The Painted Word: The Art Association curates a vibrant future

October 29, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

Rachel O’Connor

TheBurg’s crossword puzzle for the month starts with eight letters across, with the clue reading, “the state of being full of energy and life.” It intersects with three letters down: “a form of non-verbal communication as an expression of human skill.”

Get started and soon the picture will come into focus. See the key at the end for the answers.

Almost five years ago, Rachel O’Connor became the newly appointed curator for the esteemed Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH). At the time, TheBurg interviewed Ms. O’Connor about the task ahead, and she shared her excitement and enlightenment about the art scene in Harrisburg. In her words, she wanted to make Harrisburg an even more vitally alive art community, which became her mission.

That was then and, even more so today, Harrisburg is chock full of artists. I often joke with the members of the art community that the latest census revealed that one of three Harrisburg residents are artists—and there is a foundation of truth in that. Starting immediately with the association’s semi-annual “Member’s Show,” Rachel hit the ground running, gaining momentum with every exhibit thereafter. A neophyte curator, O’Connor learned from a master who not only knows the ropes but has been the life force at the AAH for four decades—CEO and President Carrie Wissler-Thomas.

O’Connor’s art education, gained at Messiah University and the New York Center for Media and the Arts, became even more intense under the mentorship of Wissler-Thomas. The combination proved to be beneficial for all parties, especially as the venerable institution successfully navigated the perils of the pandemic. For many fans in the art community, Rachel carved out a name for herself in recent years with a portfolio of groundbreaking exhibits.

The curator’s role includes selecting artists, formulating a cohesive theme and then mounting an exhibit. Beyond those duties, Rachel still maintains her adjunct professorship’s schedule of teaching art history at her alma mater, Messiah University. This provides access to a reservoir of art students, flowing freely with new approaches and ideas, embellishing a core of established, Harrisburg-area talent.

As the year winds down, with special shows to close it out, O’Connor is now a seasoned veteran. She embraces the major challenges of growing an institution approaching its century mark and helping to develop emerging artists. If the turn of global events has taught this young achiever a lesson worth learning, it is that we are only as good as those who surround us.

O’Connor is gracious and sincere for the education she has received at AAH. From the guidance of Wissler-Thomas to the collegial relationships forged with gallery gurus Nate Foster, Randy Miller, Crista Sanfilippo and Jonathan Frazier, learning has been an ongoing adventure. In bringing new ideas and exhibits to the existing foundation, the future of the AAH is on firm footing. For her part, Rachel imparts wisdom that spotlights a commitment to the bigger picture.

“I’d like to expand the AAH in its creative endeavors,” she said. “Growth is always important. Over the decades, the association has grown and reached different stages of achievement. It’s time to reach the next stage. There is a lot of untapped potential here.”

Assembling a collective group of artists who bring fresh “art” and “vibrancy” to this vaunted institution is tantamount to success. These words constitute the solution to our puzzle, and no one knows this better than curator O’Connor.

The Art Association of Harrisburg is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com.

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

Warning Signs: 5 steps could save a person from suicide

October 29, 2021 | by Capital BlueCross Staff

For Eileen Finkenbinder and others touched by suicide, there is unfathomable grief, anger, guilt and other emotional aftershocks.

“There are some dark days, and there are so many questions,” said Finkenbinder, a Carlisle resident who lost her 15-year-old son Britton to suicide on Oct. 25, 2018.

She is not alone in seeking answers.

More than 47,000 people died by suicide in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making it the nation’s 10th leading cause of death. Suicide and suicide attempts cost the nation $70 billion annually in medical expenses and work-loss costs and exact an immeasurable emotional toll on survivors.

Health experts agree there is no single cause for suicide, but there can be warning signs.

Talk of suicide, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped or unbearable pain.
Actions such as increased drug or alcohol use, withdrawing from activities, isolating from family and friends, and giving away prized possessions and aggression.
Displays of depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, humiliation and shame, agitation and anger, relief and sudden improvement.

The National Institutes of Mental Health recommends five steps that anyone can take if they know someone is in emotional pain.

Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Studies show asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
Keep them safe: Reduce a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places.
Be there: Listen. Acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts, studies show.
Help them connect: Share the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK) and the Crisis Text Line (741741). Help them find a trusted family member, friend, spiritual advisor or mental health professional.
Stay connected: Stay in touch especially after a crisis.

Access to mental health resources is paramount.

Capital Blue Cross continued its emphasis on mental health by extending cost-sharing waivers through the end of 2021 for members with its Virtual Care benefit, which offers psychiatry and counseling services in addition to standard medical care.

Additionally, the insurer unveiled a behavioral health toolkit for employer groups, a new mental health and wellness page on its corporate website, and it helped bring the Neuroflow app to market. That mobile app helps users improve their mental wellness and better address anxiety, depression and other mental health needs.

Questions still haunt Eileen Finkenbinder. She leans heavily on her faith and help from supportive friends and family to cope in dark times.

Britton was an honors-caliber student athlete, a thoughtful kid who loved pets, cars and racing. His uncanny aptitude for electronics fueled a dream to study electrical engineering in college. There was no grim talk, unusual behavior, jarring mood swings or other warning signs.

“There are people who cry for help,” Eileen said, recalling an encounter she had with a young girl at the first Britton Finkenbinder Memorial Day Race held to raise money for suicide prevention.

“I could see she had scars from slashing,” Eileen said. “I just talked to her. I said, ‘You’re struggling with something here.’ That’s a cry for help. We can save those people.”

For more information about Capital Blue Cross, visit www.capbluecross.com.

This column is sponsored by Capital Blue Cross.

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

Wacky Wonderland: Gamut introduces an “Alice” for all ages

October 29, 2021 | by Carolina Nicholson

This month, Gamut Theatre opens their signature fall play, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass,” an original play by Sean Adams.

The role of Alice is played by student Kennedy Commissiong, while her wacky counterparts are played by adults, many with decades of comedic acting experience. As per Gamut’s new show ratings system, this nonsensical thrill ride is great for all ages.

I have the opportunity to bring you a look behind the scenes at the upcoming show.

Melissa Nicholson, director of this whirlwind production, is excited to share the story with audiences.

“I love directing this play,” she said. “The challenge with ‘Alice’ is that it is such a bizarre story when you stay as true to the books as we have, and we want that strangeness to be inviting, not off-putting. We’ve added original music, dance and movement to keep things rolling, and our multi-talented ensemble cast has created a truly unique play that is fun for all ages, whether you’re 5 or 105!”

Nicholson has actually directed this story, and, more specifically, this script before. Playwright Sean Adams adapted the play from the books by Lewis Carroll, initially intending it to be performed by students.

In 2014, that’s exactly what Gamut’s Young Acting Company did. Erin Shellenberger, who played Alice in that student production, joins the current cast for this reimagined telling of the story.

“That first production of Alice in 2014 was a pivotal moment in the development of my confidence as an actor, and I couldn’t be more delighted to return to Wonderland with Gamut Theatre,” she said.

Nicholson and Adams revisited the script together during the pandemic and decided they could make it a full-scale mainstage production fairly easily. One shared vision and several rounds of edits later, they had a script that was both adult and student friendly. And amazingly, many parts didn’t have to change—where it was adorably lovable to see little faces in lobster costumes singing and dancing, it’s hysterical to see those parts filled by grown adults.

While Gamut promotes the play as being family-friendly, that doesn’t mean parents will sit back and snooze while their kids are entertained. Always aiming to make their shows accessible to all ages and all types of people, Gamut has hit the mark again with this interpretation of a child’s epic adventure. You’ll laugh, you’ll empathize… you and your kids will be on the edge of your seats wondering what happens to Alice next.

Alice puts it quite plainly: “I shouldn’t like a romantic story—I’d much prefer a silly one.”

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass” runs Nov. 6 to 28 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-238-4111 or visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

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

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass”

By Sean Adams

Based on the books by Lewis Carroll

Nov. 6 to 28

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.

TMI Improv

Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Doors and bar open 45 minutes prior to the performance.

Tickets are $10

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

“Violet Oakley Unveiled”

Nov. 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell

Nov. 10 & 24 at 8:30 p.m.

Noxious Live

Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

The Obstructed View

Nov. 6 & 20 at 9:30 p.m.

Court Street Cabaret

Nov. 20 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.

“Who’s Holiday!”

Nov. 26 to Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

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

What’s New in Breast Cancer Treatment

October 29, 2021 | by UPMC

Theresa Lee, MD

Breast cancer treatments have improved over the years, giving women hope, restoring health, and providing choices for care. Having earned accreditation from the prestigious National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), UPMC is leading the way in advanced treatments and helping each woman determine the best approach to beating her cancer.

Currently, the overall five-year survival rate for breast cancer that is confined to the breast is more than 90%. For women with breast cancer that has spread to the local lymph nodes, the five-year relative survival rate is 86%. There are four stages of breast cancer. Non-invasive (stage 0) and early stage invasive (stages I and II) have a better prognosis than those diagnosed with later stage cancers (stage III and IV).

In the past, treatments for breast cancer usually included a combination of surgery and systemic therapy, such as an anti-hormonal pill, coupled with radiation therapy and chemotherapy in some cases, depending upon the type and stage of cancer.

“Today, there are advances in treatments of all stages of breast cancer,” according to Theresa Lee, MD, oncologist, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Central Pa. “Patients now have options beyond traditional invasive surgery, medication, chemotherapy, and radiation.”

Innovative surgical procedures such as Hidden Scar™ and micropigmentation, now yield better cosmetic outcomes without compromising cancer control or cure. Restoring the breast to a natural look, with minimal scarring or deviations, is important to women. UPMC in Central Pa. is one of just two Centers of Excellence for Hidden Scar™ surgery in the state.

Breast cancer care has become more individualized. Molecular profiles of tumors allow us to minimize the number of patients who require chemotherapy and help guide which targeted therapies may work for a breast cancer. We are also making advances in side effect management. For example, scalp cooling uses cold technology to keep the scalp cold during chemotherapy administration, which minimizes hair loss from chemotherapy.

Most advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer have occurred because of clinical trials. UPMC offers hundreds of trials to treat a wide range of cancers, which are incredibly valuable to both researchers and patients. Breast cancer research specifically has led to new types of medical therapies, including, for example, immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

“We participated in some of the clinical trials that helped to define the role of immunotherapy in breast cancer, and I have several patients who are participating in a trial to help us know how long women should take their antiestrogen pills. This is truly cutting-edge care,” Lee says.

Endocrine therapy slows or stops the growth of breast cancers that are sensitive to hormones. Hormones play an important role in the body, however the female hormones estrogen and progesterone can also promote certain breast cancer growth. These are known as hormone-sensitive or hormone dependent breast cancers.

Unlike chemotherapy, which can damage healthy cells along with the cancerous ones, immunotherapy encourages the patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. This type of therapy is targeted, working to stop or slow the cancer’s growth and perform like the natural antibodies in your immune system.

While side effects vary with the medicines used, Dr. Lee emphasizes that supportive care helps minimize side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and neuropathy. Temporary hair loss and fatigue are still common but resolve after the completion of treatment. And scalp cooling technology can decrease the chance a woman loses her hair with some types of chemotherapy.

In radiation therapy, mild skin toxicity (like sunburn), along with fatigue are common. Fortunately, new radiation technologies are allowing for fewer side effects and sometimes a shorter course of therapy.

“At UPMC, we have an extensive provider network and wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and support staff who are knowledgeable and compassionate. We work collaboratively to make breast cancer treatment very tolerable, and the care is so compassionate,” says Dr. Lee.

However, before that first dose of medication or initial operation, we must focus on early detection. UPMC has programs in place to help women at high risk identify those risk factors, while encouraging screening mammograms. Dr. Lee believes knowledge is power and self-awareness is critical in avoiding illness or disease.

“Get your routine screening mammograms, and if you notice a change in your breast, don’t delay getting it checked out. With continuing advances, treating cancer now often means beating cancer, or living much longer with it.”

For more information about all UPMC services specific to breast health, visit www.UPMC.com/CentralPaBreastHealth.

This column is sponsored by UPMC.

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

Now We’re Cooking: ”Julia” is everything a documentary should be

October 29, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

The rubric for a documentary is so vastly different from that of a fictional narrative story that it’s almost difficult to give a definitive review.

For fictional narratives, you can judge the film’s merit based on story, acting, mise en scene, the general direction of each scene, etc. But for most documentaries, their merit is measured mainly with the accuracy of which the information of the given topic is laid out—whether there’s bias, whether there’s a wide enough exploration of the topic, etc.

But that’s for… most documentaries. What about good documentaries? A good documentary must stand apart from the crowd and have a sense of style and voice. Not only should it tell a story, but it should tell it well.

“Julia” is one such documentary. Directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West (the dynamic directorial duo who brought us “RBG” and “My Name Is Pauli Murray”) bring the story of Julia Child, the pioneer of cooking shows, to life on the big screen, detailing her history and the pivotal moments of her success story. Not only is the subject a vibrant, beloved figure in the eyes of the American public, but the choices made for this film share that vibrancy.

Julia Child stumbled into her television career when she was in her 50s, with the promotion of the book that she co-wrote with Simone “Simca” Beck and Louisette Bertholle (who is strangely not mentioned in the documentary), “Mastering The Art of French Cooking.” She requested that a hot plate be provided for the TV spot and made a “proper omelette with a proper omelette pan” right there in the studio, something which threw both the studio and audiences for a loop. In a world where American housewives had grown tired of cooking, complete with jello salads and an abundance of recipes involving spam, Julia Child’s approach to the kitchen created a spark that set the entire country on fire.

Any televised cooking show can thank Julia for bringing back the joy of a home-cooked meal. Not only did she remove the fear of cooking by giving in-depth, step-by-step directions, her outgoing personality made it fun and engaging (an evocative example of this is in the first seconds of the documentary, where Child presents the “chicken sisters,” cheerfully brandishing a butcher’s knife as she introduces a row of roast chickens by name).

So, how did Cohen and West take an already dynamic story and make it stand even further apart from most run-of-the-mill documentaries? Two ways.

As Julia says early on, “I find that if people aren’t interested in food, I’m not very much interested in them.” And for a modern audience, looking at old footage of a cooking show with its grainy, standard-definition clarity isn’t going to cut it.

So, the first tactic that the documentary uses is to layer in unadulterated, visceral, mouth-watering dramatizations of food preparation amongst the VHS-quality footage of Julia Child making meals. These shots will turn you into a foodie if you aren’t already. The food is beautifully presented, far better than any other food documentary in recent years—of which there have been countless, but they always seem to focus on getting the audience to fall in love with the subject. In “Julia,” that goal is not external. Instead, Cohen and West set out to give the audience a glimpse through Julia’s eyes, in hopes that they fall in love with the food that she’s fallen in love with.

The second way that “Julia” stands out is in its use of journal entries and correspondence, mainly concerning Julia’s husband, Paul Child. We learn about their first impressions of each other from these scrawled passages, their continued impressions as their relationship builds, culminating in their marriage, and then their love notes and admissions of adoration continue throughout the film. There are many side characters that the film introduces to fully develop the story of Julia Child, but Paul is the most prominent supporting character.

“Julia” is informative, evocative, inspiring and nostalgic in all the best ways. For a unique hour and a half of documentarian escape, make sure you don’t miss this one. “Julia” will play at Midtown Cinema this November.

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

November Events At Midtown Cinema

Down in Front! Presents

“Boggy Creek II: And The Legend Continues” (1985)

Friday, Nov. 12, 9:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg

“Blade Runner: The Final Cut” (2007)

Friday, Nov. 19, 9:30 p.m.

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

Camp Curtin YMCA breaks ground on townhomes in Uptown Harrisburg, meant to promote home ownership

October 28, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Officials broke ground on an affordable housing development in Uptown Harrisburg.

Jamien Harvey has a vision for a Harrisburg neighborhood.

He shared that vision on Thursday as officials broke ground on an affordable housing development near the Camp Curtin YMCA in Uptown.

“Homeownership is critical to building strong community,” said Harvey, executive director of both the East Shore and Camp Curtin Y’s.

The Camp Curtin Y’s “Harrisburg Cornerstone Initiative” aims to eliminate vacant lots and provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families, he explained.

A rendering of the proposed affordable homes.

The initiative will kick off with the $1.2 million development of four affordable single-family homes on a vacant lot at the corner of Woodbine and Jefferson streets. Each home will include three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and an off-street parking space.

Harvey said that the Y will work with a realtor to market the homes to low-income families interested in homeownership. While the prices will vary depending on the income of the family, the cost will likely range from $150,000 to $200,000, Harvey said. Families will also be required to complete financial literacy workshops.

Harvey, along with other officials, spoke to the importance of creating stable housing. They noted its effects on job security, food security, health, safety and education for children and families.

“The environment which families grow up in is important,” Harvey said. “Change the environment, you can change behavior.”

The York branch of the YMCA served as an example of creating affordable housing, Harvey said. Their model inspired him to take up the challenge in Harrisburg.

The planned site of the development at Woodbine and Jefferson streets.

Harvey expects work to begin at the building site by next week and wrap up by spring.

The homes at Woodbine and Jefferson streets are the first phase of what Harvey hopes is a large-scale affordable building project in the neighborhood.

“If we can get homeowners up here and build a family and community then we really feel like we can change things with the Y being the cornerstone in the middle,” he said.

The funds for the project are coming from a variety of local sponsors and partners, including PNC, UPMC, S&T Bank, M&T Bank, Tri-County Community Action, the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Housing Authority, Mid Penn Bank, Dauphin County, Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and PHFA.

“The pandemic really slowed up our process, but I had a vision,” Harvey said. “We had a vision and nothing was going to stop that vision.”

For more information about the Camp Curtin YMCA’s Harrisburg Cornerstone initiative, visit their website.

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

Harrisburg cleans up blighted properties, works to address illegal dumping

October 28, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

1704 Walnut St. was full of illegally dumped trash before Harrisburg’s public works department cleaned it up.

For years, Assad Brunner had to deal with the heaping pile of trash on the property next to his restaurant, Sad’s Soul Food Café in Allison Hill.

“It was hurting my business,” he said.

But on Thursday, Harrisburg officials stood in front of a clean, trash-free lot, explaining that this is just the beginning of their cleanup plans.

Over the span of two days, Harrisburg public works personnel hauled out over 20 tons of trash that, for years, was illegally dumped on the blighted property.

“Behind me, as of just a week ago, was one of the worst illegal dumping, accumulation of blight and trash, sites that I’ve seen anywhere in the City of Harrisburg,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “We decided to mount a collective action.”

Cleaned up property at 1704 Walnut St.

Walk around the neighborhood, and you’ll see a number of blighted properties. While this has been an issue for years, the public works department is finally reaching the size and receiving the resources to be able to address the issue, Papenfuse said.

The department has doubled in size over the past eight years, according to the city. Public Works Director Nate Spriggs took his position just a few weeks ago, but has hired five new workers in that amount of time. City officials also pointed out the newly purchased machinery that makes large-scale trash cleanups possible.

Harrisburg began cleaning up a property on 18th Street on Thursday.

Just around the corner, on Tuesday, the city demolished a house on 18^th Street. The house was blighted and blocking public works from removing a large pile of trash in the backyard.

On Thursday, a crew was finally able to access the trash.

Mike Mayo, who lives in the neighboring house, stood across the street watching.

“It’s a relief,” he said. “It was scary. It was like a landfill.”

Mayo recalled hearing rats and seeing the animals crawling around the house and the pile of trash.

“Since they knocked the house down, I haven’t really heard much,” he said.

Harrisburg recently demolished a blighted building on 18th Street and began cleaning up trash from the rear of the property.

Crews also worked to clean up a property on Curtin Street in Uptown Harrisburg on Thursday morning.

To ensure the Walnut Street lot doesn’t fill up with trash again, security cameras were installed on Brunner’s Café and a fence was built. If trash is illegally dumped, the city will prosecute, Papenfuse said.

Currently, Dave Patton, city codes enforcement officer, said he is in search for a long-term solution to illegal dumping and blight. He’s serving on a statewide blight task force to support creating legislation that holds property owners accountable, especially those who purchase tax sale properties.

With all of these efforts, Papenfuse said the city is finally beginning to make substantial progress on the longstanding problem.

“We have a large backlog of illegal dumped sites throughout the city,” Papenfuse said. “We are going to make sure people see a noticeable difference moving forward.”

But for residents like Mayo, these efforts are just a small dent in a huge issue.

He pointed out several other properties on the block that were abandoned or blighted.

“It becomes second nature; you get so used to seeing it,” he said. “There are so many. This is just like scratching the surface.”

To report blight, residents can call the city at 311 or 717-255-3040.

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

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

October 28, 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:

Add to calendar [NEW]
For your weekend planning:
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Like this content?

Need something NEW to do? Spooky season: a new nightclub opens; trick-or-treats galore; Boneshire 5-Year

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: Trick-or-Treat, Bo’s 4th Birthday, more.

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

Add to calendar [NEW]

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: Free vodka | Free hard kombucha
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

Make these Jell-O shots for Halloween
Enjoy these Halloween-themed Soundscapes from Market Square Concerts
Boneshire Brew Works 5-Year Anniversary
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!

Thursday

Trick or Treat night at The Broad Street Market!
Mamma Mia! at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Throwback Thursdays with DJ Caraby at The Englewood
Josh Cohen & Julian Levinson: How to Live. What to Do: In Search of Ourselves in Life and Literature with the Midtown Scholar
Blitz Dynette at The Englewood

Friday

Learn @ Lunchtime with The State Museum of Pennsylvania: Treasures from the Vault: The Leroy Hopkins’ Ike Jacket
Shoo-Fly Porter in Back! at Lancaster Brewing Co.
Open Stage presents White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
Mamma Mia! at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Hersheypark in the Dark
Theatre Harrisburg presents THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
Hedwig and the Angry Itch at The Ephrata Performing Arts Center
Halloween Boozy Milkshakes! at Midstate Distillery
Harrisburg University Presents The Record Company at XL Live
Boneshire Anniversary Weekend! – Anniversary Live @ The Shire: Lil Brother Band
King Fest at Midtown Cinema
Odyssey Opening Night at former Hops, Vines, & Spirits Tasting Room
Halloween Weekend! at SpringGate
HarrisburgBuzz.com Launch Party at La Cultura
TMI Improv featuring Andy Shaw + Costume Contest
HYP New Member Social at Susquehanna Art Museum
Pete Henry with Shine Delphi at The Englewood
The Rocky Horror Show LIVE at Mickey’s Black Box at Rock Lititz
For King + For Country at GIANT Center

Saturday

5th Annual City Island Haunted House 5K & Half Marathon
Friends of Midtown Dog Costume Party at Broad Street Market
Halloween at Whitaker
Halloween Fun at The Shoppes at Susquehanna
Ashcombe Fall Harvest Days
The York County Ale Trail Brew Bus
The York County Ale Trail Original Walking Tour
Open Stage presents White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
Hersheypark in the Dark
Pumpkin Glow at Hershey Gardens
Market on Chocolate
The Coexist Farmers Market
New Cumberland Farmers’ Market on 4th – Find more local markets here
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Mamma Mia! at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Hedwig and the Angry Itch at The Ephrata Performing Arts Center
Theatre Harrisburg presents THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
Harrisburg University Presents Cold War Kids at XL Live
Adult Halloween Costume Party at Newfangled
Boneshire Anniversary Weekend! – Anniversary Live @ The Shire: Nate Myers
The Rocky Horror Picture Show | at Midtown Cinema
The 4th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl – Harrisburg
Odyssey Masquerade Ball at the former Hops, Vines, & Spirits Tasting Room
Halloween Weekend! at SpringGate
Halloween Hike & Campfire at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
The Lobster Band to perform at Etters VFW Halloween Party
Crippled But Free at The Englewood
2021 Virtual Workshops in Archaeology at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: HIDDEN STORIES: UNCOVERING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH ARCHAEOLOGY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CPHL Radio presents Dracula at The Pollock Center
Fall Garden Series: How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter at Wildwood Park
The Rocky Horror Show LIVE at Mickey’s Black Box at Rock Lititz
Fall Harvest Festival at Armstrong Valley Winery
Middletown Business Association Halloween Mixer
Stumpy’s Halloween Throwdown
Hershey Bears v Cleveland Monsters

Sunday

Just Plain Yoga Virtual Monthly Yin Yoga
NFL Football on the BIG Screen at The Englewood
Halloween Brunch with Abigail’s Garden at Mount Gretna Brewery
The York County Ale Trail Original Walking Tour
Sunday Family Day at Stumpy’s Hatchet House Hershey
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Mamma Mia! at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Ashcombe Fall Harvest Days
Hersheypark in the Dark
Pumpkin Glow at Hershey Gardens
Open Stage presents White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
Bare Bones Ensemble presents The Rocky Horror Show at Federal Taphouse
Theatre Harrisburg presents THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
MAGIC BEANS wsg LITZ (HAPPY HALLOW-BEAN!) @ XL LIVE
Fall Block Party at Elementary Coffee (North St)
Trick or Treat Night in downtown Carlisle
Boneshire Anniversary Weekend!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show | at Midtown Cinema
Halloween (1978) | at Midtown Cinema
The Harrisburg Record Riot!
Halloween Weekend! at SpringGate
Halloween Millworks Artist Mixer at City House B&B
Fall Harvest Festival at Armstrong Valley Winery
Halloween Radio Theater at Center Street Grille
Hershey Bears v Cleveland Monsters

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

Like this content?

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

Treemendous Effort: Harrisburg prepares for street tree planting blitz, seeks community help

October 27, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Volunteers at a past tree planting in Harrisburg.

A few Harrisburg streets will soon look greener.

The city plans to plant 85 trees on Nov. 11 to 14 in Harrisburg neighborhoods, and officials are looking for community members willing to get their hands dirty.

Over the course of four days, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, Harrisburg will plant trees in four locations in the Allison Hill and Riverside neighborhoods.

“The streets are going to be noticeably greener,” said city Forester Ellen Roane. “In a couple of years, it will be a huge difference.”

Roane listed some of the trees that the city will plant, including ginko, chinkapin oak, tulip poplar and elm trees, among other types.

The trees were purchased through a grant from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Pennsylvania TreeVitalize Program.

In the spring, Roane held a “Tree Tenders” workshop in partnership with TreeVitalize to train local volunteers on tree planting.

While some volunteers helped with planning the planting event, Roane said they will need many more volunteers to help with the four-day event.

For those interested in volunteering, Roane asks that they sign up via email at [email protected] or by calling the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities at 717-255-3003.

The city will have some tools available for volunteers, but she encourages people to bring their own. These include shovels, mattocks, picks, rakes and gloves.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the following locations at 9 a.m. for planting demonstrations:

Thursday, Nov. 11 – 704 N 16^th St.
Friday, Nov. 12 – Riverside Fire Station, 3201 N 4^th St.
Saturday, Nov. 13 – Beyesus Church, 2401 N 4^th St.
Sunday, Nov. 14 – 3101 Green St.

Roane said that members of the planning team conducted outreach about the free tree planting program before selecting neighborhoods. Streets with significant interest from neighbors were chosen to maximize the impact of the planting, she explained.

With neighborhood support, future plantings could happen in other neighborhoods, as well, Roane said.

For more information, visit the Harrisburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities website.

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

New family-owned grocery store in Uptown Harrisburg offers fresh food to the community

October 25, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Camila Contreras, Ramon Contreras and Yamelyn Vargas (from left) in Market Fresh

A rainbow of apples, bananas, pineapples, blueberries, mangos and oranges filling crates and baskets will easily catch shoppers’ eyes when they walk inside.

And those are just the fruit options.

At Market Fresh, a brand new grocery store on N. 6^th Street in Harrisburg, the name says it all—it’s fresh.

“This area didn’t have a lot of fresh vegetable and fruit options. We wanted to supply that for the community,” said Camila Contreras, who runs the store along with her father Ramon Contreras and his wife Yamelyn Vargas.

Ramon, originally from the Dominican Republic, isn’t new to the grocery industry. He’s owned a handful of corner stores along the east coast over the past 30 years. But Market Fresh, he said, is his biggest store yet.

After conducting a market study, Camila said that the family settled on their Uptown location, noticing the need for a grocery store in the neighborhood.

“We realized everything was really far away,” she said. “He [Ramon] saw it as an opportunity to grow and help the community out.”

Market Fresh officially opened on Friday with a great turnout, Camila said. On Monday morning, customers strolled in, scoping out the shop. Some purchased freshly sliced meats and cheese from the deli counter and filled plastic sacks with veggies.

Produce at Market Fresh

“It’s very pleasant and very clean,” said Harrisburg resident Ann Snipes on her first trip to the shop. “This is something the community needs. The Dollar Store isn’t giving you fresh food.”

In addition to the fresh meats and produce, the store has aisles full of frozen and packaged items. A row of freezers chill frozen fruit, waffles, ice cream, vegetables and frozen meals. There are English muffins, bagels, sliced bread and over 10 different kinds of peanut butter. There’s cereal, pasta, baking items, household and paper products, coffee and tea, pet food and baby food.

Camila also pointed out the large number of Goya and other Latino cuisine products.

“Because the area is really mixed [culturally], we tried to supply food that catered to everyone in the community,” Vargas said.

Ramon said that he plans to feel out what the community would like to see at Market Fresh and is open to taking suggestions from customers.

“It may take awhile to figure out what items people like,” he said. “I hope the community supports me.”

Market Fresh on N. 6th Street

Ramon learned to do business from his parents’ example, he said. They came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in the 1990s and opened a corner store. Ramon learned the family trade and began following in their footsteps.

Now, his daughter Camila is doing the same, helping her father and stepmother run Market Fresh while she finishes her last year of college, studying business management.

It took the family two years to transform their space on N. 6^th Street into what it is today, as the pandemic delayed its opening. Ramon is proud of his new shop. He sees how far he’s come over the last 30 years of business.

“I’m really happy,” he said. “Now that I see it done, I feel great. My hope is to offer the best services and quality to the community.”

Market Fresh is located at 2446 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. It is open on Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

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

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

What’s inside:

Add to calendar [NEW]

For your weekend planning:

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Like this content?

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like