Just Down the Street: Joe Mama’s may be the ultimate in neighborhood eats

July 30, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Jennifer Stretch & Jane Smith

If you happened to patronize The Loft Restaurant in New Cumberland, you may have wondered what happened to the mother-daughter duo who ran the place that was known for made-from-scratch fare.

Today, you’ll find them at a simple, unpretentious eatery on Derry Street called Joe Mama’s, where the food is the focal point.

“My dad died four days after we opened The Loft in 2015, and my brother Joe died a year after that,” said owner Jennifer Stretch, explaining that the two needed to take time to grieve and heal before they were able to confront the ever-present challenges of the restaurant business.

One of the first things customers will see upon entering the dining area is a large, smiling portrait of Joseph Stretch III, along with his birth and death year and a touching poem reminding mom and sis to reflect back on his life with a smile and enjoy the sunny days ahead.

“He was only 39,” Stretch said.

These days, it appears the two are taking that advice and living in the moment as they smile and chat with customers, while preparing breakfast and lunch.

What Works

Stretch said that the restaurant business is in her blood.

“My grandma Donna Bechtel owned the Dutch Diner in Palmyra and raised us waitressing around the clock,” she said. “From that, I learned the hard work ethic, the fast-paced hustle and people skills.”

She transferred those skills to a food truck business about 12 years ago.

“We made breakfast to order and roasted turkey, which we hand-carved,” she said.

Unfortunately, it failed to take off.

“In this business, you learn what works and what doesn’t, sometimes too late,” she said. “Instead of staying in one place, we kept driving the truck around looking for clientele, and it didn’t help that the truck was old and kept breaking down on us.”

Stretch feels more confident this time that she and her mother are in it for the long haul, COVID be damned.

“Before the pandemic, we had 13 tables inside,” she said. “Now, we have three outside and three inside.”

They celebrated their third year in business on July 1, and the increase in takeout and catering has kept everything humming along.

“We worked the whole way through the pandemic,” Stretch said. “For us, it was a blessing and a curse. Yes, we have to work harder, and it’s difficult to find help. That’s a negative, but, at the same time, we’re thriving.”

Stretch also credits her indefatigable mother, Jane Smith, for standing by her side, working along with her over the years.

“Jen said, ‘Mom, you can decorate,’ and I ended up cooking,” said Smith. “I want to help Jen be successful so that, when I go, I can be assured that she’s fine. That’s what will make me happy.”

So Blessed

According to Stretch, the late risers enjoy the fact that she offers all-day breakfast.

“Our cheesesteak omelets are popular, along with our huge breakfast sandwiches,” she said.

Also popular is homemade pork sausage that is made on site, along with roast ham and turkey. Sandwiches are served on their signature sourdough, and shrimp and grits fly out the door, along with chicken and waffles. Another draw is the $5 fish and fries offered every Wednesday and Friday.

“We’ve had to raise our prices, but we’ll never get rid of that special,” said Stretch.

Painter Chuck Edwards is a regular customer and a fan of the fish and fries.

“The fish sandwich is big!” he said, adding that the eatery is right down the street from his house and very convenient. “I enjoy everything they serve there and usually order the turkey sausage, egg and cheese wrap.”

Michelle Parson, who works at nearby Edwin L. Heim Co., is another fan of the establishment.

“We use them for catering, and what we like is that they make the food fresh, onsite,” Parson said. “Our associates enjoy the pulled pork, the macaroni salad and their other salads.”

Stretch recently decided to usher in the warmer months with an addition to the business.

“I fixed up the shed and rented it out so that customers can now treat themselves to Ed’s Water Ice,” she said.

For now, Stretch is exactly where she wants to be.

“I love the fast pace, and I love to feed people,” she said. “I feel like it’s very intimate, and it’s how I connect to them on a personal level.”

The mother-daughter duo said that they’ve been so buoyed by their success that they may consider moving to a larger place in the future.

“We are so blessed,” said Smith.

Joe Mama’s Kitchen and Catering is located at 2233 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-307-9593 or visit their Facebook page.

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Pedal & Paint: Sprocket Mural Works teams up with Recycle Bicycle on reimagined mural for new bike shop location

July 30, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

When I visited Recycle Bicycle in Harrisburg in 2019, I’d never seen so many bikes in one place before. At the time, they had a literal mountain of bikes piled in the middle of their warehouse on Atlas Street in Uptown Harrisburg.

That was in September 2019, and volunteers at the nonprofit were preparing to move the thousands of bicycles and equipment out of the building, which had recently been sold. Within a month, they found a new home on Chestnut Street in Allison Hill, returning them to the neighborhood the organization had worked out of for over 20 years before moving to Uptown.

Recycle Bicycle operated out of the Atlas Street warehouse for four years, providing free bikes to community members, teaching them how to repair them and to stay safe while riding.

While the crew packed up, longtime volunteer and board member Jenifer Donnelly climbed the ladder to a loft in the warehouse. Tucked among the tools, she found something familiar.

In 2015, Recycle Bicycle’s building became one of Sprocket Mural Works’ first canvasses in the city. A large mural was installed on the front of the brick building, covering the garage doors and windows with a whimsical scene of children and swirling purples and blues.

Up in the loft in 2019, Donnelly found the stencils that were used to create the work of art.

“That mural became a part of who we were,” she said. “It really was our identity.”

Donnelly kept the stencils, and volunteers pulled off a few panels from the mural as Recycle Bicycle packed up and rolled out, quite literally, headed to their new building in Allison Hill.

Recycle Bicycle settled into its new home, but the building was missing one thing.

In mid-July, I met up with Donnelly and other volunteers with Recycle Bicycle and Sprocket Mural Works as they cut out over 100 stencils for a new mural that would bring the bike shop full circle.

Steering Force

Artist Ralphie Seguinot was the quiet force behind the bright, bold painting on Recycle Bicycle’s Atlas Street mural and the reimagined new piece on Allison Hill.

The mural at Recycle Bicycle’s previous location was one of Seguinot’s first times creating such a large-scale work of art. He was inspired by the nonprofit’s mission of helping those in need in the community and, having two kids of his own, he connected with their priority of serving youth.

Seguinot took art classes in grade school, but never had any formal training. Inspired by famous street artist Banksy, Seguinot started teaching himself how to paint in 2013.

After the Recycle Bicycle mural, he worked with Sprocket to create a similar style mural, again featuring a child, on the side of the Sayford Market in Midtown Harrisburg.

During the pandemic, Seguinot admitted his art took a backseat. He was unmotivated and uninspired—until Sprocket asked him to paint yet another mural for Recycle Bicycle, where it had all started.

“I’m extremely appreciative that they’re willing to have me come back into their space,” he said. “I’m humbled that people enjoy what I’ve been doing.”

The new mural spans the front and sides of the bike shop in Allison Hill. The focus is on a child riding a bike, again with lots of color splashed on the background.

“I really like his art because of the way it makes people feel,” said Megan Caruso, Sprocket Mural Works’ co-founder. “I just find them to be really pure and colorful, and people respond to them.”

Caruso said that, while using stencils is a common form of street art, she didn’t know of any other artists who used stencils to create such large-scale murals.

Volunteer Trish Newdeck helped cut the stencils for the mural, which brought together two organizations that she loved. Through Newdeck’s son, who used to volunteer with Recycle Bicycle, she got to witness the work that they did in the community and fell in love with their mission. Newdeck also volunteered with Sprocket before, helping with the Jackson Hotel mural, which collapsed with the building in 2021, and painting a duck statue downtown.

“I really appreciate the work that both organizations are doing, so it was really a no-brainer,” she said.

In Tandem

The Recycle Bicycle mural is part of the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which also includes creating a pocket park in Midtown and painting murals to celebrate Black lives.

This project holds a special significance to Caruso, who loves the idea of working with another small nonprofit in Harrisburg.

“There’s a kinship because we are very similar,” Caruso said. “They’re bringing a lot of joy to the community. For us, it’s through art and, for them, it’s through bikes.”

Donnelly explained that Recycle Bicycle raised half of the funds for the mural project through donations from supporters. Having a mural on their new building was important to them and to their mission of creating a community space.

“When you do something like this to a building, it just brings all eyes to you,” she said. “It will seal our identity in the community.”

Caruso was happy to partner with an organization that was excited to display their artwork on their building and that recognized the impact that beautification has on neighborhoods.

“Hopefully, it’ll catch a lot of attention,” she said. “Part of their history from Atlas Street can move to their new home.”

To learn more about Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg, visit www.rbhburg.org.

For more information about Sprocket Mural Works, visit www.sprocketmuralworks.com.

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Pasta con Corny: Take Italy, add some central PA, serve

July 30, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I love corn. Always have. From making chicken corn soup every summer—when corn is at its best—to corn fritters, corn chutney, and spicy corn salads for cookouts.

This summer, I have been breaking fresh ears in half, brushing them with melted butter and cooking them on our gas grill for about 10 to 15 minutes until they are lightly charred. My little grandchildren love these sweet-as-sugar treats.

From the humdrum side dish that seems to have always accompanied meatloaf at the school cafeteria, to the obligatory baked corn custard for Thanksgiving dinner, corn as a vegetable has had a rather humble culinary history. But in recent years, it has certainly moved its way up the food chain.

Corn has made its way into risottos, tacos and burritos, cheese dips, potato casseroles, omelets, and most exciting of all, pastas!

Earlier in the summer, I found a pasta recipe by the noted New York Times food writer, Melissa Clark. I have followed Ms. Clark’s recipes for a while and have found them innovative and different. She focuses on intriguing combinations of ingredients and new ways of preparing them.

“Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil” tastes like summer on a plate. It seems rich, but it is not. The creaminess comes from pureeing fresh sauteed corn with a little water. The scallions and basil impart such a fresh taste. The red pepper gives the dish a wonderful kick. I couldn’t stop eating this pasta, stealing extra spoons full as I was packing up leftovers.

The directions say that preparation of this pasta takes 30 minutes. It took me longer than that, but it was worth it. I also altered the amounts of corn and pasta water used and eliminated the lemon juice at the end. Here is the recipe as I made it. (I got to use my new blender, having put my 1970s Harvest Gold Oster to its final rest.)

Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil

Ingredients

Fine sea salt
12 ounces pasta (I used high protein Barilla “bowties”)
1 tablespoon olive oil plus extra for drizzling
1 bunch scallions, (about 8) thinly sliced and keeping the white and green parts separate (thin ones are best)
3 ears corn, shucked and kernels cut from the cob
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
1/3 cup torn fresh basil or mint (I used basil)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta one less minute than the package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving a full cup of the pasta cooking water.
In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add scallion whites with a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add ¼ cup water and all but ¼ cup of the cut corn kernels. Simmer until the corn is almost tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Transfer the corn mixture to a blender and puree until smooth, adding a little extra water if needed to get a “pourable” liquid.
Heat the butter in the same skillet and add the reserved ¼ cup corn. Cook until tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Add the corn puree from the blender and heat it briefly.
Add the pasta and some of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet. (I eventually used almost ¾ of a cup to get the right consistency.)
When the pasta is “loose and creamy,” stir in the scallion greens, the Parmesan, the chopped basil, the red pepper flakes and additional salt and pepper to taste. Ms. Clark suggests sprinkling a little lemon juice at this point. (I eliminated the lemon, but will try next time.)
Serve in warmed pasta bowls with a drizzle of olive oil on top and a little extra grated cheese.

The only additions I felt I needed to this meal were a platter of sliced tomatoes with a nice vinaigrette, some cold white wine, and a vase of sunflowers on the table.

When learning of this recipe our Burg editor called it “Italy meets central Pennsylvania.” He is right!

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The Band’s Back: HU Presents welcomes big-name musicians, turns up the volume after a music-less year

July 30, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Frank Schofield

Carlisle resident Megan Strong has been a fan of the rock band All Time Low for at least four years.

She’s seen them perform live multiple times, once in Hershey, another time in Philadelphia. Whenever All Time Low, or one of her other favorite punk-pop or rock bands would ask fans on social media where they wanted to see them play, Strong would comment “central Pennsylvania.” Her husband would laugh, joking that it would never happen.

But then it did.

By February 2020, Strong was singing along to her favorite All Time Low songs with the band members themselves at XL Live in Harrisburg.

“I couldn’t believe when I heard they were coming to Harrisburg,” she said.

She didn’t know it at the time, but that would be her last concert before COVID—a long music-less year for Strong, who described herself as “a huge concert-goer.” But now, over a year later, she holds tickets to what will be her first concert post-COVID—All Time Low at XL Live, again.

“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” she said. “One of my favorite things about concerts is being in a room full of people, there for the same thing, singing the same songs.”

All Time Low is just one of the over 20 bands and artists that Harrisburg University Presents is bringing to the area late this summer into fall. There’s singer-songwriter Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, rockers Young the Giant, alt-rock bands Grouplove and Cage the Elephant, and Mexican-acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, among many others. For a while, it seemed like HU Presents, the concert production team for the university, was announcing a new show every couple of weeks.

Harrisburg has been growing as a live music destination over the past few years, explained Frank Schofield, the director of live entertainment and media services at Harrisburg University. As the music world amps back up in a post-COVID world, HU has been working to continue building on the momentum they previously had.

But according to Schofield, there’s a lot that has to go on behind the scenes before an artist steps out on stage with a “Hello Harrisburg!”

Scoring Big

Schofield said that his secret pleasure is looking at artist lineups for upcoming music festivals. He scans the lists, noticing which band is trending or what artist is gaining popularity. But they have to pass a few tests. They have to be right for Harrisburg, and they have to be a band that Schofield himself would listen to.

When he finds a band that he has to have, that’s when the weeks of work begin. There’s a lot of logistical work, communicating back and forth with agents, deciding on a venue and choosing a date. It’s one long email thread that continues until Schofield sees one word—“confirmed.”

“Once it’s confirmed, boom, that’s the golden word,” he said. “It’s always a thrill. It’s like scoring a hockey goal.”

If Schofield were really playing hockey, he’d be carrying the team. He’s scored left and right with bands he’s convinced to make the trip to central PA. Jason Isbell and Cage the Elephant are a few of the big-name bands that he’s knocked into Harrisburg’s net, although, out of the over 20 bands he’s scheduled for this summer and fall, he couldn’t pick a favorite.

“It’s incredible the amount of work he’s done,” said Chris Conduit, venue manager at XL Live, a concert venue on S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg.

HU Presents and XL Live have been partners since 2018. Schofield handles all of the negotiating with agents and XL Live does ticketing and provides the space, staffing and set up for the show. The partnership has been vital to helping XL Live grow and attract bigger-name bands, Conduit said.

He explained the difficulty of booking bands at a relatively new venue like XL Live that hasn’t yet built up a resume of big-name performers. It’s especially hard to attract bands to Harrisburg, a smaller city, with the typical tour stops being in places like New York or Philadelphia. Often, Conduit and Schofield have to find bands that are traveling through the area on tour and snag them to make a stop.

“He [Schofield] doesn’t take no for an answer,” Conduit said. “He’s very determined.”

Not only has XL Live benefited from Schofield’s work, by being able to bring bigger artists into their venue, but the whole region has, as well, Conduit said.

“This is really good for Harrisburg,” he said. “Harrisburg hasn’t seen anything like this in decades.”

Turning Point

Schofield has always loved music. The former radio DJ at Wink 104 and iHeart Radio, among other stations, never thought he’d end up where he is, but he’s happy he landed at HU.

“I don’t think it was ever a planned destination or journey for me, but it’s perfect for me,” he said. “I run to work every day.”

Before COVID hit, Schofield had just pulled off HU’s biggest show yet—Death Cab for Cutie in Riverfront Park.

“That was the moment the industry took notice to what we were doing here,” he said. “It was a turning point for us.”

The same was true for XL Live, which was building momentum and getting ready for its biggest season yet.

But then the pandemic struck and all future concerts were cancelled. It was hard on Schofield, Conduit and the live entertainment industry as a whole.

“Nobody really talked about the live entertainment industry, that employs so many people, that was just decimated,” he said. “There wasn’t any fundraiser to help people out, and there weren’t any government funds for these people. People just lost their jobs.”

It was a slow year and a half of booking, cancelling, watching and waiting for Schofield, a stark contrast from the energetic months before. But as post-pandemic life came into focus, the industry quickly kicked back into gear.

“All of the sudden, it was like, ‘Bam!’ and alarm clock went off,” he said. “It was just nuts. For four or five weeks, everyone in the industry was just upside down.”

Schofield’s eyes would be blurry from reading and sending emails all day when he would get home from work. It was crazy, but exciting—live music was back.

Starting in mid-August, bands will take the stage in Riverfront Park, XL Live, Hershey Theatre and The Englewood.

Even as this concert season is just getting started, Schofield is already booking bands for 2022. Fans can expect to see some even bigger names headed to Harrisburg in the coming year.

But for now, he’s just excited to be headed back to concerts.

“Central PA has never had it so good,” he said.

For more information about Harrisburg University Presents or to purchase concert tickets, visit www.concertseries.harrisburgu.edu. To learn more about XL Live, visit www.xlhbg.com.

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Life Performers: A dreamy journey awaits in “Annette”

July 30, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“But where’s the stage, you wonder? Is it outside, or is it within?”

What a line to include in the opening number of director Leos Carax’s “Annette.”

And what an opening scene, even including Carax himself and the film’s writers, Ron and Russell Mael (of Sparks fame), on screen, playing the opening number while the cast strides down the streets of Santa Monica, announcing the beginning of the show. We are immediately thrust into the powerful draw of performance, a tone that is quickly set for the rest of the film and will quickly turn ominous as the story begins.

“Annette” details the love affair of Henry (Adam Driver), a ranting comedian whose shtick is unconventional, confusing and provocative—speckled with musical numbers by his backup singers who insist his jokes will make you laugh—and Ann (Marion Cotillard), an opera singer whose voice has brought her great fame, nurtured by her patient and secretly-in-love conductor (Simon Helberg).

Though the film reads as a rocky caricature of an opera, sung almost all the way through, it’s important that fans of musical theater not get too excited. There are very few scenes that will satisfy the musical lover’s hunger, though the film does leave a startling impression of a life in constant performance. Every character that crosses the screen in “Annette” is a part of the show, to the point that it can be exhausting at first, and a nod at some deeply unresolved need for Henry to constantly carry on his big act.

Though Henry and Ann’s relationship quickly falls into marriage, their would-be whirlwind romance feels a little bit off—or perhaps it is Henry that feels off. His unchecked antisocial nature is at the forefront of the story, as he seems pretty disconnected from emotions and tries to fake his way through them. This idea could not be any clearer than in Henry and Ann’s alone moments, in which they melodically repeat, “We love each other so much,” a line that would only need repeating if they have to convince themselves of it.

Almost immediately after marrying, the couple has a child, Annette. But with Henry’s provocative nature and the possibility that he has contributed to #MeToo culture numerous times, the seemingly happy parents’ relationship seems to be running out of fuel, and family life gets a little dicey, especially for Annette.

Annette, by the way, is an oddity in more than one way throughout the film. Just the anticipation of her birth causes dream sequences of a baby with a clown’s face. And, when she is born (and for the majority of the film, for that matter), she is depicted in CGI as some kind of living marionette, with wooden joints. In every frame she is in, she represents something to her parents—a reflection of their relationship, or of Henry’s need to feel in control.

Carax’s work in this film is absolutely brilliant. And, while the first half of the film is not exactly enjoyable (a better description would be uncomfortable and on edge), the way he weaves symbolism into every moment—and the careful transformation of the story—is fascinating. This is a perfect example of form before function. The second half of the film seems to focus more heavily on the story. Even the lyrics of the songs start off as hollow and childish, but slowly transform into something beautiful as those simplistic words begin to resonate in different circumstances. The music builds in complexity as these fragile characters start off desperately trying to confirm their emotions by stating them to the audience, then slowly come to grips with their realities by the end of the film.

The film boasts powerhouse performances by Driver, Cotillard and Helberg, as well as a heartbreakingly beautiful final scene that promises to satisfy even the most frustrated of audience members in this bizarre journey of a film. Even with that frustration, it is 100% worth the watch and will definitely give you lots to think about. “Annette” starts at Midtown Cinema in August.

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

AUGUST EVENTS

At Midtown Cinema

Down in Front! presents

“The Room” (2003)

Friday, Aug. 13, 9:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg

“Drop Dead Gorgeous” (1999)

Friday, Aug. 20, 9:30 p.m.

Outdoor Film Series

“The Lego Movie”

Saturday, Aug. 28, at dusk

(Rain date Aug. 29)

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Beat Goes On: Steve Swisher reflects on a lifetime of playing, gigging

July 30, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

Steve Swisher

Music has a way of getting into your blood, coursing deep into the heart and then seeping into your soul. For musicians, the experience is even more intense.

Steve Swisher doesn’t have longevity as much as he does a rock-and-roll affliction.

At age 59, he’s still doing things usually associated with musicians half his age. Playing, drumming and performing can serve as their own fountains of youth.

“I am young at heart,” said Swisher, with a chuckle. “My age is advanced, but I’m young at heart. Performing keeps you young, Music keeps you alive. All the positivity around it keeps you feeling young.”

Swisher has long been popular on the vibrant Harrisburg music scene, playing area clubs, bars and restaurants. But he’s also outgoing, genuine, talented and in tune with his audience.

Currently, Swisher is the drumming front man of the Swisher Sweets, a three-piece band that also features lead guitarist Joey Dalto and bass guitarist Phil Cannizaro. The Swisher Sweets are performing regulars at such Harrisburg-area hot spots as Flinchy’s, Dockside Willie’s and the Vineyard at Hershey.

In fact, this month, on Aug. 28 at the vineyard, the band will open for national recording artists, the Gin Blossoms.

From time to time, Swisher also provides percussion for live performances by the ultra-talented Shea Quinn.

“I do it for the love of music and the love of playing music,” said Swisher. “But right underneath that is the crowd and the support you get. When you’re up there, it’s just such a great feeling because you’re doing what you love to do.”

Before the Swisher Sweets came into being, Swisher and Quinn founded the Luv Gods in the late 1990s. Swisher was a big part of that band for 15 years, before moving on in 2016.

Over the last 40-some years, Swisher has contributed to no fewer than 20 local bands and musical groups.

“The (musical) talent in the Harrisburg area is really incredible,” he said. “There are a lot of great players, and they all know each other and support each other. It’s a way for everyone to be successful. But every musician has a different life, a different personality. When you get guys together, it’s got to gel, not only with the music, but also personality-wise.”

So Lucky

Swisher is a product of the 1970s and ‘80s, a time when pop music and rock and roll were really influencing popular culture. His origin as a musician was typical, in that he started playing drums with a garage band as a teenager.

“I was probably 12, my dad would play in a carnival band, and I would go see him,” said Swisher, a graduate of Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon. “I started playing the drums, even though I liked sports. I started to love it, and it was something I pursued. I kind of gave it up for a little while because I loved sports. Then I went back to music, just because I loved it.”

Swisher was an emerging presence on the local music scene when he moved to Harrisburg for a full-time job in the late 1990s. It was at that time that he began to fully understand the financial side of the music industry.

For musicians like Swisher, performing at local bars and restaurants can be a lucrative side hustle, but it is extremely difficult to make a full-time living at it.

“Over the years, I’ve definitely evolved talent-wise, but I also began to understand the business side of it,” he said. “I went out and chased downed the owners of places. I networked myself into places because I knew all we needed was a chance to get that first gig. I knew we were going to do well.”

Now, he said, the owners call him for gigs.

Approaching 60, Swisher cannot imagine a life without music and performing. He often looks ahead, but never at the past.

“I feel lucky and so fortunate to have been doing it that long, just playing with all the great players I’ve come to know,” he said. “I’ve never thought about quitting. I’ll never give it up, because I love the music and I love playing. I can see myself playing in a cocktail lounge when I’m 90 years old.”

For more information on the Swisher Sweets/Gin Blossoms concert, visit www.vineyardathershey.com. The Swisher Sweets can also be found on Facebook.

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Running in Circles: Three Mile Islanders running group bonds by running laps around City Island through the pandemic

July 30, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

It was the night before lockdown. Pandemic restrictions announced by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in March of 2020 were about to go into effect.

Among the slew of closures and event cancellations? Organized running groups and clubs.

That’s when a light bulb moment struck a group of Harrisburg-area runners, gathered at a local brewery. Ideas and plans hatched over beers often fizzle—but this one actually took hold.

Julia Tolosa of Harrisburg remembers it this way:

“We said, ‘Why don’t we meet at the island tomorrow night? We’ll see how it goes,’” said Tolosa, a nurse of 24 years. “Having a psych background, I was really concerned about what isolation would do to people.”

“The island” was City Island. And around 5 p.m., on March 17, 2020, the ragtag group of fewer than 10 runners met and ran the mile-long path that circles the island, three times.

“We said, ‘Let’s do it again tomorrow night,’ and we just kinda kept it up,” Tolosa said.

In fact, they still haven’t stopped. Every weeknight since, they’ve met to run three miles—hence, their name: The Three Mile Islanders, likely one of the few humorous references to the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, downstream.

A Win-Win

In the beginning, the group—like the rest of society—was trying to get a handle on COVID-19 facts.

“We thought the risk, being outside, had to be so very low,” said Tolosa. “I was more concerned about the mental toll.”

They were careful to run socially distanced. And while their feet did the running, their conversations ran the gamut.

“We could check on each other and talk about being in a global pandemic together, every night,” Tolosa said. “We could talk about what we saw on the news. We could talk about wild predictions—would it be similar to the Spanish flu?—all these things early on, were crazy discussions.”

Fears, information, frustrations, as well as glimmers of hope, were all shared on the run. What started as a running group morphed into much more.

“It’s like a therapy group. You need both physical and psychological health, for optimum health. Running can help both physically and psychologically, so running was a win-win,” said Tolosa. “And, sometimes, we just walked because the emotional toll of something that happened in life was too much.”

On a little island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, during the pandemic’s bleak moments, the group also found humor.

They named the island’s resident skunks—Dancing Snowflake was nearly all white, Junior was the smallest, and Bikini’s markings determined her name. One night, the runners chased and corralled a dog that had gotten loose. They made friends with other City Island regulars, including a family with a little boy who raced them every night.

One tradition continues. They celebrate every Friday by walking rather than running, followed by a stop at the island’s ice cream stand.

Lauren McIntire and her entire family come often.

“It’s given us a sense of normalcy. It was nice to see people through the quarantine and to be able to socialize with people outside our family,” said Lauren, of Camp Hill.

Her children are some of the youngest Three Mile Islanders.

“It was one of the few things keeping me from flipping over the edge of insanity,” said Lauren’s daughter, Bella, 13. “I’m actually better talking with adults. Kids my own age—you can tell they’re judging you, and plus you can have mature, civil conversations with adults. This group helped me overcome social anxiety—not being totally socially awkward.”

In the Long Run

One of the runners best known for telling funny stories and cheering up others is Ali Firoozmand of Harrisburg.

“We had so many laughs and cries, unbelievable discussions—I don’t know what I would have done without this group through the pandemic,” said Firoozmand, a retiree who lives alone. “I don’t see my family as often as I see these people.”

He was one of the original runners who came on day one. And he’s hardly missed a day since. In fact, a few times, he was the lone Three Mile Islander looping the island, solo. The group, all friends of friends, has grown to 30-ish runners.

“The support from this group is awesome,” said Firoozmand. “As a society, we think a man shouldn’t show his emotions, but there’s no shame in crying or being sad or upset—just share it. Holding it inside is much worse in the long run.”

Melissa Powell of Harrisburg never belonged to a running group before joining the Three Mile Islanders.

“When they said they run every day, I said, ‘I can’t do that.’ I was lagging behind in the beginning,” Powell said. “Six months in, my body started to adjust, I started losing weight, getting more muscular and confident.”

That confidence propelled Powell to run the Capital 10-Miler this past spring—her longest run ever.

“I had been running for years, but I never had running friends,” Powell said. “I wasn’t expecting this—I wasn’t searching for this. I wish I could say the same about my love life.”

Full Circle

As vaccine rates increase and mask restrictions lift, will the group continue?

“I don’t ever see us ending,” said Firoozmand.

Weather certainly hasn’t stopped them. They’ve run through sleet, snow and “wind that has gusted so bad you just laugh because you want to cry,” said Tolosa. Bad weather drove them into the City Island parking garage a few times—they ran under cover, up and down the ramps.

Otherwise, “we’ve never gotten sick of looping this island three times a night, and we’ve never been at a loss for words,” said Tolosa. “This island was like our little sanctuary.”

The pandemic may be coming full circle, but this tight-knit circle of runners is still, well, running circles.

“We bonded through a really traumatic time in our world’s history,” said Tolosa. “COVID has been a terrible thing, but we created something awesome through it.”

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August News Digest

July 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Council Approves Projects, Artifact Sale

At a final legislative meeting before taking a summer break, Harrisburg City Council last month approved two development projects.

A village of tiny homes for veterans on S. Front Street can move forward, along with a mixed-use office and apartment building on N. Cameron Street.

The tiny home village received a vote of 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

The project was proposed last year by the nonprofit Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, which plans to build 15 tiny houses and a community center at 1103 S. Front St. to provide temporary housing and support services for homeless veterans.

At the council meeting, some residents expressed concern with the site of the project, saying that it was prone to flooding.

However, representatives with the nonprofit said that, while the area is in the floodplain, they plan to build the houses a few feet off of the ground, alleviating flooding concerns.

In a 5-2 council vote, another development proposal—converting a long-abandoned building into office and apartment space on Cameron Street—got the go-ahead. Council President Wanda Williams and council member Danielle Bowers voted in opposition.

Bowers explained that she would not vote for the project because developer Harrisburg Commercial Interiors would not commit to participating in the city’s affordable housing program.

In other council action last month, Harrisburg will move towards ending what has been a long process in dealing with artifacts purchased by former Mayor Steve Reed. In 2015, numerous collectibles and artifacts were seized from Reed’s home and storage units, many bought with public money.

Council approved a resolution to work with Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, as well as Reed’s estate, to auction off the remaining items and split the funds between the city, estate and auction company.

On the topic of Harrisburg history, council also approved the adoption of updated “Historic District Design and Preservation Guidelines,” which lay out the rules for property changes and repairs for houses in the city’s historic districts.

Council is on summer hiatus until Aug. 24.

Senior Housing Proposed

A new affordable housing initiative for seniors has been proposed in Harrisburg.

The almost $15 million “Bethel Village” would constitute the largest phase of the “Jackson Square” project at N. 6th and Herr streets, according to Ryan Sanders, co-owner of Harrisburg-based RB Development.

Along with RB Development, Paladin Development, a branch of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, Gardner Capital Development and Bethel AME Church are partners in the project.

The proposed four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building would be available for low-income seniors 62 years of age and older. It would provide one- and two-bedroom rental units ranging in price from $300 to $1,000 per month.

Generally, residents would pay about 30% of their income on rent, explained Ava Goldman of Gardner Capital, which specializes in providing affordable senior living. They plan to have designated units for visually and hearing impaired residents, as well.

Previously, Sanders had proposed a market-rate, mixed-use residential and commercial complex for the site.

The proposed site of the project sits on the land where the historic Bethel AME Church once stood before burning down in 1995. The lot currently contains paved parking and grassy areas.

Bethel Village developers are under contract with both Bethel AME, which owns about one-third of the proposed ¾-acre building site, and owners of the connected lots.

New Owners, Plans for Midtown Bars

Two Midtown bars once targeted for closure by Harrisburg’s mayor have been sold, with plans to create a restaurant, retail space and apartments.

Last month, restaurateur Josh Kesler bought 1400 N. 3rd St., which most recently housed the Third Street Café, and, before that, the 1400 Club and Club Wanda’s.

Kesler, who owns the Millworks in Midtown and the Watershed Pub in Camp Hill, said that he would like to open a two-floor restaurant/bar, but doesn’t yet have a firm plan for the two-story, 2,500-square-foot space.

“I want to do something cool and creative, something that adds uniqueness to the neighborhood,” said Kesler, who paid $153,000 for the building.

He expects to complete the renovation and open in 2022.

The Third Street Café has been closed since April under terms of a conditional licensing agreement between the owners and the PA Liquor Control Board. The owners since have placed the license into safekeeping, according to their attorney, Chris Wilson.

The co-owners of the Third Street Café, Anthony Paliometros and the heirs of the late Frank Karnouskos, also owned the building next door, 1402 N. 3rd St., once the home of the Taproom bar.

Sean Linder and his Bethlehem-based investment group, SJL Rentals LLC, bought that building for $231,000.

Linder said that he plans to undertake a restoration of the three-story, 4,000-square-foot building, creating five market-rate apartments with commercial space on the first floor. He also plans a small addition in the rear, which would add another 350 square feet of space.

“Midtown is obviously an up-and-coming area,” Linder said, when asked why he was interested in the building. “There’s a lot of great development going on in the city.”

Linder credited Justin Heinly of Midtown Property Management for bringing the property to his attention and mentioned that anyone interested in the first-floor retail space should contact Heinly.

He said he expects to complete the building renovation by spring 2022.

Notably, in 2015, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse tried to revoke the business licenses of both bars, claiming that they were “nuisance bars.”

Dave Larche, then the owner of the Taproom, agreed to close his bar and later sold his building to his next-door neighbors, Paliometros and Karnouskos. For their part, Paliometros and Karnouskos repeatedly appealed the city’s business license revocation, eventually winning their case in court.

Alice Anne Schwab, the executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, located directly across the street from the bars, said that she looks forward to the renovations of the two buildings.

“We’re super-excited about something positive happening there,” she said. “The proposals I have heard about are really very much in keeping with businesses that are above board and operate with the public interest in mind.”

Kesler said that, in part, he was motivated to make the purchase in order to add to the growing vibrancy of the Midtown commercial district on 3rd Street, where numerous small businesses have opened recently.

Linder added that he also wanted to ensure that the block retained its architectural character.

“For years, they just let their beautiful buildings deteriorate,” he said. “There’s so much historical integrity there that needs to be preserved.”

Business Grant Program

Through a local grant program, some Harrisburg businesses have a chance at receiving financial support.

Impact Harrisburg last month rolled out its “Making an Impact” funding to benefit projects that impact the city economically.

“We can affirm that access to our funding has been a benefit to the economic structure and overall wellbeing of our community,” said Gloria Martin-Roberts, board chair of Impact Harrisburg.

The program will distribute $300,000 to eligible businesses and nonprofits. Eligible projects include those that wouldn’t have adequate funding otherwise and will be started immediately. Businesses must also contribute a match to the project, financial or otherwise, and have annual net revenues of $500,000 or less.

The Impact Harrisburg board plans to focus on assisting minority-owned businesses, Martin-Roberts said.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 for activities such as minor construction, building façade improvements, equipment purchases, furniture and fixture purchases, installation costs and job training, explained Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg.

In May 2020, Impact Harrisburg, along with the city, distributed around $1.5 million in “Neighborhood Business Stabilization” grant money to 314 small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That program allowed businesses to utilize funds for general administrative expenses like rent, mortgage and payroll. This new round of funding cannot be used for those purposes, Dow-Ford said.

Dow-Ford described the “Making an Impact” program as “small, but mighty,” with the possibility to uplift often overlooked organizations in the city.

“This is a good news story in Harrisburg,” she said.

Home Sales, Prices Rise

Harrisburg-area home sales continued to show strength in June, in terms of both transactions and prices.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that 819 housing units sold in June, compared to 530 in June 2020, while the median price rose to $228,000 from $199,900 a year ago.

Last year, the number of home sales was depressed due to the pandemic. A better comparison may be June 2019, when 850 houses sold for a median price of $190,788.

In Dauphin County, 376 homes sold in June for a median price of $209,000, versus $179,950 the previous year. In Cumberland County, 394 houses sold for a median price of $258,500, compared to $224,900 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Prices also were up in Perry County, where 35 houses sold for a median price of $200,000 versus $175,900 last year.

Houses were also selling quickly. According to GHAR, the “average day on market” dropped to 16 days in the three-county area, compared to 45 days last year and 41 days the year before.

So Noted

Camp Curtin Memorial-Mitchell UMC Church has been purchased by a Harrisburg couple, Chris and Erica Bryce, for $50,000. Two years ago, the Susquehanna Methodist Conference put six churches on the market as it consolidated congregations. Chris Bryce said that he had no firm plans yet for the building, but that conversion to apartments was probable.

Dustin LeBlanc was named last month as the managing director of the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland. In this position, LeBlanc will be responsible for most operations of the 81-year-old theater, which is set to reopen next year following a renovation.

Eric Turman last month was sworn in as the new superintendent of the Harrisburg School District. Turman, the former principal of Reading High School in Reading, replaces Chris Celmer, who served as acting superintendent until a permanent replacement was hired.

Fresh Pressed HBG held its grand opening last month at 221 N. 2nd St. in downtown Harrisburg. It’s the second location for the York-based business, which offers juices, smoothies and cleanses.

Harrisburg University last month announced “Tech ‘n Town Week,” which will feature concerts, a crypto-currency conference and the return of the e-sports tournament, the HUE Invitational, among other events. The festival takes place Sept. 19 to 25, with full information at www.harrisburgu.edu/tech-n-town-week.

H*MAC’s former owners last month were awarded $4.7 million in actual and punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit. A Dauphin County judged ruled that John Traynor and the former partnership of Bartlett, Traynor & London, which owned the Midtown Harrisburg arts and entertainment venue, were defamed by online comments that later turned out to be false.

Kipona will return next month with a live, three-day festival in Riverfront Park and on City Island, according to Harrisburg officials. The Labor Day weekend event will feature art, music, food vendors, fireworks, a beer garden and Native American cultural performances, among other activities. Due to the pandemic, much of last year’s festival was held virtually.

Trader Joe’s is slated to open its first store in central PA next year, as it repurposes about 12,500 square feet of space in the former Camp Hill Bon-Ton in Lower Allen Township. Trader Joe’s has about 500 stores in 42 states and is known for offering high-quality food products at affordable prices.

Verber Dental Group last month announced Search Dental, a $2.5 million dental facility, which will open in Silver Spring Township in April 2022. The 7,500-square-foot, 12-operatory facility is the first phase in a 3.5-acre dental campus located adjacent to Cumberland Valley High School, according to Verber.

Zachary’s BBQ & Soul opened last month as the newest restaurant concept at H*MAC in Midtown Harrisburg. Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor offers his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken, as well as some bar food favorites.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2527: D. Sharp to H. Alberto, $69,900

Bellevue Rd., 1915: J. Charles & D. Vanlee to C. Bouslama, $61,000

Benton St., 700: J. Sourbeer to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000

Berryhill St., 1506: RWH Properties LLC to RRMM Real Estate LLC, $42,000

Berryhill St., 1645: M. & M. Quinones to P. & C. Baquero, $46,100

Berryhill St., 2016 & 2020: Staley Berryhill Street Properties LLC to W. Stanley, $850,000

Berryhill St., 2146: J. Elias Holdings LLC to R. & C. Murphy, $65,000

Berryhill St., 2258: T. Baka & R. Teklit to E. Tesfamicael & L. Ghebremichael, $50,000

Boas St., 405: J. Varner & C. Fowler to H. Lewis, $185,000

Boas St., 424: C. Furlong to J. Smith, $170,000

Boas St., 1907: Ultra Renovations and Investments Inc. to T. Roebuck, $115,000

Brookwood St., 2314: E. Hager to M. Kraft, $89,000

Calder St., 118: Lynch Financial LLC to A. & W. Harvey, $190,000

Calder St., 500: R. Metzger to E. Shellenberger, $180,000

Chestnut St., 2031: K. Hassinger to N. & C. Hamani, $68,829

Conoy St., 114: W. McMartin to B. Stehle & A. Johnson, $147,500

Croydon Rd., 2854: R. Williams to G. & M. Romero, $88,000

Delaware St., 262: A. Hanlon to C. Zeger, $138,000

Delaware St., 268: F. Hamid to C. & E. Batista, $137,500

Derry St., 1441: SNL Realty Holdings LLC & Touch of Color to K. Tejada, $80,000

Derry St., 2403: Tassia Corp. to A. Lopez, $115,000

Derry St., 2529: T. Thornton to SPG Capital LLC, $65,000

Division St., 505: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

Edgewood Rd., 2307: J. Perkins to M. Bailor & S. Yann, $226,000

Emerald Ct., 2451: J. & S. Theodorou to M. Spence, $111,000

Forster St., 226: League of Women Voters Pennsylvania to J. Dubina, $88,750

Fulton St., 1409: R. Buyers to R. Davis Jr., $130,000

Green St., 710: N. Pinkston & C. Maximowicz to J. Elliott, $202,000

Green St., 916: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $160,000

Green St., 1401: Hunter Properties to R. Rammouni, $80,000

Green St., 1405: A. Stouffer to C. & C. Thomas, $195,000

Green St., 1412: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $150,000

Green St., 2810: Church of God of Prophecy & Christian Insight Ministry to Christian Insight Ministry, $145,000

Green St., 3208: G. Arrieta & K. King to J. Aponte & D. Torres, $235,000

Green St., 3232: B. Spangler & S. Keene to J. Jones, $155,000

Greenwood St., 2111: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hale Ave., 411: D. Wilson to I. Yolov, $50,000

Harris Terr., 2465: J. Davis to E. Garcia & Y. Marcucci, $35,000

Herr St., 307: B. Andreozzi to J. Varner & C. Fowler, $192,500

Herr St., 313: J. Kleinfelter to J. & M. O’Callaghan, $178,600

Holly St., 2002: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hummel St., 340: M. Nichols to K. Torres, $55,000

James St., 1329: V. Paredes to I. Mallouli, $85,000

Liberty St., 1610: Ivy Leaf Properties LLC & Lehman Property Management to H. Lopez, $60,000

Manada St., 2031: R. Torres to D. Perez, $120,000

Market St., 1811: HE Pressley Properties LLC to Jimruz LLC, $72,000

North St., 1711: SPG Capital LLC to P. Marte, $80,000

North St., 1842: Sunshine ABQ Real Estate Investment LLC to O. Perez, $105,000

N. 2nd St., 809: Vantage Rentals LP to A. & S. Grimes, $179,000

N. 2nd St., 1009: J. Kok to J. Flothmeier to J. Ambridge, $215,000

N. 2nd St., 1102: L. & A. Morato Lara to S. & J. Toole, $195,000

N. 2nd St., 2323: A. & A. Mathew to A. Deitrich & J. Cortez, $190,000

N. 2nd St., 2404: K. Liu to JLE Ventures 2404 LLC, $90,000

N. 3rd St., 1218, 1220 & 1222: Furlow Partners Inc. to COBA Apartments LLC, $2,800,000

N. 3rd St., 1619: T. Fridirici to J. Pronio, $187,500

N. 3rd St., 3010: Equitable Builds LLC to S. Ruiz & A. Ramirez, $212,000

N. 4th St., 1920: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to A. Nix, $109,000

N. 4th St., 2112: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $60,000

N. 4th St., 2215: L. & C. Sukhwinder to K. Torres, $54,000

N. 4th St., 2333: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to I. Molina, $51,500

N. 4th St., 2448: S. Lewis to J. Graf, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2709: T. Landis to H. Fountain, $137,000

N. 5th St., 1504, 1504½, 1506, 1506½, 1508, 1508½, 1510, 1510½, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1516½, 1518; 439, 441 & 443 Boyd St.; 427, 429, 429B, 429½, 431 & 433 Kelker Alley; 1517 Fulton St.; 420, 426 & 428 Reily St. & 1515 Walker Alley: Redevelopment Authority to 400 Reily Street LLC, $81,000

N. 5th St., 1634: P. Hardy to N. Kamel, $150,000

N. 6th St., 1328: W. Zhang to M. Osborne, $170,000

N. 6th St., 2211: Curtin Heights ME Church to 608 N. Third LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2612: MNK Properties LLC to C. Guerrier, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2665: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital, $48,000

N. 6th St., 2667: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

N. 6th St., 3014: C. Dixon to A. & W. Keisling, $83,500

N. 14th St., 210: PBTB Group LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $67,500

N. 16th St., 606: 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC to J. Moore, $120,700

N. 16th St., 820: Truemac Homes Trust to E. Hubbard, $123,000

N. 18th St., 802: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to B. Nevid, $119,000

N. 19th St., 706: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to L. Murrell, $40,000

N. 19th St., 1001: M. Myers to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $45,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 305: M. DiMatteo to Zinc One Texas LLC, $195,000

N. Front St., 3201: F. & W. Krevsky to Y. Duan, $310,000

Park St., 1840: T. & S. Rollason to J. Pichardo, $35,000

Penn St., 1311: A. Genre to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $75,000

Penn St., 1526: Heinly Homes LLC to H. Stevens, $190,500

Penn St., 1702: A. & D. Schade to T. Underkoffler, $175,000

Penn St., 1726: A. Hovne to C. Benedict & J. Sarji, $190,000

Penn St., 1820: Alex Manning Enterprises LLC & D. Kapil to Lancaster County Restoration LLC, $135,000

Penn St., 2334: N. Symons to T. Jackson & R. Pennypacker, $135,000

Pennwood Rd., 3204: C. Heckert to A. Daniels, $95,000

Prince St., 713: J. Mosco to Z. & A. Einhorn, $106,100

Reel St., 2618: E. Chattah to L. Ware, $88,450

Reel St., 2725: J. Louden to D. & C. Huffer, $56,000

Seneca St., 640: Kirsch & Burns LLC to B. Brown, $130,000

S. 13th St., 431: R&K Realty Group LP to Dima Properties LLC, $65,000

S. 13th St., 1413: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1413 S 13th St Harrisburg LLC, $116,000

S. 13th St., 1440: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

S. 13th St., 1463: J. White to D. Adams, B. Groft, E. Roy & A. Sullivan, $62,500

S. 15th St., 316: Great Row LLC to Cooperwink LLC, $42,900

S. 16th St., 16: M. Carter to NA Capital Group LLC, $35,000

S. 16th St., 524: W. Brown to J. Camacho, $46,500

S. 16th St., 1014: M. Batista to D. Cario & Y. Mercedes, $123,500

S. 19th St., 1324: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

S. 24th St., 700: C. Barna to J. Valverde, $82,000

S. 25th St., 734: G. Mathias to SPG Capital LLC, $63,000

S. 26th St., 622: M. Cain to K. Seitz, $140,000

S. 26th St., 628: R. & R. Seneca to A. Rai, $163,000

S. 27th St., 655: B. Dehning to T. Young, $99,000

Spencer St., 1855: M. Castro, B. Villalobos & R. Alexandra to M. Hoogerbrugge, $75,900

State St., 231, Unit 204: J. Montenegro to S. & Y. Yates, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1703: R. Taylor to L. Mayton, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1915: D. James to E. Seaman & J. Baran, $145,000

Susquehanna St., 2116: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPF Capital LLC, $48,000

Susquehanna St., 2118: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Sycamore St., 1506: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Verbeke St., 254: D. Bixler to R. Unger, $205,000

Verbeke St., 1327 & 1329: DC Projects LLC to Phantom Property Investments LLC, $75,000

Vernon St., 1306: Sweet Properties of Philadelphia LLC to JCAS1 LLC, $240,000

Vernon St., 1407: G. Thomas & K. Hernandez to JIMRUZ LLC, $30,000

Vineyard Rd., 212: E. Kawa to R. & J. Aronson, $222,000

Walnut St., 1610: C. Hall to J. Cherry Jr., $30,000

Zarker St., 1942: Next Generation Trust Services FBO Leon Wriole IRA to G. & L. Boone, $38,500

Harrisburg property sales for June 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg police hire seven community service aides to create bridge between bureau, residents

July 29, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

A new crew from the Harrisburg Police Bureau will soon hit the streets.

The city has hired seven community service aides, part of an effort to improve relationships between the bureau and residents, as well as assist busy officers.

These full-time civilian positions were approved as part of Harrisburg’s 2021 budget, which included a $1 million increase for the bureau.

During the budget process last year, the proposal for the CSAs faced community opposition, with some residents unhappy that additional funds would go to the police rather than to other community resources.

However, council voted to add the seven positions, expanding the bureau’s community policing division. Over 140 people applied for the positions, receiving more interest than any other position in the bureau, said Blake Lynch, director of community relations and engagement for the bureau.

The new hires will interact with residents, handle quality of life issues and assist offers on calls, Lynch explained.

The CSAs are currently still training and beginning to meet with residents, Lynch said. Community members will have the chance to meet them at National Night Out, an upcoming event hosted by the bureau.

The seven aides are all from the Harrisburg area, are familiar with the city and meet the bureau’s main qualification for hiring— “a heart to serve our residents,” Lynch said.

“The CSAs will serve and be a resource for our residents and officers, as well as continue to build trust,” he said.

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National Night Out set for next week to help foster community, build relationships

July 29, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

A past National Night Out

Harrisburg residents and law enforcement officials soon will have the chance to talk, play games and enjoy a night out together.

On Aug. 3, the Harrisburg Police Bureau will celebrate National Night Out at the Camp Curtin School Athletic Field to help connect neighbors and further relationships with the community.

“It’s all about getting together and connecting in a relaxed environment,” said Blake Lynch, director of community relations and engagement for the bureau. “This is something that’s always been needed.”

National Night Out has been taking place for some 50 years, often with small gatherings in neighborhoods. It’s the third time that the Harrisburg police have sponsored a large, centralized celebration, which will be joined by several community groups. The event was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

This year’s celebration, free to the public, will feature a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. sponsored by FNB Bank. There will also be a concert by The Singer’s Lounge, music by DJ Godfather and a performance by Harrisburg High School cheerleaders. The Pennsylvania State Police helicopter will land onsite, as well.

In addition to law enforcement officials, first responders and over 50 community organizations will be in attendance.

Free food, Rita’s Italian Ice and Farm Show milkshakes will be provided. There will also be kids’ activities such as games and inflatables.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see the city come together after such a tough year with COVID,” Lynch said.

National Night Out will be held on Aug. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Camp Curtin School Athletic Field located at 2900 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Harrisburg Police Bureau’s website.

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