.

You also might have a runny nose or a light cough. According to McGuire, “that means it’s working.”

“That’s just the salt breaking down and purging toxins from your lungs,” McGuire said.

Marton offered one final piece of advice post-visit.

“Definitely make sure you hydrate,” she said. “And add salt to your water bottle to replace your electrolytes. Salt is so good for you.”

Salt Near You

The Harrisburg area has three independently owned and operated salt rooms to choose from.

Gulien’s, 125 N. Locust St., Palmyra: www.gulienmassagetherapy.com

SaltEFX Salt Room Center, 6009 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg: www.saltefx.com

Tranquility Salon and Wellness Center, 257 Penrose Pl., Carlisle: www.tranquilitysalonandwellnesscenter.com

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Harristown nears completion of Menaker Apartments in downtown Harrisburg, expects April opening

February 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A model unit at the Menaker Apartments

A Harrisburg developer has set an early spring date to debut its latest apartment project, with pre-leasing expected to begin shortly.

Harristown Enterprises said today that the Menaker Apartments would open for tenants in April. Tours of the model unit have already begun.

“We’re very excited about this project,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “We believe that potential tenants will love these beautiful new units, some with stunning views, in a landmark Harrisburg building.”

A bedroom in the model unit

Originally constructed in 1906, the building is located on Market Square in Harrisburg. It was built for the Johnston Paper Co., a Harrisburg-based paper products manufacturer, as office and retail space. Most recently, it housed Skarlatos Zonarich, a law firm that since has moved its offices to Strawberry Square.

A bathroom in the model unit

In 2018, Harristown purchased the six-story, 33,809-square-foot building and, last year, began the conversion to an apartment building featuring 28 one- and two-bedroom units. The building interior has been completely renovated for residential use, but the historic exterior has been preserved and restored.

The building is named for Mortimer Menaker, a former chairman of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority who oversaw a previous renovation in 1977.

At the Menaker Apartments, one bedroom/one bathroom units range in size from 600 to 700 square feet at a monthly rental rate of $1,200, plus electric, according to Harristown. Two-bedroom, 1.5-bath units total about 700 square feet for about $1,400 a month. Two-bed/two-bath apartments exceed 1,000 square feet at $1,595 to $1,625 a month, plus electric, Harristown said.

Each unit in the pet-friendly building features a full-sized washer and dryer and stainless steel appliances, Harristown said.

Exterior of the Menaker Apartments

In addition to the apartments, the building has a 2,000-square-foot, ground-floor space for a future restaurant or retailer.

Harristown’s partners on the project include Select Capital Commercial and Linkbank. Camp Hill-based ByDesign Consultants is the architect, and Mechanicsburg-based Mowery Construction is the general contractor.

In recent years, Harristown has converted numerous empty and underused office buildings to residential use in downtown Harrisburg. In addition, it is renovating an eight-story, century-old commercial building at 112 Market St. into 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The Menaker Apartments is located at 17 S. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. For leasing information, visit www.hbgrealty.net.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

February 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Development group Vice Capital purchased this block of N. 6th St. They plan to demolish existing buildings and build a new apartment building.

This week brought lots of stories of new local businesses, development projects and exciting partnerships between organizations. If you missed any of our coverage from this week, or need a new restaurant, brewery or art gallery to check out, look no further.

Chef Nadine Graham has always dreamed of opening her own restaurant, our magazine story reported. While she has operated Porters House in the Broad Street Market for years, she just recently opened her first standalone shop on N. 6th Street in Harrisburg.

Dauphin County awarded its annual gaming grants to local businesses and nonprofits this week, our reporting found. Over $8 million was allocated to local infrastructure, emergency services, health and public safety and public interest projects, among others.

Development group Vice Capital recently purchased a block of N. 6^th Street near the under-construction federal courthouse, our reporting found. The firm plans to build a 40-unit apartment building and startup business workspace for minority entrepreneurs.

The Frederick Douglass Driving Tour is not only educational, but also timely, given that it’s Black History Month. In our magazine story, find ideas for a road trip through Maryland with a focus on Black history.

The Harrisburg School District named a new assistant superintendent, Dr. Marisol Craig, at a board meeting on Tuesday, our online story reported. Craig previously served as the district’s director of virtual learning.

The High Road Brewing Co. taproom recently opened in Mechanicsburg, featuring IPAs, pilsners, lagers, stouts, etc., from a variety of area breweries, our magazine story reported.

Italian Lake is undergoing a dredging process, which will remove built-up sedimentation and waste, our online story reported. According to the city, portions of the lake may be closed off to the public during the two-week operation.

Nyeusi Gallery recently opened in Midtown Harrisburg featuring Black art. In our magazine story, read about how the gallery has become a gathering place for the community.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Good Brotha’s Book Café in Harrisburg to discuss food insecurity and racial injustice, our online story reported. Redding said that the department is prioritizing initiatives to increase access to fresh food for urban communities.

Philadelphia author Kareem Rosser visited Harrisburg on Thursday for a book signing and virtual discussion, our online story reported. In his book, “Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport that Changed Their Lives Forever,” Rosser shares his story of growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia and becoming a national polo champion.

Sara Bozich has lots of fun on tap for this weekend in Harrisburg. In her Weekend Roundup, find local events, restaurants, and entertainment.

UPMC and Harrisburg University announced a partnership to address the national shortage of nurses, our online story reported. They will open the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg, which will feature an accelerated, 16-month degree program for registered nurses.

Wendy Allen has dedicated her entire career to painting one subject: Abraham Lincoln. The artist has painted the former president over 500 times, in different colors, angles and styles, according to our magazine story.

Wrestling has been hot in central Pennsylvania for years, with District III fielding strong representation in the state tournament each year, our magazine story reported. A newer phenomenon, however, is that high school wrestlers now have a way to turn their success into longer careers through Mixed Martial Arts.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

February 24, 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: Perhaps some Leprechauns & Lagers?

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: After a (very) busy last weekend, staying close to home. Lunch at Broad Street Market, maybe brunch or dinner out?

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

For your weekend planning

What is sip @ soma anyway?
Oh, and a little breakdown on SoMa Harrisburg
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

Dining at The Circular at The Hotel Hershey
High Road Brewing will open in Camp Hill this summer
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

COVID-19 Disclaimer: Masking and social distancing policies may vary per business, venue, and event. All events are subject to change. Please be considerate, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

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

Like this content?

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Philadelphia author, national polo champion to visit Good Brotha’s Book Café

February 23, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Kareem Rosser

Traveling from one Pennsylvania city to another, a Philadelphia author will visit Harrisburg to share his inspiring true story.

On Thursday, Author Kareem Rosser will sign books at Good Brotha’s Book Café and participate in a free Zoom webinar with the Dauphin County Library System.

His book, “Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport that Changed Their Lives Forever,” shares his story of growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia and becoming a national polo champion. It details how, at 8 years old, he and his brothers discovered the Work to Ride program in a Fairmont Park stable near his West Philadelphia home. The program teaches inner-city children to ride and play polo, and stresses academics. Participants are connected with college students who volunteer as tutors.

Rosser is a financial analyst in Philadelphia and serves on the Work to Ride board.

The event is a collaboration between the library and David Dix, co-founder and CEO of Luminous Strategies, the largest African American-owned lobbying firm in the state.

The book signing event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Good Brotha’s Book Café, 1419 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg.

The free Zoom discussion will be live-streamed from 7 to 8 p.m.

The library will also hold a virtual discussion with Rosser for Steelton-Highspire students.

For more information and to register for the Zoom event, visit www.dcls.org/adultevents.

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Dauphin County awards annual gaming grants, “most comprehensive list yet”

February 23, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Commissioners at a legislative session on Wednesday

A long list of Harrisburg businesses and nonprofits are set to receive millions of annual gaming grant dollars.

On Wednesday, the Dauphin County Commissioners approved the allocation of over $8 million to local projects funded each year by the county’s share of revenue from Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

The money largely supported infrastructure, emergency services, health and public safety, and public interest projects, among others, across Dauphin County, East Hanover Township and several contiguous municipalities.

Harrisburg-based projects that received grant money include:

Dauphin County Library System: $100,000 for integration of historic property into main library (McCormick Riverfront Library)
Breaking the Chainz: $50,000 for repairing an apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin County Children & Youth
Bethel Village Association LLC: $75,000 for constructing a 49-unit affordable rental community (conditioned on full funding)
Camp Curtin YMCA: $50,000 for Phase II of Cornerstone Uptown Project-rehab of 6^th Street homes (conditioned on PHARE grant)
Catholic Charities: $13,000 for Saint Samuel Center upgrades-door replacement
Civic Club of Harrisburg: $14,500 for restoration of Overlook Mansion
Community Aid: $45,000 for debt relief for Harrisburg facility
Downtown Daily Bread: $20,000 for emergency shelter/meals
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg: $35,000 for installing swipe card security system on exterior doors
Fox’s Wash & Go: $75,000 for purchasing new washer/dryer equipment
Gamut Theatre: $30,000 for debt reduction on building renovations
GreenWorks Development: $50,000 for mixed-use redevelopment project in Midtown Harrisburg (conditioned upon matching funds obtained after 3/1/22 and no future grant application submission for soft costs, only for construction)
Harrisburg Riverboat Society: $75,000 for repairing/refurbishing the pride of the Susquehanna (conditioned on full funding)
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology: $50,000 for HUE Festival for E-sports
Historic Harrisburg Association: $75,000 for installing new HVAC system
Homeland Center: $35,000 for installing interior security equipment
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: $32,500 for restoration and repair of church facility (conditioned on match)
The National Civil War Museum: $15,000 for reduction of long-term debt
The Nativity School: $40,000 for completion of Phase III renovation project
Penn State University-Harrisburg: $50,000 for Phase III of innovation park planning project
Keystone Human Services: $75,000 for Capital Area Head Start outdoor education space
RB Development: $150,000 for Cornish Heights 30-unit, mixed-income housing in Allison Hill (conditioned on full funding/city funding)
The Salvation Army: $60,000 for service and worship center facility renovation project
Shalom House: $25,000 for two-phase church conversion project with elevator installation
Stephen’s Episcopal School: $35,000 for Phase III of security upgrades-install intercom system
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association: $10,000 for upgrading/revitalizing community building and funding technology upgrades
Community Action Commission d/b/a Tri-County Community Action: $75,000 for installing sprinkler system at cyber school learning academy
Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania: $50,000 for construction of tiny homes community (conditioned upon obtaining matching funds within one year)
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: $50,000 for debt reduction for laser projector
PA STEAM Academy charter school: $12,850 for comprehensive literacy program

“I think this is the most comprehensive list to date,” said Commission Chair Mike Pries at the legislative session. “The big winners are the municipalities.”

Last year, the county awarded $6.2 million in grants to local projects.

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National’s gross terminal revenue increased in 2020, from $120 million to $176 million. A surge in iGaming (online gambling) helped boost the amount of received funds.

This year’s projects will provide an estimated $43.8 million in additional investment related to the funded projects and over 13,524 jobs will be created or maintained in conjunction with the projects, according to the county.

The following is a complete list of the projects that will receive gaming grant funding this year:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township: ($700,000 Grantville Vol. Fire Co. fire hose and nozzles, improvements to East Hanover Township community park, annual road maintenance and repair)
South Hanover Township: ($300,000 municipal complex debt reduction)
West Hanover Township: ($300,000 debt reduction on new fire station)
Derry Township: ($157,070 police and public works radios, $100,000 Hershey Volunteer Fire Co.—radio replacement, $75,000 Derry Township School District—Safe School renovation project, 50,000 Cocoa Packs—food and supplies, $75,000 Linlo Governor Crossing, LLC—traffic and roadway improvements for mixed-use commercial business park)
Middle Paxton Township ($124,000 Potato Valley Road debt service for DCIB loan, $70,000 installation of elevator at municipal building, $55,000 Dauphin Middle Paxton Fire—debt service on emergency response vehicle)

Other Awards

Berrysburg Municipal Authority: $34,000 for debt service for sewage treatment plant system project
Conewago Township: $90,000 for construction of two pickleball courts
Court Administration for Magisterial Districts: $175,000 for debt reduction on construction of new MDJ facilities
Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates: $50,000 for operations-equipment, recruiting and training
Dauphin County Crisis Response Team: $153,000 for acquiring a mobile command center (conditioned upon exhausting all standard funding sources first)
Dauphin County General Authority: $141,200 for golf course irrigation system debt payment
Dauphin County Library System: $100,000 for integration of historic property into main library (McCormick Riverfront Library)
Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department: $150,000 for Fort Hunter Park—design/construct inclusive playground (conditioned on full funding)
Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office: $50,000 for debt reduction on portable/mobile radios
Elizabethville Borough: $72,000 for Reliance Hose Co. No. 1—replace self-contained breathing apparatus
Gratz Fire Company/Lykens Township: $72,000 for replacing self-contained breathing apparatus
Halifax Borough: $100,000 for upgrading Deppen Park restrooms
Halifax Swim Club: $42,200 for construction pavilion
Halifax Township: $100,000 for Fort Halifax Park improvement at railroad crossing
Hummelstown Borough: $59,960 for debt reduction on municipal building
Hummelstown Borough: $40,000 for Bullfrog Valley Stream restoration project
Hummelstown Chemical Fire Co.: $50,000 for replacing ladder truck
Jackson Township/Fisherville Fire Co.: $37,000 for debt service of fire station addition construction
Londonderry Township: $150,000 for final component of water/sewer extension project
Lower Paxton Township/Parks & Rec. Department: $150,000 for master plan and renovations to Brightbill Park
Lower Swatara Township: $122,000 for annual DCIB loan/PennVEST repayments
Lower Swatara Township Vol. Fire Department: $75,000 for debt reduction on pumper/tanker
Lower Swatara Lions Club: $25,000 for refurbishing kitchen/bathrooms and repairing roof/windows
Lykens Borough/Lykens Borough Authority: $100,000 for Phase II of water system improvements
Liberty Hose Co. No 2/Lykens Borough: $30,000 for replacing 15 sets of turnout gear
Middletown Swim Club: $10,000 for repairs/upgrades to pool facility
Middletown Volunteer Fire Department: $75,000 for debt reduction on pumper truck
Millersburg Area School District: $25,000 for security and accessibility upgrades
Penbrook Borough: $40,000 for Little Valley Park revitalization—ADA accessible, and $100,000 for debt reduction on Asylum Run Sewer Project
Citizen’s Fire Co. No. 1 of Penbrook: $25,000 for debt reduction on 2021 Pierce fire engine
Reed Township/Duncannon Vol. Fire Co. No. 1: $46,000 for debt reduction for aerial unit and radio replacement
Royalton Borough: $150,000 for debt reduction on 2020 roadway/drainage project
Steelton Borough: $75,000 for construction of Brickyard Community Park
Steelton Volunteer Fire Dept.: $17,585 for purchasing radio equipment and saw
Steelton-Highspire School District: $75,000 for revitalizing War Memorial Field for community use
Susquehanna Township: $150,000 for playground rehab project and public safety radios
Susquehanna High School Baseball Team: $7,500 for field safety improvements
Swatara Township: $179,800 for Bishop Park pickleball courts/pavilion project
Washington Township: $75,000 for municipal building improvements
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. No. 1: $33,000 for debt reduction on new fire rescue vehicle
Williamstown Borough: $83,875 for purchasing 2021 F-550 truck with spreader and plow
Williamston Borough/American Legion Post 239: $26,000 for renovations to restrooms and install air conditioning
3Actrical Productions LLC: $75,000 for marketing initiative “Film Dauphin County” (conditioned on full funding)
Affordable Housing Assoc. of Dauphin County: $60,000 for purchasing and installing back-up generator at Cherry Orchard Place
Breaking the Chainz: $50,000 for repairing an apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin County Children & Youth
Bethel Village Association LLC: $75,000 for constructing a 49-unit affordable rental community (conditioned on full funding)
Camp Curtin YMCA: $50,000 for Phase II of Cornerstone Uptown Project-rehab of 6^th Street homes (conditioned on PHARE grant)
Campbell Associates: $75,000 for Lykens Cottages—constructing four to eight cottages (conditioned on full funding)
Catholic Charities: $13,000 for Saint Samuel Center upgrades-door replacement
Civic Club of Harrisburg: $14,500 for restoration of Overlook Mansion
Colonial Park Fire Co. No. 1: $36,000 for new electronic sign for public safety messages
Community Aid: $45,000 for debt relief for Harrisburg facility
D&H Distributing: $25,000 for reimbursement for Flex-Forward Employment Program
Driven From Within/Next Level Preparation LLC: $8,700 for support for after school programs, youth tutoring, college tours and classes (no salaries)
Downtown Daily Bread: $20,000 for emergency shelter/meals
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg: $35,000 for installing swipe card security system on exterior doors
Fox’s Wash & Go: $75,000 for purchasing new washer/dryer equipment
Friends of Midland Cemetery: $25,000 for restoring/preserving cemetary
Gamut Theatre: $30,000 for debt reduction on building renovations
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania: $65,000 for Camp Small Valley—construction of two yurt platforms
Greenworks Development: $50,000 for mixed-use redevelopment project in Midtown Harrisburg (conditioned upon matching funds obtained after 3/1/22 and no future grant application submission for soft costs, only for construction)
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg Area: $75,000 for home construction in Steelton Borough
Hamilton Health Center: $130,000 for creating satellite medical office in Steelton Borough
Harrisburg Riverboat Society: $75,000 for repairing/refurbishing the pride of the Susquehanna (conditioned on full funding)
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology: $50,000 for HUE Festival for E-sports
Hawthorne SPE: $75,000 for development of Susquehanna Union Green
Heroes Fund, Inc.: $75,000 for construction of welcome building with accessible restrooms and concessions
Hidden Still: $75,000 for construction of restaurant/distillery/tasting room/tour area
H.I.S. Ministry: $43,000 for providing behavioral health services to men/fathers in a permanent location and transportation
Historic Harrisburg Association: $75,000 for installing new HVAC system
Homeland Center: $35,000 for installing interior security equipment
Hospice of Central PA: $20,000 for family bereavement and training room renovations
Keystone Human Services: $75,000 for Capital Area Head Start outdoor education space
Koons Memorial Park Swim Club: $30,000 for relocating and replacing diving board
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: $32,500 for restoration and repair of church facility (conditioned on match)
The National Civil War Museum: $15,000 for reduction of long-term debt
National Coalition of 100 Black Women: $15,000 for funding for “Together, We Rise! Empowering and Educating Women and Girls for Success” project
The Nativity School: $40,000 for completion of Phase III renovation project
Panther Ram Foundation: $50,000 for CDSD Nutripacks
Partnership for Hope: $15,000 for purchasing two vans (conditioned on full funding)
Penn Colonial Swim Club: $10,000 for repairing/replacing waste water disposal system
Penn State University-Harrisburg: $50,000 for Phase III of innovation park planning project
Phase 4 Learning: $42,000 for van acquisition and equipment upgrade
Pop’s House: $15,000 for debt reduction on property at 316-318 Carlisle St.
The Program, It’s About Change: $75,000 for debt reduction on Phase II renovations of 16-bed transitional housing facility
RB Development: $150,000 for Cornish Heights 30-unit, mixed-income housing in Allison Hill (conditioned on full funding/city funding)
The Salvation Army: $60,000 for service and worship center facility renovation project
SCOPE: $26,000 for free mobile clinic operated by Penn State Medical students
Shalom House: $25,000 for two-phase church conversion project with elevator installation
Stephen’s Episcopal School: $35,000 for Phase III of security upgrades-install intercom system
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association: $10,000 for upgrading/revitalizing community building and funding technology upgrades
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority: $22,000 for purchasing fire dept. equipment and turnout gear
Community Action Commission d/b/a Tri-County Community Action: $75,000 for installing sprinkler system at cyber school learning academy
Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania: $50,000 for construction of tiny homes community (conditioned upon obtaining matching funds within one year)
Vision Resources: $15,000 for purchasing a used forklift
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: $50,000 for debt reduction for laser projector
WITF, Inc.: $100,000 for upgrading primary broadcasting tower
PA STEAM Academy charter school: $12,850 for comprehensive literacy program

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