Meet Jeff: Homeless No More

July 27, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

Editor’s Note: Our contributor Karen Hendricks kindly allowed us to reprint this column from her blog, which continues a story she originally reported for TheBurg.

I attended a memorial service for a homeless friend today. His death didn’t make headlines, or the footnotes for that matter, in any local newspapers. And that’s one reason I’m writing about him, as a tribute—not only to those who knew him, but those who did not. Sometimes as a society we ignore the homeless—and maybe it’s easy to do without a face or a name. I never asked permission to use his photo, but hopefully my description will conjure up an image in your mind. And whatever your perceptions about the homeless, I think his story will defy your assumptions. And I can definitely tell you his name.

His name was Jeff. I met him nearly two years ago, and I’ve talked to him once or twice a month, ever since. We first met, as I was writing a magazine story about a local church group taking their ministry on the road, literally, to a truck stop experiencing a trend. An increasingly growing population of people, especially families, were parking there for the night. They were homeless, living out of their vehicles. A truck stop is one of the few places where they could park for the night, slipping into the darkness and hiding out of sight, until their growing numbers could no longer go unnoticed.

But let’s stop calling them homeless people and just call them people. Why was this a trend? I wanted to hear their stories and try to understand. I wanted to share their stories—to open people’s eyes so that they were no longer invisible.

I went twice—once to observe and meet the participants, around a huge family-style dinner table at a local Denny’s, and I returned a second time to interview those willing to talk and share their stories. Then I wrote up my story (I’ll link to it below) and thought that was the end.

Except it wasn’t. I felt compelled to go back. As journalists, we’re not supposed to be part of our stories. We’re not supposed to write in first person. We’re supposed to observe and not get involved. But as a human and as a Christian, I couldn’t “not” get involved, after hearing their stories. There was something so honest and real about many of the participants. And that included Jeff.

It might surprise you to learn that he was a former police officer. And a proud Vietnam vet. Some might say he walked with a limp or a gimp, but I would describe him as jaunty. That’s because he was a jokester, a prankster, who often had a giant smile on his well-weathered face. He was small, but wiry and scrappy, and that smile was his dominant feature. When he told me he was originally from New Mexico and Arizona, I could imagine him as a cowboy. But his profession, for the majority of his adult life, was that of a truck driver.

So how did he become homeless, living out of motels and truck stops, relying on ministries, for the last 10 or so years of his life?

Jeff was also a widower—that was one of the first things he told me. He talked about missing his wife Jean every day of his life. And that’s how he lost his life savings—pouring it into her care. I’m sorry I can’t remember the details, but I believe she had cancer. She died in the Harrisburg area, and I think that’s what kept him here. I got the feeling that he didn’t want to leave the area, because this is where she last was.

Jeff transitioned from taking care of his wife to taking care of others who had fallen on hard times. When he came to the church’s ministry nights, he never arrived alone. He always brought several others with him—people he was sheltering in his motel room or his motel-turned-home’s neighbors. Jeff created community. And he seemed to know everyone.

In some ways his police officer background never left him, because his chest swelled with pride when he told me he knew a lot of the area officers and EMTs. They apparently nicknamed Jeff “the sheriff.” Because he knew everything going down at the local truck stops, they knew they could count on him for information from time to time.

Even as he continued to take care of his fellow homeless friends, age and health caught up with Jeff this summer. It might sound crazy, but I would describe today’s service as beautiful. That’s because the memories and tributes to Jeff painted a picture of a man who, despite his situation in life, touched the lives of others. Isn’t that something for all of to strive for? To make an impact, to help others, to make a difference.

Godspeed, Jeff. I am happy that you’re homeless no more.

Karen’s original story, “When a Truck Becomes a Home: One church takes homeless ministry on the road—to the local truck stop,” was published in TheBurg in December 2019.

Photo credit: Photo by Caleb Ruiter on Unsplash

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

Street parking rates to rise in much of Harrisburg starting next week

July 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A parking meter in Midtown Harrisburg

Street parking is about to get even more expensive in Harrisburg, as the system’s manager today announced significant increases for metered spaces.

Starting next Monday, hourly street parking will rise by 33% in the areas controlled by Park Harrisburg /SP+, according to the company.

In the central business district (CBD) zone, which includes much of downtown, street parking rates will increase from $3 to $4 per hour. In non-CBD areas, the rate will rise from $1.50 to $2 an hour.

“This is the first meter rate increase since Park Harrisburg assumed responsibility for specified metered parking spaces and garages from the City of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Parking Authority in 2013,” said John Gass, managing director with PK Harris Advisors, the asset management company for the parking system, in a statement.

Gass added that a rate increase had been under consideration “for some time to provide sufficient cash flow to maintain expenses associated with the system.”

Reached by text, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he opposes the rate hikes and that the city was not consulted about the increases.

Under Harrisburg’s 2013 financial recovery plan, SP+ took over management of much of Harrisburg’s parking system under a 40-year lease. The $286 million deal helped the city shed much of its crippling debt accumulated under former Mayor Steve Reed, much of it tied to botched retrofits of the city incinerator.

While street parking rates have not increased since SP+ took over the system in 2013, parking garage rates have increased.

For more information about Harrisburg parking, visit the Park Harrisburg/SP+ website.

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

Bob’s Art Blog: Justice League of Art & Pics 6 for Millworks V

July 26, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

Back in the ‘60s, way before Zack Snyder released his director’s cut of the “Justice League of America” (JLA), they were a unified force of superheroes brought together by DC Comics to repel and defeat the evil-doers in our universe. I was a pre-teen kid in those days loving comics, pure escapism fare.

In comic book form, the Justice League of America was created in March of 1960. During the dog days of summer, from the end of July into the beginning of August, when the days were too hot to do anything else but read, I imagined the possibilities of being one of the JLA. Hands down for me, the Flash was my favorite and still is today. Barry Allen, the fastest human being, was always racing around the earth, tying up loose ends and villains faster than you could say “The Flash!” As an original member of the Justice League of America, the Flash joined forces with the likes of Superman and Batman and, as for the rest, you can probably rattle them off in your head.

For this blog, I’ve started to assemble an elite group that I refer to as “The Justice League of Art”—a group content to operate behind the scenes, for the most part just under the radar, but who provide vital acts of artistic merit in making our Harrisburg world a better place and a more vibrant community. More often than not, it is the unsung among us that provide a knockout punch. And some even wear masks (beyond the expected norm due to mandates).

Grace Robinson painting

Back in March, a masked figure was revealed on Instagram dressed stealthily in camo gear who ended up being covered in all colors of paint. What started out as a photographic shoot by “it’s James,” aka James Kleppel, an artist of multidimensional talents who was none other than Grace Robinson. She operates under the nom de plume color.ur.soul, revealing her rhapsodic revelry as an artist covered in paint from head to toe. Follow the trail of the paint splatters, and they will lead you to this artist of kaleidoscopic color. Grace paints with wild abandon as well as creating items of self-defense with her usual flair of artistic elements adding to the functionality of her pieces. A recent endeavor is her “gnomes from home” art. A superhero indeed; she is Soul Siren. Look and listen for the Splat!

Larry Washington, Jr., aka Larry Lenzz, zeros in on the subject matter like an auteur creating his own mise-en-scene. Whatever catches Mr. Washington’s fancy becomes malleably photogenic under his aperture’s gaze. From cityscapes to the state Capitol building to towering church spires and painting-worthy photographs of the Susquehanna River, there’s nothing that Larry’s lens doesn’t capture to a “T.” Picture a broad-reaching wingspan. With his hawk eyes, he is able to scoop the “seen.” Often operating under the cover of night, Larry is known as Nighthawk. Whoosh!

Photograph by Larry Washington Jr.

Movie poster art by Keegan Beinhower

Keegan Beinhower, automobile modifier by day and artistic atom bomb by night, this next superhero already embodies his character’s name, aka “Atomic Keeg,” as his calling card on Instagram. He blows things up like pet’s heads to oversized proportions. No, he does not harm any animals in the process but enlarges their photos, their “headshots,” so to speak, in model parlance to take on film roles like a Star War’s galaxy photo with the pets wielding light sabers. If inspired to do so, share your pet’s photos with Atomic Keeg, and he will blow them up on a movie set piece of art for a one-of-a-kind treasure to hang on your wall. Another element in Atomic’s oeuvre is his latest creations, dinosaurs made from metal car parts. They are comprised of scrap steel left over from making dune buggies and sand rails. For example, the head of a stegosaurus was part of a tool, a hydraulic spreader. His prehistoric art and more can be viewed at the recently reopened Gallery@Second. Ka-boom!

Bethany Nicholle painting

Add another femme fatale to the roster of the Justice League of Art in the guise of Bethany Nicholle, author and artist. Bethany concocts a gallery of abstract paintings, displaying unexpected unions of color and texture that lead to a narrative purely of her own design. More often than not, she shrewdly markets them as accessories on a smaller scale, such as magnets and key fobs—just about anything she can dream up. A favorite choice is her tongue-in-chic wearable masks, perfect for the age we are living in. A published writer, Ms. Nicholle pursues poetry and writes short stories found in her works Amour Fou, The Endeared and the Damned and The Darkness Behind the Shadow. Always on the prowl for inspiration, this artist operates as Catwoman, an expert thief that is best known for stealing Batman’s heart. Meow.

For now, this foursome of artists operates as inhabitants of a space and time continuum leading a dual life as superheroes imbued by powers beyond the norm. Although, at first glance, they appear just as you and I. Look for more Justice League of Art members to be showcased in the months ahead as Bob’s Art Blog may periodically reveal more secrets and superheroes of the Harrisburg art universe. It’s summertime, and the reading is easy. Let your imagination run wild and always look up. You never know who or what you may see.

Pics Six for Millworks V

If the title sounds confusing, think of this chapter of the Millworks artists as a new Pennsylvania Lottery game, “Pics Six.” Actually, Gus told me that there is something too similar already. This select group of a half-dozen freethinking artists is featured on the main lobby wall and in their respective studios that runs through Aug. 15.

Work by Rebecca Adey

In alphabetical order, the artists start with Rebecca Adey and her ModSew Designs. Ms. Adey creates her own Peaceable Kingdom with three-dimensional “paper cut portraits and plush mount sculptures,” works of critters and creatures both imagined and real with her lovable and adoptable animals. Remember when cartoon characters burst through the Looney Tunes logo before the reel started? Look for Rebecca and her ModSew Designs menagerie in Studio 215. Her delightful designs will bring a smile to your face as well with whimsy and wonder.

Oil painting by Amie Bantz

Diversely talented Amie Bantz is an artist constantly changing her approach to how she thinks about and presents her art to the public. Drawing on her professional expertise as an art instructor for the Carlisle School District, Amie consistently brings a new dimension and subject matter to the foreground. Switching from her Asian American heritage iconography for Millworks Spring Preview, just months later she now is exhibiting floating, torn-edged watercolor images with a nod to yesteryear in the vein of “postcard ephemera.” Her scenes of Montserrat and other ports of destination deliver serenity and sunshine in just the right dose. For more of Amie’s works, drop into Studio 322.

Reclaimed nature art by John Davis

As the full-time art and gallery educator and coordinator of visual arts at the Milton Hershey School, John Davis is skilled at wearing many artistic hats. Accustomed to working in many mediums, John applies his talents in ceramics, mosaics and found objects, as well as working in oils, acrylics and ink studies. He is the past president of the Hershey Art Association and has served on the board of directors of the Art Association of Harrisburg. He puts his personal stamp on reclaiming nature with his down-to-earth, of-the-earth shadow boxes for this Millworks show. Mr. Davis embodies his motto, “find…and live…your passion.” John can be found in Studio 321.

Assemblage art by Mary Kay Gelenser

Mary Gelenser of Studio 319 finds inspiration in the castoff treasures of old stuff, fabrics, papers and hardware. Mary Kay takes pieces of this and that and works her magic as an alchemist/artist, turning one-of-a-kind assemblages into gold. In the current show, she assembles locks and hasps that hold the key to the imagination. Assemblage art unifies found objects or items incorporated with specific intent to create a composition that can take on symbolic meaning. Mary Kay puts aside any notion of an arts and craft approach, demonstrating inordinate skills in attaining a deeper aesthetic within the context of the entire work.

Photographs by Paul Vasiliades

Paul Vasiliades, Harrisburg fine art photographer, enters the third dimension for the Millworks show by pioneering the vastness of technology in art. This is greatly evidenced in his series of expansive landscapes. Site-specific locations from World’s End to Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Valley open the possibilities of future travels with their rich detail and natural beauty. He offers a sense of the surreal in his photographs of avian adventures with birds taking flight across a golden sky that surely would have inspired Hitchcock. In addition, Paul is an award-winning wedding photographer, and his portfolio can be viewed in Studio 211.

Mixed media by Ann Benton Yeager

Painter Ann Benton Yeager, found in Studio 103, employs bursts of boldness in her color-laden cold wax and oil paintings. Her depth of texture draws one into the narrative of dreams and details, vivid with dramatic pools from her palette full of emotion. A descendant of American artist, Thomas Hart Benton, this Millersville-born artist is fluid in all aspects of abstract art. Subscribing to a color wheel of favorites, Ann is a contemporary artist who specializes in mixed media works that incorporate hot wax or oil paintings. Benton Yeager is also a published author and art instructor.

This sextet at Millworks weaves a spell that you will be glad to fall under for the next three weeks. This powerful show is one you won’t want to miss. And mark Aug. 7 on your calendars now as it denotes Millworks First Saturday, a time to visit and chat with the artists in their studios.

The Millworks is located at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.millworksharrisburg.com.

Most photos by Jana MacGinnes

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

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 23, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Animals at Speranza Animal Rescue.

There was plenty of news this week in the Harrisburg area. Whether you need advice on a weekend vacation spot, or want to know what possibly could’ve made this month’s zoning board meeting take over four hours, it’s all listed and linked, below.

The Atlas building development project will move forward with input from Camp Curtin neighbors and other community members, our online story reported. The Harrisburg Atlas Building Collective, a group of local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders, will partner with developer Adam Maust to conduct outreach.

Author Jeff Arch, a Harrisburg native, spoke with our writer about his book “Attachments.” Our magazine feature tells the story of how Arch persisted in the face of rejection and published a novel that he started three decades ago.

Berks County may be the perfect weekend getaway trip. In our magazine story, read about what the area has to offer, including art, food and history.

A proposed affordable housing development for seniors was the topic of concern among Harrisburg residents at a Zoning Hearing Board meeting this week, our reporting found. Many neighbors to the Bethel Village project, at N. 6^th and Herr streets, were dissatisfied with the number of parking spaces included in the plan.

Harrisburg University will celebrate innovation and community with its upcoming “Tech ‘n Town Week,” our online story reported. The festival will feature concerts, a crypto-currency conference and the return of the university-sponsored e-sports tournament, HUE Invitational.

A pair of local churches developed a bond during the pandemic, despite denominational differences. Our magazine article tells the story of how the Old Catholic Church, Parish of Saint Joseph, and Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit came together when they started sharing a building.

The Popcorn Hat Players presents “Thumbelina,” the story of a tiny, yet fierce heroine who is kidnapped and then begins an epic adventure homeward to her mother. Our theater reviewer will let you know what to expect from this silly show, playing now through mid-August.

Speranza Animal Hospital runs a no-kill shelter that houses 50 dogs on site (with another 81 in foster homes), 80 farm animals and a collection of barn cats. It’s no easy feat, but Janine Guido makes it all work, providing a second chance to the most abused animals and those who others deem a lost cause. Read more in our magazine story.

Sprocket Mural Works has plans for two large murals in Allison Hill, our online story reported. The nonprofit is seeking community input to help guide the projects.

“Summertime” is a film that plays like a musical, but, instead of breaking into song, the cast members break into spoken word poetry, opening up about their love lives, insecurities and desire to belong. Read more about the movie, playing at Midtown Cinema, here.

An upcoming documentary will honor the lives of Harrisburg young men lost to gun violence, our magazine story reported. In the film, “Our Boys,” by Harrisburg resident Lawrence Greene, mothers and family members of the boys will tell their stories.

Vacant lots are up for grabs in Harrisburg, as residents can lease them for just $1/year, our online story reported. Harrisburg officials said that they can be used for recreation, gardening or open green space.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Developer teams with Camp Curtin group to decide direction of Atlas building project

July 22, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

The Hudson Building will become the Atlas 1923

As a historic Camp Curtin building is restored, the developer behind it is bringing a group of neighbors together to help decide its future.

The owner of the Atlas building on N. 6^th and Maclay streets has announced a partnership with the newly formed Harrisburg Atlas Building Collective (HABC), a group of local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders.

“Working with local leaders and businesses has always been a priority,” said building owner Adam Maust. “The vision we are working together on will create a lasting and significant footprint that will impact all of Harrisburg for decades to come.”

The local group will work with Maust to fill 40,000 square feet of space on the lower level and first floor of the renovated Atlas building with retail, food vendors and market space, among other vendors. Maust envisions the space looking like Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, possibly being open seven days a week.

HABC will go door-to-door this summer, speaking with Camp Curtin residents and holding events to hear from the community on what businesses they want to see in the Atlas.

“This is an unprecedented partnership and we’re looking forward to facilitating the much-needed access to goods and services of local residents as well as business owners,” said Tami Dykes, Camp Curtin Neighborhoods United vice president and one of the leaders of HABC.

Maust purchased the 60,000-square-foot Atlas building, formerly known as the Hudson building, in 2020. Since then, his team has been renovating and restoring the building with plans to possibly incorporate retail, grocery and food vendors, as well as office space and apartment units.

“I am trying to do this the right way and bring the community’s voice into this,” Maust said.

HABC will work to bring local business owners into the Atlas and provide services that the Camp Curtin neighborhood values.

“This is an opportunity to change the dynamic of development to be focused on the community and provide new ways to ownership,” said Basir Vincent, co-founder of the Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg. “The goal will be for the local community to have a major stake in a cornerstone being rebuilt in our community.”

For more information on the Atlas Building, visit their website.

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

Parking Problems: Neighbors object to proposed senior housing development on N. 6th Street

July 20, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

The proposed site of Bethel Village at Herr and N. 6th streets.

At a packed Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board Meeting on Monday night, residents’ hands shot up, one-by-one, to express their opposition to a proposed affordable housing project for seniors.

Local development group RB Development, along with several partners, presented their plans for Bethel Village, an affordable housing community for senior citizens at N. 6^th and Herr streets.

The proposed development was discussed at a community meeting a few weeks ago with little opposition from residents, most comments coming from supporters of the project. However, at Monday’s meeting, many residents waited nearly four hours to get the chance to voice their concerns.

“I’ve spoken to many of the neighbors, and no one objects to affordable housing,” said Ted Hanson, a long-time resident of Boas Street.

However, Hanson presented board members with a petition signed by 60 neighborhood residents. Their main concern: parking.

The Bethel Village project proposes a 49-unit building for qualifying low-income seniors on land that once housed, in part, the historic Bethel AME Church, which burned down in 1995. Last week, Bethel Village purchased the land from Bethel AME, a partner in the project.

Bethel Village is proposing four parking spots for their building, 15 fewer than the required number under the zoning code, explained Esche McCombie, an attorney with McNees, Wallace & Nurick, the law firm representing Bethel.

However, Bethel Village developers do not see this as a problem, explained Ava Goldman of Gardner Capital, another partner in the project. Based on her experience working in affordable housing development, she expects that a large majority of their seniors will not own cars.

But residents who spoke at Monday’s meeting painted a picture of a congested neighborhood with little room for the vehicles of people who already live there, let alone those for as many as 50 newcomers.

“There are nights when I come home at midnight from the hospital, and I cannot find a parking spot,” said resident Allison Deturk-Malia, a nurse. “You mean to tell me that four parking spots are going to be OK for our neighborhood? I don’t think so.”

McCombie reiterated that they don’t expect most residents to have cars, and for visitors and family members, they referenced new on-street parking recently added to 6^th Street. They also plan to incorporate bike racks on their property.

Some residents brought up concerns with the facade of the building, saying it wouldn’t fit in with the historic neighborhood. Others commented on traffic in the neighborhood, explaining that it can already be unsafe for pedestrians with cars turning off of 6^th onto Boas at high speeds. They suggested that the development would make the situation even worse.

“We want to work with the neighbors,” said Blane Stoddart of RB Development. “We would not do anything to put you in danger or to put your kids in danger.”

Despite the neighborhood concerns, Stoddart emphasized that they fully plan to move forward with the $15 million project, saying that they have already received low-income tax credit money from the state. Financially, Bethel developers said that they cannot provide more parking.

“This is a project that is going to happen,” he said. “Seventy-one percent of Harrisburg residents qualify, income-wise, to live in this project.”

Zoning board members voted to continue the Bethel Village discussion in a special hearing on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.

Also on the long agenda for Monday night were several other projects that received continuances.

At June’s zoning meeting, Harrisburg-based D&F Realty Holdings presented its plans to convert a 16,500-square-foot building at 423 Division St. into an apartment building. The building previously housed Congregation Chisuk Emuna before it was damaged in a 2009 fire. In recent years the building has remained blighted.

D&F’s proposal included no on-site parking spots, but developers said they spoke with the Scottish Rite Cathedral about utilizing their lot, a few blocks away.

Zoning board Chair Thomas Leonard said that he needed to see a formal agreement with the cathedral and continued the project to the Aug. 16 meeting.

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

Sprocket Mural Works plans two large Allison Hill murals, seeks community input

July 19, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Pizza Boli’s, at the intersection of 13th and Market streets, will be the site of an upcoming mural created by Sprocket Mural Works.

Two large murals are coming to Harrisburg, and community members are encouraged to offer input on them.

As part of the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival, Sprocket Mural Works plans to paint large-scale murals in Allison Hill. One will be located at the corner of 13th and Market streets and others will be on the Mulberry Street Bridge—which will be Sprocket’s largest mural project to date.

“We’d love to hear about the public’s hopes and dreams, for what will be two landmark murals being created this summer,” said Megan Caruso, co-founder and president of the nonprofit Sprocket Mural Works. “Community input is vital to guiding the creative vision for both projects.”

Sprocket has released a community survey to hear from people on what they’d like to see as part of the projects. They will also be at the Allison Hill Farmers Market on July 28 and Aug. 4 to speak with community members directly. According to Sprocket, anyone with ties to Harrisburg is welcome to participate in the survey. However, they especially invite participation from Allison Hill residents since both murals will be in their neighborhood.

Also as part of the mural festival, Sprocket is currently working on a mural in Allison Hill at the Recycle Bicycle building on Chestnut Street and recently completed a planter painting project in Allison Hill.

To learn more, visit Sprocket Mural Works’ website. To volunteer with Sprocket’s community survey efforts, which include staffing the farmers’ market booth or going door-to-door, please contact Sprocket’s volunteer coordinator Meghan Weaver via email at [email protected].

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

Need a Yard? Harrisburg residents can adopt a vacant city lot to use as garden, green space

July 19, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

A city-owned lot in Midtown Harrisburg

For Harrisburg residents looking for a little extra green space in the city, you’re in luck.

Harrisburg is reinvigorating its “Adopt-A-Lot” program, which allows residents to make use of a city-owned grassy area.

The program helps the city maintain its many vacant lots, while giving interested residents some additional, if temporary, empty land, according to city officials.

“It’s a win-win,” said Brooke Bobitz, assistant to the city’s business administrator and manager of the Adopt-A-Lot program. “It gives residents and organizations an opportunity to take ownership of the green space in their neighborhoods.”

Through the program, a partnership between the city and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, residents can lease an empty lot for just $1 per year. They may then use it for such things as growing a garden, maintaining an open green space or for a neighborhood gathering space, Bobitz explained. However, no permanent structure may be built on the land, and the city may take it back at any time if it is slated for development.

Harrisburg does maintain its lots, Bobitz said, but with so many in the city, resident participation is helpful.

The program, Bobitz said, started a while back, but largely went under the radar until she started advertising it about a year ago. Since then, there has been more interest from the community.

Kenyotta Thomas has his hands in over 15 gardens in the city, he said. His organization, The Soul Proprietors Inc., and Harrisburg Urban Growers, which he helped found, have worked to bring gardening education and fresh produce to residents through community gardens. Through the Adopt-A-Lot program, several of their gardens have been planted on formerly vacant lots.

Currently, Thomas spearheads the efforts at a garden on 24^th and Berryhill streets, leased through Adopt-A-Lot.

“I wanted to give people the opportunity to grow their own food and have a space to do it,” he said. “I believe that people start to take more pride in their community when they see a lot that used to be blighted turned into a garden.”

Bobitz said that, for residents who don’t have much yard space, open green spaces, like these lots, are important.

Any city resident or organization may apply for Adopt-A-Lot.

“I hope that people get interested,” Bobitz said. “It’s a really cool thing that the city does.”

To learn more or to apply for Adopt-A-Lot, visit the city’s website or contact Brooke Bobitz directly at [email protected].

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

HU announces “Tech ‘n Town Week,” a celebration of innovation, community

July 19, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The exterior of Harrisburg University’s main academic building on Market Street.

A multi-faceted celebration combining entertainment and education is heading our way, as Harrisburg University today announced the upcoming “Tech ‘n Town Week.”

The festival will feature concerts, a crypto-currency conference and the return of the university-sponsored e-sports tournament, HUE Invitational, among other events.

“Tech ‘n Town Week is a great way to celebrate the things that make our region great, including HU’s students and staff, the city of Harrisburg, the region’s employers and the community,” said HU President Dr. Eric Darr, in a statement. “Tech ‘n Town Week is a thank you, and a celebration, as we all move toward an exciting future.”

The series of events runs from Sept. 18 to 25 and will feature concerts by several nationally known recording artists: Cage the Elephant and Portugal. The Man in Riverfront Park and Dawes and Grouplove at XL Live.

Tech ‘n Town Week will include student events, the annual “Involvement Fair” and picnic on City Island and a “Celebration of Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion,” hosted by HU’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

The law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC is the main event sponsor.

“McNees is thrilled to support Harrisburg University’s Tech ‘n Town Week as it is a prime example of the university’s drive to encourage the growth of its students, the next generation of leaders, and the community,” said McNees Chair Brian Jackson. “We are very much looking forward to taking part in the celebration and do so in person.”

For more information on Tech ‘n Town Week, and to view the full slate of events scheduled, visit www.harrisburgu.edu/tech-n-town-week.

For information on all HU Presents concerts, visit their website.

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

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 16, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Impact Harrisburg officials announced a grant program for small businesses.

It’s been a washout of a week, weather-wise, but, as always, there has been plenty of local news. Catch up on all of it, listed and linked, below.

Art can be found just about anywhere we look, even in the produce aisle, says our arts blogger Bob in his column. Veering from his typical art show and gallery reviews, Bob reflects on the beauty of nature’s bounty.

Capital Region Water commented on the need for innovation in city infrastructure to handle extreme weather. An authority official explains what CRW has already done to address this issue and what their plans are for the future.

Cook to impress with this summery tomato bread appetizer recipe. Give your guests a taste of this Spanish take on a traditional Italian dish.

Dogs, like humans, have social needs, especially coming out of the pandemic. Our magazine story provides advice from the experts on how to socialize your dog and get that tail waggin’.

Gamut Theatre will have you laughing with its new production, “Thumbelina.” The Popcorn Hat Players, the children’s outreach arm of Gamut Theatre, incorporate plenty of audience participation with enormous enthusiasm and silliness aplenty. Read our review of the show, here.

Home sales showed continued strength in the Harrisburg area in June, our online story reported. The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that 819 housing units sold last month, compared to 530 in June 2020.

Impact Harrisburg introduced a new grant program to support small businesses in the city, our reporting found. The program will distribute $300,000 to eligible businesses and nonprofits, with a focus on often overlooked organizations.

Kipona festival will return to Riverfront Park and City Island in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The three-day event will feature food trucks, fireworks, an artist market and Native American and Indian cultural performances.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore reopened recently after a lengthy, pandemic-related closure. Our feature story shares how the bookstore adapted and continues to navigate through this time.

Two Midtown bars have been sold to restaurateur Josh Kesler, our online story reported. He bought 1400 N. 3^rd St., which most recently housed the Third Street Café. The building next door, which once housed another bar, sold separately and is slated to be remodeled into apartments.

Sara Bozich has fun ideas for your weekend including live music, yoga, trivia and outdoor movies. Take a look at her Weekend Roundup, here.

Sprocket Mural Works recently worked with local artists to paint a number of planters in Allison Hill. In our magazine story, hear from artists on the impact the beautification project had on them and their community.

Summer reading programs are in full swing in Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. Local organizations like Tri-County OIC’s BookyMobile are working with underserved children who are struggling to regain lost academics, due to the pandemic.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

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

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like