Revived Paxtang Park officially opens, offers easy access to Greenbelt trails

September 10, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse helps SAMBA, Capital Area Greenbelt Association and Paxtang officials cut the ribbon on the revived Paxtang Park.

A ribbon-cutting on Thursday delivered good news for fans of both family picnics and off-road biking.

Paxtang Park, which has a long and noteworthy history, had been overgrown and unused for many years until the Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA) got its hands on it. Now, a reconstructed and revived park is officially re-opened to the public.

The park is tucked almost under I-83, right off the Greenbelt and just a few minutes from Harrisburg Mall. Just across the street is an entry point onto the trail.

“This is a place for friends and family to gather and spend time together,” said Paxtang Borough Manager Keldeen Stambaugh.

Paxtang Park includes just under 20 parking spots, a large pavilion with picnic tables and a kiosk with maps and historic photos of what the park once was.

The park is in a perfect spot, as there are not many other places around for trail-goers to park, according to Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) board member Dick Norford.

Paxtang Park sits right in the middle of SAMBA’s 10 miles of trails that it maintains on the Greenbelt. The trails are used by mountain bikers, as well as hikers.

According to Charles Palenz, who does maintenance for the Greenbelt, SAMBA works very closely with CAGA. The Paxtang Park project demonstrated that partnership.

In addition, Harrisburg’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with Paxtang Borough, worked with SAMBA to make it happen.

Paxtang Park

“One of the great things is this unites all of the municipalities together,” Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “I love the Greenbelt, and I love that we are all working together to make this the connective tissue of the region.”

In 2017, SAMBA had the idea to restore Paxtang Park. Applying for permits and organizing the project took a few years, but volunteers completed much of the physical work in the last six months, SAMBA Vice President Chris Shelly said.

However, the history of the park dates back to the late 1800s, Stambaugh said.

The park was originally about 40 acres and served as a trolley car turnaround spot, Norford said. In the early 1900s, to entice people to ride the trolley, the company built a “trolley park.” It included a rollercoaster, carousel, restaurant and a lake for boating, among other attractions.

With people increasingly turning to cars, the trolley system shut down, and the park eventually fell out of use. But it was the first of its kind in the region, even before Hershey Park, Norford added.

Now, Paxtang Park is much smaller and doesn’t feature any rollercoasters or carousels, but SAMBA sees it a place for people to meet and enjoy the outdoors.

Funds for the project were raised by SAMBA, Pennsy Supply donated the stone for the parking lot, and Harrisburg donated the wood chips for the area around the pavilion.

Once PennDOT completes work on I-83, Shelly anticipates Paxtang Park will need to be shifted over or relocated to avoid sitting directly under the highway.

“We really hope this becomes a gathering point,” Shelly said. “We are going to continue to try to improve this facility.”

Paxtang Park is located at 147 City Park Dr., Harrisburg. For more information, visit SAMBA’s website.

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Bob’s Art Blog: Stars Shining Bright

September 10, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

“Buscando Agua Después de María” (“Fetching Water after [Hurricane] María”) by Lucy Giboyeaux

If you venture out on a clear night and look up at the sky, you will see a cluster of stars above 1301 Derry St. in Harrisburg.

The Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC) is housed at this address and Executive Director Gloria Vasquez Merrick recently shared her discovery of a new galaxy of artists coming into their own, who will shine in the local art scene and beyond. My good fortune was in learning this before the upcoming citywide Gallery Walk, which takes place this weekend. Please consider this your spoiler alert as you will want to meet this quartet of artists on Sunday in what may be a one-day show—to be determined. These artists synchronistically came together for this exhibit.

A Bronx-born import to New Cumberland, mixed media artist Lucy Giboyeaux has been featured in Fine Art America, a platform that sells her images. Her work can be found adorning stationery, phone cases, beach towels, posters and home goods. She is a sculptress who pays tribute to the people of her homeland of Puerto Rico, including an image that stuck in her mind of a homeless man with his head down.

“I continuously explore human resiliency and what makes us drive forward–hope, faith and love,” Giboyeaux said. “I create art because I love it. I get in the zone and wonderfully get lost in the process.”

Giboyeaux paints with acrylics and alcohol paint, “representing diversity of the cultural enclave I grew up in.” Mixing colors with alcohol ink creates vibrant variations resulting in a marbled effect with the possibilities only limited by what the artist is willing to try. Artistically, she uses drip techniques when turning the canvas, which creates unique drip marks resulting in frames forming windows and grids. Her work, “Rising Waters,” is so exquisite that the “frames” exceed the beauty of the most faceted stained glass windows. In addition, she employs simple materials, such as egg cartons and the plates she used in her mixed media piece, “Little Marilyn,” as well as the red fragments for the Flamboyan petals in another sculpture.

Peruvian painter Claudia Salazar, currently living in York, pays tribute to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in a series of portraits. They offer homage to a female artist of Hispanic heritage who pioneered the way for future women artists. Today, Salazar does the same, inspiring younger artists through community workshops.

Raul Cruz survived Hurricane Maria, which leveled Puerto Rico two years ago, and he resurfaced in Harrisburg to continue his art. Working with packing materials, Cruz often incorporates recycled matter into quirky and distinctive creations. Expect the unexpected as his art defies being pigeonholed.

San Juan native Nora Carreras, artist and Harrisburg school board member, resides in Midtown. Her day duty is special advisor to the secretary of the state Department of Human Services. A classically trained musician in voice and piano, she moved to Pennsylvania in 2000 to attend graduate school at Penn State. She is a self-taught artist who started to explore mixed media after a mission trip to Honduras. She was inspired to raise funds to help start a school to support the children she met there and began collecting metal and trash on her exploratory walks. They become the totems, tipping the art from the literal everyday to become otherworldly.

Carreras took classes at the Art Association of Harrisburg, which emboldened her to create art out of her found treasures. A local coffee house afforded her an opportunity to show and sell her work. The mediums used include painting and sculpting with found objects. As a full-time advocate for all walks of life, Carreras believes that art is transformative as it can change lives. She gifts all proceeds to worthy causes like the Honduran school and the Alzheimer’s Association. For now, abstracts, portraits and fluid art occupy her spare time.

A coterie of talented artists for your consideration—able to stand on their own, uniquely individual in their approaches. However, when assembled under one roof at the LHACC for Gallery Walk, their sparkling presentation forms a new constellation to behold.

Gallery Walk takes place on Sunday, Sept. 13, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit our September magazine story.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

September 10, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend! September is typically the most event-filled month of the year. Things look different no doubt, but there is a lot going on month-long as venues and businesses adapt and eke in outdoor events before (official) fall.

September is Takeout Month
It also is Hunger Action Month, so consider a donation to match that take-out bill.
Donate blood (look for drives near you)
Get outside! Explore the Hershey Harrisburg Adventure Trail.
September is also National Self-Care Awareness Month. A friend just sent me a big box of sheet masks — how do you do self-care?
- I’m also planning to do this event on Saturday
- Split a Wine Tasting Flight with some trusted friends
It’s a good time to make sure you have a fitness plan in place for the fall/winter. Burn30 is celebrating 10 years this month — new members get 10% off their first month of training when they sign up in September.
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are ample options for your weekend, whether you’re laying low (there is no shame in the stay home game!) or venturing out.

Oh hey, are you on the email list? In addition to getting this weekly update loaded with things to do each weekend directly in your inbox, I load it with a bunch of other fresh, original content. Sign-up here. I also recommend following me on IG.

Top Weekend Recs

Grab some local brews from Boneshire Brew Works, Hemauer Brewing, Appalachian Brewing Co.
Tattered Flag is now shipping beer and spirits direct to your door!
Pick up HOLLA Spirits at your local state store — OR, if you’re lazy like me, just order online and have it shipped!
Drop the claw and learn about PRESS Premium Alcoholic Seltzer — and maybe win something.
Stock up on grilling needs at R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market
Order some great takeout, maybe a BBQ feast for the backyard from MoMo’s
Binge episodes of Poured in PA: The Series FREE on YouTube!
Browse some new gems at Meeka Fine Jewelry.

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!

Resources for to-go/delivery

Need wine? Click here.
Need booze? Click here.
Need beer? Click here.
Need cocktails? Kits + premade options here.
Brunch? Click here.
Wait, what about coffee, kombucha, tea, juice? Got you!
Find Carry-Out options here

Harrisburg developer to breathe life into two long-abandoned buildings, with offices, apartments

September 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The exteriors of 28 and 38 N. Cameron St. in Harrisburg

Two long-abandoned industrial buildings have a new lease on life, as a Harrisburg developer plans to convert them to office and residential spaces.

Matt Long, owner of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, said that he and his business partners have begun interior demolition work on 28 and 38 N. Cameron St., two derelict buildings near Appalachian Brewing Co.

“Our main motivation is that we wanted to save these buildings,” he said. “No one else wanted to touch them.”

The ownership group, Cameron Street LP, bought the two buildings in mid-August for $25,000 from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Under their plan, the smaller building at 28 N. Cameron St. will become the new offices for Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, while the larger building at 38 N. Cameron will become a five-unit apartment building.

Originally, the century-old buildings housed automobile-related businesses—a Motormart used car dealership and Duco Co. auto refinishers, before being gobbled up by Keystone Building Products, which occupied much of that block for decades.

In 1990, after Keystone left, the city took possession of the abandoned properties, and then-Mayor Steve Reed touted a federally backed retail complex called Paxton Commons, which was never built. At one point, Appalachian Brewing Co. also considered the site for expansion.

In 2015, the city turned the land over to the redevelopment authority, but still nothing happened, with the buildings occupied by squatters.

Long said that his company already has begun the interior demolition and cleanup of the buildings, which were choked with trash.

He expects work on the smaller, 7,000-square-foot building to be finished by the end of this year, which will enable his company to move into the space. The larger, 19,200-square foot apartment building next door will mostly be a 2021 project, he said.

Long said that other potential buyers and developers over the years were deterred by two factors. First, the land sits in the 100-year flood plain right by Paxton Creek, and, secondly, the cost of demolishing the buildings and performing site remediation was prohibitive.

Long said that he’s able to get around these issues by re-using the buildings’ existing industrial exteriors and, for the apartment building, occupying only the second floor, with parking on the first floor.

Floor plans for the five planned apartment units at 38 N. Cameron St.

The five industrial-style apartments will be large—four two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit, ranging from 1,400 square feet to nearly 1,700 square feet.

Long conceded that the location isn’t as desirable as some other parts of the city, but said that the units will be priced accordingly.

“Many other cities have taken industrial centers and cleaned them up and made them marketable residences,” he said. “That’s what we plan to do here.”

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Fresh Off the Market: Midtown couple ties the knot at Broad Street Market

September 9, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Jake Becker and Katie Talada were married at the Broad Street Market on Sunday. Photo by Philter Photography.

A typical weekend for Katie Talada and Jake Becker includes getting lunch at the Broad Street Market. This past Sunday, they did more than just grab a bite to eat there—they got married.

“We visited all the traditional wedding venues, and, at the end of the day, I didn’t feel connected to any of those places,” Talada said. “We spend a lot of time at the market.”

The couple moved to Midtown a few years ago, and now Talada sits on the board of the nonprofit community group, Friends of Midtown.

Talada and Becker’s ceremony took place outside in the courtyard between the market’s two historic buildings, with the brick building serving as a grand backdrop for their vow exchange. Close to 100 guests gathered to see the couple tie the knot.

Guests moved into the stone building for the reception, which resembled a typical day at the market, just fancier. Although the market is closed on Sunday, many vendors participated.

Taquitos Atenco, Pikowski’s Pierogi Place, R.G. Hummer Meats and Cheese, JB Kelly Seafood Connection and Raising the Bar provided food for their cocktail hour. Zeroday Brewing Company poured the drinks. For dinner, Knead Pizza served their pies, Hummer’s provided meats and Phyllo added a vegetarian option. Raising the Bar made the couple’s wedding cake, and Sweet 717 provided favors. The floral arrangments were made by D. McGee Design Studio.

“We tried to incorporate as many people as possible,” Talada said. “We’ve built a lot of really good relationships through this.”

The couple’s wedding was the first ever at the Broad Street Market, at least as far as anyone could recall. Talada said the market’s manager, Josh Heilman, hopes to hold more events like this.

Talada added that supporting local businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic was important to her.

“We really wanted to bring new people to the market, and that was one of the best parts of it,” Becker said. “It was important for us to show it off, and I think we did that.”

Most of the guest were from out of town and had never visited the market before. Becker said that people kept telling them how good the food was.

Talada was especially happy that they were able to showcase vendors who wouldn’t typically be thought of for a wedding.

Sharkman poses for a photo with the groom. Photo by Philter Photography.

Harrisburg’s famous Sharkman even rollerbladed by, stopping by for a few photos and to drop off a gift.

Overall, the couple said they had the perfect Midtown wedding.

“It was very meaningful to us,” Becker said. “Someday, we will be able to take our kids to the market on a Saturday and tell them, this is where it all started.”

Bob’s Art Blog: A Tip of the Cap

September 9, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

Calobe Jackson Jr. and Ted Knorr stand beside a Phillip Dewey painting of Hank Aaron.

Sports, like most other forms of entertainment, have been majorly disrupted this year. But, a couple of weeks ago, we had box seats for a baseball “event” that knocked it out of the park.

There aren’t many opportunities to hear legends talking about legends, but the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) now has one for the ages—one you can view yourself thanks to Ross Tyger, who captured it all for posterity.

Ted Knorr, a local expert on the history of Negro League baseball, and the eternally young Calobe Jackson, Jr., Harrisburg’s historian of 90 years, spoke rapturously on the days of Satchel Paige, Oscar Charleston, Rap Dixon and Cool Poppa Bell. Their timely talk was held in the S. Wilson and Grace M. Pollock Education Center Gallery at The Marty at SAM, standing by paintings of those illustrious stars of yesteryear.

In a history rich with lore, the Harrisburg Giants were ballplayers solicited by Colonel William Strothers way back in 1890, long playing under his leadership. The esteemed Mr. Jackson remembers going to City Island to see the Harrisburg Giants play baseball back in the 1940s with his grandfather.

In truth, the original stars like Charleston and Rap Dixon from Steelton played their ball for The Eastern Negro League Harrisburg Giants at the West End Grounds, found at the intersection of 4th and Seneca Streets, from 1924 to 1927. Knorr and Jackson Jr. feel that that site needs to be the future home of an historical marker designating it as such, believing that this honor is long overdue.

Segregation and discrimination were the obstacles that kept Negro League players from the Majors. At 42 years old, Satchel Paige was the oldest “rookie” to play in the Major Leagues once the color line was finally broken. With SAM’s fitting tribute in “Separate and Unequaled,” the exhibit rounds all the bases with its stellar stars from yesteryear shining bright in artistic splendor.

Hitting in the leadoff slot is a portrait of Turkey Stearnes, a Detroit ballplayer, in a rich oil-on-canvas with wood and found objects by contributing artist Phil Dewey. Batting second is Graig Kreindler’s “Quiet Confidence,” an oil-on-linen painting of Josh Gibson. Artistic endeavors are also offered by Paul Kuhrman and Dane Tilghman. Anecdotal stories include the St. Louis speedster Cool Poppa Bell, who started out as a pitcher for the St. Louis Stars, staring down power hitter Oscar Charleston and “fanning” him with the bases loaded. A spectator called out from the stands, “That’s one cool poppa,” and the nickname stuck. Olympic star Jesse Owens flat-out refused to race him—Bell’s speed was the stuff of legend. To illustrate this, Bell scored from first base on a teammate’s bunt. Another tells of Steelton’s own Rap Dixon slamming the first home run by a Black player in Yankee Stadium on July 5, 1930.

Phillip Dewey’s portrait of Turkey Stearnes

This early fall baseball classic borrows a “Paige” from its history in a new double play combination that rivals the famous Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance. Harrisburg’s edition is Finestra-to-Jackson-to-Knorr. Behind the scenes, Carmen Finestra was largely responsible for bringing this special tribute to SAM for a live taping that can now be viewed. The double play was “turned” by Knorr asking Jackson Jr. about those days of yore through a splendid Q&A session. This edition recognizes all stars, young and old, starting with two veteran historians with 150 years combined of life experience between them. Jackson and Knorr share a passion and love for the rich history of Negro League baseball, especially that of the Harrisburg Giants. You’ll learn what tales they shared in SAM’s exhibit.

NPR’s talk show commentator, Scott Simon on his 4th of July broadcast, as part of his “Weekend Edition” show, eloquently referenced “the cruelty of segregation” in his moving tribute to the celebration of the 100th anniversary honoring Negro League baseball. The great memories made over those 35 years will live on through events like this anniversary celebration. A tip of the cap to these brave and talented men who “outplayed segregation to create something extraordinary and beautiful.” And a special note of thanks to Calobe Jackson Jr. and Ted Knorr for delivering a fastball right down the middle.

“Separate and Unequaled: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Negro League” runs through Oct. 18 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org. The baseball interview is online at https://youtu.be/E-XwJ3W3K0U.

Mayor’s proposal to hire Martin-Roberts struck down by Harrisburg City Council

September 8, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

A screen shot of City Council’s virtual legislative session on Tuesday.

Council voted against entering into a contract with a former City Council president on Tuesday, with some members charging that the position was a campaign move by Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The resolution was introduced at last week’s work session, when Papenfuse said he wanted to hire Gloria Martin-Roberts to facilitate communications between the administration and council, the Dauphin County commissioners and the public.

Several Harrisburg officials, including Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, joined Tuesday’s legislative session to express support for Martin-Roberts. But that was not enough to get council on board. Many members did not hold back in expressing their concerns with the resolution.

“This is something that members of council have all asked for and have been constantly told that this is something that wasn’t needed at the time,” council member Westburn Majors said. “It is very convenient, in my opinion, that this is something that is coming at this current time.”

Other council members brought up a similar issue with the timing of the position beginning just months before the 2021 mayoral campaign. Papenfuse is widely expected to run for a third term next year.

“Mayor, you should not have to hire a senior management consultant to repair damaged relationships within your own administration, with the Dauphin County Commissioners or with any other local stakeholders,” council member Danielle Bowers said.

Martin-Roberts, who attended the virtual meeting, responded to the concerns by saying that she would have no involvement in the mayoral election.

“I would think that for those of you that know me well, you know I’m honest and I’m ethical,” Martin-Roberts said. “I’m not in here to do anything dirty. The word ‘cronyism’ was mentioned; I take offense to that.”

However, her efforts to persuade council ultimately failed when members voted against the resolution 4-2, with Council President Wanda Williams and council member Dave Madsen voting in favor. (Council member Ben Allatt was not present.)

To watch past City Council meetings, visit Harrisburg’s YouTube channel.

Open Stage presents free, all virtual season amid COVID-19

September 8, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Open Stage in Harrisburg announces plans for its 2020-21 season.

In the coming months, you may find yourself pulling on your finest sweatpants, sipping on your sweetest boxed wine and sliding on your fluffiest slippers for a trip to the theater.

For its 2020-21 season, Open Stage Theatre of Harrisburg presents a lineup of completely free, virtual shows.

“We are in unprecedented times; from the smallest community theater to the big houses on Broadway–all theaters are struggling,” said producing artistic director Stuart Landon in a statement. “But we feel strongly that this is the right direction for us to go in. We have so much work to do to engage the parts of our community that have never been to live theatre.”

From October to June, Open Stage will perform a different play each month live-streamed on YouTube.

Only five staff will comprise the casts, production teams and crews for the entire season—Benny Benamati, Brianna Dow, Chris Gibson, Rachel Landon and Stuart Landon.

“All of us have worn many hats in our careers, both here and in theatres across the country,” Chris Gibson, production manager, said in a statement. “We are going to be using that collective experience while pulling a lot of tricks out of our sleeves to make these entertaining and meaningful shows.”

The show schedule will be as follows:

October 9-26, 2020: “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus”—adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley
November 6-22, 2020: “Poirot Investigates!”—adapted from the works of Agatha Christie
December 4-20, 2020: “A Christmas Carol”—the 21st annual production adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens
January 8-24, 2021: “Kafka’s Shorts”—adapted from the works of Franz Kafka by David Lee
February 5 – 21, 2021: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”— adapted from the short story by Washington Irving
March 5 – 21, 2021: “Everyman”—adapted from various sources by Patrick Hughes and Chris Gibson
April 2 – 18, 2021: “The Time Machine”—adapted from the novel by H. G. Wells
April 30 – May 16, 2021: “Treasure Island”—adapted from the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson
May 28 – June 13, 2021: “Poirot Returns!”—adapted from the works of Agatha Christie

Shows will include unique theatrical devices, including puppetry, found-object design, trunk show performance, projection and green screen techniques, said Open Stage.

Landon said through the free virtual format, he hopes financial barriers that previously kept people away from theater will be broken down.

Low-cost online theater classes for students will be offered, starting in September. They will have virtual performances throughout the year, Landon said.

Open Stage is still undecided on whether they will re-open their newly renovated building to the public next year or not, Landon said. He added they are being cautious, but optimistic.

Open Stage said the theater’s budget has been slashed dramatically, leaving them to rely on ticket sales, classes and fundraising to make up $200,000.

A pay-what-you-will ticketing system will allow the community to donate, Open Stage said. People can even choose to be part of the theater’s “Inner Circle,” giving them access to special events, in addition to all performances.

“Theatre has survived plagues, wars, government coups and stock market crashes,” Landon said in a statement. “Even without audiences, it will survive Covid-19.”

To access Open Stage’s live and archived performances, visit the theater’s YouTube page. For more information, visit Open Stage’s website.

Commonwealth to allow restaurants to double indoor capacity to 50 percent

September 8, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Many Harrisburg restaurants, including Mangia Qui and Rubicon, have expanded their outdoor dining this summer.

The commonwealth soon will permit restaurants to double their indoor capacity, allowing 50-percent occupancy.

Gov. Tom Wolf today said that restaurants will be allowed to increase occupancy starting on Sept. 21, but only for those who agree to a self-certification.

“While our aggressive and appropriate mitigation efforts have kept case counts low, we must continue to take important steps to protect public health and safety as we head into the fall,” Wolf said, in a statement. “At the same time, we must also support the retail food services industry that has struggled throughout this pandemic.”

In June, Wolf loosened restrictions so that restaurants in the state could operate at 50 percent capacity. However, COVID-19 caseloads began to creep up, prompting Wolf in July to reduce occupancy to 25-percent capacity indoors.

Many restaurants, including those in Harrisburg, responded by expanding outdoors dining as much as they could. However, restaurateurs have been worried about their business as the weather begins to cool, making outdoors dining less feasible.

Wolf today said restaurants could expand to 50-percent indoor capacity only if they self-certify that they are complying with all public health safety guidelines and orders.

“The self-certification ensures that restaurants can expand indoor operations and commit to all appropriate orders so that employees and customers alike can be confident they are properly protected,” he said, in a statement.

The self-certification documents and information can be found online starting Sept. 21 and will contain the following:

A list of requirements contained in the current restaurant industry guidanceand enforcement efforts
A statement that the owner has reviewed and agrees to follow these requirements
The business’ maximum indoor occupancy number based on the fire code
A statement that the owner understands that the certification is subject to penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities

Any restaurant that wishes to increase to 50 percent indoor capacity on Sept. 21 must complete the online self-certification process by Oct. 5.

Restaurants that self-certify will appear in the “Open & Certified Pennsylvania” searchable online database of certified restaurants across the commonwealth, which will be available for public viewing, according to the state.

“We recognize the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania’s small businesses, especially on our restaurants,” Wolf said. “Through this self-certification process, our commonwealth’s restaurant industry will ensure the safety and well-being of both employees and patrons alike, and will be able to begin a return to normal operations and financial recovery.”

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 4, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

The city is encouraging people to celebrate “Harrisburg Takeout Month” and support local restaurants.

Happy Labor Day weekend! Get ready for some sunny days ahead, but first, catch up on any news you may have missed this week, below.

COVID-19 cases rose again this past week in Pennsylvania. Our reporting found that there were just over 800 new cases each day, compared to last week’s daily average of 622.

Our editor reminisces on the time he was roped into acting as a vampire in his friend’s horror movie. Surprisingly, what he learned through playing the part applies to how we can feel during the pandemic. Read his monthly column, here.

Food and dining is the focus of our September issue of the magazine. Read what our editor has to say about the effect of COVID-19 on the restaurant business, as well as how to support TheBurg.

Harrisburg city council weighs the possibility of hiring former council president Gloria Martin-Roberts as a communications consultant for the city. Our online reporting discusses the reasons why Mayor Eric Papenfuse is advocating for this role.

“Harrisburg Takeout Month” is replacing Harrisburg Restaurant Week this year. The Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District encourages people try a new local restaurant this month from the safety of their home, our reporting finds.

Lead paint in old Harrisburg homes has been poisoning children for years. Our magazine story tells about the local groups trying to combat it and rid the city of the toxin.

The LGBT Center of Central PA opened its new traveling exhibit, “With Open Heart and Open Arms: LGBTQ Cuban Refugees and Our Community’s Response to the Mariel Boatlift.” In our online story, project manager Barry Loveland expresses his hope that the exhibit is an eye-opener for visitors.

Meet Peter Leonard, the visionary behind Little Amps Coffee Roasters, in this month’s magazine story. Find out how he went from barista to chief executive officer, all the while, creating that unique Little Amps vibe we know and love.

Sara Bozich has plenty of Labor Day weekend fun in store. Her weekend recommendations include Harrisburg’s traditional Kipona Festival. This year, the city opted for a virtual format with one day of in-person food trucks and fireworks on Saturday.

The Washington family rediscovered their love of art when they became members of the Art Association of Harrisburg. Now, as part of the association’s Community Exhibition Program, a gallery in Harrisburg City Hall displays their artwork. Read the family’s story in this month’s magazine.

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Would you like to support our journalism and get some great benefits to boot? If so, become a Friend of TheBurg!

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