Italy, Outdoors: Turn your backyard into a trattoria this summer

May 28, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

When one thinks of Italian cooking, grilled foods may not come to mind. But Italians do love their grilled food, often cooked over a wood fire.

A favorite memory of mine is the grilled lamb I had in a little trattoria in the hills of Umbria, Italy. We sat outside on a cool spring evening, the scent of woodsmoke hanging in the air. It was not my little deck at home.

The Italians have a term for a cookout. It’s grigliata or “grill out,” with each region in Italy having its own specialty. The classic star of Italian grilling is bistecca alla Fiorentina, the beautiful, thick T-bone steak cut from chianina cattle in Tuscany. But other foods shine on the Italian grill: fresh fish and shellfish, brightly colored summer vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, and spiedini, the Italian version of “shish kabobs.” Tomatoes are grilled for a quick pasta sauce, and pizzas take on a wonderfully smokey taste when cooked over a wood fire. What matters is that all the food is fresh, simply prepared, and dressed with high quality olive oil and sea salt.

So, June is here, and Father’s Day will be coming soon. In our family, we celebrate three birthdays in June, as well. So, it will be a perfect time for us to have a “grill party,” and steaks are always a great choice. I gave this recipe a trial run and found it to be simple to make and easy to tweak.

Choose the type of steak you like best (I used New York strip).
Either red or white wine works for the marinade.
Serve the grilled vegetables in large sections instead of cutting them into smaller pieces with the tomato as the recipe suggests.
Add whole mushrooms and/or halved sweet onions.
Definitely serve potatoes alongside (roasted with rosemary, garlic mashed or simply baked).
Double the marinade for extra to pour over the finished dish.

In his book, “The Italian Grill,” the well-known chef Mario Batali advises that, when grilling, one shouldn’t interfere with the flavor of the primary ingredient. That is why this simple preparation is so good. There is no overpowering barbecue sauce or spicy rub that steals the taste of the vegetables and meat. No sticky sweet teriyaki sauce here. But the ingredients must be fresh and high quality.

Italian Marinated Steak and Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients for the marinade

½ cup olive oil
½ cup dry white or red wine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 steaks (rib eye, New York strip, T-bone, porterhouse)

Ingredients for the vegetables

1 small eggplant
2 large red or yellow peppers, cut lengthwise into quarters
1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half
1 medium yellow squash, cut lengthwise in half
1½ cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1/3 cup lightly packed chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
Pour ½ cup of the marinade in a zip-top plastic bag and place the steaks inside. Turn to coat. Marinate for 6 hours or overnight (better) in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate the remaining marinade.
When ready to grill, brush the vegetables with a little of the remaining marinade.

Grilling

Remove steak from the plastic bag and discard the marinade.
Grill the vegetables over medium heat until softened and lightly charred. Watch them carefully and do not overcook.
When the vegetables are cooked, remove them to a platter, and place the steaks on the grill. If using a gas grill, grill the steaks covered to a temperature of 145 degrees for medium rare. Baste them occasionally with the remaining marinade.
Cut the vegetables into 1-inch pieces and combine with the tomatoes, basil and the reserved marinade in a medium bowl. (It becomes almost like a salsa or relish.)
Season the steaks and vegetables with good sea salt and black pepper.

Lay the steaks along an oval platter, and arrange the vegetables along either side. Garnish with a few extra sprigs of fresh basil. Grab a bottle of your favorite red wine (Chianti Classico is a perfect choice.)

This is such an easy summer meal. If red wine isn’t your favorite, mix up some icy gin and tonics, negronis or margaritas. They are great accompaniments, too.

Happy Father’s Day to all. And happy summer. Hopefully, warm weather is here to stay.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Outdoors, with a Glass: Sip the summer away with these Italian wines

May 28, 2021 | by Steve Juliana

Summertime in central Pennsylvania is a wonderful mix of long days, cookouts and lightning bugs.

Weather can run the gamut of sweaty humidity to warm, sunny perfection. When you think that, if it were always like this, everyone would want to live here.

For wine lovers, it can sometimes be a confusing season to find the perfect quaff. We have our go-to wines, but with the quality and selection available, it’s time for something new. All one has to do is head straight to the Italian section of your local wine purveyor. White wines perfect for summer abound on the “boot” and its island neighbors, Sicily and Sardinia.

On the eastern part of Sicily is the sub-region of Etna and the volcano that shares its name. The vineyards are some of the highest in altitude on the island, planted on the slopes of a still-active peak. Blends dominate here, and most are Carricante and Greciano, which together produce dry, white wines with good acidity and minerality and notes of green apple. They’re a great match for salads and anything containing anchovies.

Other grapes that make good table wines are the indigenous Inzolia, either blended or bottled individually, and Grillo, the base for Marsala, which makes full-bodied quaffs for traditional Sicilian meals.

There are also good, fruity wines of light weight and slight sweetness. These are Moscato from the city of Noto and the Moscato of Alexandria, brought to the island by the Greeks. The latter is known famously as Zibibbo, a wine to look for in either sweet or dry versions.

The western coastal region of Campania is home to historic grapes that can trace their origins back to the ancient Greeks.

Falanghina is a workhorse grape that can be used for wines that can be dry and crisp, sparkling and refreshing, or late-harvested and sweet. All of these versions are worth searching out.

Another grape is Fiano, which reaches its zenith in the sub-region of Avellino. This quaff has nutty notes and is known as the pesto wine, as it is an obvious match for the green sauce. In my opinion, the best from this region is the grapey Greco di Tufo. Tufa is the name for a volcanic rock that the vineyards are planted on, which makes for a fruity, mouth-coating wine that seems like a grape-flavored oil. It’s a unique and wonderful libation.

The island of Sardinia has a history that can be traced back to the seafaring Phoenicians, who introduced winemaking to the region. However, it was really during the Spanish period, from the 14th to 18th centuries, that it became part of the culture. The main white grape is Vermentino, which can be traced back to Spain. The wine is very aromatic with scents of herbs and crisp, tangy notes.

On the Adriatic coast, the region of Marches gives us the Verdicchio grape, a relative of Greco, which gives us acidy wines with notes of green fruits and almonds.

All of these wines make great “summer sippers” and are worth seeking out to match the warm weather ahead.

Keep sipping,
Steve

Selections:

Marotti Campi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2019

$9.99

Ripe apple, pear and apricot notes mingle with details of mineral and a lovely almond edge. The pure palate has beautifully integrated acidity and good midpalate tension, finishing long and floral. A vibrant and complex Marche white from a great producer at an incredible price!

— Josh Hull, Chairman’s Selection® wine buyer

Planeta La Segreta Grillo Sicilia 2019

$12.99

Clear yellow colour with green reflections; on the nose after a first dash of a sea breeze the primary varietal aromas of citrus, pears and oregano flowers are arriving. Fresh and smooth on the palate with fresh and elegant taste of lemon tart and pulp. As a fresh aperitif; ideal with fried vegetables and fish, pasta with sea urchins or mozzarella.

— Winemaker’s notes

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Live Longer and Prosper: Men’s Health Month focuses on closing the longevity gap

May 28, 2021 | by Capital BlueCross Staff

The COVID-19 pandemic added yet another dark footnote to our lives recently.

Average life expectancy in the United States dropped by a full year—from 78.8 to 77.8 years—in the first six months of 2020, according to provisional data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), and the life expectancy gap between the sexes widened.

Women now outlive men by an average of 5.4 years versus the 5.1-year average in 2019, the NCHS reported.

For a variety of reasons, females historically outlive males. For example, research shows that men take more risks and face more work hazards. But men also have shorter lifespans because they often fail to tend to their own health.

Statistics show men skip routine health screenings and doctor visits more often than women do. As a result, warning signs for heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness and other problems can go untreated and undetected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Men’s Health Month, observed each June, is a good time to remind male friends, relatives, coworkers and employees that it is possible to lower health risks, and that early screenings can prevent little health problems from becoming big, expensive and deadly ones.

Consider this list of healthy behaviors:

Don’t smoke. Smoking cessation programs and medications used together are highly effective.
Eat healthy. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein. Eliminate or reduce intake of sugar and saturated fats.
Drink alcohol in moderation.
Watch your weight. Excess pounds can increase risk for heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Moving helps control weight and can reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.
Manage stress. Take steps to reduce stress or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.
Wear your seat belt. Men are 10% less likely to wear seat belts than women are, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Mental health is another area of concern for men. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women. They also are less likely than women to discuss or seek treatment for mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.

Patients experiencing depression, sadness, feelings of worthlessness or suicidal thoughts should reach out to mental health providers. The growth of telehealth services during the pandemic, including virtual mental wellness visits, has shown promise in relieving some of the worries expressed by those in need of mental wellness counseling, experts say.

Ultimately, the best offense is a good defense in the healthcare game. Health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are vital, especially as we age.

Colorectal cancer screening, which is both simple and inexpensive, could cut colorectal cancer deaths by 60%, according to the American Cancer Society. Over 50,000 people die from the disease each year.

Prostate cancer strikes about 1 in 8 men in the United States. Older men, Black males and men with a family history of the disease face the highest risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that most men discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors at age 50. That organization recommends that men at high risk, especially those with relatives who developed prostate cancer at an early age, begin those discussions at age 40.

For more information, visit www.CapitalBlueCross.com.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

From Mouse to Lion: Movies are back at Midtown Cinema, and “The Perfect Candidate” is a great film to return to

May 28, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Haifaa Al-Mansour, director of “Wadjda” in 2012, became the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. And now, she brings us “The Perfect Candidate,” a story about a woman who strives to be the first of her kind.

It’s a man’s world out there. Working as a doctor in a Saudi hospital, Dr. Maryam Alsafan (Mila Al Zahrani) faces prejudice on a daily basis, as patients often prefer the male nurses to her doctorial care. And when Maryam tries to take a flight to a conference that might give her better job opportunities, she finds herself unable to because her father, a member of a touring musical band, hasn’t signed her travel ID papers. When she tries to rectify this by going to her cousin, the only other person who can sign the papers, the secretary at his office will not let anyone through except those applying for council in the local city elections.

In exasperation—and to the chagrin of many, including her family—she decides to run for council. But soon, the desire to better her own life is engulfed by the realization that she might actually be able to accomplish something with her candidacy. She focuses the platform for her campaign around paving the dirt road that leads to the hospital entrance, which makes it nearly impossible to safely admit patients when it rains.

Maryam solicits the help of her sisters (Selma and Sara, played by Dae Al Hilali and Nora Al Awad) to help with her campaign, though they and their father are worried that it will only bring the wrath of the neighbors. No woman has ever run for city council before, and everyone is sure to gossip about and criticize her. But perhaps Maryam has finally decided to take after her late mother and show some tenacity.

“The Perfect Candidate” is an inspirational story, to say the least. We see Maryam transform from a mouse into a lion, reaching for goals that she knows will benefit everyone, while pushing for more respect and equality as a woman in Saudi Arabia. The politics of the film are tense, but the story deals with it in a gentle, compelling way.

Even past its story, the film is gorgeous. Patrick Orth does a beautiful job with the cinematography, and the musical score carries the film, guiding you through every scene (after all, Maryam’s family is a musical family). The entire cast does a phenomenal job of pulling us into their world, but Al Zahrani absolutely steals the show.

Haifaa Al-Mansour has given us a gem, once again. Make sure to see this film while it plays at Midtown Cinema in June.

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

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Driving the Future of Women’s Health

May 28, 2021 | by UPMC Staff

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, a world-class center for both women’s health and comprehensive medical-surgical care, is bringing enhanced, comprehensive, life-changing medicine to central PA. All women’s health services and facilities within the central PA region footprint now will assume the UPMC Magee-Womens brand. The partnership delivers more than a name change, however.

“As one of the nation’s top hospitals specializing in care for women, UPMC Magee combines a wealth of specialty services with a traditional focus on gynecologic and obstetric services,” says Kenneth Oken, MD, chairman ob-gyn department, UPMC. “Women now have access to even more expertise closer to home, while providers have access to specialists for consultations at other UMPC Magee-Womens facilities across the system.”

Nationally ranked in gynecology by U.S. News & World Report, UPMC Magee partners closely with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to provide the highest level of care in areas such as high-risk pregnancy care, fetal diagnosis and intervention, and genetics. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is also ranked by U.S. News as one of the top 10 best children’s hospitals in the nation.

Physicians use an array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services to diagnose, monitor, and treat conditions during pregnancy. Easier and earlier access to UPMC Magee-Womens maternal fetal medicine specialists, for example, can help prevent the progression of obstetrical complications during pregnancy and increase the likelihood of delivering at a patient’s local hospital with their primary ob-gyn. Multidisciplinary teams are prepared to support mothers and their infants through their programs and services across 17 ob-gyn women’s specialty offices and labor and delivery units in Harrisburg, Carlisle, Hanover, Lititz and York.

“This partnership aligns us with a facility that does so much. When you combine all the hospitals and markets, we’re talking about caring for over 20,000 babies—bigger than anywhere in the state. The numbers alone are exciting,” says Dr. Oken.

Guided by the principles established in its model of care, UPMC Magee-Womens focuses on the unique attributes and needs of each woman. That focus, along with the vision of personal and inclusive health care, brings a comprehensive approach on every level—from research and routine medicine to surgical intervention and reproductive health—across every community.

Finding a provider who has the skill, expertise, and understanding to help identify a problem, develop a plan for treatment, or successfully help patients achieve a goal is not always easy. For those living in central PA, however, their options have increased significantly.

“I feel very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years, but now we’re adding new technology and innovation, which will benefit patients in a new way. UPMC is impressive with its robust training and fellowship programs across all areas of ob/gyn and their maternal fetal medicine program is one of the strongest in the country,” says Dr. Oken.

With these extensive subspeciality networks, providers now have a direct line to discuss complex patients and complicated conditions. Using either in-person consultations or telemedicine, collaborative care is within reach.

“We have the ability to tap into the resources and expertise of the entire system. Clinical integration is one way we ensure our patients get the best care regardless of where they live,” says Dr. Oken, adding, “Our multidisciplinary teams and coordinated approach in providing care for women, their partners, and infants make UPMC Magee-Womens a standout in this region.”

UPMC Magee-Womens is the destination for women’s health services ranging from simple to complex. For more information about all the services and locations, visit www.UPMC.com/CentralPa.

RECOGNITIONS AND FIRSTS

UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) is the largest research institute in the U.S. dedicated to women’s health and reproductive biology.
Magee is recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as a National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health.
Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the largest in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the country.
Magee and UPMC Children’s performed western Pennsylvania’s first in utero surgery.
UPMC Children’s is ranked 9th in the nation on the S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals (2020-21).
Magee pioneered the use of digital mammography in 2000 when it became one of the first hospitals in the United States to install a clinical digital system.

This column is sponsored content.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Burg Review: Open Stage delivers powerful, intimate tribute to Judy Garland in “Over the Rainbow”

May 27, 2021 | by Gina Napoli

Three microphones. Three singers. Three strikingly distinct interpretations of Judy Garland belted out by Open Stage’s chanteuses Carly Lafferty, Rachel Landon and Stacey Werner.

Aside from Judy Garland’s signature movie songs, “Over the Rainbow” and “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,” you might not recognize the remainder of the song selections. This isn’t mainstream Judy following the yellow brick road or in St. Louis in a horse-drawn sleigh during MGM’s “Golden Age” of Hollywood. This is a tribute to Judy’s lounge act, with the audience playing the role of her most enduring fans seated in a nightclub.

Open Stage does not need to alter itself much to evoke the look and feel of a venue where Judy Garland might have played way back when. To borrow lyrics from another band contemporary to Ms. Garland, everything inside is already painted black. Her black-and-white pictures, blown up as the background, show an unsmiling, faraway Judy—a tragic figure of entertainment who glittered on the outside and recoiled on the inside.

It is that sense of bittersweet melancholy that drives the music and the outward glamor that inspires the costumes. Each of Open Stage’s performers wears something Judy Garland herself might have worn: sparkles, lace, a pencil skirt, ruby slippers, 1941 Victory Red lipstick.

Open Stage’s Judys diverge in the vocal approaches, with all the talented ladies showcasing their signature ranges and styles. With the singers alternating who takes the stage, there is very little pesky narrative and audience interaction to interrupt the flow of all the great music. Most of the numbers are solos, and in a few, all three come together with harmonies that hit the ear just right.

Carly Lafferty’s approach to Judy Garland reminds me of the young, red-headed Esther Smith in “Meet Me in St. Louis,” except that Lafferty’s hair is minus those hideous bangs that must have been popular in 1903. She starts out in a bright voice, the high register that youthful Judy had before life’s burdens set in. Lafferty is able to make a real connection with her audience. After months of theater delivered over Zoom and YouTube, I had forgotten what a strangely intimate act eye contact is while singing from the stage.

Rachel Landon’s rendition of Judy Garland draws more from her Vaudevillian career. With her cute pin curls and playful unrestraint, Landon’s plucky interpretations play best on the rollicking show tunes. Then she digs deeper on the more soulful ballads, hinting at how many times her heart must have been broken. She sings with the same faraway look in her eyes as Judy does, looking way above the cameras into the distance.

Bluesy Stacey Werner has a strong, flinty voice that lends perfectly to both the jazzy ragtime and the wistfully sad songs Ms. Garland sang in her more mature years. I may have been mistaken, but I think I heard Werner’s register once hit a note in the baritone range. Her sultry pipes perfectly conjured Judy’s turmoil, with a commanding stage presence that is obvious, front and center.

All three Judys were playfully affectionate with each other during some of the numbers. The more they enjoyed themselves, the more that energy rubbed off on the audience.

If you are a Judy fan, or even if you just like a well-sung, retro lounge act, this show is (as Judy said herself) the berries!

“Over the Rainbow: The Songs of Judy Garland” will run in-person shows May 28 to June 25 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For dates and times, visit www.openstagehbg.com/show/judy. There will also be a special presentation at the Italian Lake Pavilion in Harrisburg on June 25 at 7 p.m.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 27, 2021 | by Sara Bozich

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend around Harrisburg and central PA, I got you! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What’s inside:

For your weekend planning:
Are you on the email list?
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Memorial Day
Like this content?

Need something NEW to do? Memorial Day weekend. Midtown Scholar reopens. Ploughman Cider Taproom opens. Hersheypark opens. ArtsFest.

(Still) Worth noting: We revived our private Facebook group, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: Dinner with friends, then heading to the PA Wilds.

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

For your weekend planning:

6 brewery patios you must visit this season
NEW Limited Edition Spiked Tea (a must-try, so win some here)
Two words: Ice Cream
View our local Restaurant Directory
Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are options for your weekend.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Are you on the email list?

Top Weekend Recs

Midtown Scholar reopens!
Catch On Your Feet! through Saturday at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
An under-$20 Pinot Grigio for porch sippin’
How to upgrade your seltzer
Pick up a new-to-you local 6-pack and stream episodes of Poured in PA: The Series

COVID-19 Disclaimer: As always, please click through the links or call ahead to get the most up-to-date information about venues and/or events below. It should also go without saying, but I’ll say it — Mask up, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

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

Like this content?

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

CASA program launches fundraiser to assist more foster care youth in Dauphin County

May 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

CASA volunteers and board members announce their fundraising campaign outside of the Dauphin County Courthouse

A group in Dauphin County hopes to expand its reach and double the number of children in foster care that it helps.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Dauphin County launched a fundraiser on Wednesday that invites the community to walk, run, bike or even kayak to raise money for the nonprofit.

“These children who have been abused and neglected are waiting for the community to summon its collective power to make this world a brighter, safer place for them to grow up,” said Carmen Henry-Harris, board vice president for CASA. “We can be the positive force for our children to live in permanent, safe and loving homes.”

The “Everyday Hero Challenge” is a physical fitness fundraiser to raise money for the CASA program, which is largely powered by volunteers. Community members are invited to participate by logging 62 miles of physical activity throughout the month of June.

Funds raised from registration and donations may be used to hire another staff member in order to take on more volunteers. The main goal is to increase the number of children they are able to assist at a time from 31 to 62.

CASA has already received $20,000 from organizations like Mid Penn Bank, UPMC and the Mark L. Butler Foundation.

According to board President Lori Serratelli, there are over 350 Dauphin County children in the foster care system. CASA hopes to continue increasing its capacity to help more kids, she said.

Serratelli founded CASA in 2019 after working with the Cumberland County CASA program and seeing the need for a program in Dauphin County. She was inspired by her sister, her “hero,” who worked with youth as a social worker.

“I was lucky to have an intact family and loving parents, but many of these kids do not,” she said.

Dauphin County CASA trains volunteers to represent the best interest of a child in court and to help them find a safe and permanent home. Serratelli said that these advocates help make sure the judge understands the child’s situation.

At their fundraiser announcement on the steps of the Dauphin County Courthouse on Wednesday, the group of staff, board members and volunteers urged the community to think of the children and donate to the important work that CASA does.

“If one person is there for a child through their most difficult time, it’s CASA,” said board member Sarah Pearce. “That’s a reason to give.”

For more information on CASA or to register for the “Everyday Hero Challenge,” visit their website.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Cathedral Education Center breaks ground, will renovate, expand Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School

May 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Rev. Joshua Brommer, Bishop Ronald Gainer and David Rushinski, the principal of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School, break ground for the Cathedral Education Center.

A new Catholic education center took a key step forward today with a ceremonial groundbreaking in downtown Harrisburg.

Surrounded by students of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School, Bishop Ronald Gainer led the groundbreaking on Wednesday morning in a parking lot near the future Cathedral Education Center.

“This is a great day for our parish and for downtown Harrisburg,” Gainer said.

The project will renovate and combine two buildings: the 1951 Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School on Liberty Street and the 112-year-old Shanahan Center on North Street.

When the project is complete, the diocese plans to consolidate its two Harrisburg elementary school campuses at the facility—the Cathedral Campus, which serves pre-K and grades 5-8 in downtown Harrisburg, and the Holy Family Campus, which serves grades K-4 and is located on Allison Hill.

The pastor of St. Patrick Cathedral, the Rev. Joshua Brommer, said that the $5.7 million project will proceed in three phases.

The first phase will begin soon—a three-story, 3,250-square-foot addition between the two buildings, which are currently separated by a walkway. The construction phase will combine the buildings and create a new school entryway and house an elevator.

The second phase will follow, turning the Shanahan Center into classroom, laboratory and dining space. A third phase will include the renovation of the existing elementary school building on Liberty Street.

A rendering of the project

To date, the diocese has pledges for about $1.9 million for the project, so will continue to fundraise for the remainder, Brommer said.

When completed, the school will have 10 new classrooms, a STEM lab, art and music facilities and a new dining hall in 26,475 square feet of space.

The project architect is Mechanicsburg-based TKS Architects, with Harrisburg-based JEM Group as the general contractor.

Brommer said that he hoped the entire project would be finished within two years. The campuses would be merged after the completion of the project.

“With this groundbreaking, we unearth a treasure trove of innovation, security, accessibility and a bold, forward visioning that gives us true faith in our future,” Brommer said.

Click here for more information on the Diocese of Harrisburg Catholic schools.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Wolf administration official becomes newest Harrisburg school board director

May 25, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg School District’s administration building

A key Wolf administration official now has another important post—as the newest director of the Harrisburg school board.

Jennifer Wilburne, chief of staff and press secretary to Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf, has accepted the open seat on the board, according to the school district.

“We look forward to continuing our efforts to collaborate and partner with families and the community,” said district Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels, who appointed Wilburne. “We want to provide a positive trajectory for students and appoint an individual with sound experience to serve the community.”

Wilburne replaces Jayne Buchwach, who recently relocated out of the district. Buchwach was in her first term, having served since December 2019.

Wilburne’s appointment will extend through the end of this year, Samuels said.

“I am a proud Harrisburg School District parent who believes in the power of this city and the people who live here,” Wilburne said, in a statement. “Through this opportunity, I will elevate the work of the district and listen to and advocate for fellow families.”

Wilburne joined the Wolf administration in October 2018 as part of the governor’s correspondence office and assumed the role of chief of staff to Frances Wolf in January 2020.

The school district is in the midst of several substantial changes. On Monday, the district announced that Eric Turman, currently the principal of Reading High School, as “finalist” to become the next district superintendent. Next month, it enters the final year of a three-year, state-mandated receivership.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

What’s inside:

For your weekend planning:

Are you on the email list?

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Memorial Day

Like this content?

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like