Personal Shopping: Susan’s Treasures celebrates 25 years of tight-knit customer relationships

May 3, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Nancy Smith (left) and Susan Bonsall Singer

I met Susan Bonsall Singer and Nancy Smith at their shop, Susan’s Treasures, in the West Shore Farmers Market last week.

It was a gray, rainy day and most other market vendors were closed, but still several customers popped in, kindly interrupting our interview to ask for advice on a hat or a suggestion for a gift.

At one point, a delivery man appeared with some boxes, and Singer called out his name, excusing herself to go check in on how he was doing.

I didn’t need to ask what has kept Singer and Smith’s business growing for 25 years—a milestone the gift shop is celebrating this month—I could already tell. But I asked anyway.

“It all grew on relationships,” Singer said. “My mother drilled that into my head–you welcome everyone.”

To celebrate their anniversary, Susan’s Treasures is holding giveaways to benefit customers and local charities—to honor those relationships they value the most.

Starting in April and continuing through May, the shop will draw names of customers to win $25 gift cards, twice each week. People can register in their store. They also plan to give away two $100 certificates in late May.

To support local organizations, they are selling special anniversary T-shirts and gift cards to benefit Highmark’s The Caring Place and The Peyton Walker Foundation.

The weeks-long celebration will culminate in a weekend anniversary event on May 21 to 22 at the store. They plan to have music, refreshments and product and gift card giveaways.

In April, Susan’s Treasures held a by-donation raffle for a gift basket with proceeds supporting Andrew’s Gift, a nonprofit that assists individuals with autism.

Dorothy Ward, who leads the organization along with her husband, has been a customer at Susan’s Treasures since the beginning. She visits the store at least once a week to shop or just to talk, she said. This time, she was looking for a Derby Day hat that could double as a beach hat for an upcoming trip. She made sure to get advice from both Singer and Smith and settled on a bright pink one.

“It’s just great friendly service and great people,” Ward said. “I like to support female-owned local shops.”

Ward is one of many loyal customers at Susan’s Treasures. Over the years, Singer has added over 350 customers’ numbers into her phone. Her first two customers, from 25 years ago, still come in regularly.

American-made products at Susan’s Treasures

Singer originally opened Susan’s Treasures in a café on N. 6^th Street in Harrisburg. Over the years, the business expanded, Smith became a partner, and the shop moved into a roomy space on the second floor of the West Shore Farmers Market.

Singer prides the business on the many American-made products the store carries and the relationships she’s developed with artists over the years.

When some of their vendors heard about what Susan’s Treasures was planning for its anniversary, they offered to donate products for giveaways.

Customers have been just as supportive, especially during the pandemic, Singer said. Many bought gift cards and ordered from the store’s online shop, which the business expanded when they had to close their doors.

“The support made us realize we had to continue,” Singer said.

The gift shop has shipped items and even delivered products to customers at their homes.

But it was a tough year, the hardest so far, Smith and Singer said. Even having gone through a recession and personal tragedies, this was the first time they ever doubted if they would survive.

“When we did reopen, the kind words and the shopping and support made every stressful moment worth it,” Singer said. “You see all the bad news, but we watched this microcosm of people being kind and helping one another.”

Not all customers have come back yet, but Singer and Smith are hopeful.

“I told a lot of customers, when this is all over and I can hug them again, I’m going to stand at the door so when they come in they can’t run, and I can give them a hug,” Singer said.

Susan’s Treasures is located on the second floor of the West Shore Farmers Market at 900 Market St., Lemoyne. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.

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State oversight body issues largely positive report on Harrisburg’s financial condition

May 1, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. Government Center

Harrisburg’s fiscal condition is “sound” and its budget is in surplus, according to a largely positive annual report issued by the city’s financial oversight body.

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for Harrisburg (ICA) issued its second annual report on Friday to the governor and legislature, stating that the city is in generally good financial shape.

“The report acknowledges a number of areas where progress has been made, while also identifying several priorities for improvement in fiscal management,” according to an ICA press release.

In 2018, the state created the ICA to oversee the creation of a five-year financial plan for Harrisburg.

The 26-page report submitted on Friday is substantially more positive than last year’s annual report, which robustly criticized the city for several alleged financial and accounting deficiencies.

Some of those criticisms—including a “low collection rate” in accounts receivable in the city’s Neighborhood Services Fund (sanitation), an outmoded IT infrastructure and a long-delayed audit of the city government’s physical assets—remain in the 2021 report.

In addition, the city has not hired a new finance director since former director Bruce Weber resigned last year, and the city and the ICA have not yet ratified an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the two bodies, the report stated. Harrisburg and the ICA recently have moved towards final ratification of that agreement.

Nonetheless, the report said that the city is financially healthy as per a revised five-year financial plan for Harrisburg, which the ICA approved in March.

“The plan projects a stable fiscal position, with a solid general fund balance and relatively resilient revenues in spite of the global pandemic and economic crisis,” according to the report’s executive summary. “It also provides for important initiatives, including funding for capital needs and restructuring debt obligations.”

Moreover, last year, the state legislature extended the city’s extraordinary taxing authority, which was due to expire in 2025.

“The city received a major lifeline this year with the extension of the temporary taxing authority by the governor and the General Assembly,” said ICA Chair Audry Carter, in a statement. “We are committed to our work with the city to develop business practices that continue to sustain the confidence of the governor and the General Assembly.”

As a result of the city’s progress, it is on “the cusp” of being able to exit Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed municipalities, according to the report. Harrisburg has been in Act 47 since 2010.

Recently, Mayor Eric Papenfuse told TheBurg that he expects the city to exit Act 47 this summer.

The report paints a cautiously optimistic outlook for Harrisburg’s financial state, a sentiment reiterated by Carter.

“Working together, we know that the possibility of prosperity lies ahead,” Carter said.

For more information on the ICA or to read the full report, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features from around Harrisburg

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Sprocket Mural Works artists paint a mural on the side of Zeroday on N. 3rd Street.

Is anyone else’s stomach growling after seeing our May issue’s cover? Just us? Pick up your copy of the magazine today, but you may want to have your favorite restaurant on speed dial. This month is our dining issue, and boy does it look good. Before you dig into the issue, catch up on our local news coverage, listed and linked, below.

Autism brings three local women together, in our magazine story. Heather Zimmerman, Kelly Long and Grace Long discuss the importance of bringing awareness to autism and how it has impacted their lives.

TheBurg received 22 individual and group Keystone media awards this week, the greatest number we have ever received. Take a look at our online article to see which stories won awards in this contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation.

The Civic Club of Harrisburg is holding an online silent auction to raise funds after it was dealt a financial blow from COVID and recent vandalism, our reporting found. President Marybeth Lehtimaki hopes the community will support them in a time of need.

Dauphin County placed a ballot drop box in downtown Harrisburg in preparation for the upcoming municipal primary, our online story reported. Elections staff has begun to mail out almost 15,000 requested ballots for the May 18 primary, according to the county.

Denim Coffee Company plans to open at a new downtown Harrisburg location on Monday, our online story reported. The shop is the third to open in the state, with existing cafés in Carlisle and Chambersburg.

Dental health has improved over the years, but there is still much to do, according to Capital BlueCross. In a magazine article, health officials share tips for good dental hygiene.

Erik Arneson is known in the community for his past job with the state Office of Open Records and his current position with the Pennsylvania Treasury, but not as many know about his board game expertise. Read more about Arneson and his book “How to Host a Game Night” in our magazine story.

Friends of TheBurg celebrates its one-year anniversary this month. Our editor thanks the community for its continuous support, in his May Editor’s Note.

Lillie Williams, the interim director of the city Department of Building and Housing Development, has a passion for helping people find a safe place to stay. In our magazine story, she shares how her experience living in affordable housing helps her relate to those she serves.

Local “plant lady,” Sara Bozich, tells the story of her progression from accidentally killing plants to nurturing them. She has a few tips for fellow houseplant owners in a magazine story.

The mayoral race in Harrisburg is in full swing with six candidates on the ballot. We reached out to each candidate with two questions about their reasons for running and priorities. We have their answers, here.

Midtown Cinema plans to host a vaccine clinic next week, along with provider Rite Aid, our reporting found. According to the cinema, the clinic offers a “convenient location” for Harrisburg residents.

Schooling kids during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, especially for children with special needs. In our magazine story, hear from local parents, students and educators who had to adapt in unique ways.

Sprocket Mural Works issued a call for artists this week as organizers prepare for the upcoming 2021 Harrisburg Mural Fest, our online story reported. The arts group will also begin a fundraising campaign for a mural that will be painted at Recycle Bicycle’s new location in Allison Hill.

Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies has satisfied many sweet teeth in the century-plus that it’s been in business, our magazine story reported. The shop is small but big on variety, offering peanut butter, coffee, dried fruits and a large variety of candy.

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Burg Blog: And the Keystone goes to …

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Springtime brings us warmer weather, flowers galore and, if you’re a journalist in Pennsylvania, the year’s most anticipated press awards.

On Thursday, we learned that TheBurg received 22 individual and group Keystone Media Awards, a peer-reviewed contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation. It’s the greatest number of awards we’ve received over our dozen-plus years of publishing.

According to PNA, it received more than 2,600 entries from 117 news organizations, with entries judged by working journalists in New York

Our awards cover a wide range of areas, including reporting, writing, photography, illustration and design and include the prestigious “Sweepstakes” award for the best performance statewide in our category.

But let us delay no further. As I have in recent years, I have all the winners listed below, with links so you can see what the judges deemed to be some of the best work done statewide in 2020.

Column Writing: First Place, Lawrance Binda (3 columns)

Column 1 Road Rethink, Let’s Keep It, Wishing Well

Column Writing: Second Place, Lawrance Binda (3 columns)

Column 2 A Mask and a Muddle, To the Ages, Viral Logic

News Beat Reporting: Second Place, Maddie Conley Gittens (Harrisburg School District)

News Beat School Beat

Ongoing News Coverage: Second Place, Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens (Black Lives Matter)

An appeal for unity, action at Black Lives Matter rally in Harrisburg

Black Lives Matter protests focus on next steps: photo gallery

Black Lives Matter mural painted in Midtown to encourage solidarity, dialogue

Voices of Our Community

A June to Remember

Business or Consumer Story: Honorable Mention, Maddie Conley Gittens

Lemons to Lemonade

Feature Story: Second Place, Maddie Conley Gittens

School’s Out

Lifestyle/Entertainment Beat: Second Place, Stephanie Kalina-Metzger (restaurant/dining beat)

Lifestyle Dining Restaurant Beat

Lifestyle/Entertainment Beat: Honorable Mention, Karen Hendricks (running/fitness beat)

Karen Running Fitness

Diversity: First Place, Yaasmeen Piper, Norah Griffiths Johnson, M. Diane McCormick, Barbara Trainin Blank

Diversity 1

Diversity: Second Place, Karen Hendricks, Yaasmeen Piper, Barbara Trainin Blank, Maddie Conley Gittens

Diversity 2

Diversity: Honorable Mention, Maddie Conley Gittens, Yaasmeen Piper, Susan Ryder, M. Diane McCormick

Diversity 3

Headline Writing: Honorable Mention, Lawrance Binda

Headlines Hail to the Quaff, Quarantune, Squidding Around

Podcast: Honorable Mention, TheBurg Podcast, Karen Hendricks

Departing 2020, with Art
Surviving Election Season
Community, Amid COVID

Photo/Story Essay: First Place, Dani Fresh

Photo/Story Essay: Honorable Mention, Chetroy Productions

Sports Feature Photo: First Place, Chetroy Productions

News Page Design: Second Place, Megan Caruso, Kristen Fava (3 designs)

Feature Page Design: First Place, Megan Caruso (3 designs)

Graphic/Photo Illustration: First Place, Bradley Gebhart

Graphic/Photo Illustration: Second Place, Bradley Gebhart

Graphic/Photo Illustration: Honorable Mention, Megan Caruso

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I’m On Board: Candidates for Harrisburg school board share their goals, priorities

April 30, 2021 | by TheBurg Staff

The Harrisburg School District Administration building on State Street.

With six mayoral and 13 city council candidates, the ballot is going to be a long one in Harrisburg.

Add to the list seven Democrats competing for four, four-year seats on the Harrisburg school board. One candidate, Ezra Match, cross-filed as a Republican. Also, there is one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, running for the sole two-year seat on the board.

We asked the candidates to respond to a question from TheBurg. The following lists in alphabetical order each candidate who responded, We did not receive responses from candidates Brian Carter and Jorge Collazo.

We hope this helps you as you head to the voting booth on May 18.

Michael Balsbaugh

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

One goal I have for the Harrisburg School District, as a director, is to further address the long shadow of systemic racism. I will achieve this goal by using my vote on the board to uphold the following values:

Creating access to economic opportunities by providing Harrisburg students with a first-rate education and practical life skills; expanding after-school programs that supplement school learning and athletics. These programs also benefit working parents by providing them with childcare.
Incorporating into our United States history curriculum the work of the 1619 Project to make all students more aware of the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans to the U.S.
Using the resources of the district to combat urban food deserts by giving children more access to information about nutrition and healthy lifestyles, as well as providing more organic and sustainable foods with school lunch programs.
Minimizing police involvement in our school by providing more access to mental health services.
Using district contracts to support local businesses and ensure equitable distribution of these contracts.

Roslyn Copeland

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

Through my personal life experiences, I have seen the burden that systems have placed upon our family structure. Families have to work long hours for small wages, daycare costs are expensive and a high percentage of our men are incarcerated. This burden has its effects on our children. Some of our youth do not have the chance to be children and are faced with real-world responsibilities. This burden can manifest into mental health issues. Our youth are being diagnosed with a broad rubber stamp. These types of labels do not come with an expiration date.

When I am elected, I plan to launch an initiative to make all children’s mental health diagnoses come with an expiration date. We must create end goals to mental health issues if we are going to make our children whole. At this moment, children that have been diagnosed with these mental health issues are on a path to be labeled for the rest of their lives. What is worse is that these children never get the true help that they deserve or need.

With help from our community, other School Board members and a good working relationship with the city council members and the mayor, we will create programs to make sure that the burden of mental health labels will come with a solution date.

Jaime Johnsen

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

If elected as a school board director, I hope to use my qualified skillset in guiding all aspects of school operations with integrity. During a term on the Harrisburg school board, I hope to accomplish three goals: promote sustainability programs to foster positive youth development, encourage fiscal solvency while increasing academic excellence, and work collectively with all levels of the process to do what is right for the students of the Harrisburg School District. My background in mental health can help identify services and resources to better aid students with adverse childhood experiences. My involvement in the community will help continue facilitating positive partnerships with fellow board members, as well as city, county and state officials. I’m passionate about choosing to serve equitably, make thoughtful, sound decisions and work towards our students’ successful futures.

Ezra Match

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

I’d like to see the district recruit teachers, guidance counselors and staff who reflect the composition of the student body. One of the places to find this talent is from historically Black colleges and universities, places like Cheyney and Lincoln Universities in PA, and others in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. I could partner with the district’s human resources department to ensure plans are in place so that opportunities at the city schools become known to promising students on HBCU campuses. Part of my work as a principal software engineer is with marketing teams. This outreach effort would in essence be a marketing project, whose outcome would affect the culture of the district, creating more opportunities for honest and open communication between students and staff.

Terricia Radcliff

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

As a Harrisburg school board member, my goal is to make sure that our kids get a better education by seeing that the district gets fair and equal funding, students get the programs they need to succeed mentally, emotionally and physically and that charter school operators are held to financial and ethical standards. I believe these things can be accomplished by pushing for transparency between the community and the school district and pressuring the legislators to overhaul school funding formulas so that the district can provide the necessary resources to help ensure quality education for all students.

Danielle Robinson

What is a goal you have for the Harrisburg School District and how will you contribute to its achievement?

My goal for the Harrisburg School District is to create a competitive academic environment where every student is afforded the opportunity for a quality education.

I will work toward that goal by continuing to advocate for fair funding on the local, state and federal levels of government and working to raise the academic standards of the Harrisburg School District and the post-high school expectations of our students. This works in conjunction with retaining the quality teachers that currently work in the district and recruiting qualified teachers through partnerships with surrounding colleges and universities. I will work to strengthen safety protocols and mental health services for our students and staff adversely affected by the current Covid-19 pandemic. As well as promoting fiscal and educational accountability.

Harrisburg School District has the promise to become an amazing educational institution and I would love to continue to build on the current foundation.

All photos provided by candidates.

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2021 Midstate Table

April 30, 2021 | by Admin

Happenings: Our May Calendar of Events

April 30, 2021 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Keep on Truckin,” an exhibit of light-duty trucks, from May through the fall

“Minibike Mania,” a display of more than two dozen miniature motorbikes, through Oct. 16

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Figuratively Speaking,” annual juried membership show, celebrating the human form, with an added theme this year of coronavirus lock-down/quarantine experience, through May 13

“Free For All” 3rd Annual Student & Member Show, May 21-July 8

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Local Light,” paintings and drawings by David Reinbold and Mary Ann Pardue Lard that focus on the beauty of light and shadow in defining forms in landscape and still life, through May 29

“I’m Fine,” a community-engaged exhibit of masks and stories dedicated to sculpting mental health awareness and support, through May 29

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: April Tichenor’s Camp Hill High School students

Dickinson College
The Trout Gallery
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“Studio Majors Thesis Exhibition,” featuring projects by senior studio art majors under the direction of Rachel Eng with Todd Arsenault, Anthony Cervino, and Andy Bale, through Sept. 11

“In Light of the Past,” an exhibition considering how we experience photographs, through Oct. 9

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Backstage at the Allen Theater Café, through May 31

HAAA Member Art display at Hershey Public Library, through Oct. 10

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Tami Bitner, Kelly Curran, Julie Iaria, and Reina Wooden, through May 16

New works by Yachiyo Beck, Linda Benton McCloskey, Elaine Elledge, Kristin Fava and Richard Souders, May 19-June 13

Outdoor Odd Ones Bizarre, with makers, artists and creatives selling their wares, along with music and Millworks beer, May 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Home Goods Show” of locally made artwork and handmade home goods for spring redecorating or Zoom room makeovers, through June 12

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

Virtual Student Honors Exhibition, through May 6

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“The Modernists: Witnesses to the 20th Century,” works by a variety of modern artists, through May 16

“From Selfie to Community,” large-format woodcut self-portraits created by Bloomsburg University printmaking students, through July 18

“Persephone/Persephone,” a multi-panel collaborative installation by Elody Gyekis and Joanne Landis, through Aug. 8

“Project Pattern” multimedia display of photography, painting, sculpture and installation by artists Nate Ethier, Nicole Herbert, and Luke Murphy, through August.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art in the Wild,” an exhibit of naturally inspired trailside installations created by artists using mostly natural materials and inspired by the theme “Reimagining,” through Sept. 30

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

Virtual May Quilt Show, May 1-31

Read, Make, Learn

Career Professional Executives Networking Group (CPENG) Inc.
187 Tice Lane, Lebanon
717-575-4114; cpengroup.wildapricot.org

May 20: Virtual Harrisburg CPENG Meeting, 6-8 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

May 8: Experimental Mixed Media 1-Day Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 3 p.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Virtual Born to Read (birth-18 months), 9:30 a.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Virtual Anime Club, 4 p.m.
May 4: Virtual Lively Minds Series—Finding Life on Other Worlds, 7-8 p.m.
May 4: Virtual Animal Crossing with The Library, 3:30 p.m.
May 4, 11, 18, 25: Virtual Family Storytime, 6 p.m.
May 5, 12, 19, 26: Virtual Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m.
May 5, 12, 19, 26: Virtual Create Lab, 4 p.m.
May 5, 12, 19, 26: Young Adult Book Club on Zoom, 4 p.m.
May 6, 13, 20, 27: Discord Hangouts—Chat, 3-5 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Tween Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 4 p.m.
May 8: Meet Author of the Year Susan Orlean virtual talk, 7-8 p.m.
May 10: Preschool Storytime on Zoom, 10 a.m.
May 11: Virtual Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 7 p.m.
May 12: Virtual Mental Health Series—Just Talk About It, 6:30 p.m.
May 13: Job Seeker Resources—Power Your Job Search with Google Tools, 1-2 p.m.
May 13: Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month virtual presentation, 6-7 p.m.
May 13, 27: Librarians on Twitch, 6-8 p.m.
May 14: Virtual Device Club—Android for Beginners II, 1 p.m.
May 14, 21, 28: Virtual Menstruation Celebration!, 4 p.m.
May 15: Virtual Family Paint Party, 10-10:30 a.m.
May 18: Virtual Animal Crossing—New Horizons (for adults 18+), 4-6 p.m.
May 19: Social Media Literacy—Identifying Misinformation, 7-8 p.m.
May 20: Virtual Family Paint Party, 6-6:30 p.m.
May 22: Plein Air Paint Along at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Arts, Millersburg, 1-3 p.m.
May 26: Spanish Language Conversation Group, 12-1 p.m.
May 26: Knit One, Crochet Too! on Zoom, 6 p.m.
May 27: Lawyers in Libraries—Civil Legal Services, What You Need to Know About PA Unemployment Compensation, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

May 5, 12: Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

May 3, 10, 17, 24: Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 12 p.m.
May 3, 17: Teen Grab and Go Bag, 9 a.m.
May 3, 17: Zoom—Fredricksen Writes on Zoom, 6:45 p.m.
May 4: Zoom—Curl up with the Classics on Zoom—Stories by Dr. Seuss, 10-11 a.m.
May 4, 11, 18, 25: Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 10:30 a.m.
May 4, 11, 18, 25: Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 4:30 p.m.
May 5: Zoom—Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
May 6, 13, 20, 27: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
May 6, 13, 20, 27: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
May 7, 21: Zoom STEM Storytime, 10 a.m.
May 10: STEM Grab & Go Bag (ages 7-12), 9 a.m.
May 10: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
May 14: Philosophers’ Roundtable, 2 p.m.
May 19: Zoom—Write On, 7:30 p.m.
May 24: Virtual Fredricksen Reads, 7-8 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

May 1: On the Porch with Jenn & Matt Lauder

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

May 7: Fluid Art, 1-4 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

May 1: Outside Fused Glass Class, 1 p.m.
May 2: Virtual Friends’ Children’s Program—SPLAT! Studio (ages 2-6), 2 p.m.
May 2: Virtual Friends’ Children’s Program—SPLAT! Studio (ages 6+), 3 p.m.
May 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 25: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
May 4: Zoom Star Wars Trivia, 7 p.m.
May 5, 19: Virtual LEGO Club, 3:45 p.m.
May 8: Author talk with Lisa Wingate, 2 p.m.
May 8, 15, 22, 29: Laura English—Art of Non-Fiction, 3 p.m.
May 13: Zoom Morning Contemporary Book Group, 9:30 a.m.
May 13: Zoom Evening Contemporary Book Group, 6:30 p.m.
May 20: Zoom Life Long Readers Book Group, 6:30 p.m.
May 25: Community Blood Drive, 1:30 p.m.
May 27: Zoom Between the Lines Gook Group, 6:45 p.m.

Hummelstown Food Pantry
100 West Main Street, Hummelstown
717-566-2589; hummelstownfoodpantry.org

May 8: 6th Annual Hummelstown Hunger Run

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

May 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28: Toddler Time (18 months to 3 years), 11:10 a.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Story Time on Zoom (ages 3-6), 1:30-2 p.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Zoom Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 5:15-5:35 p.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Family Story Time on Zoom, 6:45-7:15 p.m.
May 4, 11, 18, 25: Tea & Stitches on Zoom, 10-11 a.m.
May 5, 12, 19, 26: Zoom Story Time (ages 3-6), 10-10:45 a.m.
May 5, 12, 19, 26: Toddler Time on Zoom (18 months to 3 years), 6 p.m.
May 6: LEGO Club (grades K-5), 6 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Story Time (ages 3-6), 10-10:45 a.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 10:15 a.m.
May 11: Tween Scene—Outdoor Yard games (grades 4-5), 6-7 p.m.
May 12: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
May 14-16: May Book Sale
May 14, 28: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
May 15: Kindergarten & First Grade Club, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
May 17: Virtual Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
May 18: Zoom STEM Club, 6-6:45 p.m.
May 22: Block Party!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
May 22: Trivia at Home—Marvel Universe, 6-8 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

May 6: Virtual and in-person Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Online Science Fiction Book Club
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Star Trek Rewatch online group
May 17: Virtual and in-person Mystery Book Club, 6 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

May 4: Danielle Dreilinger in Conversation with Susan Douglas online event, 7-8 p.m.
May 5: Pam Jenoff in Conversation with Lisa Wingate online event, 7-8 p.m.
May 6: An Evening with Blake Bailey online event, 7-8 p.m.
May 12: An Evening with Jennifer Weiner online event, 7-8 p.m.
May 18: Elizabeth Hinton in Conversation with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor online event, 6-7 p.m.
May 20: Sebastian Junger in Conversation with Dreux Richard online event, 7-8 p.m.
May 25: An Evening with Catherine Wolff online event, 7-8 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

May 1: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
May 8, 9: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
May 14-16: Acrylic Abstract Painting workshop

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

May 22: “The Civil War in a Global Context with Dr. Aaron Sheehan Dean,” 1-2 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

May 1, 15: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
May 1-31: May Reading Challenge for families—The Expanding World
May 3: At-Home Mother’s Day Craft (ages 3-10)
May 3: Appreciating the library gardens, Gardening for birds, 6-7 p.m.
May 3, 10: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
May 10: At-Home Seeds Activity (ages 3-10)
May 17-21: Flowers Take-and-Make Activity Kit
May 11: Book Review, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

May 22: Family Paint Along with DCLS, 1-3 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

May 10: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

May 7: Virtual Artists Conversations—Violet Oakley’s drawings, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
May 14: Virtual Adventures in Nature Lab—Native PA Flowers for Your Garden, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
May 21: Learn at Lunchtime— Virtual Curator’s Choice: PA Women who Made History, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

May 19: Life Drawing Class, 6 p.m.

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

May 12: Virtual Tall Tales workshop, 7-8 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

May 8: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
May 15: Sign Design Workshop, 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
May 19: Detweiler Park Bird Walk, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
May 22: How-To Plant Your Home Garden Bed, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
May 23: Flower Walk—Jack in the Pulpits & More, 1:30-3 p.m.
May 25: Full Moon Hike at Detweiler Park, 8-10 p.m.
May 29: Kids Discover—Insects, 1:30-3 p.m.

Live Music

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

May 15, 17: York Symphony Orchestra Digital Concerts

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu

May 3: College Choir, Concert Choir
May 13: Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

May 13: Joe Locke, Warren Wolf Duo virtual concert

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

May 14: Rhett Miller

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; [email protected]

May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Jazz Sunday Brunch w/Central PA Friends of Jazz
May 8: Crippled But Free
May 14: Olivia Farabaugh
May 15: Cold Spring Union

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

May 22: Masterworks

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

May 1-2: The Rock Project’s 50th anniversary reflections of “Who’s Next” livestream

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

May 1: Messiah University Handbell Choir
May 1: Messiah University Percussion Ensemble

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

May 2: Watkins Family Hour

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

May 1: Saved by the ‘90s
May 7: Colebrook Road w/Dead Horse Revival
May 8: Stonewall Vessels
May 14: Litz w/AMFM
May 15: Solar Federation
May 21: The Amish Outlaws

The Stage Door

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

May 14: Tim Young with Johnny Lee Dam

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

May 1-29: “On Your Feet”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

May 7-16: “The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood”

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

May 13-16: “The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast”

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; keystonetheatrics.com

May 8-9: Jerry’s Girls—The Music of Jerry Herman

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

May 9: “Mother’s Day Cabaret”

May 28-June 25: “Over the Rainbow: The Songs of Judy Garland”

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

May 2: Pennsylvania Regional Ballet

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A City’s Future: Harrisburg’s mayoral hopefuls state why they’re running, what they’ll do

April 30, 2021 | by TheBurg Staff

If you’re in Harrisburg, you can’t miss it—an important election is upon us.

Signs for the candidates are everywhere, and, if you live in the city, you can’t avoid the ads, the flyers and the canvassers.

This cycle, we’ve asked all the mayoral candidates two open-ended questions. Through their answers, we hope you’ll better understand what’s important to them and maybe even discover something new about their positions and personalities.

Their responses follow in alphabetical order, with the five Democratic candidates listed first followed by the single Republican candidate. We asked candidates to limit their responses to 425 words and made minor edits to conform to our style.

The primary takes place May 18. Please make your voice heard!

Otto Banks (D)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

Our adults lack access to quality employment opportunities, affordable and adequate housing, business development and access to community mental, social and medical services. I will incentivize businesses to hire residents through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, awarding points in city RFP scoring matrices for hiring residents. I will partner with unions to ensure that our residents are trained and prepared for rebuilding our infrastructure and housing stock. I want to create more quality housing options by assisting developers in obtaining Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Redevelopment Assistance Capital, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Funds, and other programs that have long been at our disposal. To address the health deficits, I will ensure that the city’s Department of Health is fully funded and staffed to address the disparities within the social determinants of health.

Our children need quality education with intentional attention on trade schools, recreational, artistic and cultural activities, with summer employment and job readiness training. We can address youth programming deficits by working within HSD’s structure. Through funding and collaborations with HSD, we can expand normal operations by making schools “community centers” where children can obtain tutoring, job training, recreational activities and opportunities for artistic/cultural expression. This program will be underwritten through three funding streams: Title I, CDBG money and EITC Tax Credit money where corporations can contribute to a nonprofit education improvement organization and receive up to a 90% deduction against their state tax liability in addition to the federal deduction for donating to a 501C3. Youth summer employment opportunities will be funded through Parks/Recreation and the Department of Labor’s Youth Build program, a community-based apprenticeship program providing job training/educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16 through 24. Lastly, businesses need access to capital, credit and affordable professional support through legal, accounting, administrative and coaching/mentor services. I will expand and redesign the city’s revolving loan program, and work with local banking institutions that receive the city’s deposits to create competitive financial instruments that will be tied directly to city contracts. I also plan to support the local Chamber of Commerce to assist small businesses with locating or providing fiduciary management services.

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

Harrisburg’s mayor must be a champion for our city. They must be knowledgeable, driven, devoted, transparent, optimistic, pragmatic, outgoing, versatile, benevolent, compassionate, industrious and a visionary. I have exemplified those qualities through my extensive background as a public servant. I’ve worked to create economic opportunity, contracting and partnerships. I am capable of not only dreaming big but have demonstrable ability to execute.

Kevyn Knox (D)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

Inequality! The powers that be seem to worry only about the more affluent residents but very little about the middle and especially the lower income residents. We are a city of 49,000 and the city government needs to be there for everyone!

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

The mayor needs to be for the people—all the people! The mayor needs to surround themselves with the most qualified people to do their jobs and help the city and all its residents! The mayor needs to try everything they can to make this a fair and equitable city for all!

Eric Papenfuse (D) (incumbent)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

The biggest issue we face this election is whether Harrisburg sustains the progress we’ve made during my administration, or whether it falls back into the despair and dysfunction that originally inspired me to run for office. By nearly every metric, Harrisburg is better off today. Fiscal discipline, balanced budgets, civil discourse between branches of government, the expansion of city services—these were not the norm before I took office. And these advancements could easily be reversed under different leadership.

Challenging me this spring are longtime politicians like Wanda Williams who backed bankruptcy and were part of a broken political system that caused the state to take over the city. Two Republicans are also running in the Democratic primary. One of them has taken tens of thousands of dollars from school-voucher proponents eager to defund the Harrisburg School District. Another, multimillionaire Dave Schankweiler, backed Trump and Perry, fought against President Obama’s agenda, and is spending tens of thousands on anti-gay, anti-choice political consultants, disingenuously trying to persuade Democratic voters that he shares our values. But this is the first time he has even voted in a Democratic municipal primary.

I believe in term limits and pledge that, if voters re-elect me, this will be my last term. We can’t let right-wing ideologues take this city backwards or exploit our divisions. I want to build on the successes we have achieved together. Together, we can and must cultivate a new generation of progressive leaders, whose contributions I welcome and whose voices I pledge to lift up over the next four years.

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

The most important quality the mayor must possess is the ability to bring competing stakeholders together to serve the interests of residents and advance the city’s recovery. I am proud to have earned the full support of organized labor and the endorsements of AFSCME, the Teamsters, the Central PA Building Trades and others. I am gratified also to have the support of business leaders and employers who continue to create new opportunities and are helping revitalize our city.

This past term, working with legislators on both sides of the aisle, my administration achieved what many thought impossible: a long-term solution to Harrisburg’s decades-old structural deficit. Harrisburg will be leaving distressed-city status this year, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to work with President Biden’s administration, investing tens of millions of dollars in Harrisburg’s post-COVID recovery. We will be able to address pressing infrastructure needs—from paving neighborhood streets to cleaning up the Susquehanna through proper stormwater management. I want to lead the city into an even brighter future.

Dave Schankweiler (D)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

Street violence is Harrisburg’s most challenging issue. It is what stands between us and our dreams for a thriving capital city—a city of 22 neighborhoods alive with arts, culture, festivals and an exciting generation of entrepreneurial talent. Without aggressive action to reverse rising violent crime—especially streets where predominantly Black and brown citizens live—we don’t have a city that works for everyone. And with the highest homicide rate in 30 years, there are no longer safe and unsafe neighborhoods. The shootings on Verbeke and Division streets this year proved that wherever a life falls, we’re all impacted. Making this city safe, clean and livable is a shared responsibility.

In my first full day as mayor, I’ll call on City Council, public safety officials, business, school, church, nonprofit and neighborhood leaders to participate in a Citywide Action Summit on Violence Prevention—a citywide conversation on the root causes of crime. We need to review manpower and resource needs to end violence on city streets, but this won’t get fixed by a single program or one-time infusion of cash. We need citywide commitment to making Harrisburg safe, clean and beautiful. City Hall can no longer be silent on the injustices of violence, trash, blight and crumbling roads.

We’re on the verge of great things—the bright spots in Midtown and downtown are good signs—but a widespread rebirth won’t happen if the city isn’t safe for families in every neighborhood. We must rise together.

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

As I’ve watched political and business leaders over the years, it’s clear that, at a minimum, they must possess administrative ability, personal discipline, a strong emotional and spiritual core and an ability to turn critics into counselors. But the best leaders are servant leaders—those who balance confidence with humility. These are leaders who listen, treat co-workers with sincerity and kindness and are able to put another’s interest ahead of their own.

When I left the Republican Party and re-registered as a Democrat, I did so because the party no longer had a vision for the cities. It had lost sight of the dreams and hopes of the people who live in them. But beyond shifting values, my decision was primarily because the leader at the top didn’t possess any of the qualities that make a leader worth following. Instead of being connected to a value system that placed the dignity of others above ambition, Trump possessed an insatiable appetite for self. I couldn’t be associated with that kind of leader and party.

Those who have worked alongside me have said that my ability to listen and bring people together for solutions are some of my best leadership attributes. I would love to have the privilege of serving my neighbors as mayor and putting these skills to work for Harrisburg.

Wanda Williams (D)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

There are many vital issues that our city faces in these interesting times in which we live, but I believe these are two of the most important.

Making sure our businesses not just come back after COVID, but that they thrive—and expand into every neighborhood in Harrisburg. I have worked with national and state advocacy groups for almost two decades. I will work to secure as much federal and state funding to assist our businesses hurt by COVID and to help others start new ones.

We must continue to work to keep our neighborhoods safe. I will start programs that keep our youth active and out of trouble. I will work to create more investment, which will produce more jobs. We also need to make sure all our police have body cams to ensure accountability by all parties.

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

Leadership—On every level, I have shown the leadership necessary to be our next mayor. I have led City Council, serving as a check over the last three mayoral administrations, on behalf of the taxpayers. Additionally, I have served on national and state boards to help find solutions to the problems that cities like ours face.

Experience—This does not just apply to my 16 years on City Council, but also my experience with the people of our city. They know that I am real and approachable.

Dedication—I have lived in Harrisburg my entire life and raised my children here. We have all attended our schools and worked to make our city better. I have served on City Council for the last 16 years. I have been a Democrat my entire life and have never wavered in my support for Democratic candidates and for labor unions. This will never change.

Compassion—Like people, a city has up and downs, tragedies and bright spots. I have shared in our people’s good times and bad. I’ve had a member of my family shot by random violence. I know when our people are suffering and need help. I will always stand with the good people of Harrisburg, who deserve safe streets, good government services and a mayor who will listen to them.

Courage—When our city was in its most dire financial state, I stood up to the Commonwealth and Wall Street bond traders that wanted to tax our residents into oblivion and sell all our assets. I said no and was able to help forge a better, fairer deal for the taxpayers of our city. I will always speak truth to power.

Timothy Rowbottom (R)

What is the biggest issue Harrisburg faces and how do you plan to address it?

There are a number of great issues, all having relevance to each other. The lack of empowerment opportunities is tied to the corrupt Dauphin County prison pipeline system that includes the halfway houses, methadone clinics and the work release center. Another great issue that plagues this city, is opportunist politicians who only come around every four years to play the residents for their votes while delivering nothing in return. For too long the executive branch of Harrisburg has used the codes office as a weapon, attacked residents and catered to extremist views. No longer can we allow the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority to abuse its office, while Allison Hill and other broken blocks throughout the city are left in desolation.

The defund the police movement will be a disaster for this city and will leave the most vulnerable residents open to criminal victimhood. While I do believe that some police officers should not be police officers, and some judges shouldn’t be judges, I also believe that in order to instill morale among the police and to retain good officers, that respect should be given to those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Let’s call insanity, insanity, and stand together to push back on corruption. It is time that this city has a leader who respects private property rights, and respects the will of ALL people, not just those who donate to a campaign.

I will confront these institutions directly and deliver on the words that I speak.

What qualities does the mayor of Harrisburg need to possess and how do you exemplify them?

I believe all decisions are rooted in fear or faith-based principles, and I believe in order to bring the city out of the dysfunction that it is in, is to operate on faith while instilling hope for a better decade ahead. Harrisburg needs a leader who is not intimidated. Harrisburg needs a leader who is not enslaved to their donors.

Everybody who has their heart in this city has watched how opportunities have been squandered, neighborhoods have not been elevated, how businesses have been chased out through leadership vendettas, and everybody knows the core of the issue is a lack of proper understanding of a representative government. We elect representatives, not dictators.

I will listen to anyone who comes with a fruitful conversation and has actionable ideas.

I’ve put my money where my mouth is by investing my life and talent into Allison Hill.

Win, lose or draw, I am here to serve.

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Locked Up to Locked Down: Harrisburg organizations help people re-enter a pandemic-stricken society after prison

April 30, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Marsha Curry-Nixon

Marsha Curry-Nixon was once incarcerated herself, before she started helping others.

Her experience in the system made her able to relate to other people now in those shoes, she says.

Curry-Nixon was released from prison in 1996 and moved to Harrisburg. It was a fresh start, but it wasn’t easy. She was recovering from drug addiction, looking for a place to live, and preparing to reclaim custody of her children. On top of that, she would soon start college at HACC.

She faced so many challenges during re-entry into society, but still, she couldn’t imagine adding one more thing on top of that—the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is the very crisis that could cause somebody to go back to prison,” she said.

At Curry-Nixon’s nonprofit, Amiracle4sure, her team has been busy trying to keep that from happening. Over the years, their programs have had much success deterring recidivism, but 2020 brought unprecedented challenges.

She pulled out her phone to tell me how she’s downloaded apps for Instacart, a grocery delivery service, and Uber.

“I need to get people to work and to doctors’ appointments,” she said. “I’ll do everything I can do in my power until I have the last penny in my bank account.”

Funds at Amiracle4sure have been slim. Curry-Nixon joked that she needed a very rich person to donate a lot of money. But case managers have continued to help clients get jobs, housing and food during a time when resources are scarce.

The goal, every day, is do not go to jail,” she said. “That’s the ultimate goal—what do we need to do to stop this person from getting to a place of desperation that they commit another crime and end up back in prison.”

New Start

Kerry Sawyers was released from prison to Harrisburg about three months ago. He was released to a world still grappling with the pandemic, but Sawyers was quite familiar with the effects the virus could have, even inside the prison walls.

Fifteen people died from COVID-19 in his section alone, he said. Sawyers secluded himself as best he could. He didn’t play cards with the other men, but just stayed in his cell.

When he was released, he couldn’t believe it when he saw people walking around without masks on, talking to friends and shaking hands.

“It’s like they don’t care,” he said.

Sawyers got connected with Dr. Kevin Dolphin, founder of Breaking The Chainz, Inc., a nonprofit that assists with re-entry, and moved into one of the organization’s halfway houses. The environment at the house is stable, Sawyers said. Dolphin has strict rules to keep people safe and out of trouble, he explained.

Sawyers will likely stay at the halfway house for six months or whenever he’s saved enough money to move out.

Finding a job was a whole other beast. Coming out of prison, he had no I.D. besides a state prison card that often drew squinted eyes from employers and unanswered promises that they would follow up with him.

“No one wants a prisoner working for them,” Sawyers said.

For formerly incarcerated people, finding a job is hard. It’s even harder during a pandemic.

“Half the businesses that were there before I went to prison are gone now,” he said. “They’ve dried up.”

It took him seven weeks of searching every day to find a job. It was horrible, he said. But now that his life is looking a little more stable, he had a sense of hope, even if it was just a small glimmer.

“Things can only get better from here,” he said, attributing where he is now to the help he received from Dolphin.

Finding Home

AliceAnne Frost

AliceAnne Frost is the CEO of “The Program, It’s About Change,” which has offices in Harrisburg and York.

They offer family reunification, workforce development, mentoring and other services, but Frost said that housing is the fundamental need. The pandemic has only amplified that, she said. Frost explained that, while landlords are sometimes reluctant to rent to formerly incarcerated people, they’ve been even more resistant during COVID.

In an effort to keep people in their homes, the Centers for Disease Control enacted a federal ban on evictions and, locally, Harrisburg created a moratorium. While those have kept people in their homes for months, Frost and Curry-Nixon have also seen it keep people out of homes.

If a landlord decides to rent to someone who they believe may not have the means to continuously pay rent, the moratoriums would likely keep them from being able to evict that person. Curry-Nixon explained how she has seen this keep landlords from renting to ex-felons.

“As someone coming home from incarceration, your number-one thing is you have to have a home plan,” Frost said. “You want stability in your life.”

One way The Program helps fill that need is through a service they provide in York for formerly incarcerated homeless people. Through a grant from York County, they’ve been able to assist clients with paying rent, making it easier for them to find housing, Frost said.

“When where you’re going to lay your head at night is an unknown, that just leads to their stress of how they’re going to succeed,” she said.

Not Hard, Difficult

Kevin Dolphin

In addition to Dolphin leading Breaking The Chainz, he’s also a writer. He recently published a book, “If These Prison Walls Could Talk,” which tells his story and the story of other men and women who were imprisoned.

He knows a thing or two about words, most importantly that they hold power.

“I don’t like to use the word ‘hard,’” he said. “‘Hard’ is not a part of my vocabulary. If I think something is hard then it’s going to be hard.”

Dolphin said that, instead, he uses the word “difficult.” He thinks it sounds like something that he could overcome, like a challenge.

This year has been difficult for Dolphin and for the men he serves. He hasn’t been able to visit prisons and teach his classes to convicts. The waiting list to get in is backed up by over a year now. Many of his programs for those re-entering society have moved to a virtual format, making it harder to stay in contact, he said.

But, for Dolphin, it’s all something he can overcome. He has to. People like Sawyers’ futures are on the line. Plus, he did time in prison himself. He knows how essential these services are.

“My heart is in it,” he said. “The passion that I have is so strong.”

Curry-Nixon feels the same way. If anything positive came out of the pandemic, it was how she was able to help her clients through an uncertain time, she said.

She told me about a client who died from COVID and how she talks to his widow and her children every day. Curry-Nixon teared up as she said how blessed she felt to comfort the woman through her grief.

“For her to trust me, that is what makes this so bearable,” she said. “She can depend on us, and that’s the key to coming out of prison. You need someone to depend on.”

Amiracle4sure is located at 1735 State St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.amiracle4sure.com.

To learn more about Breaking The Chainz, Inc., visit www.breakingthechainz.webs.com.

“The Program, It’s About Change” has offices at 1515 Derry St., Harrisburg and 506 S. George St., York. For more information, visit www.theprogramitsaboutchange.org.

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Count Me In: 13 candidates compete for seats on Harrisburg’s City Council

April 30, 2021 | by TheBurg Staff

Six mayoral candidates may seem like a crowded field, but how about 13 candidates for City Council?

Luckily, you can vote for several, as four, four-year seats are up in the primary election this year. Two current council members are running for re-election, accompanied on the ballot by 11 challengers. All are running for Democratic nominations.

We asked each candidate two questions and printed their answers below, listed in alphabetical order. Responses were limited to 275 words and received minor edits to conform to our style requirements.

We hope that these answers will help inform your decision as you head to the voting booth for the May 18 primary.

Vishal Bajpai

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

One of the primary reasons I am running for council is to change our city’s approach to public safety, particularly when it comes to budgetary priorities. The most recent budget, for example, increased the police department’s funding by around $2 million, bringing the total budget for police to about $21 million, without introducing any meaningful reforms.

I strongly believe we need to explore alternatives to public safety centered on community development and social services rather than relying on increased levels of policing. We need to be funding counselors, nurses and career coaches at Harrisburg public schools, not more police officers. We need a citizens’ review board with the power to investigate police misconduct. We need real investments in city infrastructure and social programs to address the root of these issues and build a city for all of us.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

My commitment to community driven change and focus on innovative policy strategies sets me apart in this field of candidates. Part of that commitment is borne out in my approach to campaigning. Any Harrisburg resident can go to my website and schedule time to speak with me about the issues that are important to them. As a member of city council, I will work proactively to include Harrisburg residents in the political process and fight for policy changes that meet resident needs. Now more than ever, our city council needs creative, bold leadership, not a rubber stamp for the mayor’s agenda.

Lori Ann Beamer-Saulisbury

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

The issue I have with the city is the lack of communication in our governing body as city council. There has to be better communication with each other and not just friends alone in our political arena during election times. As a council member there must be better talks with the mayoral office as a team effort of the city government, with other officials alike. This will bring better understanding to the city at large for the betterment of the people, not just downtown and Midtown but the whole town of Harrisburg. I believe when the people see and hear a government with kindness, love and genuine care, this encourages our residents, seniors, youth and children, along with businesses, stakeholders, investors and entrepreneurs to be better too for the betterment of Harrisburg.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

The most important thing to set me apart from the candidates is my 25 years as a servant and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ reconciling people back to GOD, which is the GREATEST opportunity for mankind to demonstrate love, kindness and care for their fellow man. I also have 15 years of service in Harrisburg as a volunteer, a community activist for stop the violence prayer vigils and street march collaboration gatherings. Additionally, I served for 15 years as a two-term Democratic committeewoman, two-term NAACP Executive Board member and WIN (Women in NAACP) Committee Chairwoman. Wisdom, experience and skill are the defining factors to become the next city council member for Harrisburg. Bring better communication to our governmental body through policies, safety and redevelopment for the BETTERMENT OF HARRISBURG. Bring BETTER hope, help and affordable housing for the less fortunate and homeless alike, giving neighborhoods a better sense of pride and dignity while inviting business owners to invest and create revenue for our city.

Roy Christ

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about many things in our great city, but I have chosen just a few to talk about here. I believe that if we can make a difference in these areas we will be able to expose the greatness that is Harrisburg. Without the people who live here, Harrisburg is but a name on a map. I believe that, in order for our city to become what we can, we need family sustainable wages. We have the advantage of having labor and industry right here in our backyard, and we can take advantage of that. Every first Thursday of the month the Governor’s Training and Apprenticeship Council meets. In those meetings the council goes over the new things that are going on in industry, and it is open to the public. We should have someone there. Training is key. If we have the best-trained workers, industry will build a path to our door. Blight is a very serious problem in our city. We need to pass legislation that holds the LLCs accountable for the property that they buy. Way too many times they buy and sell property in our city like it was a trading card and leave neighborhoods a mess. I have a plan to make them accountable for what they do. Lastly, I truly believe that quality of life issues should be treated like buildings are. We incentivize building in the city, so why not incentivize quality of life issues? If we gave breaks for grocery stores and transportation, we would go a long way towards helping each other.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

What sets me apart from the rest of the people running is experience. I have served the city in some capacity for almost 20 years now. I have at some point fought for everyone in our city. I still have a lot of “good trouble” in me.

Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

There isn’t one issue I am interested in. I would say I am more focused on a series of issues that intersect with each other to support and maintain poverty among our residents. I would like to see barriers to self-sufficiency removed, changing our focus away from divestment from and towards investment into our residents, and ending inequitable provision of city services and enforcement of our laws. I have a voting record residents could examine to see that my vote has been consistent with those principles.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

I have experience as a council person as well as a litigator holding government accountable when it fails its residents. Because of my non-political work, I also have insight into the lived experiences of our residents in a way that few other professions allow.

Crystal Davis

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

Public Works is the issue that I am most passionate about. During my conversations with the residents of Harrisburg about their concerns, I’ve learned that problems with impaired infrastructure, deteriorating potholes, trash accumulation, crumbling sidewalks, inoperative street lights and missing street signs, to name a few, are at the forefront of all of our frustrations.

Broken streetlights promote crime and residents are afraid to go out and walk. Motorists are at an increased risk of losing control of their vehicles and having fatal injuries due to dangerous road conditions. Wherever garbage is left to sit for long periods of time soil and drinking water can become contaminated, and it becomes a hotspot for animals carrying diseases.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

A lifelong history of serving is what sets me apart from the other candidates. After graduating from Harrisburg High School, I joined and served in the United States Army during the Desert Storm War era for six years where I attended aviation school. My desire to continue serving after I left the military is what guided me to pursue higher education and become a licensed nurse. Serving as a nurse has allowed me to care for the health and wellbeing of our seniors, disabled veterans and the mentally challenged in our community and surrounding communities.

Desiring to serve the community at the grassroots level, I became the founder and CEO of At Home Personal Care, LLC, a home care agency that remained on the front lines during the pandemic to ensure that the continued safety and wellbeing of our residents was not interrupted.

I’ll bring the same dedication to city council.

Carrie Fowler

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

There is not just ONE issue I am passionate about in our city! I am passionate about our residents and the social and economic growth of the businesses and residents that call Harrisburg home. When you love something you step up, you fight for it and do whatever it takes to make it better! These issues include: safety, trash, city response to problems, economic growth and codes enforcement! Blight is intimately connected to many of the problems in our city that I would like to solve around health, crime, poverty and economic development. I am tired of city government that is reactive not proactive. We have forgotten about key parts of our city for too many years and I want to focus on all neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are the heart and soul of our city!

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

As a master level social worker, this sets me apart from other candidates! I am a professionally trained communicator with concrete ideas about how to empower communities. I understand socioeconomic problems and am committed to bringing these skills to decision making. I will bring to city council the same passion, grit and tenacity that I brought to the Harrisburg School Board of Directors. I know how government works, and I know how government can work. Recent professional roles I have held include, political organizing director for Tom Steyer’s 2020 presidential campaign, and organizing director for Planned Parenthood in the Senate endorsed candidates’ races for 2020.

I come prepared on day one with the knowledge, skills and grit that a council member must have to get the job done.

Sarah Gethers

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

Harrisburg consists of so many incredible BIPOC, and yet we are often left 10 steps behind white families and business owners. Minorities struggle to succeed in personal and business endeavors, with limited access to the myriad of resources and programs that are underrepresented and not communicated publicly. I am most passionate about equipping Black and brown citizens with an efficient and effective way to access important resources in our city. Young Black families should have support in their hopes to own a home. Latinx citizens should receive clear communication no matter what neighborhood they live in. Black business owners deserve honest guidance from city government. If elected to city council, I would create transparent access to resources for minority communities in Harrisburg. The way our city operates should not be a puzzle to solve for the people living in it. We need to have documents, websites and COVID-safe meetings where elected officials and local citizens can discuss the important needs of the community in layman’s terms and determine how our city can best serve its biggest priority: the people.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

Dealing with power-hungry politicians is exhausting. I believe what sets me apart from most is that I can serve as a city council member with a fresh perspective, clearly seeing where the city is hurting without being jaded by years of politics. Through my own experiences and countless conversations with concerned citizens, I understand the issues our city is truly facing. My first priority is listening to the people, not benefiting any personal, business or political relationships. I will meet the real needs of all residents, no matter what neighborhood, profession or background.

Ausha Green (incumbent)

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

The city of Harrisburg is truly at a pivotal point as we become financially stable. Now is the time to invest in the citizens who have stood by outside through financial hardships and continue to be dedicated to our city. We must focus on encouraging development throughout the city, reducing crime, encouraging truly affordable housing in the city and providing resources to city residents.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

Being a lifelong resident of the city, I know the issues the city has long faced. As a current member of Harrisburg city council I also have the experience and understand the process to get things done.

Lavet Henderson

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

If elected, the issues that I will fight for are child safety, leveraging resources for mental health and reducing gun violence. I want to address poverty and the conditions of families struggling, particularly at-risk youth. The city has limited resources, but when the city does get additional funding from the federal or state government, those dollars should be allocated to supporting struggling communities. If elected, I will make sure funds will be responsibly allocated to programs and organizations working on re-entry, childcare and mental health services.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

As a lifelong Harrisburg native, I deeply understand the issues facing our residents because I myself have experienced many of them. I’ve lost loved ones to gun violence and have seen our community youth become victims to a solvable problem. I know that if I’m elected, I will always make the best decision on behalf of the constituents in the city because I’m one of them. I know what it’s like to not be heard, and I don’t want others to feel that way. If elected, l plan to lead with inclusion and fairness to all. I do not believe in continuing to divide our country, instead I believe in leading with unity and being inclusive to all no matter the ethnicity, background or culture of the person.

I’d like to wish all of the candidates the very best, and sincerely I hope we all can work together, win or lose, to move this city forward.

Jennie Jenkins-Dallas

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about housing, which is four separate but connected issues.

First, only 27% of current Harrisburg residents own their homes; by increasing homeownership, we increase our tax base and promote civic pride. If elected, I plan to organize a coalition of housing initiatives to help people establish financial stability and provide them with assistance in buying their first home.

Second, we need to help existing homeowners, especially low-income and elderly residents. There are programs to pay for repairs like roofing and hot water tanks, but we must be proactive in connecting them with those programs to avoid houses falling into disrepair.

Third, we must address homelessness. We will likely see a sharp rise in homelessness when COVID eviction moratoriums expire, and we need to be ready. The city should be strengthening coalitions to find innovative solutions, like the proposed tiny house project for homeless veterans.

Finally, we must tackle the public housing system’s needs by improving management, increasing housing choices, modernizing units and prioritizing resident safety. By expanding job placement and education resources, we can give folks the tools to change their circumstances and move from public housing into homeownership.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

I have the wide-ranging experience needed to serve the people of Harrisburg. I was a police officer in the city for 11 years. I am a businesswoman publishing two newspapers, a woman of faith and a wife, mother and grandmother. As the only Latino woman in the race, I represent the diversity that makes Harrisburg so wonderful. Above all, I have the drive, energy and determination to use my experience to effectuate real change. Learn about my complete platform at www.votejennie.com.

[Editor’s Correction: Jennie Jenkins-Dallas states above that she is the only “Latino woman” in the race. This is not accurate. Shamaine Daniels originally hails from Venezuela.]

Robert Lawson

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

I personally feel that Harrisburg is the Crown Jewel of PA. We have a wonderful and diverse population. We’re large enough that you experience an urban flair, yet not so big that you feel lost in the noise. We are home to a great burgeoning art scene, have many great young thinkers, blossoming entrepreneurs and punch way above our weight class in producing athletic talent.

Harrisburg however, has an inferiority complex. This is due to nearly one-third of our residents living below the poverty line. Roughly the same number of residents live a nomadic existence within our city borders, as they deal with evictions and/or substandard housing. Poverty leads to instability. Instability leads to stress. Stress leads to poor school performance, which leads to juvenile delinquency, which leads to over policing, etc.

My passion is to attack the root of Harrisburg’s ills. The “Buy Back Our Blocks” initiative will attack poverty and improve the quality of life by taking a massive effort in improving Harrisburg’s declining housing stock. We must tackle this by investing in our residents by hiring Harrisburg-based and minority-owned contractors. We must rebuild our neighborhoods in the image of the current residents. These residents will in turn support their local restaurants, beauty shops, furniture stores and more. It’s all about recycling our dollars.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

I have noticed that we share similar viewpoints on the issues, to varying degrees. We do not, however, share the same hierarchy of importance. Each candidate believes in economic opportunity, I however, believe that is THE issue. We can create a city where the citizens thrive, and then other issues will take care of themselves. I am seeking real solutions to root problems. I have a history of over 20 years in the mortgage and real estate industry; my solutions can provide tangible results. This is a chance to provide real relief in a city that I love.

Jocelyn Rawls

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

The city issues I am most passionate about are the establishment of more innovative youth programs and activities, access to mental health services, success for a variety of small businesses and the continued beautification of Harrisburg. My passion is in working as a community and creating a family environment where each resident is valued, important and acknowledged. We must bring humanity and compassion to the forefront in order to move “Harrisburg Forward.”

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I have already been a public servant for the past 15 years. As a teacher and mother, I have been fighting for the rights of those who may not be able to fight for themselves. My life experiences have taught me the importance of teamwork, collaboration and unity.

If I am elected to the Harrisburg city council, I will always remember why I ran for office. I am running for Harrisburg city council to support the city of Harrisburg. I am running to serve the people and make sure that their voices are heard. When making decisions, I will always ask myself, how will this decision provide opportunities, support and safety for the residents of Harrisburg? I will not forget them and I will work to make sure that our city government works for the people. I will be a public servant. My campaign is not about Jocelyn Rawls; it is about the residents of Harrisburg.

Ralph Rodriguez

Which city issue are you most passionate about?

While I realize there are a plethora of issues in our city, investing in our youth is vital to moving Harrisburg forward. Providing opportunities and resources to our children is investing in the infrastructure of our future. The parks and recreation department in our city needs additional programming and revamping to occupy and cater to our younger demographic. Especially now, during a global pandemic, while most families are indoors and parents need outlets for their children. Educational STEAM-based initiatives encourage artistic development, community involvement and physical education. Public safety will drastically improve over time by channeling the energy of our youth to productive and positive initiatives. Having a background in program development and coordination, I feel I’ll be an asset to the City of Harrisburg as chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?

For over a decade I’ve shown consistency and innovation throughout my work. To date, my efforts have assisted thousands of at-risk families in Central PA with basic needs, emergency resources and holiday relief. Through my advocacy for social equality, I’ve led protests that included guests such as Governor Wolf, Mayor Eric Papenfuse and Police Commissioner Thomas Carter that influenced the signing of (HB 1841 & 1910) towards police reform in PA. My most recent honors are both The Central Pennsylvania Business Journal Innovation Award and the endorsement from the Dauphin County Democratic Committee. As your next councilman, I’ll ensure that our citizens are top priority in every piece of legislation voted on. I vow that every dollar allocated will benefit the stakeholders of this municipality. On May 18 vote Ralph Rodriguez for city council, number seven on the Ballot “Because You Deserve More.”

For School Board

The primary ballot this year will be a long one.

Besides mayoral and City Council slates, Harrisburg voters will need to choose their next crop of school board directors.

Seven Democrats are vying for four, four-year seats on the board. The following is a list of the candidates in alphabetical order.

Michael Balsbaugh
Brian Carter (incumbent)
Jorge Collazo
Roslyn Copeland
Jaime Johnsen
Ezra Match (cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican)
Danielle Robinson (incumbent)

In addition, one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, is running for the lone two-year seat on the board.

The primary election is set for May 18.

To learn more about the school board candidates and their platforms, look for our online story.

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