Set to Inspire: Team Scott hits the streets to reach Harrisburg youth.

January 29, 2021 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

James “Scottie” and Rachelle Scott

As James “Scottie” Scott and wife Rachelle well know, being an adolescent is hard, but being an adolescent who’s disadvantaged can be even harder.

Some live on the streets. Others nestle at night in a family car. Some live inside a home but go hungry because the family can’t afford food. Yet others lack proper care or guidance or have been abandoned entirely.

Whatever the circumstance, Team Scott Inspire is set to, well, inspire disadvantaged youth like these across the capital region. Scottie and Rachelle founded the nonprofit organization five years ago as a project of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, their fiscal sponsor.

“They’re all facing some form of adversity,” Rachelle noted. “Some of our students are transient. Some live in cars.”

“But we never use the word homeless to them,” Scottie quickly interjected. “That word creates a stigma. Homelessness has many different circumstances behind it.”

The Scotts’ volunteer team of 15 to 30 serves under a motto, “Team Scott Inspire has the Desire to Inspire Kindness in the community.” The team’s purpose is “uniting community as one family to inspire kindness while raising funds to help youth facing adversity stay in school,” according to the organization’s website.

Scottie and Rachelle first stepped up as community volunteers in late 2015, accompanied by their 10—yes, 10—children. At that time, Scottie recalled, the couple wanted their children to learn the importance of giving back to their community. It all took off from there.

The family first set out offering random acts of kindness throughout the community, such as distributing unexpected gifts to passersby. That led to volunteering at numerous community outreach events such as the Special Olympics, Color Run, Ronald McDonald House, Suits to Careers and more.

The family’s touchstone event, however, was participating in We Feed Philly. There, Scottie recalls, they encountered a 15-year-old already forced to live on the streets after revealing their sexual orientation to family. That was just one of many similar tales the Scotts heard that day.

“There were hundreds and hundreds of homeless in line waiting to be fed,” Scottie recalled. “Our son Lameck, who was only 4 years old, just dove right in before anyone to help.”

Returning home, Scottie and Rachelle began researching youth homelessness in Dauphin County. They soon discovered “a silent epidemic” in place right around them in Harrisburg and beyond.

Team Scott Inspire started out working with high school students in the city school district. There, Scottie and Rachelle initiated the S.A.S, or Students Achieving Success, program. With this, students “facing adversity” in grades 9 to 12 are invited to outreach “lunch and learn sessions” held throughout the school year.

The S.A.S sessions, now in other local schools, feature motivational speakers in a format that help high-schoolers develop life skills and explore local educational and vocational opportunities, The program encourages disadvantaged students to complete high school and transition to adult success.

A Saturday S.A.S. is held for local youth the fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Harrisburg. A junior SAS also is in the works this school year for grades six to eight. For the time being, though, sessions are cancelled until further notice due to the pandemic.

Team Scott Inspire also spreads kindness to the general community through “Kindness Korner.” For this, team volunteers take to the streets to converse and hand out treats to passersby. Likewise, it’s now on pandemic hold.

Another team effort, IN-TENTS Night Out, was initiated in November 2019 as a fundraiser promoting homeless youth awareness. For a donation, patrons tented overnight in autumn’s chill on FNB Field on City Island, though the 2020 event had to be cancelled.

Quarantining aside, Rachelle estimated their team has reached “hundreds” of young people throughout the area over the past five years.

“I think the most challenging part through all this has been getting people to believe this program works,” Scottie reflected. “Some kids have a wall that makes them harder to reach. That’s one of the toughest challenges.”

Horace White, a 2019 graduate of John Harris High School, is one of many young adults who Scottie and Rachelle’s team has reached over the years. He tackled academics and varsity football while at John Harris as he and his father cared for his mother during an illness.

While in high school, White was not only mentored by the Scotts but also served as a volunteer for their team. Twice a month, he took to the streets of Harrisburg distributing food to the hungry. Today, he’s earning a biology degree at Georgia Military College and planning a career in the U.S. Marines.

“I would refer (Team Scott Inspire) to kids who even aren’t going through a hard time,” White said. “I really love Mr. and Mrs. Scott and their son Lameck, who treated me like a brother. They treated us like family and were always there to talk to us.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit Team Scott Inspire at www.teamscottinspire.com or on Facebook.

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Cup of Culture: Tasty coffee, inspiring reads at Good Brotha’s Book Café

January 29, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Stefan Hawkins never owned a business before this past summer—now he owns two.

First came House of Vegans, the soul food joint that challenged perceptions of vegan food and gained national attention. We non-vegans realized zero-meat fried chicken is possible and wondered how non-dairy mac and cheese can taste so good.

But, while customers lined up at House of Vegans, owners Stefan Hawkins and Laquana Barber had another plan in the works. Why operate just one business on the 1400-block of N. 3rd Street?

Hawkins and Barber opened Good Brotha’s Book Café just over six months after opening their first restaurant across the street.

“After I saw the success of [House of Vegans] and how the community got behind us, I was like ‘hey, I can get into this a little more,'” Hawkins said.

Hawkins wants to do more than just serve a good cup of coffee—he wants to fill a gap he sees in the city. Good Brotha’s will promote African American literature and art.

Shelves with books for sale line the walls of the café displaying the work of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ibram X. Kendi, Toni Morrison and other Black authors.

“Representation means a lot to the Black community,” Hawkins said. “Our community needs somewhere to go, something to call our own.”

New Energy

At any good coffee shop, it’s all about the vibe. With some neo-soul playing in the background, Hawkins hopes the café will be a place for people to hang out, enjoy a cup and read a book.

But a vibe must go hand-in-hand with a great mug of joe. As if starting the café weren’t enough, Hawkins began his own coffee brand, Fifth Acres Coffee Company, to serve at Good Brotha’s.

The name recognizes the areas of the city where he grew up—N. 5th Street and Hall Manor in South Harrisburg, sometimes referred to as South Acres.

Hawkins works with a roaster to produce the coffee, which is sourced from African countries. He eventually hopes to learn how to roast it himself.

“I’m trying to bring something new and energetic to the community,” he said.

Behind the counter, steaming milk and brewing coffee is barista Zinnia Moore. She previously worked for a shop that served Starbucks Coffee, but is excited to now work at Good Brotha’s with its unique atmosphere.

“The morning coffee can change your whole day,” Moore said. “I can change someone’s day. I get to interact with customers, and I love meeting different people.”

She’s down for experimenting with new coffee and tea combinations and has a few new creations up her sleeve right now. Become a regular, and Moore might just have your order ready when you walk in.

Besides coffee, Good Brotha’s serves baked goods from Harrisburg-based Cece’s Cake Shop, owned by Cecilia Davis. Smoothies and House of Vegans’ fresh juices are available, as well.

Opening House of Vegans this past summer was Hawkins’ first business venture. In the past months, he has grown in confidence as an entrepreneur and learned a lot about owning a restaurant.

“I’ve learned that customer service is paramount to make a good business thrive,” he said. “We put customers first. I wouldn’t have been able to open two locations without them.”

Vision & Vibes

Bryan “Prolifik” Hickman has been a big supporter of his friend Hawkins and his businesses from the beginning.

“When he started House of Vegans, the first thing I wanted to do is support him,” he said.

Hickman decided to help the best way he knew how—through art.

Under the name “Prolifik,” Hickman creates large canvas paintings inspired by African and African American culture.

Two original pieces hang in House of Vegans, and now two more decorate Good Brotha’s. The paintings in the café are for sale. Hickman sees the collaboration as a way for the friends to support each other’s businesses.

“With everything going on this year with social injustice, there was more importance of supporting Black-owned businesses,” he said.

Through highlighting Black culture, literature and art at Good Brotha’s, Hawkins hopes to inspire young African American kids, he said. He also wants to serve as a role model to encourage young people to become business owners.

“I want this to be a place to relax and chill, but also get inspiration,” he said.

One way he plans to make that happen is through a book club that the café will host. Promoting literacy and education is important to Hawkins.

Even with Good Brotha’s opening, Hawkins is already thinking about more House of Vegans locations and determining his next move.

“2020 was good for me,” he said. “2021 will be even better.”

Good Brotha’s Book Café is located at 1419 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Shape Up: Todd Phillips seeks to influence local youth while giving a cut

January 29, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

With the buzz of hair clippers in the background, in between appointments, Todd Phillips told me about some of his favorite childhood memories.

He pointed out black-and-white pictures that hang on his barbershop’s red walls, pictures of his “grandmom” and mother, both who have passed away. Phillips told me about his Uncle Charles, who used to take him to the basketball court or to the store for candy.

“Just that little bit of time that he spent with me, it made a big impact on my life, and I didn’t even realize,” Phillips said. “It showed me that he loved me.”

Growing up, Phillips’ life wasn’t always easy, but the adults that invested in him, like Uncle Charles, made all the difference. Now Phillips aspires to have that same impact on other youth.

In October, Phillips won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. The Chamber recognized him for his business and for his dedication to mentoring youth.

True Legends Barbershop is where both of these meet. Phillips opened the Jonestown Road shop in 2017, bringing years of experience with cutting hair. After working at another barbershop for a while, he was ready to have his own place where he could control the environment.

“I wanted an atmosphere that is family-oriented,” Phillips said. “When I was a little boy, I remember how much the behaviors and how people acted, the men especially, had an effect on me.”

He hopes that he and other barbers at True Legends set a positive example for the kids that come in.

Trim & Therapy

Phillips began cutting hair when he was young, although not well, he admitted. He practiced on his mom and three brothers. One time, in third grade, he gave himself such a bad haircut that his dad had to pick him up from school because kids were making fun of him.

“I still never stopped, and I kept doing it because it was something I wanted to keep doing until I got it right,” he said. “It was a passion since I was younger.”

Phillips often went to church with his grandmom. He enjoyed being around her; she was kind, non-judgmental and loving. One day at church, the pastor’s wife came up to Phillips, crying and laying her hands on him. She said, “God just told me you’re going to be doing something that touches a lot of people.”

That was in sixth grade, but Phillips’ grandmom always reminded him of it.

“I know now that this is it,” he said. “I feel like my calling is to mentor people.”

In October 2019, Phillips hosted an anti-bullying event at his shop and invited youth to come share their experiences and adults to give advice.

“A lot of kids don’t have someone at home to listen to them,” he said. “It’s our job to set an example for the youth.”

Nicole Prator has taken her 14-year-old son Amir to True Legends since the year it opened. A mom of two boys, one now an adult, Prator has seen an array of barbershops over the years.

When she found True Legends, she knew she discovered something different. The shop wasn’t loud and noisy like some other shops, which was a big deal for Amir, who is on the autism spectrum. Amir also tends to be quiet, but Prator said that he feels comfortable talking with Phillips and even looks forward to getting his hair cut.

“I like that the shop has a family-type feel,” Prator said. “It’s the most comfortable shop I’ve ever attended.”

Interactions with clients, Phillips said, are often a two-way street.

“I hear all types of things about families and marriages,” he said. “Barbers are like therapists, but sometimes our clients are like therapists, too.”

When he isn’t giving someone a shape up in the barber chair, Phillips is acting or producing music—two of his other passions.

But at the end of the day, he can’t see himself giving up cutting hair.

“Barbering is always going to be in me,” he said.

True Legends Barbershop is located at 3964 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/beatruelegend.

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Ensuring Opportunity: Deborah Sibbering comes on board as Harrisburg’s new diversity officer

January 29, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A typical day for Deborah Sibbering—watch a horror film, cuddle with her Chihuahuas, fight discrimination. The usual.

The New Jersey native, also a history buff and big “Avatar” fan, moved to Pennsylvania 12 years ago. She first settled in the Poconos then traded the mountains for skyscrapers in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until recently that she migrated to central PA in search of a smaller, more community-oriented town.

Sibbering has a new office in downtown Harrisburg, right in city hall. She was relieved to get out of the house. The dogs were good company, but also needy.

“Harrisburg reminds me of my hometown in New Jersey,” she said. “I like the vibe of the city.”

In November, Sibbering took on the role of equal employment opportunity and diversity officer for Harrisburg, a position that Mayor Eric Papenfuse said he was looking to fill for a while.

By taking on this role, Sibbering also is filling a gap that previously existed in Harrisburg, she said. According to city officials, the position replaces the director of equity and affirmative action, a similar position that was held by Shaashawn Dial until August 2019.

While the job is still being fleshed out, Sibbering described what she’s doing as working on behalf of the community.

“I believe we are placed where we need to be, when we need to be there,” she said. “The timing is meant for me to be here.”

Before making her way to city hall, Sibbering worked in labor relations, dealing with cases of contract violations and discrimination. She is a self-described grassroots professional who “literally started at the bottom.”

Sibbering began her first job when she was in her 20s, working as a human resources and equal opportunity secretary at a college.

“I quickly learned that not only was I effective in my role as a secretary, but I was also effective at a higher level,” she said. “I was resolving issues and able to talk to people and explain the law.”

With encouragement from her supervisor, who Sibbering also considered a mentor, she believed she found her niche.

“At that time no one was saying, ‘When I grow up I want to be an equal opportunities officer,’” she said. “It was by happenstance that I was placed in a role that I was very effective at, but I loved it. I still love it.”

She went on to attend Montclair State University and hold many human resources jobs, working in the public education sector and as the deputy director of human resources for Monroe County.

In her new position, Sibbering said that she is in charge of diversity training for city employees and will act as a liaison for the city’s human relations commission. She is responsible for monitoring city government services and business practices to make sure Harrisburg is following federal and state anti-discrimination laws and regulations around equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Additionally, she will address complaints of workplace violence, discrimination and harassment. Discrimination may be based on race, gender, age, class or other aspects, Sibbering said. She also hopes to build relationships with local businesses.

“I want to engrain myself in the community and offer services to the community,” Sibbering said.

Another significant aspect of Sibbering’s job is to work with the Police Bureau on recruiting personnel that better reflect the demographics of Harrisburg.

Sibbering will train the newly approved Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, which will be tasked with monitoring the Police Bureau. She sees the initiative as a step in the right direction for the city.

Making connections with the community—a big part of her job, has been difficult for Sibbering during COVID. She looks forward to when she can interact more with residents and business owners.

“Years from now, I’d like to look back and see that I was able to serve the community and create a better sense of empathy and diversity,” she said.

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The Bright Side: Author and entrepreneur Christine Titih seeks to inspire hope by telling her story

January 29, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

In 2013, Christine Titih moved into a house in Allison Hill with a group of fellow African immigrants.

The house was hardly livable, she said. The landlord even asked Titih if she was sure she wanted to move in there with her 4-year-old daughter. Hearing gunshots across the street wasn’t unusual.

“It really shouldn’t have been open for people to rent,” she said. “That experience really affected me.”

Titih felt called to fill this gap in services for immigrants and find a way to support others in the same situation. So, in 2019, she founded the Oaks of Central PA, an organization that advocates for and supports African immigrants in the area.

The organization assists people with utility and rent payments and has a program to provide supplies to new moms. Titih said that they also plan to increase outreach efforts, although the pandemic has made that difficult. However, they have been able to continue their assistance programs.

“It’s always a pleasure being able to help others,” Titih said. “I know a lot of African women that have been in shelters. In whatever way possible, I want to help others that are in a position like I was.”

Titih believes that her purpose is to use her story to help others. The Oaks of Central PA is one way she fulfills her mission, but it doesn’t stop there.

Holding onto Hope

When she was about 3 years old, Titih’s daughter Renee was diagnosed with a speech delay. Titih was a single mom, unsure of how to tackle this new obstacle, frustrated and lacking help.

It took five years of speech therapy before Renee was able to communicate at the appropriate level for her age.

“It was a challenging period for me as a single mom, having to go through that,” Titih said.

That experience played a role in her decision to step into the business of care.

In 2016, Titih founded CT Home Care Services to provide assistance to people with intellectual disabilities. The business operates a day program at their center just off of Allentown Boulevard. In non-pandemic times, staff at CT Home Care takes participants on trips to the library, bowling alley, mall and other places they may need to access.

“I really have a lot of respect for parents that have been able to support their children that have intellectual disabilities,” Titih said. “If I can do my part to help them, I really feel fulfilled.”

Titih is especially drawn to this idea of fulfillment and purpose, so much so, that she wrote a book about it.

“How I Discovered My Purpose: A Practical Guide to Faith and Finding Happiness in Uncertain Times,” Titih’s debut book, came out in November.

The book uses examples from her life, including stories from growing up in Cameroon, in central Africa, to the present. She offers advice on how to thrive even through hardship and how to find meaning in life.

“It’s a guide, but also an encouragement for anyone out there that is in a difficult situation and is asking themselves, ‘What am I doing with my life’ or ‘Does my life count?’”

“How I Discovered My Purpose” also heavily incorporates spirituality and faith, which Titih said is important, especially in these times.

It’s her faith that she has clung to while the pandemic forced CT Home Care to temporarily close multiple times and left the Oaks of Central PA unable to perform its most important task—connection.

“I try to look at it in a positive way,” she said. “During this time is when I’ve been able to write the book and do other things. In moments like this, it’s important to have the faith. Things will eventually work out for our good.”

Titih ends her book with a question for readers: Does purpose matter during a pandemic? Well, what if things were to end right now, she said. Would we be pleased with ourselves in the past year?

“That’s the real question, if at the end all of this I have to look back at my life,” she said. “What was it that I did? What was the role I played?”

Christine Titih’s book “How I Discovered My Purpose” is available for purchase online.

For more information on the Oaks of Central PA, visit www.facebook.com/oakscepa.

To learn more about CT Home Care Services, visit www.cthcservices.com.

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CARES Act funding under fire, as Harrisburg School District loses students to cyber charters

January 28, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Commonwealth Charter Academy’s building in Harrisburg

Inequity has been an issue for decades, according to Acting Superintendent for the Harrisburg School District, Chris Celmer.

He was referring to what he sees as unfair funding for charter schools—specifically cyber charters.

While he’s spoken on this numerous times, this time had a new edge to it—new meaning.

Allocation amounts of second-round federal CARES Act funding recently were announced, and Celmer expressed his disappointment in what he saw.

When the pandemic hit, the Harrisburg School District had to pivot quickly, like most brick and mortar schools, closing classrooms and doling out laptops.

They scrambled to create options for students, knowing what would inevitably come and trying desperately to stop it.

The district formed the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA), a cyber-only alternative to their mainstream option in which students will eventually return to the classroom.

“We understand that we need to provide options for our students and families, and we are willing to put in the time, money and effort to do so,” Celmer said.

And yet, that didn’t stop over 200 students from moving to charter schools. He said, without HVLA, which has over 200 students, the number could’ve been closer to 500.

In past years, there’s been a steady rise in students making the switch to charter. Usually, close to two-thirds choose cyber, the remaining, just over one-third, opt for brick-and-mortar, Celmer said. But during the past year, 100% of students who left for charter picked cyber schools.

With each student goes $10,000 from the school district that they must pay to the charter school, he said. For each special education student, that number jumps to $28,000. For the 200 students the district lost this year, Celmer said they are looking at a $2 to $3 million payout.

With another round of CARES funding coming down the tracks, Celmer is not happy with how money is being distributed. Sure, the district is on track to get $25 million, but what sticks in Celmer’s mind is the near $50 million the state is funneling to 12 PA charter schools.

“That is totally inequitable,” he said. “Not only is a cyber charter getting our funding, now they’re getting additional CARES funding. They’re already a cyber charter operation, they don’t have the brick-and-mortar expenses.”

The Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), a Harrisburg-based cyber school, will likely receive the most of the 12 charter schools—possibly $13 million.

But Tim Eller, senior vice president of outreach and government relations at CCA, disagrees with Celmer, saying the funding is fair.

From the beginning of last school year to the beginning of this school year, Eller said the student body has doubled. CCA now serves around 19,000 students.

While the school doesn’t have traditional brick-and-mortar costs, it does have expenses distinct to cyber schools, he explained. CCA supplies students with laptops, curriculum materials, printers and often subsidizes internet costs. Eller said that they also have to pay for services for small cohorts of special education students. During COVID, costs have increased as services must be one-on-one with a teacher and either at home or in a sanitary location.

“Cyber charters have unique expenses,” he said. “Districts don’t want to admit it or just don’t consider it.”

Eller noted that, under Act 13-2020, from March 13 to the end of last school year, districts did not have to pay tuition to charter schools due to the pandemic. He said that the first round of CARES Act funding helped them make up those lost funds and pay for new teachers’ salaries.

He also pointed out that, in total, $2.7 billion of the second-round CARES money is being distributed to public schools in the state, with $2.3 billion going to school districts and only $4 million to charter schools.

“These are public school students, and they deserve the same funding,” he said.

As part of his 2020-21 budget, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed charter school reform legislation that he said would create fair, predictable and equitable funding for school districts. The proposal has not been acted on.

If the reform doesn’t happen soon, Celmer believes it will never happen, given the state of education in PA today.

“This has been an issue, quite frankly, that the legislature has continued to skirt for decades,” he said. “It’s not just about the Harrisburg School District, it’s a statewide issue. Now is the time.”

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

January 28, 2021 | by Sara Bozich

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend around Harrisburg and central PA, we have a handful below, most of which are virtual or outdoor only.

Need something NEW to do? Try some at-home cocktails with these local spirits and these sweet + spiked treats.

Also worth noting: We revived our private Facebook group, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: For ‘Steak Saturday’ (which may be Steak Friday this week), I’m planning on ICAG’s Steak Diane, but with venison as it was originally intended. We also are doing a Facebook Room Mystery Wine Tasting with Andy’s bro and sis-in-law. The winery sold “Mystery Boxes” (we chose dry), and the bottles come wrapped in paper. We try the wine, make tasting notes, then guess the varietal!

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

For your weekend planning:

I got lash extensions (and think maybe you should too)
A muscle-building protein powder for post-workout
Upgrade your bar cart with these local spirits
↬ 5 Ways to Support Local Restaurants Right Now
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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Top Weekend Recs

Some ideas for self-care
Support Midtown Cinema by viewing films on-demand at home or booking a private screening.
Get wine delivered to your door with WTSO
Binge Poured in PA: The Series!

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

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

Harrisburg residents, visitors can chill out at “Ice in the Burg” festival

January 27, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Sculpture from a past Ice and Fire Festival

COVID can’t melt this Harrisburg favorite tradition. The city is giving the community a new way to enjoy the coolest festival around.

“Ice in the Burg” will replace the city’s “Ice and Fire Festival,” still incorporating ice sculptures, but forgoing the traditional entertainment and vendors.

“It’s different this year, but it’s a safe alternative,” Megan Roby, the city’s director of special events, said. “People can still come and enjoy the city.”

To kick off the weekend, on March 5, people can drive-through an illuminated ice sculpture display on City Island. There will also be a live ice sculpture carving and costumed characters.

On March 6 and 7, over 40 small and large sculptures will be found throughout Harrisburg in locations such as City Island, downtown, Midtown, Italian Lake and Reservoir Park.

According to Roby, extending the event over three days will help spread out foot traffic and allow for better social distancing.

In years past, the festival included a skating rink, ice slide, fire dancers, performance groups, food trucks and other vendors.

This year, Roby said they will be focusing on COVID-safe events. That includes an outdoor dining experience on Saturday. In partnership with the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, a portion of 2nd Street will be blocked, starting at 10 a.m. for al fresco dining from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The annual “Cocktail Crawl” will still take place with local restaurants creating ice-themed drink specials.

“We want to offer our support to local restaurants,” Roby said.

Additionally, there may be an ice sculpture scavenger hunt with prizes and ice-themed grab and go activities for kids, Roby said.

The event is sponsored by M&T Bank, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, CapitalBlue, UPMC Pinnacle, Commonwealth Charter Academy, Harrisburg University, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District and Park Harrisburg.

Park Harrisburg is offering a discounted $10 daily rate on Saturday and Sunday at the Market Square Garage. Get four hours of free downtown street parking using the code LUVHBG on the Parkmobile app. Free parking is available Saturday and Sunday on City Island.

Ice in the Burg follows suit in a line of Harrisburg parades and festivals that were changed due to the pandemic. Most recently, the Holiday Parade was turned into a drive-through event and the New Year’s Eve celebration was held completely online.

For more information, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/ice/. A map and restaurant guide will be available in mid-February.

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Civic Club experiences vandalism; community members step up

January 27, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Civic Club’s shed was broken into and air conditioning units were stolen.

As if local organizations aren’t struggling during COVID enough as it is, the Civic Club of Harrisburg faced another blow recently.

On Dec. 29, the club’s historic Front Street home, “Overlook,” suffered severe damage.

“It’s an agitation,” said club President Marybeth Lehtimaki. “I’ve always been pleased by how the property has been respected, so I’m disappointed.”

According to Lehtimaki, two large air conditioning units were stolen and a shed was broken into. She said that the cost of the damage is around $13,000.

Police are investigating the case, but do not yet have any suspects, she said. Lehtimaki believes this is part of a larger trend of increased crime during the pandemic.

Organizations in Allison Hill have picked up on this trend, as well, launching their “South Allison Hill Safety Plan” to increase lighting and security measures in their neighborhoods.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau also has addressed the issue, acknowledging a climb in violent crime, specifically shootings.

Remaining parts of the Civic Club building’s air conditioning units.

Lehtimaki said that she doesn’t remember anything as extensive as this incident of vandalism happening before at the club.

The Civic Club is now repairing damage, replacing the units and applying for security grants in order to install more lighting outside the building.

While the cost of the damage is great, the club already has received donations from people in the community, she said.

“People have already asked how they can help,” Lehtimaki said. “It’s heartwarming. With COVID, we are very reliant on the community.”

The Civic Club building functions as an event space for weddings and large gatherings. During the pandemic, many of those have been canceled, making it difficult for the club.

“This is the keystone of the city; it’s a gem,” Lehtimaki said. “It’s important to keep it in the best condition.”

Overlook was built in 1903 and is one of just two buildings remaining within the footprint of Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The women’s club dates back to the late 1800s and functions as a service organization that works to create civil engagement within Harrisburg.

The club has helped the city through philanthropy and service, including city beautification, early childhood education, breast cancer awareness, hunger relief and other initiatives, Lehtimaki said.

“My vision is to do service for the community and create a center for diversity,” she said.

To donate to The Civic Club of Harrisburg, email [email protected] or call (717)-234-6736. For more information, visit https://www.civicclubofharrisburg.com/.

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Apartment conversion, “tiny house” project for veterans get Harrisburg zoning approval

January 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Two Harrisburg development projects jumped a key hurdle on Monday night, getting the approval of the city’s Zoning Hearing Board.

A split board first granted a variance and special exception to developer Derek Dilks, who plans to convert the former First United Methodist Church (pictured) into an eight-unit apartment building.

Dilks needed zoning relief because he has proposed a change in use for the 140-year-old church building at 260 Boas St. Also, the proposed one-bedroom apartments range in size from 550 to 1,125 square feet, which is smaller than the city allows by right.

Dilks explained that he plans to invest about $1.2 million into the building’s redevelopment and that the project would not be financially viable with fewer units.

“We’re projecting that eight apartments is a little bit better than break even,” said Dilks, who added that he considered as many as 12 units before scaling back to eight.

Rents would range from $1,250 to $1,800 a month, Dilks said. Some of the units include lofts and additional home office space, he said.

Last July, Dilks bought the property for $99,000 from the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, which put most of its churches on the market in 2019.

The city’s zoning code did not require Dilks to provide off-street parking, but the issue came up both at the meeting and at the previous Harrisburg Planning Commission meeting. In response, he said that he’d provide eight dedicated parking spaces at the Lofts at 909, an apartment building he owns a block away at Green and Forster streets.

Only one resident spoke at the virtual meeting about the project and voiced support.

“My interest is only to say that I totally support it,” said Green Street resident Shane Fox. “It seems great. I would love to have more neighbors in Midtown.”

The Zoning Hearing Board approved the variance and special exception by a 2-1 vote, adding a condition that each unit be assigned a designated parking space at the Lofts at 909. Board Chair Thomas Leonard voted against it.

“I’m opposed . . . because the impact on the neighborhood is excessive,” he said.

Later on during the nearly four-hour meeting, the board gave unanimous approval for a variance and special exception for a project that proposes 15 “tiny houses” and a community center on vacant land along the Susquehanna River in south Harrisburg.

A nonprofit called Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania has proposed the project at 1103 S. Front St. to provide temporary housing and support services for homeless veterans. The organization needed zoning relief for that specific use and because the community center does not meet the height requirement for the “riverfront” zoning district.

A rendering of the proposed “tiny house” community.

The development would be built on about 5.5 acres of what is commonly called Phoenix Park, former industrial land adjacent to the Capital Area Greenbelt. The property owners, Harrisburg philanthropist Peggy Grove and her son, Michael, have agreed to donate the land to the group, according to Thomas Zimmerman, president of Veterans Outreach of PA.

“Our homeless veterans are ones who were willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom,” Zimmerman said to the board. “We want to give them the opportunity to have transitional housing to get them back on their feet so they can get back into society and live a life of normalcy.”

He said that they are modeling their village upon similar developments in places like Kansas City, Mo., San Diego, Calif., and Savannah, Ga., among other cities.

“This model has been proven in other parts of the country,” he said. “So, we’re just bringing it here to central PA.”

The project also includes 15 parking spaces.

With these approvals, both the church-to-apartment conversion and the veteran’s tiny house project now must have their land development plans approved by the city.

Several other significant development projects were on the Zoning Hearing Board agenda for the meeting on Monday. However, they were either given a continuance until the February meeting or will be heard at a special meeting scheduled for next week.

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