Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 4, 2021 | 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’s inside:

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For your weekend planning:
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
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Need something NEW to do? A(nother)new nightclub opens ~ Welcome Harrisburg Beach Club!

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: Visiting a couple of breweries (including Art of Tröegs tonight), plus Harrisburg Flea at Strawberry Square.

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

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Nov. 19 • 3RD IN THE BURG | SOMA HARRISBURG
Nov. 17-20 • SIP @ 17 WITH UPPER REACH MEAD
Nov. 17-20 • SIP @ SOMA WITH THE ENGLEWOOD

For your weekend planning:

Start planning your holiday travel now with this tip
Enter to WIN: My fave hard seltzer
Shop these great local markets.
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 Harrisburg Beach Club
Shop the HBG FLEA at Strawberry Square
Update your bar cart for fall
Stream episodes of Poured in PA: The Series

COVID-19 Disclaimer: Masking and social distancing policies may vary per business, venue, and event. 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.

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Play, Learn: New WITF play area opens in Harrisburg’s Hamilton Health Center

November 3, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Families play in the new “Family Play and Learn” space in the Hamilton Health Center.

Harrisburg kids have a new way to play at Hamilton Health Center.

On Wednesday, officials from PNC Bank, WITF and Hamilton Health cut the ribbon on a new “Family Play and Learn Space” for children visiting the healthcare center in Allison Hill.

“This is going to be able to build on the literacy and strength of family bonds in an excellent way to improve the quality of life for our community’s families,” said Hamilton Health Chief Executive Officer Jeannine Peterson.

The play space will benefit low-income families in the Women Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program. It is located in Hamilton Health’s WIC center, so only those in the program can access it. According to Peterson, the WIC center serves 5,600 families.

While there was a small play area before for children to use while parents received assistance at the center, Peterson said that it was nothing like the new one.

“This is much more structured learning,” she said.

The space includes tables and small couches, toys and children’s books in English and Spanish. Families can also sign out PBS Kids Playtime tablets, which feature educational games and programming while they are in the center.

In the future, WITF will hold family storytimes and character meet and greets, said Blake Lynch, WITF senior vice president and chief impact officer.

“We all know the joy a child experiences when engaging with a loved one and reading a great story,” Lynch said. “It sparks interest in reading and learning, as well. That spark can carry with them throughout their lives.”

In total, PNC sponsored the creation of six play and learn spaces across Lancaster, York and Harrisburg with a $75,000 grant. Besides the Hamilton Health location, three other facilities have been finished already.

“We see the play and learn spaces as a creative way to turn what would otherwise be unstructured waiting time into an opportunity for children to learn,” said PNC Bank’s Regional President for Central PA Jim Hoehn. “When our youngest learners thrive and prosper, so do the communities they will one day lead.”

Hamilton Health Center is located at 110 S. 17^th St., Harrisburg. For more information about WITF’s “Family Play and Learn” program, visit their website.

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Burg Blog: A Long Campaign Concludes

November 3, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor-Elect Wanda Williams

Last week, I was chatting off-the-record with a Harrisburg city official who said to me, “Whoever wins on Tuesday, I’ll just be glad it’s over.”

Amen, brother.

I think many city residents share a sense of relief that the painfully drawn-out mayor’s race reached its conclusion on Tuesday.

The Democratic nominee, Wanda Williams, won decisively, meaning that the city won’t be dragged through weeks of ballot challenges or even possible court petitions in the wake of the write-in campaign of incumbent Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

I’ve joked with my staff that I’m not very good at Election Day predictions, despite covering municipal races going back some 30 years. I can’t count the number of times I expected one result and got another.

But this year proved to be an exception. In May, I told our city reporter that I thought Williams would narrowly defeat Papenfuse, and she did—by 46 votes. For the general election, I said that Williams would win decisively, which again was correct (though I underestimated her impressive margin of victory).

Why did I predict this? Actually, it was pretty easy.

Write-in campaigns almost always fail, so Papenfuse had an extremely steep hill to climb and, simply put, I didn’t think he had climbed it.

Not that he didn’t try.

In mid-September, Papenfuse made the announcement that he was tossing his hat into the write-in ring and immediately followed it with a burst of activity.

First, he hired his former primary opponent, Otto Banks, as his new economic development director, perhaps hoping to scoop up a chunk of his voters. He then gained the support of former administration critics like James Ellison and Jennie Jenkins-Dallas.

Papenfuse had practically disappeared from public view after his primary loss in May, but suddenly he was everywhere. He held press conferences, cut ribbons and made announcements, garnering tons of free press, including from us.

He held two separate press conferences to announce his plans for federal pandemic relief funds: $13 million for two elaborate public pool projects (or, as I termed them, the Taj Mahal of pools) and another $12 million for senior assistance, including monthly direct payments to low-income seniors.

He campaigned vigorously and used the powers of incumbency aggressively. Did you happen to catch the trailer for “The Harrisburg Children’s Hour,” in which a puppet version of the mayor hops through the city? Seniors, parents, public housing residents—he checked off all the constituent groups one by one.

Yet I could sense that it still wasn’t enough.

Many residents saw these efforts as too little, too late, or, even worse, as political pandering. To me, it seemed that he was trying to strategize his way to victory—a move here, a move there, attempting to cover this or that base. In any case, his efforts didn’t come across as genuine, whatever their intention was.

For years, Papenfuse had been criticized for being out of public view, preferring his second-floor, city hall office to the bustle of the city’s sidewalks and streets. The warning bells should have rung loudly in his ears after some residents began calling him “The Mayor of Midtown.” I chuckled whenever I heard phrase because I immediately thought to myself—“Hell, he’s not here either!” Yet he took no corrective action, did nothing to make himself more visible in the community.

If Papenfuse wanted a third term, he needed to engage with city residents going back years, not weeks. I appreciated that he put in long, grueling hours at his desk, and I believe that he did some very good things for the city over the course of his eight-year tenure. However, a lack of public engagement was his Achilles heel, and a 45-day blizzard of activity wasn’t going to fix that.

In contrast, Williams leveraged a lifetime of relationships to win the Democratic nomination then claim the mayor’s office. Her campaigns weren’t especially vigorous, but she had a solid base of support to build upon and was blessed with an opponent who many residents had grown tired of or simply decided they didn’t like. This dynamic proved to be good enough for a win–a strong win.

Williams now will make the transition from legislator to chief executive. The Harrisburg city government is an unwieldy beast, consisting of a $100-plus million annual budget and some 500 workers delivering mission-critical, high-impact services for residents. In addition, the city has been bleeding key employees lately, including, just this past week, the business administrator, Marc Woolley.

Woolley’s departure, however, presents Williams with an opportunity. The job of business administrator—the highest salaried position in the city at $125,000—was crafted about eight years ago as part of the city’s financial recovery plan. It was originally called the chief operating officer and was intended to be a sort of city manager for a city that doesn’t have a city manager.

A strong person in this vital post could be a lynchpin to the smooth, day-to-day operation of the city government and contribute greatly to the success of the next administration. I personally believe that this position hasn’t been used to its fullest potential, or even very well, under the current administration. In fact, it took Papenfuse years just to fill it.

However, there it is now, just sitting there vacant, waiting for the right person to become the mayor’s right-hand person. In my opinion, the creation of the business administrator/COO was one of the best ideas to come out of the otherwise uneven Harrisburg Strong Plan. Putting a top candidate into the position—and then giving them the authority and respect so they can confidently do the job—would be a very smart early move for the new administration.

In any case, it soon will be out with the old mayor and in with the new mayor. Come January, Harrisburg will have a new chief executive, and I personally wish Mayor-Elect Wanda Williams all the best and hope for great success, both for her administration and for our city.

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

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Bob’s Art Blog: According to the Calendar–Art Shows, Tours and Sales

November 3, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

Early November signifies the beginning of all things seasonally nostalgic, including holiday customs with a list of “pre’s”: pre-holiday shopping, pre-setting the oven for baking and, the most important one of all, pre’s bring the pumpkin pie. Actually, November also includes holiday gift open houses, craft studio tours and, within a few days, a firehouse of an art sale.

Part I: Paxtang Art Association Firehouse Special

Wollman Rink, New York, by Vivian Seetoo

Sound the sirens—it’s a four-alarm “doozy” of an art sale at the Paxtang Firehouse for the borough Art Association’s 31st annual three-day sale of paintings.

Taking place Friday through Sunday, Nov. 5 through 7, at 3423 Derry St., the event is touted as the largest sale of art under one roof this side of the Susquehanna. Over 2,000 paintings from 100 artists leave no doubt that the people of Paxtang love their art. The range of works includes mediums across the board, with something for everyone’s taste and pocketbook as the holiday season is just around the corner.

The association is happy to bring back its annual event, as last year was a moot point. Highlights for this art extravaganza include a roster of “local artists with talent to spare,” according to the association’s instructor and front man, Nick Feher. Capably assisted by Vivian Seetoo, they have bragging rights to a corral of creatives who have put their art up for purchase. Wanted posters feature a posse of painters that include the aforementioned Vivian, whose art includes miniature paintings on tea bags as well as familiar scenes from New York City.

Painting by Gary Ditty

In addition, look for Michelle Phillips’ “pop art” everywhere, as she is no longer a Mama and Papa (just kidding), as well as Gary Ditty’s legendary landscapes. If the firehouse gets crowded, just walk across the street to the Tiger Eye Coffee Co. for a break of Hershey’s ice cream, coffee, tea, snacks and a whole gallery full of art from 16 more creatives. Owner Makayla Burton will be happy to serve you scrumptious treats and show you the gallery. So, mark your calendar for this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Part II: Over the River and to the Woods—The Foothills Artists 14th Annual Studio Tour

November also includes holiday gift open houses and craft studio tours, some of which are well worth a road trip, just an hour from Harrisburg.

A craft consortium of 11 artists nestled in the idyllic beauty of the Fairfield Valley will unveil their art for the 14th annual edition of the Foothills artists on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This special weekend event begins by just crossing over the Mason Dixon Line west of Gettysburg. Comprised of equal parts male and female artists, potters, sculptors and fiber art experts, as well as woodworkers, a veritable variety of artistic approaches include something for all. Road trips are the perfect excuse to get out of town for a change of scenery and a different perspective. It is no wonder that, in this rich valley, craftspeople truly elevate their mediums to new heights.

Kaleidoscop brooch by Joh Ricci

Joh Ricci weaves art through fiber in autumnal colors from a knotted vessel of beauty, a kaleidoscope brooch and a hand-stitched scarf that demonstrates dexterity with tools of the trade—mostly her hands, yarn and a crochet hook. Creating fiber art from the age of 8, shape and design are explored with an endless color spectrum. Schooled in the fine arts, Ricci’s resume lends ed cred to thread cred.

For Rod Stabler, turning wood has not lost its appeal over the 40 years he’s been involved in the art, making vessels, platters and bowls. The artist states, “There is something deeply satisfying about unleashing the beauty of raw wood. Each piece has its own personality and character.”

Ann Rupert creates jewelry, as well as two-dimensional media, that include pastels, oils, watercolors and color pencil. She works in collaboration with Rod to join her mixed-media art with his turned pieces.

Judy Pyle is a sculptress and jewelry maker, employing torch-fired enamels for over 20 years. She makes her fittings from hand-fabricated silver for brooches and rings. Rare metals of gold foil and silver add to the jewelry’s luster.

A pastel by Laurie McKelvie

Laurie McKelvie, guest artist, will be showing pastel paintings of landscapes. “They capture light and color found in the natural world.” Laurie is a realist painter helping to perfect the world through her art.

Geoff Grant is a fine art photographer specializing “in painterly landscapes, candid portraits of people of different cultures and street photography.” He is equally skilled in color and black-and-white formats. His calling card entails atmospheric avenues of departure.

Jack Handshaw is the founding member of the group show. Crafting pottery out of his log home for over 40 years, Jack is an award-winning potter who works in all types of clay. For the tour, he will offer porcelain, redware and raku.

Anne Finucane works in a variety of printmaking. For the tour, she will feature etchings and linocuts. Inspiration comes from nature, mostly plants with mediums changing in an evolutionary process that embraces methodology in a gradual course moving toward the finished goal.

Geoffrey Thulin is a painter of “bold celebration of color and form through animal imagery, landscape and abstraction. I explore rhythm, pattern and energy and their connection to the spiritual in nature,” he said. Watercolor and gouache comprise the mediums of choice that Geoffrey uses to create.

“Horses Three” by Sharon Pierce McCollough

Michael A. McCollough is a “gestural abstract artist” offering stretched and un-stretched canvases. His wife, Sharon Pierce McCollough, is a sculptor, painter, author and, for the weekend tour, will offer concrete sculptures of found objects and metal, as well as children’s books and paintings.

The historic houses are a draw in their own right, as is the generous nature and gratitude shared by the collective group of 11 who express their appreciation to all visitors who venture out for this annual craft tour. The lush background rich in history and culture of the Fairfield Valley provides the setting for all five studios. After viewing all of their work, you’ll feel this was an adventure well worth taking. You may share in the joy of “taking back something worth remembering” as Three Dog Night reflected back in 1970. That thought and sentiment 50 years later are exactly what makes the trip over the river and to the woods all the more relevant today. For tour map, visit www.foothillsartists.net.

Part III: The Adventures of Pamela in the Poconos

Millworks artist Pamela J. Black is known up and down the eastern seaboard for her instantly recognizable paintings. In her latest offering, “Changing Seasons,” the artist unveils a series of 13 stylized works in abstract departures inspired by the seasons. She creates an ever-changing palette of poetry in paint through this dramatic offering.

“The similar thread of nature ties them all together,” the artist shared.

The temporal turn of time translates to a bounty of colors and context now gracing the canvases featured at the Laurel Lane Gallery at Nemacolin Luxury Resorts, nestled in the Poconos, showing through Dec. 30. Pamela’s grouping represents a portion of over 1,000 paintings throughout the resort’s buildings.

Paintings by Pamela J. Black, on display at Laurel Lane Gallery at Nemacolin Luxury Resorts

“Waves of color, pools of paint and controlled mark-making are used to pull intentional color palettes and inspiration from each season,” Pamela revealed.

What better time of year to bid adieu to fall and greet the holiday season full of great promise, providing the perfect opportunity for a getaway gift to drink in the beauty of the seasons as they turn from their golden hue to evergreen.

November Calendar

Paxtang Art Association 31st Annual Art Sale, Nov. 5 to 7, at Paxtang Fire House

The Millworks First Saturday, Nov. 6

State Museum of Pennsylvania 54th edition of “Art of the State” through Jan. 2

Carlisle Arts Learning Center, “A Sense of Place,” through Nov. 27

3rd in the Burg, Nov. 19

Perry County Council of the Arts 7th Annual Juried Exhibition, opening Nov. 19

The Millworks Odd One’s Fall Bizarre indoors Saturday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27. Start your day at the bizarre and then gallery hop to your favorite lair

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Wanda Williams elected Harrisburg mayor, beats back write-in challenge

November 2, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Wanda Williams speaks after declaring victory in the Harrisburg mayor’s race.

Wanda Williams will be the next mayor of Harrisburg, as the current City Council president handily beat back a write-in challenge from the incumbent mayor.

With all precincts reporting, Williams, the Democratic nominee, received 4,402 votes compared to 1,911 votes for “write-in candidate 1,” who is presumed to be two-term Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Republican candidate Timothy Rowbottom received 465 votes.

The vote tallies will need to be updated as the remainder of the mail-in ballots filter into the Dauphin County elections bureau.

At an election celebration in Uptown Harrisburg, Williams promised to be a “visible leader,” implicitly contrasting her style with that of Papenfuse.

“The residents of Harrisburg finally have an authentic leader, and that’s me,” she said, before a crowd of cheering supporters. “[A person] who’s rooted in the community and is going to take input from the community.”

Williams and Papenfuse also competed in May in a crowded, five-candidate Democratic primary, with Papenfuse losing the nomination for a third term by just 46 votes.

In mid-September, he declared that he would run as a write-in and has spent the past six weeks campaigning aggressively and trying to educate voters how to cast a write-in vote for him.

Williams, who has served on City Council for four terms, the last two as president, ran a comparatively low-key campaign. She will take office in early January.

In the meantime, she said that her first priorities are to hire staff, speak with city residents over how to best spend federal pandemic relief money and confer with City Council members.

“It feels wonderful,” Williams said, following her victory. “I want to get in there and get started.”

In the race for Harrisburg City Council, four Democrats won after running unopposed for four, four-year seats. They are council veterans Ausha Green and Shamaine Daniels and newcomers Ralph Rodriguez and Jocelyn Rawls.

For city school board, Democrats Brian Carter, Danielle Robinson, Roslyn Copeland and Jaime Johnsen all won four-year seats. Democrats Terricia Radcliff and Ellis R. Rick Roy won two-year seats on the board.

Running unopposed, incumbent Charlie DeBrunner will serve another term as city controller.

In Dauphin County, Republican Mary Bateman won a two-year seat for county controller, defeating Democrat Eric Epstein by a margin of 30,590 to 28,488 votes, respectively. For prothonotary, Republican incumbent Matt Krupp received 32,840 votes, defeating Democrat Anju Singh, who received 26,353 votes. Running unopposed, long-time county coroner Graham Hetrick will serve another term.

In the hotly contested race for an open judgeship on the Court of Common Pleas, Republican Jeff Engle bested Democrat La Tasha Williams by a tally of 32,940 to 26,580 votes, respectively.

This story has been updated to reflect the final results in Harrisburg and Dauphin County.

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Harrisburg community moves to support family of Jamie Bey, innocent shooting victim

November 2, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Candles to honor Jamie Bey were placed outside of Al’s Café in Midtown Harrisburg.

Taquanna Bey was at home when she got the call that her sister Jamie Bey had been fatally shot.

“My heart dropped,” she said. “It wasn’t true to me. It was unbelievable.”

Days later, friends, family and community members rallied to memorialize Jamie.

A Harrisburg resident, Jamie was attending a birthday party on Oct. 25 at Al’s Café on Verbeke Street when a fight broke out between two men. Jamie, an innocent bystander, was the victim of a gunshot wound. She passed away later in a local hospital, according to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.

Although it was a shock for friends and family, they quickly mobilized to start a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Jamie’s four children, ages 10 and under, and her funeral costs. The page has already raised over $5,600, with many donors posting messages of condolences.

“She loved her kids very well,” Taquanna said. “She always wanted to be with them.”

A balloon release was also held last week outside of Al’s Café to honor Jamie.

Candles, balloons and stuffed animals still sit on the sidewalk outside the bar.

Taquanna described Jamie as a kind-hearted person. Jamie enjoyed gambling and spending time with family, she said. Jamie worked warehouse jobs and cared for her uncle, her sister said.

“She was always a caring person,” Taquanna said. “She always had a smile.”

Jamie’s funeral will be held on Thursday, Taquanna said.

“She loved a lot of people and a lot of people loved her,” she said.

The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Harrisburg Police Bureau at 717-558-6900 and ask for a detective. Tips can also be submitted through the CRIMEWATCH website.

To donate to the GoFundMe for Jamie Bey’s children, click here.

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Harrisburg voters slowly head to the polls, send in ballots for 2021 municipal election

November 2, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Campaign signs outside of a Harrisburg polling location at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church on Green Street.

Brenda Coles came out of the Edison Village polling location in Allison Hill on Tuesday morning proudly wearing her “I Voted” sticker.

“I’m a super voter,” she said. “It’s my right to vote, and that’s why I came out. It’s important on many levels.”

While Coles balked at the idea that someone wouldn’t exercise that right, it’s often the reality when it comes to municipal elections—turnout is low.

Unsurprisingly, in-person voting for the 2021 municipal election was off to a relatively slow start on Tuesday morning in Harrisburg, despite 31,770 residents being registered to vote.

Voters trickled into polling places across the city, while others opted to vote by mail. Residents cast their votes for a range of locally elected positions, including Harrisburg mayor, school board directors and City Council members.

Around mid-morning, many polling locations in Harrisburg had fewer than 60 voters turn out.

Countywide, Dauphin County reported receiving 15,481 mail-in ballots by noon.

Many voters, like Coles, headed to the polls simply because that’s what they do for every election.

“It’s my duty to vote,” said Walter Barnes, who was casting his vote at Camp Curtin Academy on N. 6^th Street. “The thing that is important to me is my community.”

But other residents felt strongly about certain candidates and came out to support them.

City Council President Wanda Williams holds the Democratic nomination for mayor and Timothy Rowbottom is the Republican nominee. However, incumbent Mayor Eric Papenfuse, who has served two terms and narrowly lost the Democratic nomination in May, threw his hat back in the ring, launching a write-in campaign in mid-September.

“I voted for Wanda,” said Cheryl Holton, who cast her ballot at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on N. 3^rd Street. “I’ve been watching her on city council. She’s been very responsive to the issues in the community.”

Holton said that she believes Williams has been easily approachable and concerned about addressing issues like policing and trash cleanups in the city.

Others, like Frank Novaleski, who also voted at the cathedral, hope to see Papenfuse in office for another term.

“I really want to see Eric Papenfuse back in,” he said. “I think he’s done a good job.”

Harrisburg resident Yaqinah Abdurrahman wasn’t impressed by many of the names on the ballot, choosing instead to write in candidates for most positions, she said.

“I think we need fresh ideas,” she said.

Many candidates were out at the polls on Tuesday, including Williams, who said that she was feeling confident.

“I’m feeling good; I feel like a winner,” she said as she greeted voters at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

Outside of Camp Curtin Academy, Papenfuse instructed voters how to write him in for mayor.

“I’m feeling optimistic,” he said. “It’s very easy to do the write-in.”

Votes won’t begin being counted until the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday night. Additionally, there may not be clear winners until write-in votes are tallied and all mail-in ballots, which aren’t due until Wednesday night, are counted.

For Dauphin County Elections information and results, visit their website.

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Mid Penn Bank announces grants for nonprofits focused on supporting women in the workplace

November 1, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Mid Penn Bank at 2615 N. Front St., Harrisburg

Pennsylvania organizations focused on women’s services are at the heart of a new grant initiative.

Mid Penn Bank recently announced that its Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) will award “Impact Grant” funds to local nonprofits that support women in the workplace.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to the many organizations in our communities that are working hard each day to support and uplift women,” said WLN Impact Grant Committee Chair and Mid Penn Commercial Loan Officer, Nicole Pedriani. “The committee’s hope is that this funding helps to engage women in programs that empower them in moving towards and achieving their goals.”

According to Mid Penn, while women make up 52% of the state population, they hold only 36.9% of the managerial jobs within the state. Additionally, women are only making 76 cents for every dollar a man makes. Hispanic women in Pennsylvania make 53 cents for every dollar that a white man makes.

The commonwealth ranks 39th in the nation on the gender wage gap, Mid Penn said.

Bank officials hope that this grant program helps to change those statistics, they said.

The grant program is available to nonprofits that address health and wellness, human services, education, housing assistance and workforce preparedness/vocational skills for women.

The bank is offering $12,000 in grants. Applicants are eligible to receive a minimum of $2,000 for proposed projects.

Applicants are required to be certified 501(c)3 organizations. They must be located in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Lancaster, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northumberland, Schuylkill or Westmoreland county.

Mid Penn plans to announce the winners in December.

The WLN was started in 2018 as a way for female colleagues to make connections, share knowledge and experiences, learn about leadership and grow their professional development journeys. This year, the group formed the grant committee in an effort to impact the larger community, they said.

“What began as a way for the women of Mid Penn Bank to better connect with one another has grown rapidly in three years and evolved to a place where the WLN can turn its vision outward towards the community,” said Mid Penn’s CRA and Community Impact Officer Dawn Spahr. “The women of Mid Penn Bank champion many causes across Pennsylvania and are highly engaged community members. We are all proud of the committee’s work and the positive outcome it is having.”

For more information about Mid Penn Bank’s Impact Grant program or to apply, visit their website. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

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Computer restrictions lifted for Dauphin County libraries, full usage allowed for public access

November 1, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg

It’s all computers on deck in Dauphin County, as library officials today announced that they’ve put their full inventory back into service.

Karen Cullings, executive director of the Dauphin County Library System (DCLS), said that, beginning Monday, all 126 public-access computers system-wide are available for patron use.

After libraries reopened last year, continuing COVID-19 protocols limited use to less than 50% of total inventory due to restrictions on the number of people allowed in a work area. Those restrictions have now been lifted, putting all public-access desktops and laptops back into use.

According to DCLS, patrons use library computers for a variety of reasons, including applying for rental assistance, paying bills and conducting job searches.

“One of Dauphin County Library System’s main missions is offering assistance and opportunities to members of our community facing economic challenges,’’ Cullings said. “With locations throughout our county, the Library is uniquely positioned to offer help and outreach services.’’

DCLS does recommend that all patrons continue to wear masks.

“Whether someone needs rental assistance, help with their city water bill or they’re looking for work, having a place like the library with free computer and internet access is invaluable,’’ said county commission Chair Mike Pries.

Commissioner George Hartwick said that the Library plays an important role in linking residents with services, such the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

“This program is more than just money,’’ Hartwick said. “The services available can help people become housing stable after the program is no longer able to pay rent and utility costs.”

To date, the county has disbursed more than $8.5 million to about 1,400 households as part of the program, according to the county.

Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) said rental assistance is key to helping prevent homelessness.

“Once people are out of the house, it’s so hard to build back the momentum, especially with children,’’ Kim said. “In partnering with Dauphin County and the Library, our goal is to make sure people having trouble with their rent payments can get the help that’s there for them and stay in their home.”

For more information on the Dauphin County Library System, visit www.dcls.org or their Facebook page.

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Fun for Fido: Pet supply store opens in Harrisburg with focus on access, education

November 1, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Owners Darryl and Celia Butler of Butler’s Pet Feed & Supplies

Harrisburg’s four-legged residents now have a place in the city that’s stocked with food just for them.

Butler’s Pet Feed & Supplies opened on Monday morning in the Kline Plaza shopping center on S. 25^th Street. The store carries dog, cat, fish and turtle food and supplies.

“We are providing for residents what they are tired of traveling out of the city to get,” said Darryl Butler, who owns the store with his wife Celia. “These are high-quality products that no other local pet store has.”

According to Butler, a Harrisburg-native, this is the only pet store located in the city.

“It’s never been easier to get your pet food or your pet supplies,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse who was present with shop owners to cut the ribbon on Monday.

Butler’s owners, along with Harrisburg and Dauphin County officials, cut the ribbon on the new pet supplies shop on Monday.

Butler has over 20 years of experience in dog breeding and training, he said. He specializes in breeding German shepherds.

But opening his own pet store has been a dream for the past 10 years and, finally, his wife Celia pushed him to make it happen, he said.

Butler plans to use his experience and knowledge to offer advice and education to customers.

“It’s difficult to know what quality dog food is,” he said. “We are here to educate.”

Butler’s carries over 10 brands of dog food and over five brands of cat food, he said. Additionally, their shelves are stocked with items like leashes, treats, food bowls, litter boxes, pet beds and toys.

Butler also mentioned that they have a scale for customers to use to weigh their pets and make sure they are healthy.

Dennis, a Harrisburg resident, was impressed by the options and said he will likely shop at Butler’s for food for his two German shepherds. However, he’s mostly looking forward to the opportunity to get advice.

“It’s nice to have someone to talk to if you have a question,” he said.

That’s what it’s all about for Butler, the chance to share his knowledge with the city.

“It’s not just about the business side,” he said. “It’s about the passion.”

Butler’s Pet Feed & Supplies is located at 101 S. 25th St., Suite 16, Harrisburg (Kline Plaza). They are open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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