May Editor’s Note

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

This month marks a special anniversary for TheBurg.

A year ago, we launched our membership program, Friends of TheBurg, not knowing what to expect.

As I said at the time, we had planned a summertime launch, but the pandemic made it critical for us to begin early. Faced with plummeting ad sales, we moved up the launch date, crossed our fingers, and hoped for the best.

Would the community respond?

At the time, we asked that question sincerely, but it now seems almost rhetorical. Of course the community would respond!

A year later, we have over 350 wonderful “friends,” including individual, household, business and community pillar members.

Thank you so much! I always appreciate it when someone tells me that they love TheBurg. But it’s another level of commitment entirely when people support us—voluntarily—with their hard-earned money.

Because of your help, we’ve been able to:

Hire a full-time city reporter.
Keep our daily reporting service, monthly magazine, podcast and other important news products free of charge for the community.
Stay afloat during the pandemic so that we wouldn’t follow the dismal fate of so many other local and community newspapers.

Nearly every day, I see our “Friends of TheBurg” tote bags out there in the wild, slung around an arm, holding groceries, etc. And I think to myself, “Wow, this person likes what we do so much that they support us.” It’s an amazing feeling.

When we started the program a year ago, I made a promise that we would have a launch party. That’s still our plan, but we can’t hold a crowded event until the state allows it and people feel comfortable attending. So, please, stay tuned for that.

Going forward, we also hope to attach other events to Friends of TheBurg. Unfortunately, the pandemic has knocked the stuffing out of the events space, so that plan will take much longer to put in place than we originally thought.

Before I conclude, I want to say a final “thank you” to all Friends of TheBurg. Without you, we might not be here today, and, for that, we owe you an enormous debt of gratitude. And, now, onto the May issue!

Lawrance Binda

Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

To join Friends of TheBurg, visit our website, where you’ll see all the details of the membership program.

May News Digest

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Affordable Housing Plan Approved

Harrisburg City Council approved several new affordable housing measures last month, in addition to a major apartment and parking project.

At a virtual legislative session, council passed a package of bills aimed at incentivizing affordable housing development and approved a large project that includes residential and commercial space, as well as a new parking garage.

The new affordable housing program establishes incentives for developers, including tax abatement, zoning relief and an easier street vacation application process.

In order to receive the benefits, developers must provide at least 20% of their units as affordable housing for low-income families, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The rent for any of these affordable units must not exceed 30% of a household’s monthly income.

“The goal is to really bridge the gap between our residents and the developers,” council member Danielle Bowers said. “If we set this threshold too high, it’s not realistic for our developers to meet. If we set it too low, it’s not really affordable for our residents.”

Bowers said that Harrisburg’s 20% threshold is higher than many surrounding municipalities.

Developers can also receive parking requirement relief if 25% of the building’s units are rented at an affordable rate.

If developers receive a certificate of qualification and then do not continue to provide affordable housing, they could have their certificate revoked and may be fined up to $1,000, according to the new ordinance.

At the meeting, council also approved the land development plan for an 85-unit apartment building, including a 500-space parking garage, grocery store, office and retail space. The building will be constructed on a one-acre property surrounded by Boyd, N. 5th, Reily and Fulton streets.

Developer Kevin Baird said that his company plans to break ground in July or August and have the parking garage portion of the project almost completed by late summer of 2022, in time for the opening of the new federal courthouse nearby.

Charter School Wins Appeal

The Pennsylvania STEAM Academy has received approval from the state Charter School Appeal Board to open.

The Harrisburg school board denied the school’s initial application in 2019, but the state appeal board reversed that decision.

“It feels wonderful,” said Carolyn Dumaresq, chair of the academy’s board. “We are very excited to open.”

The charter school will be located at 1500 N. 3rd St. in the Midtown II Academic Building, formerly the Evangelical Press Building and later part of the HACC Harrisburg campus. Dumaresq said that the school’s focus is providing education around the topics of science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

The school will begin by serving kindergarten through second-grade Harrisburg students, Dumaresq said. Each grade will have two classrooms with 20 students. The following school year, the school will add two third-grade classrooms, expanding to add another grade each year until there are classrooms for up to eighth-grade students.

Dumaresq believes that the charter academy will prepare students for high schools in Harrisburg, such as Harrisburg High School’s SciTech Campus.

“All of the things we need are in place. It’s just getting everything formalized,” she said. “Now the big thing is going out and recruiting students.”

The Pennsylvania STEAM Academy plans to open fully in-person while taking the recommended COVID-19 safety measures.

Since November 2018, school officials have worked to move the school towards operating. However, they faced opposition along the way.

After the Harrisburg school district denied the STEAM Academy’s application, the charter school appealed the decision, collecting 1,844 signatures from supportive community members, well beyond the required 1,000. The school district, though, submitted an appeal to challenge those signatures.

In late March, the state Department of Education’s Charter School Appeal Board rejected the district’s appeal, allowing the Pennsylvania STEAM Academy to open.

Artsfest Moves to City Island

A sense of normalcy returns to the city late this month, as Harrisburg brings back the annual Artsfest celebration as a live event.

The annual artisan market and food truck festival will return for a hybrid in-person and virtual experience on May 29 through 31.

“While the traditional festival will be different this year, we look forward to welcoming back the talented artisans in a safe and modified way,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The festival, typically held at Riverfront Park, will move to City Island to facilitate social distancing. As in past years, it will feature vendors and their handcrafted works, along with local food trucks.

Last year, Artsfest went completely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021, the city plans to keep aspects of the virtual event, including an online artisan market and virtual presentations. However, some of the traditional, in-person shopping experience will return.

Attendees can browse items for sale in 16 different categories, including ceramics, digital, drawing, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

The event has historically hosted over 200 artists, but city officials said that the number of vendors will be reduced somewhat.

The HBG Flea, an organization that hosts pop-up markets in the city, will return as a partner in the event.

“We’re so excited that Artsfest is coming back,” said Mary Imgrund, HBG Flea co-founder.

Jazzfest, which usually goes hand-in-hand with Artsfest, is cancelled this year, and the Filmfest portion will show movies virtually. For families, the city will offer free take-home educational and artistic kits, replacing the usual KidsFest.

According to the city, health precautions will be in place during the festival, including one-direction pedestrian traffic, capacity monitoring, hand-washing stations, vendors spaced 10 feet apart and social distancing markers. Masks also will be required.

The city plans to return Artsfest to Riverfront Park in 2022.

Street Dining Returns

For a second straight year, Harrisburg will close several streets to traffic so that patrons can enjoy dining al fresco on Saturday nights.

“Saturday Nights in the City” re-launches on May 1 and is slated to run each Saturday throughout the summer, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We are pleased to bring back this summer initiative,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “I encourage residents to come support their favorite restaurants.”

The initiative, shared by the city and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID), began last year in response to the state-mandated shutdown of indoor dining.

Most restaurants have now reopened, with the commonwealth permitting 75% maximum capacity for indoor dining, as well as bar service. However, the city and the HDID deemed the program to be a success, so decided to bring it back with the return of warmer weather.

The list of participating restaurants includes Stock’s on 2nd, Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar, Ad Lib Craft Kitchen and Bar, Bourbon Street Saloon, Zembie’s, Arooga’s, Taste Key West, Cork & Fork, Federal Taphouse, Rubicon, Mangia Qui, Los Tres Cubanos, JB Lovedraft’s, McGrath’s Pub, The Brick Haus and Café Fresco.

For the weekly event, a number of streets will close. These include:

2nd Street, from Market to Pine streets
State Street, from Church to N. 2nd streets, westbound
North Street, from Susquehanna to 3rd streets
Conoy Street

Street closures will begin at 3:30 p.m. and run until 10 p.m., the city said.

Summer School Program

Harrisburg school officials last month announced summer school opportunities for students to stay sharp and catch up if needed.

The district will provide programs for kindergarten through 11th-grade students. There may be options for both in-person and virtual participation, according to the district.

This comes after many students spent almost the entire school year learning virtually, in addition to much of last year.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students can enroll in a six-week course that will likely run Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Throughout the half-day, teachers will provide language, writing, math and STEAM classes. The program will run from mid-June through the end of July.

Students in grades nine through 11 have the chance to participate in a three-week program, Monday through Thursday. There will be two sessions each day, one from 8 to 11 a.m. and another from 12 to 3 p.m. This will provide enrichment opportunities, as well as credit recovery for those who failed courses during the school year.

Home Sales, Prices Jump

Spring residential sales started out strong in the Harrisburg area, with both home sales and prices up in March.

Overall, sales totaled 612 houses, compared to 568 units in March 2020, while the median price increased to $205,000 versus $180,000 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 286 homes sold compared to 270 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $175,000 versus $167,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had total sales of 282 homes, a substantial rise from 238 a year ago, as the median sales price went up to $230,163 compared to $205,000 in March 2020.

In Perry County, sales rose to 41 homes, an increase of 10 units, as the median sales price appreciated to $193,000 versus $171,500 the prior March, GHAR stated.

Houses were also selling more quickly, as the average days on market fell to 31 days compared to 50 days in March 2020, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Boneshire Brew Works opened a taproom last month in downtown Harrisburg, dubbed Taps@SoMa. Boneshire, based in Swatara Township, offers its beer on tap and to-go from the snug storefront at 13 S. 3rd St., formerly occupied by the rotating guest brewery concept, Sip@SoMa.

DTLR last month returned to its downtown Harrisburg storefront following a complete renovation of its space at 333 Market St. In January, the national fashion and sports apparel retailer temporarily moved down the street so that building owner Harristown Enterprises could enlarge their store from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet and update the décor.

Harrisburg last month extended its eviction moratorium for another month, until mid-May. This may be the last extension of the ban, as Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he expected the city soon to begin to wind down the “extraordinary measures” implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrisburg parks will have help transitioning to organic grounds maintenance thanks to a $25,000 donation last month from the GIANT Company, Stonyfield Organic and Non-Toxic Neighborhoods. The city also will receive support and guidance on park maintenance using organic and safe resources.

Matthew M. Haar last month was named managing partner of the Harrisburg office of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, a leading national law firm. In addition to this position, Haar is a member of Leadership Harrisburg and an adjunct professor at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law.

Midtown Art Supplies has opened in Harrisburg, occupying a section of L&L Beauty Supply at 310 Reily St. Owner Darius Davis offers watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, stencils, pencils, brushes, canvases, drawing pads and resin, among other items.

New Cumberland Farmers Market opens for the season on May 1. The market, at 4th and Bridge streets in the parking lot of Kelly Financial Services, operates every Saturday through Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nancy Ryan, a long-time radio personality and former co-host of the “Nancy and Newman” morning show, has launched a new business, Ryan-Rodgers Media, focused on connecting music fans with brands, businesses and community partners, including event promotion, product endorsements, commercials and social media projects. For more information, visit www.gnazzopromotions.com/nancy-ryan.

Open Stage last month announced a return to in-person performances, one of several local entertainment venues to re-open their doors. “Over the Rainbow: The Songs of Judy Garland” runs May 28 to June 25, the first production in its new summer series.

PA Department of Agriculture will hold an outdoor Spring Food Fest at the PA Farm Show Complex, May 7 to 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival includes farm show favorites, such as milkshakes, fried mushrooms and pulled pork, as well as a selection of PA Preferred providers. Food is grab-and-go, and pandemic restrictions will be enforced.

Urban Churn plans to expand to the west shore and reopen its Harrisburg scoop shop by late spring. Owner Adam Brackbill said he will open a retail and production location for his craft creamery in the Silver Creek Plaza outside Mechanicsburg. He also plans to renovate and reopen his Midtown shop on the 1100-block of N. 3rd Street.

Changing Hands

Allison St., 1507: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 23 Hickory LLC, $129,900

Argyle St., 2: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $39,000

Barkley Lane, 2524: C. Tucker to D. Martinez, $77,000

Boas St., 1823: Stoute Housing Inc. to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $55,000

Catherine St., 1610: Rich Steele Realty LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000

Crescent St., 450: DRW Properties LLC to Sanhos LLC, $35,000

Derry St., 1148: K. Dieppa to F. Sanchez, $37,500

Derry St., 1511: B. Gonzalez to RBAK Investments LLC, $55,000

Elm St., 1724: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to S. Pichardo, $40,000

Geary St., 634: Rich Steele Realty LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000

Green St., 1207: J. Garisto to CE Heininger Properties LLC, $108,000

Green St., 1421: J. Davis to G. Lichtenstein, $137,500

Green St., 1909: J. Price to K. Kellum & D. Shearer, $246,000

Green St., 1912: B. Ostella & A. Fortino to Z. Fleming, $220,000

Hamilton St., 203: J. Schiller to SJL Rentals LLC, $150,000

Hamilton St., 324: D. Hinton to J. Henretta, $129,900

Hillside Rd., 217: J. Markel to J. Arp & C. Palmer, $240,000

Hoerner St., 107: A. Otwell to R. Lane, $53,000

Holly St., 1904: KA&B Investments LLC to G. Bierbaum & W. Alford, $76,000

Holly St., 1912: Crist Holdings LLC to Super Fun Real Estate Yes LLC, $60,000

Hummel St., 208: M. Baltozer to Brethren Housing Association Inc., $52,500

Hummel St., 239: K. Dieppa to Archierp LLC, $33,000

Hunter St., 1523: K. Dieppa to J. Vega & C. Salazar, $35,600

Jefferson St., 2714: Johnleo Home Renovations LLC to G. Linebaugh, $124,900

Kensington St., 2329: R. Dressler & E. Knuth to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $55,500

Lewis St., 325: D. Castano & N. Rosado to R. Gehrke, $125,000

Lexington St., 2721: Gilligan Realty LLC to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $60,000

Liberty St., 1415 & 1417: Blue Door Management LLC to G. Guzman, $75,000

Logan St., 2157: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Donald Klick Trust & Natalie Klick Trust, $115,500

Logan St., 2248: M. Loo to A. Sullivan & D. Adams, $75,000

Maclay St., 610: Goldstein Couriers LLC to A. Maust, $55,000

Manada St., 1915: PA Property Brothers LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Manada St., 1917: PA Property Brothers LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

Market St., 1808: NationStar Mortgage LLC to W. Chavez & K. Flores, $75,000

Meadowlark Pl., 194: J. McCliment to S. Kuhn, $120,000

Mercer St., 2454: R. Sweigert to H. Kaur, $64,900

Muench St., 236: J. O’Hara to A. McNulty & M. Kuhns, $226,500

North St., 261: B. Hanson, M. Gregorits & D. Thomas to M. Henao, $124,000

North St., 1614, 2319 N. 4th St. & 2402 N. 5th St.: I. Druker to Clean Up LLC, $200,000

North St., 1711: Mussani & Co. to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

North St., 1841: G. & K. Mannix to SPG Capital LLC, $40,000

N. 2nd St., 705: A. & L. Kanagy to N&R Group, $200,000

N. 2nd St., 1003: M. Sellers to K. Harlacher, $175,280

N. 2nd St., 2003; 1837 N. 2nd St.; 224 Kelker St.: M. Goldberg to WCI Partners LP, $550,000

N. 2nd St., 2005: Tang Liu Realty LLC to WCI Partners LP, $172,500

N. 2nd St., 3127: Honest Home Solutions LLC to Tillotson Properties LLC, $76,000

N. 3rd St., 1107: M. Horton & R. Spahr to E. Miano & N. Byler, $169,000

N. 3rd St., 1507: Mussani & Matz Co. to Third Street Realty Co., $180,000

N. 3rd St., 1810: Crowder & Co. to A. Manning, $120,000

N. 3rd St., 2252: T. Magilton to W. Smith, $146,000

N. 3rd St., 3121: J. Lilly to S. & J. Chohany, $129,000

N. 4th St., 1909: J. Kesler to Z. Fair, $97,000

N. 4th St., 2133: A. Fleming to NA Capital Group LLC, $37,500

N. 4th St., 2225: 2225 4th LLC to A. Matai, $82,000

N. 4th St., 2249: HSBC Bank USA NA & PHH Mortgage Corp. to M. & F. Cruz, $41,500

N. 4th St., 2337: M. Farrell to P. Carcione & C. Aumiller, $51,000

N. 4th St., 2433: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC & Hunter Property Services LLC to A. Abdulrahman, $40,000

N. 4th St., 2647: Master Ventures LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

N. 5th St., 2516: E. Morris to L. Hodge, $102,000

N. 5th St., 2615: M. Carlson to A. Chaplin & WeWelcome LLC, $42,500

N. 6th St., 1412: E. & L. Smeal to N. Smeal & R. Strella, $101,750

N. 6th St., 2239: V. Kegerries to Jo Light Construction LLC, $66,000

N. 6th St., 2426: Eden Bridge Foundation to R. Daniels, $84,000

N. 6th St., 2712: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to O. Fu, $150,000

N. 13th, 141: M. Terrell to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $61,250

N. 15th St., 1201: Tassia Corporation to K. Braddock, $36,000

N. 17th St., 88; 1150 Mulberry St.; 2519 N. 6th St.; 612 Oxford St.; 613 Oxford St.; 614 Oxford St.; 616 Oxford St.; 617 Oxford St.; 619 Oxford St.; 2308 Jefferson St.; 448 Hamilton St.; and 2332 N. 6th St.: SMKP Properties LLC to JMR Ventures LLC, $600,000

N. 17th St., 113: D. Newsome to T. & O. Solamola, $65,000

N. 18th St., 73: E. Morris & C. Perez to R. Newberry, $56,000

N. 20th St., 30: D. Selvey to C. & I. Castro, $75,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 313: M. Hadginske, M. Pasick, A. Steel & Pact Enterprises to BXF Real Estate LLC, $108,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 406: J. Davis to S. Lepadatu, $114,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 414: K. Hess to B. King, $115,000

Park St., 1624: KTT Properties LLC to New Dawn Holdings & Investments LLC, $68,000

Peffer St., 270: Wheatland Restore LLC to K. Manna & M. Eaton, $234,900

Penn St., 1617: B. Black to T. Cox, $163,000

Penn St., 1727: J. McCummings to J. Towzey & H. Salera, $160,000

Penn St., 1807: S. Mitchell to Wheatland Restore LLC, $100,000

Penn St., 2127: City Vision Revitalization LLC to K&M Housing LLC, $45,000

Penn St., 2226: C. Stefanski to A. Matailo, $50,900

Penn St., 2229: C. & S. Williams to S. & J. Easterling, $138,900

Pennwood Rd., 3116: M. Brown to A. Hollinger & E. Shellhamer, $115,000

Radnor St., 516: H. & N. Johnson to SPG Capital LLC, $42,000

Reel St., 2447: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to K. McGrath, $122,500

Reel St., 2634: R. & A. Laracuente to S. Bosco, $64,000

Reel St., 2743: R. & A. Laracuente to H. McKay, $55,500

Royal Ter., 149: N. & F. Zook to N. Alegre Maurer, $38,000

Rudy Rd., 1813: A. Acevedo to B. Perez, $30,000

Rudy Rd., 2133: J. & K. Kio to C. Weaver & A. Shughart, $160,100

Rumson Dr., 2948: N. Washington to F. Ramos & L. Suarez, $111,000

Seneca St., 521: T. Robinson to E. Spencer, $86,900

S. 13th St., 355: T. Marsico to Y. Lopez, $50,000

S. 14th St., 47: Capital Region Economic Development Corp. to Hamilton Health Center Community Services Inc., $115,000

S. 16th St., 336: L. Wilson to E. Rodriguez, $115,000

S. 17th St., 445: K. Foster to D. Nguyen, $40,000

S. 17th St., 532: D. Hargrove & D. Surbrena to J. Acosta, $44,500

S. 18th St., 1031: D. & M. Hillard to B. & T. Bender, $92,500

S. 20th St., 226: J. Medina to I. Carvajal, $88,000

S. 20th St., 1200: Peral Limited Partnership to G&H Holdings LLC, $40,000

S. 23rd St., 643: T. Fisher to V. Paulino, $32,500

S. 24th St., 605: R. Patel to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $58,000

S. 26th St., 611: C. & L. Trinh to C. Baumann, $129,000

S. River St., 304: V. Murzin to N. Leri, $165,000

State St., 231, Unit 502: LUX 1 LP to X. Samuel, $135,000

State St., 1508: Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC to S. Moore, $100,000

State St., 1608: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC & Hunter Property Services to Pichardo Investments LLC, $60,000

State St., 1626: Amarica’s Choice Remodeling of HBG LLC to S. Moore, $120,000

Susquehanna St., 1624: J. Rogers to H. Blumenfeld, $135,000

Susquehanna St., 2010: M. Paese, A. Fetcko, T. Leo & B. Myers to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

Swatara St., 2139: S. & K. Adley to T. & P. Feliz, $48,000

Verbeke St., 1729: M. Gillespie to R. Oladipo, $86,000

Vernon St., 1350: M. Soler to R. Schwartz, $30,000

Wiconisco St., 531: Kaylynn Investment LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

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

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For the Love of Libraries: This month, author Susan Orlean ventures to Harrisburg

April 30, 2021 | by Harvey Freedenberg

She’s written a book about Florida orchid thieves that was transformed into a popular film starring Meryl Streep as her character and traveled the world from Hungary to Bhutan for the New Yorker for nearly three decades.

For someone with Susan Orlean’s eclectic resume, the subject of libraries might seem an unusually sedate one. But in her capable hands, the story she tells in her 2018 book, “The Library Book,” is no less captivating than any of her more exotic tales.

And, this month, she makes her way to Harrisburg to benefit the library here.

Intricate Machine

Interviewed recently by phone from her home in Los Angeles, Orlean was an enthusiastic conversationalist. The ostensible subject of her book is the catastrophic fire that occurred at the Los Angeles Central Library on April 29, 1986, a conflagration that destroyed some 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more, along with innumerable other irreplaceable items in the library’s extensive collection.

The blaze was so devastating that the building remained closed for seven years, surviving a proposed demolition before it was renovated and expanded. Harry Peak, a “storyteller, a yarn-spinner, and an agile liar,” with vague aspirations of an acting career, was charged with the arson. Orlean narrates the story of the investigation that led to his arrest with the attention to detail of a skilled mystery writer.

But the fire itself and its aftermath only serve as an intriguing point of departure. “The Library Book” quickly blossoms outward from this curious true crime story into a history of the Los Angeles Public Library, a skillful guided tour behind the scenes of the “intricate machine, a contraption of whirring gears” that is a modern urban library system, and a reflection on the myriad functions libraries serve in American society.

Orlean admitted she “loves writing about history, particularly these little-known pockets of history that ended up being meaningful, but don’t fall into the category of mainstream history.” In this case, that includes subjects like the critical role that female leaders played in the early days of the Los Angeles library, at a time when many libraries denied access to their gender, along with concise biographies of some of the colorful figures in the library’s history of nearly 150 years.

“The Library Book” overflows with fascinating facts, among them a description of stoichiometric condition, a rare situation that results in total, perfect combustion, as seen in the Los Angeles fire, or the number of books destroyed in Europe in World War II. The one that remains most securely lodged in Orlean’s memory is that there are more libraries in the United States than McDonald’s restaurants, a fact she said she found “particularly delicious.”

In order to get a sense of how the library’s books were quickly consumed by fire, she even burned (with trepidation and much regret) a copy of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” in her backyard. As for Harry Peak’s guilt or innocence, even after her thorough investigation, she remains “of two minds” on that subject.

Lot of Emotion

At the time Orlean wrote the book, her mother was in the early stages of dementia, and the project also helped her preserve memories of their frequent visits to her childhood library in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Orlean vividly recalled those experiences as she began to make trips to the library with her own son. This sense of continuity, she said, reminded her “how connected we are to these places, that they’re more than just repositories of books, they become very personal for almost everybody who visits a library.”

Orlean also believes strongly that libraries have a critical role to play in strengthening democratic values. “A foundational notion of a democratic society is equal access to information and knowledge,” she said.

“Libraries are the ideal embodiment of that,” she added. “In order to consider a society fair and democratic, everybody should have access to the same information, whether it’s something that they own and view at home or whether it’s made available to them through a public space. That’s really served so thoroughly by libraries.”

In this way, Orlean noted, libraries “do what they claim to do.”

On May 8, Orlean will visit Harrisburg for an invitation-only live event at Whitaker Center in connection with the launch of a capital campaign by the Dauphin County Library System to renovate the Haldeman-Haly House and the adjacent McCormick Riverfront Library. She’ll be interviewed by NPR White House correspondent and former WITF reporter Scott Detrow, and their conversation also will be live-streamed to the public via the campaign’s website.

Dauphin County Library System Executive Director Karen Cullings pointed out that the renovation project presents “a unique opportunity to recover public library space for service to children and expanded community partnerships and to participate in the continuing revitalization of downtown Harrisburg.”

Orlean’s “The Library Book” will resonate with anyone who feels they’ve come home when they step inside a library. Perhaps that explains her quick answer when asked to name the most gratifying aspect of the public response to her book.

“One of the things that was thrilling was just realizing that I had tapped into this almost inexhaustible amount of affection for libraries,” she said. “There is just a lot of emotion connected to them, and that really made me happy.”

For more information, visit www.dcls.org.

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Taking Her Shot: Harrisburg’s Alyssa Thomas makes her mark in basketball, in life

April 30, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Sun.

Focused and competitive on the court. Personable and laid-back off it.

While she may have two totally different personas, Alyssa Thomas is still the same person as when she was growing up in Harrisburg.

Now, Harrisburg hasn’t produced all that many female professional athletes. So that might make Thomas something of a role model, a person to look up to.

But because Thomas has always remained true to herself, she has never taken her fame too seriously. Her Harrisburg roots and upbringing have kept her grounded and even-keeled.

“Anybody who knows me, knows I’ve never changed,” Thomas said. “I’m the same person I was in high school. I’m a down-to-earth, normal person. I like doing things like hanging out with my friends and watching movies, just like everybody else.”

A 2010 graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Thomas is one of the top players in the WNBA. When the 2021 season unfolds early this summer, it will mark Thomas’ eighth season with the Connecticut Sun.

“Most people who have watched me play know I’m a high-energy player on the court,” she said. “I want to win. But I’m quiet and shy off the court. I have a small group of close friends. I’m not really a complex person.”

As a person and a WNBA player, Thomas is in a really good place in her career. At 28, she’s experienced beyond her years, but she’s also at the top of her game physically.

Because of her durability and flexibility, Thomas has been slowly, but surely creeping up Connecticut’s all-time scoring, games played and assist lists. She’s currently fifth in all of those categories in franchise history, but more importantly, she has helped transform the Sun into a consistent playoff team and a perennial WNBA championship contender.

Being in one’s prime certainly doesn’t come without its perks.

“At this point of my career, I would definitely consider myself a veteran,” Thomas said. “I’ve been with Connecticut for my whole career. When I was first drafted, the team wasn’t doing so well. Since then, we’ve made a huge turnaround. I just try to help the team in any way I can.”

An explosive, athletic forward, the 6-foot-2 Thomas, who owns a career scoring average of nearly 12 points a game, has displayed steady improvement throughout her time with the Sun. A two-time all-star, she was selected to the WNBA’s all-defensive first team for the first time during last year’s COVID-19-shortened campaign.

“I think there’s always room for improvement,” she said. “But I’ve established myself in this league. I pride myself on what I bring to the floor, and I pride myself on defense. For me, right now, it’s about getting a championship. I still have a lot more to do.”

A fan favorite in Connecticut, Thomas is known as the Sun’s “engine” for the energy she brings to the team. At home games, delighted Sun fans are treated to engine sounds over the public address system, whenever Thomas scores.

“I’m a captain and the team’s longest tenured player,” Thomas said. “I just want to come out each and every night and set the tone for the team, both defensively and offensively. I’m not always a vocal leader, but I do speak up when I see things. For me, it’s about giving 100 percent every time I step out on the court.”

Highest Level

Following a spectacular scholastic career at Central Dauphin, Thomas matriculated to Maryland, where she became the Terrapin’s all-time leading scorer, among both women and men.

Three times during her college career, she was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s “Player of the Year.”

“Growing up, I played basketball for fun,” said Thomas, who majored in family science at Maryland. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. During my career, I’ve always been able to take my game to the next level, and now I’m playing at the highest level.”

Being a professional has provided female athletes like Thomas a platform and a voice to further social causes that are near and dear to their hearts.

“Basketball has opened so many doors for me,” she said. “I think a lot of girls do look up to me, but it all starts with hard work. The cool thing about the WNBA is that it’s such a diverse league. We stand for so much, and we’ve been standing up for those causes for a long time.”

During her playing days at Central Dauphin, Thomas led the Rams to the 2008 PIAA Class AAAA championship as a sophomore. The Rams’ all-time leading scorer, Thomas was honored as Pennsylvania’s AAAA player of the year in 2010.

“I get to Harrisburg here and there, because most of the time I’m playing basketball,” said Thomas, who also plays professionally overseas during the WNBA’s off-season. “I don’t have much down time. When I was growing up, I was always outside playing basketball at Brightbill Park (in Lower Paxton Township). Some of my great friends from high school were able to go on and do great things. But it’s something I’ll never forget.”

As she’s grown and matured, Thomas has drawn from that local upbringing, and it has served her well. In many ways, Thomas is the person and player she is today because of a childhood spent in Harrisburg.

“My parents (Bobby Thomas, Tina Klotzbeecher-Thomas) have made me work for everything,” Thomas said. “They never handed me anything. Even playing board games as a kid, I had to win for real. My parents always taught me to be humble and respectful. A lot of how I am now started in Harrisburg.”

Because you can’t accomplish the things that Thomas has without knowing exactly who you are.

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Lyme Lessons: Advocates aim for awareness to combat Pennsylvania’s endemic Lyme label

April 30, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

The summer of 2017 was a painful one for Jennifer Hartz.

An avid marathon and half-marathon runner, she could barely run two miles, and, by August, she could hardly walk. That’s when severe abdominal pain set in.

“I went to the hospital, and, at first, they thought it was diverticulitis, then my appendix,” Hartz said.

Still, she remembered having a scratch above her right knee that might have been an insect bite.

“I questioned them on Lyme disease,” she said. “They tested me, and it came back negative.”

She went through with surgery to remove her appendix, but, at her follow-up appointment, the doctor revealed they had found no appendicitis.

“I was still tired, still struggling to breathe,” Hartz said.

By November, a family friend who had Lyme disease recommended that she see Dr. Francis Noonan, a Lyme-literate family doctor in Myerstown, Pa. His testing revealed that she did indeed have Lyme disease, along with several additional co-infections. She learned that ticks, in addition to carrying Lyme disease, may carry additional infectious diseases.

It took more than six months of medications until Hartz started feeling better. Three of her neighbors—she lived in Halifax at the time—were also diagnosed with Lyme. Today, she manages joint pain and other symptoms with a holistic approach through diet and supplements, and she’s back into running.

As business manager for Meyer’s RV in Harrisburg, she wants people to be able to enjoy the outdoors, yet be on guard for Lyme symptoms.

“Anybody who’s out in the woods, they need to be aware,” Hartz said. “If you get a tick on you or feel symptoms, be tested right away.”

But the tiny ticks carrying Lyme aren’t just in the woods—they can be in backyards, too.

One of the classic symptoms of Lyme disease is a bull’s-eye mark on the skin, but it never materialized for Hartz and many others, including Eric Huck of Lewisberry. He found two ticks, yet he didn’t develop rashes on his body until five months later—a dermatologist documented 20 rash marks. That was 12 years ago, and he’s still battling symptoms today.

Network, Teamwork

But Huck is also on the frontlines of Lyme information. He’s vice president of the PA Lyme Resource Network, the state’s leading advocacy group for Lyme awareness, education and support, which he helped found nearly 10 years ago.

“I started calling other support groups in PA for best practices, and every one of them was flying by the seat of their pants,” said Huck, a certified financial planner. “What I do professionally is also exactly what I do in creating support mechanisms for the PA Lyme Resource Network.”

Today, the group is comprised of 18 support groups across the state, dozens of volunteer facilitators and board members—and each one, Huck said, has had a personal or family journey with Lyme disease.

“Everybody knows somebody with Lyme, yet we haven’t reached a saturation of awareness,” he said.

Misinformation, missed symptoms and misdiagnoses are common. Part of the problem is that Lyme symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions, and Lyme cases are often compounded by different co-infections.

“Everybody has different symptoms,” Huck said. “For me, it is brain fog, not being able to concentrate or remember what I read… also fatigue, joint pain in my connective tissues—knees and elbows—and a pounding headache.”

The group’s educational program, “Dare 2B Tick Aware,” is designed to clear up confusion. Available to businesses, schools and groups, the seminar shares information about ticks, Lyme prevention and common symptoms: fever, headache, achiness, fatigue, skin rash and feeling like you have the flu.

Having medical and pandemic news in the headlines for the past year has actually been somewhat helpful to Lyme awareness.

“Personally for me, being able to use COVID-19 as a backdrop by way of association to Lyme has been helpful in creating a better understanding of Lyme,” Huck said. “The nature of infectious disease overwhelming the immune system and causing long-term problems is somewhat analogous.”

Problematic, Endemic

Pennsylvania has had the highest-reported number of Lyme cases in the nation for many years and is one of 15 states considered “endemic” for Lyme.

State health department spokesperson Maggi Barton said that’s because Pennsylvania has one of the highest populations, and, therefore, “we will naturally report more Lyme cases.”

Lyme statistics seem just as shifty as the disease’s symptoms.

“Some states use different reporting methods for Lyme disease,” Barton said. “Lyme disease investigating and reporting is not currently consistent across all Lyme endemic states.”

Even within Pennsylvania, it’s hard to know what we’re dealing with.

“We think the Lyme cases we document are about one-tenth of the actual cases,” said Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist with UPMC Pinnacle who practices primarily in Harrisburg.

Lyme disease testing is also unreliable, with “test results only positive about half the time,” Goldman said.

Aiming for Awareness

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Goldman said that’s the most important thing—awareness.

“We need to have an awareness of how common it is in state,” he said. “If treated in the early stage, it’s very curable and won’t go on to chronic diseases.”

Checking for ticks after being outdoors and using repellant with DEET are his top recommendations.

In a year when COVID-19 vaccines dominate headlines, Goldman noted that, while Lyme vaccines continue to be studied, “Ironically our dogs can get a Lyme vaccine.”

Meantime, Huck continues to dedicate about 20 hours a week to Lyme awareness. By helping others, he’s worked through his own grief.

“It’s taken me a decade to get past the seven stages of grief—the grieving process is very prevalent for anyone with a chronic illness,” Huck said. “I’m no longer bitter… now it’s, ‘What can I do to influence change, improvement, in the lives of others?’”

For more information, including the Dare 2B Tick Aware program, see the PA Lyme Resource Network’s website at palyme.org. The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s information on Lyme disease is at health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Lyme-Disease.aspx.

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New Grounds: Denim Coffee expands to Harrisburg shop, will open after months of delay

April 29, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Denim Coffee Owner Matt Ramsay prepares a drink for a customer at their new shop in Harrisburg.

A midstate coffee shop is bringing a new blend to Harrisburg, with hopes to add to the city’s already thriving brew scene.

Denim Coffee Company, with locations in Carlisle and Chambersburg, plans to open on Monday in a freshly renovated shop on Walnut Street.

“We’ve been waiting for this for two years,” said owner Matt Ramsay. “We are so stoked to be opening.”

According to Ramsay, Denim staff took notice of the old storefront and its location a few years ago and decided to expand into the city. They signed the lease about 1½ years ago, but Ramsay said the pandemic continuously delayed their opening.

The cozy, but sleek, modern storefront sits just across the street from Strawberry Square on one side and the state Capitol complex on the other.

Inside, the shop is painted in shades of blue, in line with their brand. Ramsay coordinated in a navy suit jacket and blue jeans for a press event on Thursday. Along with barista Molly Martinez, he steamed, frothed and dripped hot drinks straight from high-tech appliances built into the clean white counter.

Denim offers their own roast, sourced from places like Honduras, Nicaragua and Ethiopia. Customers can order traditional coffee drinks—lattes, espressos, cold and drip brews—or opt for non-coffee items like tea, kombucha, smoothies and hot chocolate. To accompany their drinks, Denim sells baked goods, as well.

Although the shop will only provide takeout to start, due to the pandemic, they plan to eventually open up seating for customers at their long wooden bar counters with window views.

Ramsay is aware that he’s opening a coffee business in a city that’s already home to many local shops. However, his goal is not to take away from other businesses, but rather to add to the growing coffee scene in Harrisburg, he said. He already invited owners from local shops to visit the new space, he said.

“There’s some great coffee in Harrisburg already,” he said. “We just offer a slightly different roast style and flavor.”

As post-pandemic life continues to come into focus, Ramsay hopes Denim can be a place for people to gather, talk, enjoy community and a good cup of coffee.

“We want to be here for decades,” he said. “We believe in this spot.”

Denim Coffee Company is located at 401 Walnut St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

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Calling All Artists: Sprocket Mural Works welcomes hometown talent for upcoming Harrisburg Mural Fest

April 29, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Artist Aron Rook works on a recent mural at the new location of Zeroday Brewing Co. in Harrisburg.

Are you a local artist? If so, Sprocket Mural Works wants to hear from you.

The Harrisburg-based mural arts group today issued a “call for artists” for the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which takes place this summer.

Artists are invited to apply online at sprocketmuralworks.com/call-for-artists-2021 beginning May 1. The deadline to apply is May 31.

The festival will be Sprocket’s third biennial event. Projects include celebrating Black lives through mural art, reconfiguring the unused Patrick Alley into a mural-lined pocket park, and transforming the Mulberry Street Bridge with murals—pending additional fundraising.

“Additionally, we are excited to announce a special new mural project—with the nonprofit Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg—being added to the summer festival lineup,” said Megan Caruso, Sprocket co-founder.

A fundraising campaign for Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg’s new mural launches in May, which is National Bike Month, on both organizations’ social media platforms and websites, sprocketmuralworks.com and rbhburg.org.

“We adore Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg and their work in the community,” Caruso said. “They are a worthy organization, and we look forward to making their new home on Allison Hill more beautiful with vibrant art. This project is a special one for us—one of Sprocket’s first murals was located at their previous Uptown location.”

The focus is on hometown artists, for the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival’s first project launch in May, according to Sprocket.

Harrisburg-based artists will paint 15 large, rectangular planters on Derry and Market streets in the Allison Hill neighborhood as a summer beautification project in partnership with Tri County Community Action.

In the past, Sprocket has painted planters and electrical boxes downtown in cooperation with the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

Sponsorships by businesses of all sizes, grant-writing and fundraising campaigns are underway, and donations are welcomed, Sprocket stated. Businesses and corporate donors interested in sponsoring summer murals can contact Sprocket at [email protected].

The festival’s budget includes artist stipends and supplies—paint, canvas, paintbrushes, insurance and lifts that allow access to mural locations. Each gallon of durable, highly pigmented mural paint costs $165, according to Sprocket.

For more information, visit sprocketmuralworks.com.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

April 29, 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:

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Need something NEW to do? The HBG Flea is back, The State Museum of Pennsylvania reopens, it’s Hershey Restaurant Week, and Denim Coffee Harrisburg opens on Monday! Plus, check out our Spring Bucket List!

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

Things on my agenda this weekend: Family time!

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

For your weekend planning:

Best things to read, drink, wear, and do this spring
My favorite alcoholic seltzer
Try this wine club
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

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Hershey Restaurant Week
This wine is a total bargain
Shop for Mother’s Day
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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.

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COVID-19 vaccine coming soon to Midtown Cinema

April 28, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The exterior of Midtown Cinema

Harrisburg area residents soon will have another option for a COVID-19 vaccine, as Midtown Cinema today announced that it will host a vaccination clinic next week.

Harrisburg’s centrally located arthouse theater will hold the clinic on Wednesday, May 5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., along with provider Rite Aid. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will be administered.

The clinic offers a “convenient location” for city residents and others to access the vaccine, according to the cinema.

Pfizer offers a two-dose vaccine. The second dose will be administered at the same location on May 29, the cinema stated.

Appointments for the clinic are required and can be made by calling 866-674-4659.

Midtown Cinema is located 250 Reily St., Harrisburg, and offers on-site parking.

Also, The Salvation Army Harrisburg Area Capital Region plans to host a free vaccine clinic on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in partnership with Capital BlueCross and Rite Aid.

Registration is required and appointments can be made by calling 866-674-4659 on Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

They are also offering assistance to those in need of transportation. Residents can call 717-233-6755 for more information.

The Salvation Army is located at 506 S. 29th St., Harrisburg.

For more information about Midtown Cinema, visit their website.

For more information about The Salvation Army Harrisburg Area Capital region, visit their website.

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Civic Club of Harrisburg holds silent auction to make up for funds lost to COVID, vandalism

April 27, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Civic Club’s Overlook Manor House and Mansion

Marybeth Lehtimaki listed, over the phone, all of the wedding venues that have popped up on Front Street in Harrisburg.

The market is now saturated, she said, which hasn’t been good news for the Civic Club of Harrisburg.

The club’s historic Overlook Manor House and Mansion, an event space, has experienced significantly less traffic in recent months, but not all due to choosy brides. Like many other venues and nonprofits, they’ve taken a hit due to COVID.

Between falling victim to COVID and to vandalism in December 2020, the club needs community support. They are hoping that an online silent auction will play a small role in raising needed funds.

The Civic Club’s “Bid for Civility” auction begins on Wednesday and extends through May 1. Auction items are locally sourced and include a Harrisburg-themed Monopoly game, a painting of the Civic Club Manor House and floral arrangements, among other items.

“We invite everyone to consider taking home one of our items and taking a step to help us improve our city, as we have for more than a century,” said Lehtimaki, the club’s president.

She said that the club is holding events again, but most are small gatherings. Three events in one weekend now may earn about half of what one large wedding or party raked in pre-COVID.

On top of COVID concerns, the club experienced vandalism, when two large air conditioning units were stolen and their shed was broken into. Lehtimaki said that the damage will be covered by insurance, but the club is in need of updated security. She added that they are planning to install a new system, including increased lighting, which could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000.

That’s primarily where the auction money will go toward, she said.

Soon after news of the vandalism broke, Lehtimaki said that many community members expressed interest in helping the Civic Club financially. However, few actually donated, she said.

She hopes that the auction will have more success.

“You will be contributing to continuing to maintain a landmark building with historic significance in Harrisburg,” she said.

To participate in the Civic Club of Harrisburg’s “Bid for Civility” silent auction, visit https://event.gives/bid4civility. For more information, visit https://www.civicclubofharrisburg.com/.

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What’s inside:

For your weekend planning:

Are you on the email list?

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Like this content?

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