PennDOT adds second time to next week’s open house for Market Street Bridge project

January 11, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg

The PA Department of Transportation has added a second time slot for an open house slated for next week for its planned Market Street Bridge rehabilitation project.

The in-person event now will take place at 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 18, in addition to 6 to 8 p.m. on that day.

The open house will take place at Kinsley Hall, 20 Market St., Wormleysburg.

According to PennDOT, the second time was added due to COVID-19 concerns to reduce in-person traffic and to offer more space for attendees.

PennDOT plans to rehabilitate the historic arches of the bridge. The agency will also replace the deck and sidewalks on the eastern bridge and construct a new deck and beams on the western bridge.

According to PennDOT, the purpose of the $63.8 million project is to maintain a safe and efficient way to cross the Susquehanna River between Harrisburg and the west shore. The Market Street Bridge is one of four main river crossings in the Harrisburg area.

A project overview, displays and plans are available on PennDOT’s website for the public to view. The community also can offer feedback through a comment form.

The purpose of both the online plan display and the open house is to introduce the project, depict the preferred alternative, and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project, PennDOT said.

PennDOT originally had planned the open house to take place in early December and end the public comment period later in the month. It then pushed the open house into January, and the public comment period has been extended until Feb. 11, according to PennDOT.

The department expects to begin the bridge rehabilitation project in 2024.

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Riverfront Park will rock again, as HU’s summer concert series returns

January 11, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Young the Giant on stage last summer in Riverfront Park

Last year, Harrisburg University brought concerts back to Riverfront Park following a pandemic-related halt.

HU now is back at it, booking bands for this year with a new partner on board—Hershey-based Tröegs Independent Brewing.

The partners today announced the HU 2022 Summer Concert Series, with indie bands Lord Huron and guest First Aid Kit first out of the gate. They will rock the outdoor stage by the Susquehanna River on Aug. 20.

“We are excited to partner with a widely known, award-winning regional brewery like Tröegs to present the third installment of the HU Presents Summer Concert Series,” said Frank Schofield, HU director of live entertainment and media services.

Additional concerts for the summer series will be announced later this year, Schofield added.

Last summer, thousands of fans flocked to Riverfront Park in Harrisburg to see such bands as Young the Giant, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Cage the Elephant and Portugal. The Man.

“We jumped at the chance to be a part of this concert series,” says Tröegs founding brother Chris Trogner. “A beautiful outdoor venue, great music, and local beer—what more could you ask for? Tröegs was founded in Harrisburg, and we love supporting events where our fans and co-workers live, work and play.”

Besides Tröegs, other HU partners to support the concert series have included PNC Bank, Dauphin County and Clair Global.

For more information on the HU Concert Series, visit www.concertseries.harrisburgu.edu.

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Harrisburg Young Professionals announces new board president, closes in on search for director

January 11, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Jade Honey, HYP’s new board president

Harrisburg Young Professionals has big things coming this year, including new leadership.

The organization recently announced its board of directors for 2022, with Jade Honey taking the reigns as president.

“I am very excited about Jade’s continued role with our organization,” said Sydney Kyler, immediate past president of HYP. “She has been instrumental in many of our legacy initiatives and will keep busy as she begins to onboard a new executive director this year. As we come upon our 24th anniversary for HYP, she will be an extraordinary leader to help us make this one of our best years yet.”

Honey has been a member of HYP for six years, serving for the last year as board vice president. She is the director of corporate engagement at Penn State University and Penn State Health and lives in Harrisburg with her husband.

HYP announced the following positions as well:

Monika Kohli, sales & engagement lead at Andculture – co vice president
Olivia Edwards-Rindfuss, associate at Triad Strategies – co vice president
Iqbal Singh, vice president at Orrstown Bank – treasurer
Allison McFadden, digital marketing coordinator at Members 1st Federal Credit Union –secretary

HYP’s executive director position has been empty for the past two years, after the previous director, Derek Whitesel, stepped down before the pandemic.

Honey looks forward to leading the process of hiring a new director as HYP is in the final stages of the process, she said.

“Leading that search is something that I’m more than willing to do,” she said.

Another priority for Honey is continuing to improve HYP’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility within their programming. The organization will be looking to add a more diverse array of events to its calendar in the coming year, Honey said.

Also coming up this year, HYP will hold a full season of recreational sports and a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser for its homeownership program. Honey also hopes to partner with Sprocket Mural Works on a mural and restart HYP’s Forster Street cleanups.

“The best part about HYP is truly the volunteers,” Honey said. “We are almost 100% led by volunteer manpower. It’s exciting to see the amount of work and dedication from volunteers to continue our mission.”

For more information about Harrisburg Young Professionals, visit their website.

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Major donation to help create new sustainability center in Harrisburg

January 10, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of HU’s proposed Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability

A proposed sustainable agriculture center in downtown Harrisburg took a big step forward on Monday, as Harrisburg University announced a significant donation to the project.

Carlisle-based The GIANT Company will donate $1 million to HU’s Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability, a planned 23,000-square-foot building that, according to GIANT, may break ground later this year.

The announcement was made at the 2022 PA Farm Show.

“The GIANT Company’s transformative gift will enable Harrisburg University students and faculty to become a national leader in developing advanced agriculture and sustainability solutions,” said Dr. Eric Darr, HU president. “We are thrilled to partner with The GIANT Company to identify challenges and implement efficient, sustainable, and action-oriented solutions for our agricultural community.”

The educational and research center will focus on sustainability, controlled environment agriculture and clean water initiatives, according to HU. It will feature applied research programs and new agricultural technologies.

HU stated that the facility will be sited in downtown Harrisburg, though an exact location has yet to be announced.

“Doing the right thing for our planet is a huge responsibility and also a huge opportunity,” said GIANT Company President Nicholas Bertram. “A more sustainable shopping basket helps reduce carbon emission, improve soil health, mitigate deforestation and increase biodiversity, which in turn will heal our planet. We can’t do it alone, which is why The GIANT Company is proud to partner with experts like the faculty and students at Harrisburg University to support a sustainable food future.”

Russell Redding, PA’s Secretary of Agriculture, was on hand for the announcement at the Farm Show Complex.

“Agriculture finds itself at the intersection of the most important issues of our time—food security, health and human development, environmental stewardship, commerce, and importantly, the quality of life in our communities,” Redding said. “The GIANT Company’s commitment to Harrisburg University’s Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability is strengthening our agriculture and food system, and in return, benefitting both Pennsylvania farmers and consumers.”

The new center is the latest expansion of HU in downtown Harrisburg. The university, based on Market Street, is currently constructing an 11-story health sciences building at S. 3^rd and Chestnut streets, which is scheduled for completion in 2023.

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Residents urged to volunteer on MLK Day, with dozens of service projects lined up

January 10, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and members of the Central PA MLK Day of Service held a press conference at the Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg.

In one week, hundreds of central Pennsylvania residents are expected to trade their day off of work for a day of helping others on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On Monday morning at the Hamilton Health Center, members of the Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service committee urged community members to volunteer locally.

“Jan. 17 will be a day of impact where the community can come together and really give back and honor Dr. King,” said Rep. Patty Kim (D-103), a member of the committee.

For the 13^th year, the committee has organized dozens of volunteer opportunities in the Harrisburg area, projects reaching to Lancaster and York. Activities will be in-person and virtual, with some take-home projects.

The theme for 2022 is “The Beloved Community: Ensuring Affordable Housing and Accessible Health Care.” Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg will host an opening ceremony at 9 a.m.

Events include making cards for hospitalized children, cleaning up trash, assisting with home repair and building garden boxes, among other activities. Volunteers can register for projects online.

Kim said that they could still use many more volunteers.

Additionally, there are five donation drives taking place on the holiday. They are looking for hygiene products, school supplies, clothing, bedding and pet care items for a variety of local organizations. See their website for a full list and donation drop-off locations.

Throughout the course of the day, the committee is also hosting virtual programming and presentations on the topics of housing, aging, legal assistance, LGBTQ inclusivity and public health. They are open to the public. A link can be found on their website.

“Let’s make next week a day on and not a day off, where we can be part of a community and interact with people we’ve never met before,” Kim said. “We can realize we have a lot in common and become a better neighbor, become a better community member, in Harrisburg and in the region.”

For more information, and to register for service projects, visit the Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service website.

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Help Around the Corner: Breaking The Chainz opens resource center in Uptown Harrisburg

January 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick and Kevin Dolphin cut the ribbon on Breaking The Chainz, Inc.’s resource center.

Kevin Dolphin never thought he’d be where he is today.

In the same neighborhood where he grew up–where he was involved in criminal activity as a young man–he now is counseling others.

Friday’s snow didn’t stop Dolphin’s nonprofit, Breaking The Chainz, Inc., from cutting the ribbon on a new resource center in the Camp Curtin neighborhood of Harrisburg.

“We are looking forward to helping people,” Dolphin said. “I try to give men and women the chance they need.”

The resource center is a place for community members to seek help in areas such as trauma, substance abuse, housing, employment, re-entry and financial literacy, among other issues. It’s a one-stop shop for community members in need, Dolphin explained.

Breaking The Chainz provides counseling and mentoring services, as well as adult and youth educational courses. For services that they don’t provide in-house, staff and volunteers will refer clients to partner organizations.

“It’ll bridge the gap between different organizations and bring us all closer,” said Dorothy Scott, the organization’s co-founder and chief officer of finance and operations.

Scott said that they acquired the building, which was previously a small restaurant, in 2020 and renovated the first floor into an office and meeting space. Funds from a Dauphin County gaming grant assisted in the renovations.

On an upper level of the building are four apartment units. Scott said that they plan to use those as housing for mothers and children fleeing abusive situations.

Also attached to the property is a large garage space that they plan to convert into community meeting rooms and a music studio in the future, Scott said.

Breaking The Chainz was founded in 2015 and focuses on re-entry services for men and women returning home from prison, as well as outreach to local prisons. In addition to their resource center, they have a facility on Division Street in Harrisburg. They also supply transitional housing for ex-offenders re-entering society.

Dolphin said that, as someone who was in prison for almost half of his life, he wants to help other people who are in those shoes. Helping others is something he learned while growing up, he said.

“My mother used to clothe and feed the homeless,” Dolphin said. “Those are the things that she was instilling in me.”

Breaking the Chainz, Inc. Resource Center is located at 2134 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 7, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams speaks at her inauguration on Monday.

The first snow of 2022 kicked off an exciting weekend here in Harrisburg. On Saturday, the weeklong PA Farm Show returns after a year off due to the pandemic. Before you run out the door in search of a famous farm show milkshake, catch up on this week’s local news, below.

Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA), is an organization dedicated to giving people with limited mobility the joy of running. In our magazine story, read about the life-changing experiences of a few racers.

A Capital Beltway expansion project is poised to reshape the commercial corridor driving through the heart of Harrisburg. In our magazine story, read about how the I-83 widening project will impact the area, including businesses like the East Shore Diner.

Our editor published a Burg Blog in which he shares his thoughts on Harrisburg’s future with new city Mayor Wanda Williams. What might we expect with a new administration? Read, here.

The “Fill a Glass with Hope” fundraiser is an annual effort by local organizations to provide fresh milk to Pennsylvania families in need, our online story reported. On Friday, officials from Feeding Pennsylvania and the PA Dairymen’s Association kicked off the event at the PA Farm Show complex.

Fred Burton, a local author, explores the issue of fracking in his novel “Bountiful Calling.” His book sheds light on the human impact of fracking in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, our magazine story reported.

Gamut Theatre is hosting the annual Shakespeare Theatre Association conference this week, our magazine story reported. The conference showcases the classics, with a twist, and hundreds of people from around the world have come to take part.

The Harrisburg Improv Theatre reopens this weekend, after being closed for almost two years due to the pandemic, our reporting found. The theater offers shows, as well as improv classes for all skill levels.

Janet Samuels, court-appointed receiver for the Harrisburg School District, announced her resignation as of Jan. 29, our reporting found. The district did not specify why Samuels was leaving.

Mayor Wanda Williams was inaugurated on Monday, becoming Harrisburg’s 39^th mayor, our online story reported. City Council also reorganized, electing Danielle Bowers as the new council president. View pictures from the mayoral inauguration, here.

The PA Farm Show is back, which means time for a farm animal reunion. Wondering what the cows might say to the horses? Check out our cartoon, here.

The PA Farm Show undertook $21 million worth of renovations to its building during its year off for the pandemic. In our magazine story, read about the freshly face-lifted facility, including façade improvements, floor replacements and lighting upgrades.

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Got Milk? Fundraiser to provide milk to families in need kicks off at PA Farm Show

January 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and other local officials celebrate the “Fill a Glass with Hope” fundraiser at the PA Farm Show complex.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show officially kicks off on Saturday, but the sprawling complex was already buzzing on Friday.

In the main food court, local officials toasted the “Fill a Glass with Hope” fundraiser, an annual effort to provide fresh milk to Pennsylvania families in need.

“Farmers helping farmers is what it’s all about,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. “And farmers helping neighbors is a big part of that.”

The initiative comes out of a partnership between the organizations Feeding Pennsylvania, the PA Dairymen’s Association and the American Dairy Association North East.

Funds raised will go towards providing milk to food banks across the state. Since the initiative started in 2015, it has provided 27 million servings of milk to underserved families.

The 2022 fundraiser kicked off with over $180,000 in donations from sponsors like FirstEnergy, Weis Markets, Columbia Gas, Coterra Energy and Land O Lakes. Organizers believe this year’s funds will supply around 700,000 servings of milk.

Public donations to the fundraiser can be made at the PA Dairymen’s Association’s milkshake stand at the Farm Show or online.

“Together, we are feeding those who are in need across Pennsylvania, and I’m particularly proud of the farming community,” said state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

For more information, visit www.feedingpa.org/milk.

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Harrisburg School District’s top official, Receiver Janet Samuels, announces her resignation

January 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

File photo of Dr. Janet Samuels, 2019

The Harrisburg School District is losing a top official come the end of this month.

On Wednesday, district Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels announced her resignation from her role, as of Jan. 29.

In a news release, the district did not specify why Samuels was leaving at this time.

In 2019, when the school district failed to meet academic objectives outlined in previous recovery plans for the district, the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas placed Harrisburg under the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s control. The court chose Samuels as the receiver of the district. The previous year, she served as the chief recovery officer for the district.

With the appointment of Samuels, the school board was stripped of most of its power, leaving Samuels as the sole vote on administrative proposals.

The receivership period was set for three years, and the district is currently about two-and-a-half years in. However, according to the district, Samuels only committed to serve for one year and agreed to update the district’s Amended Financial Recovery Plan.

In July 2021, the update was approved by the county court, the district confirmed.

“I am honored to have had the privilege of serving the Harrisburg School District, and I am extremely proud of the work completed since my appointment as receiver, especially in the area of the finance,” Samuels said. “Although there is still much work to be done, I am confident the recently approved Amended Financial Recovery Plan now in place, will serve as a framework to continue the positive trajectory of the Harrisburg School District.”

Samuels thanked the district’s staff, administrators and community stakeholders, along with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit team for the work they will continue in the district.

Under Samuels, the district has put a new leadership team in place, headed by Superintendent Eric Turman and Dr. Lori Suski, the district’s recently appointed chief recovery officer.

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Comedy Comeback: Harrisburg Improv Theatre reopens after almost 2 years

January 5, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Improv Theatre

COVID-19 hasn’t been playing around.

And because of it, neither has the Harrisburg Improv Theatre, which closed for funny business for the duration of the pandemic. That is, until now.

This weekend, the wisecracking and laughter will resume for the first time since March 2020, with classes and shows re-starting.

“This was a weekly part of life for some people,” said HIT owner Jake Compton. “I think people are ready to come back.”

Improv is needed now more than ever, Compton believes. With division fueled by social media and politics, improv is a way for performers to step into the shoes of another, an opportunity to understand a different perspective, he said.

“The world needs improv right now,” he said. “In improv, it is your job to understand different points of view.”

Starting this weekend, shows will run every Friday and Saturday at 8 and 9 p.m. Every Saturday at 7 p.m., the theater holds a free mixer.

HIT also offers improv classes to both beginners and experienced performers. Their “Intro to Improv” course runs on Wednesdays from Jan. 12 to March 2.

Compton explained that improv isn’t just for aspiring comedians, but is a great way to gain confidence, improve public speaking skills and make friends. Before the pandemic, the theater had around 80 monthly performers, he said.

He was quick to point out that, for those who aren’t interested in being put on the spot, their shows are a perfect way to experience improv without actually participating.

Over the years, Compton has been to theaters in major cities across the country, but his community in Harrisburg still stands out to him.

“The funniest shows I’ve seen have been in Harrisburg,” he said. “I believe in the work we do.”

Harrisburg Improv Theatre is located at 1633 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. Tickets for shows can be purchased at the door. For a calendar of shows and class information, visit their website.

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