Arch, Curl, Spiral: The Gyrotonic method represents a different kind of movement

December 30, 2025 | by Ashley Andyshak Hayes

Barb Mullin, right. Photo courtesy of ACS Movement and Alibi Creative.

A Pennsylvania native is bringing her knowledge and love of movement to her own studio space in Camp Hill.

At ACS Movement, Barb Mullin offers one-on-one sessions using the Gyrotonic Expansion System, a practice designed to improve range of motion, stability and spine health.

The Gyrotonic system is similar to yoga and Pilates in that it consists of eccentric movements, where muscles lengthen under tension, as opposed to concentric movements in which muscles shorten under tension, like what happens during a bicep curl. The three-dimensional exercises are performed on a pulley table with adjustable weights and other mechanisms that customize the practice for each person.

Mullin named her studio ACS Movement to represent the three main spinal movement patterns in Gyrotonic: arch, curl and spiral. The movements are designed to be effortless, Mullin said, quoting the system’s founder, Juliu Horvath: “What is gained with ease is retained with ease.”

New System

Horvath developed the Gyrotonic system using his deep knowledge of dance and yoga. A former principal dancer for the Romanian National Ballet Company, he defected while on tour in Italy in the 1970s and eventually made his way to the United States after receiving political asylum.

While dancing with the Houston Ballet, he ruptured his Achilles tendon, which put his dancing career on hold. The injury led him to explore yoga as a way to heal and recover, and he studied the practice for many years. The insights he gained during his yoga practice inspired the creation of a new exercise method, which he named “Yoga for Dancers.”

As he introduced this new exercise system to people in the U.S., interest from both within and outside the dance community grew, so Horvath developed a variation of the program that was accessible to those with or without a background in dance.

This format became the basis of Gyrokinesis, a practice of choreographed, seated movement. He also developed the specialized equipment and exercises used in the Gyrotonic method. Today, the system is used by more than 13,000 trainers in more than 80 countries, according to the Gyrotonic website.

Mullin has an extensive background in both Pilates and Gyrotonic instruction. She discovered both disciplines while living in New York City in the 1970s, and she spent more than a decade there studying and teaching Pilates. In 1991, she opened the first Pilates studio in Orange County, N.Y., and later moved her practice to Austin, Texas, where she became fully certified in Gyrotonic instruction. She then taught on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula for five years.

In 2024, she moved back to Pennsylvania to be closer to family and began looking for a venue to share her knowledge of the Gyrotonic method with others. She found a space alongside Absolute Pilates and several other fitness-related businesses on Trindle Road.

Slow, Flowing

Anyone can benefit from Gyrotonic exercises, Mullin said, including experienced athletes, people recovering from injury or surgery, seniors looking to age well, and those who just want to increase their ease of movement in everyday activities.

The movements can help improve balance for people involved in activities or sports that rely heavily on one side of the body, such as golf, pickleball or tennis, and can benefit those with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, she said.

The slow, flowing movements, along with mindful breathing, help to reduce stress, decompress the spine and joints, and increase overall wellness, Mullin said.

Throughout her career, Mullin has worked with people in all phases of life, from those in their teens to those in their 90s and has seen how exercises like Pilates and Gyrotonic have helped increase and extend quality of life.

“You really can change people’s lives,” she said.

ACS Movement is located at 3514 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill. Sessions are by appointment only; call 512-810-7347 or email [email protected] for more information.

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Fast Food, Italian Style: This sausage soup is a healthier alternative to a burger and fries

December 30, 2025 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Have you ever raced home from a busy day at work or other activities and immediately faced the question of what to do for dinner?

Often, our first impulse is to grab a burger from our favorite fast-food place or look for a frozen pizza you know you stashed in the freezer.

There are better options. I am proposing that one simple pound of Italian sausage (either sweet or hot) is your salvation for a quick and healthy dinner. You can bake the sausage with a little water at 350 degrees for about an hour and 15 minutes. Cover the pan for half that time, then uncover to lightly brown. Add a baked potato and a green salad and you are done. Italian fast food!

When I was growing up, Italian sausage was part of our meal rotation. Many Harrisburg Italians traveled to a shop in Steelton, the little town south of Harrisburg, to get authentic Italian sausage. A family friend always picked some up for us. My mother insisted that any sausage she cooked contain finocchio. Finocchio is the sweet anise flavoring from the fennel plant. She wouldn’t accept any other!

But today, Ryan Hummer at the West Shore Farmers Market offers a variety of wonderful sausages including cheddar cheese, pecorino cheese, jalapeno, maple and even blueberry. I usually stick to either Italian sweet or hot for most of my recipes. But experimenting with the others is fun.

So, back to your busy day and no dinner. How about homemade soup on a cold January evening? Tastes of Italia magazine provided this favorite recipe for me, which is a complete dinner filled with protein, carbs and vegetables. It is so easy to tweak. Use spinach or kale instead of escarole, pasta shapes instead of angel hair, chicken broth instead of beef, and any kind of Italian sausage you like. Grab a glass of an Italian red while you are putting it together.

Zuppa di Salsiccia (Sausage Soup)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 celery stalk, diced
2 medium Italian sausage links, casings removed and crumbled
A pinch of dried red chili flakes
2 cloves garlic, diced
4 cups beef or chicken broth
3 cups water
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 15-ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
A small bag fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped
4 ounces of pasta broken in pieces or 4-ounce small pasta shapes
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

In a large pot, combine the olive oil, onions, rosemary and celery; cook for 5 minutes on medium heat.
Add the sausage, red chili flakes and garlic and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until sausage is nicely browned.
Add broth, water, tomato paste, beans and spinach.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add pasta and cook until al dente.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Place in soup bowls, pour some wine, grab a little baguette of bread, and you have dinner.

Now I admit, you need to have several staple ingredients on hand (pantry items, as they say). But the sausage could be waiting in the freezer, and the spinach can be frozen too.

Fresh and healthy homemade soup. Fairly quickly. And enough for lunch the next day!

Maybe a burger and fries once in a while….

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January News Digest

December 30, 2025 | by TheBurg Staff

No Tax Hike in Harrisburg Budget

Harrisburg City Council last month passed the city’s 2026 municipal budget, which does not include a property tax hike.

The total budget, including the capital projects fund, state liquid fuels fund and neighborhood services fund, among others, is $127.3 million. The general fund portion is $88 million.

Preceding the final vote, council made significant changes to Mayor Wanda Williams’ initial budget proposal, including rejecting raises for Williams and other elected officials.

Council also eliminated salaries for the city’s interim business administrator, project director for business administration/LERTA and the police bureau’s director of community engagement and relations. Council also zeroed out the city’s portion of the salary for the interim director of building and housing development, which supplements the portion of the salary funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

At press time, Williams had not yet signed off on the budget. She also had the option to veto the entire budget or issue specific line-item vetoes.

At the mid-December meeting, council also reconsidered and approved a land development plan for 333 Market Street, a downtown office building that previously housed state government offices. Harristown plans to renovate floors 11 through 19 and create 81 one- and two-bedroom apartments for use as senior housing. The company is currently in search of an organization to master lease the apartments.

In addition, council renewed the city’s lease agreement with the Broad Street Market Alliance for another year. The approved extension was initiated because the market is required to have an up-to-date lease for state funding that it was awarded.

In other news, council voted to extend the city’s LERTA program, which provides tax break incentives to developers. City officials have said that they drafted a new, updated LERTA bill, but are waiting for the Harrisburg School District to review it.

School District Hires Acting Principal

The Harrisburg School District Board last month hired an acting principal for Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus.

Longtime school district employee Roma Benjamin will temporarily fill the post, which has seen significant turnover in recent years.

Former John Harris principal Christopher Sattele, who began in October 2024, left the district for another position. Superintendent Benjamin Henry said the district will conduct a national search this February for a permanent principal.

“We want to have a little bit more time to go through the process of finding a more permanent person for this role, versus moving someone in immediately,” Henry said of the appointment.

The district approved Benjamin’s employment contract, including a $138,000 salary, with an 8-1 vote. School board member Danielle Robinson voted no.

Prior to this role, Benjamin had been working as a support supervisor within the district. She served as principal at Rowland Academy last year, but was placed on administrative leave in February after being accused of harassment for allegedly shoving a 13-year-old student. The case has since been closed.

The board also used its last meeting of the year to review its general fund budget for 2025-26 with updated state funding numbers. The district had previously estimated what state subsidies it expected to receive due to Pennsylvania’s lengthy budget impasse, explained Chief Financial Officer Marcia Stokes in a presentation during the meeting.

“This is really as a result of the state’s delay,” she said of the budget amendment.

Stokes further explained that the state budget had added an additional $3.2 million to the district’s general fund budget, bringing its total to $216.3 million.

For the 2025-26 school year, the state gave Harrisburg $88.1 million for basic education, $8.7 million for special education, and $18 million in grant funding.

Water/Sewer Rates Rise

Harrisburg water and sewer customers will pay about 6.3% more for service in 2026, according to new rates set by Capital Region Water (CRW).

In late November, the CRW board approved its new rate structure, which will increase the monthly bill for the average residential customer by $6.06, from $95.76 to $101.82, according to the Harrisburg-based utility.

“The CRW team carefully considered these rates to strike a balance between covering necessary operational costs and providing fair and equitable charges to customers,” CRW said, in a statement.

Broken out, the 2026 rates are as follows:

Water charge: $11.63 per 1,000 gallons (average increase of $2.47 per month)
Wastewater charge: $11.43 per 1,000 gallons (average increase of $3.18 per month)
Stormwater charge: $7.18 for most residential customers (increase of 41 cents per month)

According to CRW, the 2026 budget focuses on critical areas such as “infrastructure improvements, water quality initiatives and environmental stewardship,” as it continues a decades-long effort to reduce wastewater flowing directly into area waterways during rain events.

Last year, the average monthly bill for CRW customers in Harrisburg rose by 3.7%.

Home Sales, Prices Rise

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both rose in November, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 502 homes sold, compared to 474 homes in November 2024, while the median sales price increased to $290,000 from $275,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 233 houses changed hands in November, versus 214 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $261,950 from $250,000, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 242 home sales compared to 240 the prior November, while the median sales price increased to $335,000 from $314,297, GHAR said.

In Perry County, 32 homes sold in November, versus 18 homes a year earlier, as the median sales price decreased to $214,000 from $237,500, according to GHAR.

The pace of home sales slowed a bit in November, as “average days on market” rose to 32 days versus 28 days in November 2024, GHAR said.

So Noted

Amma Jo, an accessories boutique, reopened in downtown Harrisburg last month, offering handbags, accessories, gifts and art. The shop is returning to a new spot within Strawberry Square, where it has operated previously.

Christine (Christy) Pavlakovich was promoted last month to chief operating officer at Members 1st Federal Credit Union. In her new role, Pavlakovich will oversee retail and branch operations, risk and compliance, legal, physical security as well as human resources and learning and development, according to Members 1st.

Dauphin County last month passed a $221.9 million general fund budget for 2026, a slight decrease from the 2025 budget. Nonetheless, the 2026 spending plan includes a 9.75% property tax hike. The increase comes on top of a 21.8% property tax hike in 2025 following two decades with no increase at all.

Jason Stouffer has been named CEO of York-based Kinsley Construction, the company said last month. Stouffer, who has spent his entire career at Kinsley, replaces Christopher Kinsley, who retired in 2025. In addition, third-generation family members, Andrew and James Kinsley, have been named co-COOs.

Jennifer Craighead Carey last month was re-elected for a second two-year term as managing partner and chief executive officer of the Barley Snyder law firm, a 130-attorney firm with offices throughout the eastern half of Pennsylvania. Craighead Carey has been with the Lancaster-based firm for over 30 years and is its first female managing partner.

PA Dairymen’s Association last month announced this year’s special Farm Show milkshake flavors: strawberry (red), vanilla (white) and raspberry (blue) in honor of the country’s 250th birthday this year. The 2026 Farm Show takes place Jan. 10 to 17, with the food court debuting on Jan. 9.

Pennon, the parent company of WITF, has gifted LNP/Lancaster Online to a new nonprofit, Always Lancaster, led by former National Public Radio host David Greene, according to WITF. In mid-2023, WITF received LNP as a gift donation from Steinman Communications, the long-time owner of LNP.

Tom Baldrige last month was named the interim president and CEO of Pennon, the parent company of WITF, as the area’s public broadcasting outlet continues to look for a permanent leader. Baldrige, the former longtime president of the Lancaster Chamber, replaces Ron Hetrick, who resigned in October.

The Vegetable Hunter, one of central Pa.’s few vegan restaurants, last month closed its original location in downtown Harrisburg, which opened in 2014 and later included a micro-brewery. It previously had closed locations in Hershey and Carlisle.

Zeroday Brewing Co. announced last month that it was closing its flagship taproom on N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg, citing rising costs and reduced foot traffic. The company will continue its brewery operations and distribution, as well as its two nearby “outposts” inside the Broad Street Market and Midtown Cinema.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 36: Capital Venture LLC to K. Grun, $90,000

Balm St., 115: BSM HSH LLC to L. Cabrera, $139,000

Balm St., 120: A. Rakibu to Atico de Horno LLC, $58,500

Bellevue Rd., 1930: I. Mitchell to Breneman Properties LLC, $99,900

Berryhill St., 1413: L. Weikel to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $90,000

Berryhill St., 1607: Keystone Properties Solutions LLC to Paavan Synergy LLC, $132,500

Berryhill St., 1635: BAJ Holdings LLC to H. Dhillon, $154,500

Capital St., 901: C. Lenz to TPB Advertising Properties LP, $207,500

Croyden Rd., 2932: P. & J. McLeod to J. Jeffries, $163,000

Cumberland St., 1327 & 1329: P. Jenkins to N. Ovalles, $115,000

Derry St., 1529: M. Heredia to D. Ortiz, $155,000

Derry St., 2016: V. Thi & L. Tran to J. Espinal, $155,000

Emerald St., 228: C&A Fix Hold & Flip LLC to D. Adams, $189,000

Emerald St., 243: G. Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to S. Jefferson, $106,000

Evergreen St., 23: Destiny Harrisburg LLC to Bencosme Realty LLC, $155,000

Forster St., 1931: Bedrock Capital Management Inc. to M. Guisso, $55,000

Graham St., 50: PKM Enterprises 369 LLC to J. Evans, $234,000

Green St., 1112: M. Fitzgerald to BHW Capital LLC, $220,000

Green St., 1824: B. Goodling to A. Reed, $185,000

Green St., 1920: PKM Enterprises 369 LLC to S. Mazur & E. Graham, $270,000

Hale Ave., 443: B. & J. Hamilton to A. & J. Karim, $120,500

Harris St., 435: BCR-2 Properties LLC to W. Robinson, $235,000

Herr St., 1614: E. Andrades to S. & J. McCowin, $155,000

Hoerner St., 137: Williams & Williams Properties LLC to Bridger Investments LLC, $80,000

Holly St., 1938: C. Ettinger to P. Harris, $149,500

Kensington St., 2126: C. Watkins to EA Capital LLC, $68,383

Jefferson St., 2308: JMR Ventures LLC to BZDEL Global Investment LLC, $116,000

Lenox St., 2005: G. Bender to R. Ward, $129,995

Logan St., 1627: Culcay Remodeling & Guagua Remodeling LLC to A. Pieruccini, $169,900

Logan St., 1933½: Figueroa Enterprises LLC to R. Burgos, $110,000

Market St., 1404, 1406: 1406 Market Realty LLC to 1404 1406 Market Street LLC, $210,000

Market St., 1625: D&F Realty Holdings LP to J. Charles, $189,900

Market St., 2333: P. Sanders to J. & S. Thomasma, $210,000

Mulberry St., 1222: NR Group to Mirzavill LLC, $160,500

N. 2nd St., 2644: G. & T. Morcol to S. & C. Perfetto, $355,000

N. 2nd St., 2530: Blessed Investments LLC to M. Booker, $207,000

N. 2nd St., 2650: D. & C. Fasching to N. Davidson, $375,000

N. 2nd St., 2702: H. & A. Markovitz c/o B & M. Schatz to E. & J. Camacho, $346,000

N. 3rd St., 1223: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Vaughn Real Estate & Investment Properties LLC, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 1717: G. Sprigg to Segio Mannino LLC, $150,000

N. 4th St., 3300: R. Musser to S. Spade, $62,000

N. 6th St., 1000: Third Street Realty Co. to D. & J. Williams, $500,000

N. 6th St., 2128: Archie Group LLC & Head Huncho LLC to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $100,000

N. 6th St., 3202: M. Strine to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $95,000

N. 7th St., 2156: R. Harvey to J. Rovera, $92,500

N. 7th St., 2300: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Moin Realty LLC, $325,000

N. 17th St., 111: Bill Culwell Enterprises Inc. to W. Smith, $124,650

N. 17th St., 1000: A. Augustine to H. Tambo, $220,000

N. 18th St., 700: J. Stevenson to CG Home Buyer LLC, $60,000

N. 18th St., 918: HBG Rents LLC to E. Garcia, $164,000

N. 19th St., 712: A. Smith to J. Alfonesca, $149,900

Norwood St., 913: D. Pietz to Cashflow Cartel LLC, $55,000

Penn St., 1320: CG Home Buyers LLC to Ortiz Family Investments LLC, $105,000

Penn St., 1421: City Limits Foundation to J. Nimmerichter, $131,500

Penn St., 2131: A. Rasheed & U. Sheikh to BZDEL Global Investment LLC, $145,000

Radnor St., 644: JO Properties LLC to MK Plumbing HVAC & Electrical Services LLC, $50,000

Reel St., 2734: I. Bah to Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC, $135,000

Ross St., 630: M. Morgan to R. Santos & F. de Quinones, $140,000

Royal Terr., 153: Faraone Properties LLC to Echo Propco LLC, $82,500

Royal Terr., 117: S. Helivett & C. Ramirez to DM Capital Holdings LLC, $85,000

Rumson Dr., 361: M. DePasquale to M. Russo, $185,000

Seneca St., 224: D. Daley to S. Jones & D. Magaro, $164,900

Seneca St., 321: J. King & J. Brown to C. Roque, $100,000

S. 2nd St., 308½: D. Manning to A. Joseph & B. Yacoub, $200,000

S. 19th St., 1121: M. & B. Davila to Rojas Remodeling LLC, $142,000

S. 23rd St., 629: A. & J. Fitzgerald to Upscale Home Improvement LLC, $95,000

State St., 231, Unit 201: Murphy Huether Property Investments LLC to F. Clark, $175,000

Sycamore St., 1725: W. Winters & C. Deane to J. Serrano, $125,000

Waldo St., 2644: G. Neff to M. Almodovar, $134,900

Woodbine St., 218: D&F Realty Holdings LP to M. Espinal, $83,500

York St., 1933: R. Adam to Atras de la Quema LLC, $58,500

Zarker St., 1945: M. Strine to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $85,000

Harrisburg property sales, November 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Ice Cycles: With a little preparation, you’ll be biking in a winter wonderland

December 30, 2025 | by Susan Ryder

Eric Tuttle rode into Camp Hill’s Holmes Cycling & Fitness from his five-mile bike commute like he didn’t get the memo that it was cold outside.

He likes riding in the winter and thinks that cyclists should give it a try.

“The hardest thing about getting on your bike in the wintertime is taking the step out, just get out,” said Tuttle, an avid cyclist and employee at Holmes. “Then once you’re out, you’re there, you’re doing it.”

The staff in the shop nodded in agreement.

“This time of year, it’s a little harder to get out,” said Don Kessel. “But once you’re done, you don’t regret it.”

The next most difficult thing might be dealing with the cold weather. Biking in the cold needs some special attention.

“What most people don’t take into consideration when they hop on a bike in the winter is the speed factor,” said Sharyn Kocevar, business manager at InGear Cycling & Fitness in Hummelstown. “It’s actually lowering the temperature.”

In the summer, that cool down is refreshing. In the winter, not so much, especially if riders aren’t expecting it. Riding slower in the winter actually helps riders stay warmer, said Tuttle.

“We like to say that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment,” Tuttle said.

That equipment includes clothing. The old adage, dress in layers, is an adage for a reason—it works. Tuttle said that he runs a bit warmer, so he may wear less gear than others.

“It’s all different per person,” he said.

Stay Warm

There’s no need to go and buy lots of expensive gear.

Ski clothing, running clothing or just general cold weather clothing is fine. It’s a good idea to have a place to put those layers if you need to shed them. Kocevar has a bike rack with a bag.

“You can incorporate some of your normal cold weather gear but be prepared with what to do with your layers,” he said.

Extremities typically take the biggest beating from the cold.

“When it’s 30 degrees, it’s more of a challenge for your toes, ears and fingers,” Tuttle said.

Hand warmers are a good solution, but Tuttle has a suggestion to make them more efficient.

“You think, ‘My toes are cold, so I’m gonna get those toe pieces that go in my boots,’” he said. “And your fingers are cold, so you’re going to put them there too.”

However, Tuttle suggests placing the warmers by the pulse points at the wrist and ankle. The blood flowing past these points will heat up the entire extremity.

For folks who have more trouble in the cold, heated vests, socks and gloves are available.

“You can adjust the temperature and warm that area of your body that needs to stay warm,” Kocevar said.

Riders also need to keep hydrated in the winter, which also can warm them up.

“I sometimes take a warm liquid and my regular water, and I’ve mixed in a bouillon cube,” Tuttle said.

Worth It

Conditions are another area of challenge for winter biking. Many road cyclists put up their bikes for the winter, but for those who continue to ride, there are a few things to consider. For one, prepare for a different riding experience.

“They don’t do street sweeping in the wintertime,” Kocevar said. “And that’s what keeps the loose gravel and the trash off the shoulder.”

When it snows, even on plowed roads, the shoulder can be gone. Knowing your route is key to keeping safe for the commuting cyclist, said Kocevar.

Conditions on trails can vary, too. Part of the trail can be nice and clear and another part slushy, snowy or icy, making traction challenging. Lowering your tire pressure can help with this.

“When you lower the air pressure in your tire, you give yourself a wider surface area for traction,” said Kocevar.

Preparedness is more important in the winter. With fewer folks on the trails, a rider must know how to change their own tire or make other simple repairs. Walking five miles with a bike in the summer is one thing; walking five miles with a bike in the winter is another thing altogether.

“Carry a lock if you need to secure your bike and go back and get it later and have a phone-a-friend option,” Kocevar said.

This preparedness makes for a better riding experience, so riders are more apt to go out again.

So, where can folks cycle in the winter? Rail trails provide a great option. Their flat terrain and sandy, gritty texture provide an easier ride with more grip.

“Find something small nearby,” Tuttle said. “We live within driving distance of rail trails here—the main thing is to get out and try it.”

If a solo ride doesn’t sound like fun, Holmes has group biking opportunities listed on Strava.com. Included in the mix are social rides, ladies-only rides, training rides and mountain rides. And if a person needs a little courage to make the leap, Holmes is there to help.

“We’re all here to talk about it,” Tuttle said. “That’s what we all do, that’s what we live for.”

In a group, or solo, in the snow or gritty trail, riding in the winter provides exercise and allows riders to continue to do something they enjoy through the winter months. Riders shouldn’t let the season stand in their way.

“It’s worth it, and a lot of people just get nervous to try it,” Tuttle said.

For more information about Pennsylvania Rail Trails, visit www.railstotrails.org/state/pennsylvania.
For more information on Holmes Cycling & Fitness, visit www.holmescycling.com.
For more information on InGear Cycling & Fitness, visit www.ingearcycling-fitness.com.

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Fit for All: New program emphasizes exercise for special needs

December 30, 2025 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Fit Abilities participants

Joleen Bingham, of Lewisberry, said it “broke my heart” that there’s “not a lot of fitness” for the special needs population who surpass school age.

That’s why Bingham, whose two of three children are on the autism spectrum, founded Fit Abilities at 13 Stripes Fitness in October with Estreya Rosado of Hershey.

Although Bingham no longer is with the program, Rosado continues to run Fit Abilities at the former 13 Stripes Fitness in Dillsburg, now rebranded as Avenger Athletics. Rosado also plans to expand Fit Abilities to Avenger Athletic locations in West Hanover Township and Newport at a date “to be determined in the first quarter of 2026,” she said.

“This is a program designed to make fitness and movement safe, supportive and truly inclusive for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and more,” Bingham said.

Rosado said that she and Bingham started the endeavor to help “an underserved population.” She is CEO of Avenger Athletics, offering strength training, weight training, life coaching and more, in addition to Fit Abilities.

So far, the program offers small group classes and one-on-one coaching for clients ages 16 and up, with expansion planned for school-age children in January. Rosado said that she also would like to see Fit Abilities partner with other organizations for greater access to the disabled population in the future.

Fit Abilities’ groups are intentionally set at a maximum of six participants, so that each person receives dedicated attention.

“Whether you’re working out one-on-one or with a group, you’ll always be seen, heard and encouraged,” the program’s website states.

Fit Abilities also notes that “everyone’s starting point is different,” so workouts are designed around each participant’s current mobility, coordination and comfort level.

Bingham said that she’s leaving it up to her two children whether they sign up for Fit Abilities sessions. “They can make up their own minds to participate,” she noted.

Quality of Life

As many know, physical activity is an important component in maintaining health, well-being and quality of life. For people with disabilities, physical activity fosters daily living activities and independence. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, one in four adults is living with a disability defined as seriously affecting walking or climbing stairs, hearing, seeing, concentrating, remembering, making decisions, completing errands alone and dressing or bathing.

In turn, adults with disabilities are more likely to have obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer than adults without disabilities, the CDC states. Physical activity is important as it can reduce the risk and/or help manage these chronic conditions.

Unfortunately, less than half of U.S. adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (i.e. mobility disability) report taking part in aerobic physical activity. Of those who are active, walking is the most common activity, yet adults with disabilities report more environmental barriers for this activity than those who aren’t disabled.

That’s where Fit Abilities fits in.

“People with special needs are special just like everyone else, but their brain works a little differently,” Bingham said. “They look at life a little differently.”

In addition, the relationship goes both ways, benefiting both the participants and the instructors.

“I like that I get to help people,” Rosado noted.

For more information about Fit Abilities at Avenger Athletics, visit www.13stripesfitness.com or call 717-420-9898.

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Happenings: Our January Calendar of Events

December 30, 2025 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Mustang Then and Now,” through April 18

“Old School Rods and Customs, through April 19

SAAB Showroom, through April 19

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

“All Access Harrisburg,” highlighting Pennsylvania’s capital city through the lenses of photographers William Hicks, Dr. Eliseo Rosario, Ron Steficek and Michael Yatsko, through Jan. 8

“Women of the Permanent Collection,” featuring a variety of female artists from the 20th century with their own distinctive style and unique perspective, through March 27

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

“Contain—CALC’s 2026 Juried Show,” an exploration of vessels, depictions of vessels and vessels as a metaphor, Jan.9-31

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

January artist of the month

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

Art & Craft Featuring Millersburg, Jan. 1-31

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, hallway gallery, through Feb. 14

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, community room, through May 30

Historical Society of Dauphin County
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion
219 S. Front St., Harrisburg
717- 233-3462; dauphincountyhistory.org

Mansion Tours, Tuesdays-Friday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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

Senior Art Educator Exhibition—B.S. Art Education Program, Jan. 17-Feb. 1; reception: Jan .17, 4:30 p.m.

Works by Ali Wunder and Emily Fussner, Jan. 23-March 3; artist’s talk and reception: Jan. 23, 4:30 p.m.

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

Holiday gift shopping, a collection of work by Millworks in-house artists, ready to take off the wall and wrap up, through Jan. 11

New works by Jemar Sweets, Kate Gambini, Rea Ann Ross, Richard Souders, Marsha Souders, Spencer Jackson and Steve Barber, Jan. 12-Feb. 15

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

Mixed media work by Kristen Wierman, Jan. 16-April 4; reception: Jan. 16, 5-8 p.m.

“Ned Smith Unseen,” Jan. 3-March 21

“Cryptids of Pennsylvania and the Appalachian Trail,” through Jan. 10

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

Art in the Stacks—Rebekah Richmond, Jan. 1-31

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

“My Pleasant Splendid,” pressed flower pictures by Judy Bouder, through Jan. 3

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

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across PA in diverse fields, detailing their contributions and challenges they faced in their lifetimes

“Bannered Heroes—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans,” presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé)

“Horse2Auto—A Transportation Revolution”

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

“Mixed Mythology,” works by Mary Curran that draw on a deep reverence for the natural world and explores how humans make sense of their surroundings, through Jan. 4

Dōshi Gallery Juried Exhibition—“Nightfall,” exploring the concept of oncoming night, whether metaphorically or through medium and technique, Jan. 9-April 5

“SAM Celebrates 10 Years—An Anniversary Exhibition,” through Feb. 15

“If Herr Street Could Talk,” the homecoming exhibition of award-winning abstract artist and Harrisburg native, Alteronce Gumby, through Feb. 22

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

“A Measure of Value,” works by Faith Ringgold, Sue Coe, Andy Warhol, the Guerilla Girls and others that consider how art and artifacts intersect with economic principles of markets, Jan. 16-April 4

“Her Dreams Are True,” a new perspective on the role of archives, museum collections and the personal memory in Apsáalooke (Crow) artist Wendy Red Star’s prints and photos, through Feb. 7

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

“Gather and Release,” paper quilts by Elaine Elledge, through Jan. 30

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“Cabin Fever—What Saves an Artist from Insanity and Boredom,” an eclectic show in a variety of mediums to brighten up the dreary days of winter, Jan. 7-Feb. 21

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

2025 Photo Contest Display, showcasing Dauphin County parks photographs, through Jan. 24
Read, Make, Learn

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Swing dance classes, 6:30-9 p.m.

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Jan. 20, 27: Abstract Painting (ages 9-14), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20-Feb. 24: Functional Pottery (ages 12+ with parent or guardian), Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 21-Feb. 25: The Ceramic Studio (adults), Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 22-Feb. 12: Acrylic Painting (adults), Thursdays, 1:30-3 p.m.
Jan. 22-Feb. 12: Intermediate/Advanced Pastel Painting (adults), Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 22-Feb. 12: Pottery Wheel Throwing, all levels (adults), Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 22-Feb. 26: Pottery for All (ages 15+), Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.

Capital Blue Cross Connect
4500 Marketplace Way, Enola
capitalbluecrossconnect.com

Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Strong + Fit, in person and virtual, 10 a.m.
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26: Gentle Yoga, 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26: Fitness Flow, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, 19: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
Jan. 6: Exploring the Dimensions of Wellness, 11 a.m.
Jan. 6: Chair Yoga at York Connect Store, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Menopause Workshop, 12 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual INSPIRE, 9 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Pilates, 12 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Kickboxing + Strength, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Ready, Steady, Action! at Enola Store and Virtual, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 14, 28: Virtual Cooking Demo, 12 p.m.
Jan. 21: Connect—Health & Wellness and Beyond Webinar, 10 a.m.

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

Jan. 10: Indigo Dyeing (ages 15-adult), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 12-Feb. 16: Wheel 101 (ages 16-adult), Mondays, 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 13: Storybook Studio (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Jan. 14-Feb. 18: Wednesday Wheel 102, Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 17: Making Collage Pagers, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jan. 17, 24: Morphology (ages 9-14), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Jan. 19: Level Up! (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan. 20: Suicide Loss Survivors (ages 13-adult), 5:30-7 p.m.
Jan. 23: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 24: Put Your Color Pedal to the Metal (ages 13-adult), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 24: Collage as a Fine Art (adult), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jan. 31: Beaded Besties (ages 5-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 31: Abstract Painting, 12-3 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Jan. 3: Once Upon a Rainbow at LGBT Center of Central PA, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 13: Books on Tap at Rubber Soul Brewery, Hummelstown, 6-7 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

Jan. 3 Figment Forge, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Crafting with the Classics—Frankenstein, 5:30-7 p.m.
Jan. 14: Secure Your Future—Retirement Income Planning, 1-2 p.m.
Jan. 15: Sip and Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Minds Matter Harrisburg, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Jan. 18: East Shore Cinema, 2-5 p.m.
Jan. 20: Around the Word in 12 Fairytales, 5-5:45 p.m.
Jan. 21: Investing with Confidence, 1-2 p.m.
Jan. 26: The Stitch Sitch, 2-3:30 p.m.
Jan. 28: Life Insurance Essentials—Planning for Every Stage, 1-2 p.m.

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

Jan. 3: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Fiber Artists, 3-6 p.m.
Jan. 10: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Food and Farm Discovery Zone (ages 3-5), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Baby Rhyme Time, 9:15 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Active Toddler Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Toddler Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Preschool Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Meditation to Calm the Mind. 12-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Elementary STEAM Drop in, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Teens Teaching Tech, 4-5 p.m.
Jan. 17: CPR Heart Saver, 1-4:30 p.m.
Jan. 22: Disney Storytime, 9:30-10 a.m.
Jan 24: Book Dragon Club— Craftivism, 6-8:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 10: Winter Wreath Workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 25: Winter Glass Painting, 2-4 p.m.

George & Hettie Love Memorial Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Jan. 3: Otherworldly Book Club, 12-1 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Exploring Egypt, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Jan. 8: Love Friends Book Bingo, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Jan. 10: Knit One, Crochet Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Silent Book Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 29: TBD (To-Be-Read list) Jars, 4-5:30 p.m.
Jan. 31: Write On!, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Jan. 13-March 3: Level 2—Game of the Scene, Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Jan. 22-March 12: Level 1—Intro to Improv, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Jan. 6-Feb. 17: Oil and Acrylics, Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 15-Feb. 19: Water Media, Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 14-28: Portrait Painting, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hershey Gardens
170 Hotel Rd., Hershey
717-534-3492; hersheygardens.org

Jan. 11, 18, 25: Winter Walk, 2-3 p.m.
Jan. 14, 21, 28: Winter Wednesdays Family Series—Winter Animal Adaptations, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 17: Winter Bird Watch, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 23: Eco-Fiction Book Group, 12-12:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Drop Off Your Extra Craft Supplies, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 6: Hershey Area Pokémon Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
Jan. 6: Mysteries, She Wrote Mystery Book Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: Penn State Hershey Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 7: LEGO Club, 1-2 p.m.
Jan. 7: Spontaneous Sparks Improv Class with Gamut Theatre, 2-3:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Community Crochet Night, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Teen Time, 2:30-4:15 p.m.
Jan. 12: Hershey Area Neighbors and Newcomers, 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 12: Read to a Hockey Player, 4-4:45 p.m.
Jan. 15, 29: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: Play Day for Families, 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 17: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 20: Splash of Serenity—Watercolors for Relaxation, 2-3:30 p.m.
Jan. 20, 27: Silent Book Group, 10-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 26: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Jan. 26: Storytime for Everyone, 11-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 27: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Jan. 29: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
4945 Horn Road, York
717-757-6441; hornfarmcenter.org

Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7: Ecological Restoration Certificate, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan. 21-Oct. 10 (meeting monthly): Beekeeper Training Program, 6-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25: Walk the Seasons—Winter, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: Dude, Grass is so 1753, 6-7:30 p.m.

Johnson Memorial Library
799 East Center St., Millersburg
717-692-2658; dcls.org

Jan. 21: Weekday Getaway, 4-5:30 p.m.
Jan. 26: Winter PJ Party—Stuffy Drop Off, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: Winter PJ Party—Stuffy Drop Off, 6-7 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 10: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

Jan. 27: Coloring for Adults!, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

Jan. 20: Snapology, 5-6:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: LEGO Club, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 3: Open Studio, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26: STEAM Club, 6 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Tiny Tots Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Wee Readers Storytime, 1-2 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Teen Time, 4-5 p.m.
Jan. 10: Community Table Top Game Time, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 20: Sensory Storytime, 6-7 p.m.

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

Jan. 18: An Afternoon with Alice Feeney, 4-5 p.m.
Jan. 21: An Evening with Chuck Klosterman and Spike Eskin, 7-8 p.m.

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

Jan. 3: Abstract Mixed Media Acrylics—Working Large, 9-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 13: Crafty Stitches, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 17: Clay Critters, 1-4 p.m.

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

Jan. 7: Pre-K Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 10: Winter Hike, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Jan. 1-5: Snow Globe LEGO Contest (ages 5 and older)
Jan. 1-31: Crystal & Gem Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
Jan. 1-31: Read With Benny Winter Reading Challenge (ages 0-18)
Jan. 2: Cozy Winter Cookie Decorating (ages 5 and older), 2-3 p.m.
Jan. 3, 10, 17: Take and Makes (ages 0-12)
Jan. 3, 17: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan. 5, 19: Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 5-Feb. 23: Winter Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Jan. 6: Brush Hour Art Club (ages 12 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Jan. 6-Feb. 10: Winter Book Babies (ages 0-2), Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 7: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: iPhone Class, 6-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 8: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Jan. 9: Tumble Tots (ages 0-3), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 10: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
Jan. 13: Shelf Love, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 13: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15: Toddler Time (ages 2-3), 10:30-11 a.m.
Jan. 15: Winter Library Olympics (ages 5 and older), 5-6 p.m.
Jan. 16, 30: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 22: Movers and Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Jan. 22: Murder at the Planetarium (ages 12 and older), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: Junior Scientists (ages 5 and older), 5-6 p.m.

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

Jan. 5: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Smart Start Storytime, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Jan. 12: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 15: Debut Author Book Club @ Book Bar, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 26: BYO Craft Nights Adults 18+, 4:30-6:45 p.m.

Panacea Healing Arts
701 N. Mountain Rd., Harrisburg
484-373-9109; panaceahealingarts.com

Jan. 5: Crystal Bowl Sound Immersion, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 12: Gentle Yoga & Sound Immersion Savasana, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 19: Monthly Community Central Pennsylvania Psychedelic Society Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Jan. 5-Feb. 16: Pre-K Class Series—Creativity and the Elements of Art, Mondays, 10-11 a.m.
Jan.14-28: Introduction to Pottery—6-Week Beginners Class, Wednesdays, 6 p.m.

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

Jan. 2-4: Faster Light
Jan. 2-4: Passport to the Universe
Jan. 9: Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 9: Curiosity Kids—Crayons, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 16: Tin Shop, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 17: Storytime, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 17: Franklin Inventions, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan. 21: Let It Snow!, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 23: Curiosity Kids—Magnets & Magnetism, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 23: Virtual Program—Revolutionary Things, 12:15 p.m.
Jan. 30: GG1 Locomotive, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 31: Buttons, Badges and Pins!, 10 a.m.

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

Jan. 8: Homeschool Happenings, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

Jan. 2: Dumpling Snow Folk Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 6: White Evergreen or Snowflake Mosaic, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 9: Acrylic Snowy Tree Painting Class, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 10: Hand Built Clay Tree Luminary, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: Hand Built Mug Workshop, 6-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24: Clay Smoker Faerie House Workshop, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: Wednesday Wellness Walks, 1-2:30 p.m.
Jan. 10: Birds & Coffee with Appalachian Audubon Society, 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 24: Kids Discover—Rocks and Minerals (ages 5-10), 1:30-3 p.m.
Jan. 27: Winter Lecture Series Intro to Homesteading—Start Where You Are, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 28: Preschool Storytime—Winter at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.
Jan. 31: Pressed Flower Valentines, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

Jan. 3: Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 5: Bored Builders Needed! 5-6 p.m.
Jan. 9: Blood Drive, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Jan. 24: Build Your Own Terrarium, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Jan. 22: Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band—A Springsteen Celebration
Jan. 23: Bill Engvall
Jan. 24: Elvis Birthday Bash with Mike Albert & Scot Bruce
Jan. 25: Mike Albert’s Elvis Gospel Show with The Stamps Quartet
Jan. 31: The Sixties Show

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Jan. 8, 15, 22 Open Mic Night
Jan. 17: RIFT Phish Tribute w/ Sons of Pitches
Jan. 23: Cris Jacobs w/ The Adventures of Matte Black
Jan 29: DJ Brownie of The Disco Biscuits w/ Funkbot
Jan. 31: The Grateful Allman Band Experience

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

Jan. 2: Jazz in the City
Jan. 17: York Symphony
Jan. 23: The Bacon Brothers
Jan. 24: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Jan. 30: Gabe Dixon, Cumberland Honey

Capital City Music Hall
234 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
capcitymusichall.com

Jan. 17: Tantric
Jan. 20: Atmosphere, Sage Francis, R.A. The Rugged Man, Kool Keith, Mr. Dibbs
Jan. 23: Lez Zeppelin

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Jan. 2, 14: Anthony Haubert
Jan. 7, 14: Dr. Nyce
Jan. 10, 24: Chris Emkey
Jan. 22, 28: Andrea Britton

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Jan. 24: Eaglemania—Eagles Tribute Band
Jan. 30: Hollywood Nights—The Bob Seger Experience

Englewood Hershey
1219 West End Ave., Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

Jan. 24: U2topia

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Jan. 31: Jack Daniels

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

Jan. 10-11: Beethoven and Barber
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: “Bravo Broadway!”

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

Jan. 10: Popcorn Hat Players presents “Little Red Riding Hood, 11-11:45 a.m.

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

Jan. 2: The Uptown Band
Jan. 3: Blue Morning
Jan. 9: Amish Outlaws
Jan. 10: Funktion
Jan. 16: Emily’s Toybox
Jan. 17: The Audio Files
Jan. 23: Turning the Tide

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

Jan. 7: Kerson Leong

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

Jan. 18: Peter Sirotin and Friends

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; metropoliscollective.com

Jan. 9: Mark Steiner & His Problems
Jan. 16: Downstrokes, Mighty Joe Castro and The Gravamen

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Jan. 11: Talon Smith

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

Jan. 11: January Jam & Song Swap
Jan. 17: Damn Tall Buildings
Jan. 31: Crys Matthews

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; westshoretheatre.org

Jan. 23: Forrest Brown
Jan. 30: Colebrook Road
Jan. 31: Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked (Jimmy Buffet tribute)

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Jan. 16: Best of The Eagles

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

Jan. 16: DEFIANT
Jan. 17: Appetite For Destruction
Jan. 23: Reilly and the Pick ‘Em Ups, Seneca & Slick Willie
Jan. 29: Tom Hamilton
Jan. 30: Badfish, Beach Fly

The Stage Door

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

Jan. 8: The Outlet—Music & Poetry Open Mic
Jan. 17, 18, 25: “King Lear” presented by OrangeMite Shakespeare Company
Jan. 31: Doktor Kaboom—Under Pressure!

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Jan. 2-3: “An Inspector Calls”

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

Jan. 9-Feb. 7: “Clue the Musical”

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

Jan. 14-31: Popcorn Hat Players present “The Snow Queen”
Jan. 16-18: “Edward III”
Jan. 23-25: “Hamlet”
Jan. 30: TMI Improv

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

Jan. 23-25: “Finding Nemo Jr.”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Jan. 2, 3: Kevin Lee
Jan. 9, 10: Jay Nog and Mike Keegan
Jan. 16, 17: Mark Gregory and Granville Bazemore
Jan. 23, 24: Josh Phillips

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Jan. 9, 11: Level 1—Intro to Improv Class Graduation Show

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

Jan. 15-Feb. 1: “Death of a Salesman”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Jan. 16: “Dancing with the Local Stars”

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

Jan. 8-11: “Beetlejuice Jr.”
Jan. 16: EFF Live!
Jan. 25: Court Street Cabaret

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

Jan. 9-26: Agatha Christie’s Rule of Thumb

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St., New Cumberland
717-759-5464; westshoretheatre.org

Jan. 25: The Magic of John Westford

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An Agonizing Call: “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is a tough, harrowing but necessary film to see

December 30, 2025 | by Gabriel Brown

Photo courtesy of WILLA.

Few films evoke the justified buzz of Kaouther Ben Hania’s Golden Globe-nominated docudrama, “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”

The film broke records at the Venice Film Festival this year, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and its 23-minute standing ovation became the longest ever recorded at a film festival.

Hind Rajab was a 5-year-old Palestinian girl driving through the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza with her uncle, aunt and three cousins when the Israeli Defense Forces attacked their car, killing everyone but her. She called the emergency services, staying on the phone with them for hours, until the military killed her too.

The centerpiece of the film is the original recorded audio of Hind’s call, recovered from the Red Crescent database for the cast, playing emergency call center operators, to act alongside. In this film, you are listening to the voice of a 5-year-old child at her most desperate and alone, on the day of her murder—one of tens of thousands who’ve died in the war.

As much as they want to, no one in the call center is able to physically help Hind, and the frustration as they deal with the Israeli military’s red tape to confirm a safe route for their rescuers turns to suspense, to hope, and then to dread. This feeling of desperate helplessness is stomach-churning, as the callers watch and listen to the senseless violence from a distance. There’s nothing they can do.

It feels reductive to address a film like this on a technical level, but this film knows exactly what it is, and the weight of its truth. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, instead executing technical skill on a very high level to reinforce the story.

Ben Hania employs a cinema verité style that relies heavily on close-ups, delicate focus adjustments, and handheld camerawork to capture the claustrophobic and frenetic drama of the film. In particular, the visual motif of the soundwave of Hind’s call conjuring the lifeline on a heart monitor continues to cross my mind—an extremely effective and simple way to showcase the immediacy of the situation.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is not a call to action, but rather a cry out in darkness. There is evil and injustice in this world, but beyond helping where and how we can, sometimes all we can do is turn our gaze to see its reflection in our eyes. Do not avert your eyes. Do not miss this film.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” opens at Midtown Cinema in early 2026.

January Events
at Midtown Cinema

Down in Front!
Comedy riffing
“Rocketship X-M” (1950)
Friday, Jan. 9, 9:30ish

3rd in the Burg Movie Night
“Nacho Libre” (2006)
Friday, Jan. 16, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday Morning Cartoon
“My Neighbor Totoro” (1988)
Saturday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m.

Late Night Frights
“Videodrome” (1983)
Friday, Jan. 23, 9:30 p.m.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com. Gabriel Brown serves as assistant manager at Midtown Cinema.

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

A Manor of Speaking: Mechanicsburg couple preserves, transforms “tower home” for guest stays

December 30, 2025 | by Molly Pavlovich

Noah and Hannah Snyder have a one-day dream to own all the tower homes in Mechanicsburg’s Tower Hill neighborhood—preserving history and the charm of a bygone era. But for now, they’ll happily settle for two.

They reside in one of the tower homes, and this past July, when the house next door went up for sale, they purchased it with a clear vision in mind—to share its storied existence with others as a short-term stay destination, Market Street Manor.

“There are so many people who are passionate about preserving the history of this town, and I think they’re excited to see that there are some younger people who care and want to be part of it as well,” Noah said. “The future is important, but a lot of things about the past are important too. They make up what the town is.”

This 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, 2½ -bathroom home was the first tower home built in Mechanicsburg in 1890. It began as a midwifery where many locals at the time were born. In the early 1900s, it became a jelly factory until sugar rationing in World War II limited its operations. Then, it was owned by the family of the late Floyd L. and Jean (Jones) Hartung from the 1950s until its most recent sale last year.

In its foyer, news clippings and time-worn photos climb the wall—a thoughtfully curated gallery that preserves the layers of life that were lived in this place.

“I grew up in Victorian homes. My grandma owned the Victorian home next to Rakestraw’s ice cream, so I have a huge heart for them,” Hannah said. “It bothers me when people buy Victorians and try to modernize them. It’s been important to us that things stay as period correct as they can be here so that the history can live on.”

Tastefully eclectic wallpaper and bold colors adorn many of the manor’s walls, drawing the eye from room to room. One room, named after Hannah’s late grandma, Carol, features an heirloom rug and stained-glass window from her home. A statement piece, a mahogany and mother of pearl inlay pool table, claims attention in another. Up the winding stairs, you can find a vintage clawfoot tub, and tucked in the tower, a cozy reading nook.

“Hannah spent hours building out rooms before we even had furniture,” Noah said. “This has been a huge passion project for us.”

The duo did all the renovating and decorating themselves—spending the slices of spare time they had when not running their other Mechanicsburg-based business, Ark Fitness, antiquing for the perfect pieces and bringing newfound life to the space. Their meticulous work in weaving Market Street Manor into the building’s story has drawn in both curious locals and delighted guests.

“When we bought this place and shared our plans for it, so many people were like, ‘Who is going to want to stay in Mechanicsburg?’ But since we welcomed our first guests in October, we’ve been super excited and grateful to have our books fill up with stays as quickly as they have,” Hannah said.

For one group of guests, Market Street Manor was a resting place following long days hiking the Appalachian Trail. For another, it served as a waypoint on their cross-country road trip. Others plan to stay when they’re visiting family or friends for upcoming special occasions. Many, however, have landed a night or two at the old Victorian simply to enjoy the historic charm of this place where memories linger and new ones have room to grow.

“They’re the future of Mechanicsburg,” said Carol Palinkas, vice president of the Mechanicsburg Museum Association. “It takes visionary people to keep history alive while still embracing progress, and that’s exactly what Hannah and Noah are doing. I’m certain there’s much more ahead for them—maybe more tower homes, maybe something entirely new. Whatever it is, I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Market Street Manor is located at 401 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.marketstreetmanor.com.

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Are You Lonesome Tonight? An expert offers insights, tips on combatting the plague of loneliness

December 30, 2025 | by Alexandra Jones

Loneliness: it’s on the rise across the country—but how can we better combat it in Harrisburg?

John Dattilo, a professor emeritus at Penn State University, has some ideas—and says finding ways to ward off lonely feelings can result in becoming healthier not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

Dattilo has spent his academic career researching the relationship between leisure, meaningful activities and reduced loneliness and spoke to us about the best actions people can take to decrease loneliness and be healthier as a result.

Could you talk a little bit about what loneliness actually is? I know in some of your research, you’ve implied it was a discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships—is that right?

Yes, that is correct. Loneliness is a feeling and experience that people have that can happen across contexts. There are many people who spend time alone that aren’t lonely, and there are many people that spend time with other people that are lonely. It results from the lack of making connections with other human beings and living creatures.

How does care and assistance from friends, family, neighbors play into that?

Social support is extremely important with loneliness. Typically, the higher you have those kinds of connections, the more likely you are not to feel lonely and to be happy.

Isolation is the reduction of contact with other people. The more you have of that, the more likely you are to feel lonely, and that’s why people who are restricted to their homes, who don’t have a lot of friends, who don’t have family nearby, are much more prone to loneliness.

Is there a recommended dose, per se, of how much social interaction somebody might need?

I don’t know of that in particular, but I do know pretty much across the board, when people talk about healthy lives, and specifically healthy aging, that the component that comes up to the top is social engagement.

Could you explain why people who are more socially connected have better health outcomes overall and a lower risk of mortality?

Research that has occurred in the last 30 years or so really identifies the connections between positive feelings, positive affect and longevity, quality of life. As people engage socially, they typically report they have a positive social life and that then contributes to a person’s positive quality of life. That influences their health.

You research leisure. What are examples of good and bad activities for free time that might increase or decrease loneliness?

Our research is associated with people’s leisure. What I’m talking about is an experience that comes from being involved in meaningful activities that give us a sense of purpose, that allow us to be authentic, that allow us to express ourselves, to develop a sense of identity and to experience positive emotions that contribute to our development.

The positive emotions could be enjoyment. When we talk about enjoyment, the idea of enjoyment occurs when our skills match the challenge that we’re experiencing. If they don’t, if we have high skills and low challenge, we’re going to be bored. If we have low skills and high challenge, we’re going to be very frustrated and anxious.

But if our skills match the challenge, where it may be just slightly higher to push us, we have to be focused. As a result, we lose track of time. What we found in our research is there is a correlation between happiness, being involved in experiencing leisure—which is associated with the experience of flow—and lower reports of loneliness.

So, being connected to other people is not the only solution for loneliness?

That is an important thing to focus on. It’s logical, right? Social support is very important. Doing activities with friends and families is critical. But in addition, we found this during COVID—when people were able to experience flow, they felt less lonely.

So, when people are alone, they can reduce their sense of loneliness if they are engaged in activities that bring them joy.

What kinds of activities might trigger flow?

The activity, in and of itself, isn’t really that relevant. What is important is what that activity does for them.

Someone who enjoys reading and is a good reader—they can get lost in a book. They feel like they’ve connected to people in that book, and that is something that can result in positive emotions and happiness and also then be correlated with lower reports of loneliness. That’s just an example. Not all people will experience leisure when they read. If they’re distracted, as opposed to engaged, they’re not going to experience leisure.

It’s pretty common to use technology to de-stress. Do these kinds of activities end up working with or against people’s health?

It’s really how it’s used rather than the technology itself. With social media, using TikTok as an example, people often flip through those vignettes and they’re more amused rather than connected. Entertained for an hour, two hours, three hours, and then they’re done.

They’re not reflecting on their life. They just numb themselves. If something is detrimental to you, we don’t consider that leisure. That becomes something that’s detrimental to your health. Anything you use to numb yourself is going to be problematic because that takes you away from spending time in reflection—and if we contemplate and think about our lives, we’re much more likely than to use our lives in ways that bring us happiness and joy.

So, the key is crafting intentionality into your day?

Exactly. Some people enjoy being in nature, so if they go for a walk in a park, they are uplifted. If they do it with a person that they care about, like when I hike with my wife, it even empowers it even more. Doing an activity that you enjoy with other people, it just starts stacking the deck in your favor to be happy and then decrease loneliness.

If you engage in activities that are positive for you and others, and if you share those activities with other people, you’re much more likely to flourish. It goes beyond just being happy into sharing that happiness with other people.

This Q&A has been edited for clarity, length and style.

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Community Corner: Notable January Events

December 30, 2025 | by Missy Smith

Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Take a plunge into the Susquehanna River to welcome the New Year with hundreds of Humane Society of Harrisburg supporters. The 29th annual event begins at 10 a.m. at City Island beach in Harrisburg with the plunge taking place at noon. Enjoy drinks, food, raffles, music, games and more. www.humanesocietyhbg.org

Photo Display
Jan. 1-23: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners will be announced at a reception on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., and People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Teens Tech
Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts “Teens Teaching Tech,” a pilot program that connects local students with adult patrons who seek support using today’s technology. Students will provide friendly, one-on-one assistance with digital devices in an open-house format from 4 to 5 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Winter Discovery
Jan. 2-30: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see special exhibits and activities that highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail and learn the natural history of the park and animals in winter. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

HBG Flea
Jan. 3: Explore the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Book Sale
Jan. 3, 17: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Shop for books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs and CDs, kids’ books, vinyl and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Wellness Walk
Jan. 6: Take a moderate walk led by a volunteer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see the park’s trees and animals, 1 to 2:30 p.m. This will be a walk on paved, gravel and dirt surfaces. Walks will be cancelled if the weather is inclement or if there is snow or ice on the trail. Pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Calm the Mind
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Start the New Year learning short, easy 15-minute calming meditations at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Thursdays, 12 to 12:30 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Fredricksen Knits
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Meet up with other enthusiasts for an afternoon of knitting in an atmosphere of congeniality and inspiration at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your project and see how much progress you can make. No registration necessary. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Contra Dance
Jan. 9: Harrisburg Area Contra Dance Association hosts a 2nd Friday Contra Dance with live music, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd., Mechanicsburg. There will be a free beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. No partner is needed. www.harrisburgcontra.org

Curiosity Kids
Jan. 9, 23: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about crayons on Jan. 9 and 1970s and magnetism on Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

Birds & Coffee
Jan. 10: Stop by the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, 10 to 11 a.m. Join a naturalist and Appalachian Audubon to observe and count common feeder birds as part of Project FeederWatch. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

LGBTQ+ Book Club
Jan. 10: Join Dauphin County Library System to discuss LGBTQ+ books in sci-fi, contemporary, romance and YA genres, and more, at the LGBT Center of Central PA, 1323 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. For attendees aged 18 years and older. www.dcls.org

Farm Show
Jan. 10-17: Head to the PA Farm Show to milk a cow, enjoy a Farm Show milkshake, learn about science and skills used in agriculture and discover new events and features at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. www.pa.gov/agencies/farmshow/pa-farm-show

Civil War Dance
Jan. 11: Take the whole family to a free Civil War-era dance class at the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, 2 to 4 p.m. [email protected]

Sip and Speak
Jan. 15: Sip tea and talk life, especially how we persevere, find hope and define ourselves through it all, at the East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, 3 to 4:30 p.m. This book club features non-fiction titles with themes of pain, loss, love, strength and triumph. Light refreshments will be served. www.dcls.org

3rd in The Burg
Jan. 16: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Minds Matter Harrisburg
Jan. 17: Join the East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, for The BGH Foundation for Minds Matter Harrisburg—an inclusive workshop series celebrating the resilience, strength and brilliance of women and girls on their mental health and wellness journeys, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. www.mindsmatter.bghf.org

Franklin Inventions
Jan. 17: Explore the innovations created by Benjamin Franklin at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Test these innovations that were used to improve people’s lives and create your own copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Family programs are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

CPR Course
Jan. 17: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts a CPR Heart Saver course for those who want to be prepared for an emergency or need a course completion card for job, regulatory or other requirements, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Space is limited to six adults. Cost is $55. To register, call Melinda Shultz at 717-761-3900, ext. 242. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Dance Night
Jan. 18: Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 invites dance enthusiasts to a Nightclub 2-Step lesson at 2 p.m., followed by three hours of social dancing, at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. All levels are welcome. Admission is $15, $10 for members and $5 for students. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 Harrisburg Area PA

Library Cinema
Jan. 18: Escape the winter chill and enjoy a free movie at East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy popcorn, snacks and the classic film, “The Sound of Music.” Space is limited, so register today at the library’s website. www.dcls.org

MLK Service Day
Jan. 19: Save the date for the annual Central PA MLK Day of Service, with projects taking place throughout the Harrisburg area. Visit the Central PA MLK Day of Service website for details about the opening ceremony and this year’s events. www.mlk-365.org

Evening Mixer
Jan. 20: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for a networking mixer at Healthy You Cafe 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This free event is open to chamber members. Potential members are welcome to attend. www.wschamber.org

Let It Snow!
Jan. 21: Find out how a snowflake forms, how the museum makes snow in the museum dioramas and create snowflake art at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, at 11:30 a.m. Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages. www.statemuseumpa.org

Terrarium Workshop
Jan. 24: Craft your own terrarium with low maintenance succulents and provided substrates, plants and decor at William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. 2nd St., Hummelstown, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your own container. Registration is required. www.dcls.org

Craftivism
Jan. 24: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts Book Dragon Club—Craftivism for teens ages 13 to 18 to discuss civic engagement and empowerment, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will then create something to express their own cause. Registration is required and begins one month prior to each session. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Burns Night
Jan. 24: Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania hosts the 70th Annual Burns Night Supper, a celebration of the life, poetry and music of the Scottish bard at Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass. A social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. www.pennscots.org

Adult Coloring
Jan. 27: Guests 18 years and older are invited to spend a soothing afternoon getting creative with fellow coloring enthusiasts at the Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Registration is not required. www.dcls.org

Lecture Series
Jan. 27: Friends of Wildwood hosts the first lecture in its 2026 Winter Lecture Series, “Intro to Homesteading: Start Where You Are,” at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Learn why you should homestead and how to create a garden in 400 square feet. Pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

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