Harrisburg School District pushes forward with back to school plans, 100% virtual start

August 11, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

File photo of Receiver Janet Samuels

Back to school plans were cemented Monday night as Harrisburg school district Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels approved a completely virtual start to the 2020-21 academic year.

“This plan has evolved multiple times since June,” Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said during the virtual school board meeting. “We have worked extremely hard, the team has worked extremely hard to put together a template to allow us, when ready, to safely transition back to in-person.”

The Harrisburg school district publicly released plans for back-to-school this past week.

According to Celmer, students and their families can choose one of two options for the upcoming year. Both paths have students starting the year with virtual learning.

The first option is the “Pathway to Classroom Instruction.” If chosen, students are looking at a three-phase plan leading up to re-entry to their brick-and-mortar school. The first phase is online instruction, which includes live lessons and individual work.

“A schedule for at-home learning will look pretty similar to a schedule that a child might have in school when they attend school every day,” Chief Academic Officer Susan Sneath said.

The time spent learning at home will approximate the time spent in school in order to have a smooth transition and continuity of education, she explained.

Students will transition to a hybrid model only when there is a sustained decrease in the spread of the virus in the community, reduced diagnoses and shorter virus testing turnaround times, among other factors.

Under the second, hybrid phase, students will go to school two days a week and continue virtual learning the other three days. They will be split into two groups, half going in on Monday and Tuesday, the others attending on Thursday and Friday.

“If there are opportunities for students to come back to brick-and-mortar, we are going to look to take advantage of those, if they are safe,” Celmer said.

Students can expect to return to school full-time only when positive case rates in the community are below the state benchmark of 5% for two weeks. In addition, treatments or a vaccine must be available, as well as rapid testing turnarounds, Celmer said.

A Health and Safety Plan for reopening was also announced. It includes a requirement to wear face masks, as well as information on cleaning and sanitizing.

The second option for families is to enroll in the district’s new cyber school—Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA). This was announced by Sneath in May as an alternative to cyber charter schools.

“If in four weeks we made an announcement that we want to start bringing students back, if you’re not comfortable with that concept, then I think you should strongly consider Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy,” Celmer said.

By the end of this week, Celmer wants all families to choose an option for the start of school on Aug. 31. A survey sent to parents allows them to pick option A or B. If they do not respond to the district, the student will automatically be put in option A, Celmer said.

All students will receive a device, such as a Chromebook or laptop, for their work. Device distribution will take place during the week of Aug. 24.

WiFi will be available in district parking lots as well as other locations around the city. Celmer added that the school is looking at a more “robust initiative” around connectivity for students that will be announced later in the week.

Food distribution will continue and will likely increase from the current one day a week to two or three.

For more information about the Harrisburg school district’s 2020-21 school year plan, visit their website.

The show will go on soon, as Gamut Theatre announces fall season

August 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Gamut Theatre in downtown Harrisburg

The show will go on at Gamut Theatre, which is planning a fall season with pandemic-related protocols in place.

Gamut will mount three live productions, beginning with “Chekhov Comedy: Love Hurts!” from Sept. 12 to 27.

“We’ve missed all our patrons terribly and are excited to soon kick off our fall season of live shows,” said Melissa Nicholson, Gamut Theatre’s executive director. “We have put a lot of thought and care into a plan to reopen safely.”

“Chekhov Comedy: Love Hurts!” combines two of Russian writer Anton Chekhov’s stories, “The Boor” and “The Marriage Proposal.” Gamut describes it as a “fast-paced” comedy.

For the reopening, Gamut will put in place a number of health and safety protocols.

First, it will seat audience members within their “cohorts,” meant generally as people who live together. People will be seated as singles, pairs or triples.

Secondly, groups will be seated six feet apart from one another, and the theater will use only 25 percent of its maximum capacity, meaning that just 51 seats will be sold for each date.

Many theaters have challenges not only with reducing possible disease spread among audience members, but also among actors. However, according to Gamut, that is not an issue as its core company actors live in company housing and have been quarantining together.

Gamut also is making adjustments to its pricing policy due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic. The theater suggests a ticket price of $30, but will allow discounted levels of $20 and $10 each.

In October, Gamut will stage “The Zoo Story” by playwright Edward Albee and, in November, “The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood,” an original story from Gamut’s own Melissa Nicholson and Erin Shellenberger.

Meanwhile, Gamut plans to continue some of the online offerings that it began earlier this year, including TMI Improv Online and virtual programs like “Once Upon Online” and “Gamut Game Room.”

For more information on Gamut’s season, its health and safety protocols and its other offerings, visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

Bob’s Art Blog: Vacation Creation

August 8, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

Harrisburg artist Charlie Feathers spent part of his summer building a rock sculpture on the banks of the Watauga River in Tennessee.

Listen…can you hear it? Just 20 days away and you may hear that school bell ring.

Back in the classroom, the first assignment was, without fail, an essay on, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”—something I always looked forward to. Must be the writer in me. Summertime and the livin’ was easy.

As an art columnist, I recently thought how fun it would be to learn how a dozen or so local artists spent at least part of their summer days creating art or getting inspiration for their next project. Stepping away from their vocation to turn to their avocation while on their vacation—it is just too much to bear…but here goes.

The idea grew out of a discussion with Reina “R76” Wooden and Charlie “Bootleg” Feathers one afternoon this summer. Using that as a jumping off point, Charlie immediately shared photos from a recent trip with his father and Reina followed suit with an anecdote worth repeating. A debt of gratitude to both for a list of artists and for providing me with the basis for how they spent their summer vacations.

For Feathers, it meant traveling to the Watauga River in Tennessee to build a rock sculpture on the banks of the river. It should withstand the test of time as the shoreline provides cover for protection. Feathers laid out an installation skyward bound.

“Its balance reflects where I am in life and how being a sculptor is my only passion,” he shared, which is strictly for the record, just so no one “rocks” his boat.

His partner in art, Reina R76, was a willing collaborator in a series of tutorials on body casting throughout the month of June. And July found her as the new kid on the block at the Millworks, ensconced in Studio 318 with fellow artist Andrew Guth and Erik of Owl Creek Supply Co., noteworthy as Reina is the first artist of color, with African/Venezuelan heritage, in residence at the Millworks. She even threw Mud at the Queen in Linglestown while learning how to turn clay into columns of beauty. By taking a class in the art of pottery making, she felt “invigorated and inspired.” For her, the experience was enlightening and energizing.

Hannah Dobek, aka sister vinegar, of Metropolis Collective in Mechanicsburg, spent part of her summer painting a commissioned piece providing Radiator Kings Music, a blues group, with cover art for their soon to be released (Aug. 21) album, “Unborn Ghosts.” Dobek pays tribute in part through her painting of a stallion’s head in profile, evocative of Johnny Cash’s legendary hit, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” from the 1960s.

Summer did not rain on Bethany Nicolle’s parade as she “spent time laughing with friends, reflecting on her old career as a bartender” and creating exquisite art (pictured) and making state-of-the-art masks that are tongue-in-cheek if you’ll pardon the expression. Perhaps you’ll see exactly what that means.

The new normal has kept painter Julie Riker away from her usual itinerary of summer art shows and competitions. Her rapturous plein air paintings of the Susquehanna River from the high ground vantage point of Negley Park are picture perfect as they become almost photographic in their exacting detail. Just being in the beauty of the outdoors provided her with “wonderful therapy” by allowing her “to focus on the positive things in the world.” In addition, it fostered a connection with other artists practicing social distancing.

Natalie Dohman feels the sky’s the limit as the summer has afforded her the opportunity to install murals in Harrisburg and New Cumberland, prepare works for two upcoming art shows, and create an online store selling graphic designs that revolve around the Civil Rights movement. Her website, ndesignarthaus.com, is a moving gallery of images and art that is vitally fresh and fluid (pictured).

Accustomed to painting in plein air settings, Jonathan Frazier adapted his frame-of-mind painting, taken from photos and memory. Inspired by past trips to locales outside of central PA, Frazier used landmarks like the Domino Sugar Refinery Plant in Baltimore to create a painting of sensation and skyline.

For Douglas Beard, work took priority, so time away from the daily grind found him plugged in creating and building artisinal lamps, giving new meaning to art shining from within to brighten the world around us, illuminating tables and stands (pictured).

Nicole Herbert found herself toiling at the wheel, not as a driver, but in throwing a pot or two of functionality following form. Valuable leisure time was spent gardening and enjoying the routines of life took that on new pleasure relaxing in the backyard with her life partner.

Larry Washington Jr. spent the days and nights of his summer exploring new avenues in studying and practicing photography as seen in a poignant shot of night, capturing a skyscape of four houses of worship with crosses forming a vanguard of vaulting symbolism as the focal point in the frame.

Gallery assistant and instructor at the Art Association of Harrisburg, Nate Foster, along with family members, shared their love of art with the community this summer. His wife, Tzu, taught a drawing class there while youngest son, Malik (pictured), assisted Nate with hanging the Li Hidley exhibit now featured at the gallery. Nate curated that show and is working on preliminary sketches for the member’s show, “La Petite Exhibition,” which will open for the AAH-sponsored Gallery Walk next month. The Fosters also spent time away from the gallery finding the perfect house in Midtown.

The Huckle Buckle Boys are comprised of Zack Rudy and Garrick Dorsett, who always come as a package deal. With no limit to their imagination, their pet project of the summer was print-making, which pushed their boundaries with wildly wondrous woodcuts, the oldest form of printmaking. Leave it to HBB to recycle something old into something fresh and new.

I would be remiss to not include a personal favorite, my wife of 43 years, who is constantly creating new works of art. When she’s not busy being my 3rd in the Burg photographer, you can find her gathering sticks and materials from nature to weave with textiles or forming clay beads with our 5-year-old granddaughter and creating organic art with our son, Beau, for “Art in the Wild.” She will always be my source of inspiration. Happy Birthday, Jana!

“How I Spent My Summer Vacation” closes on that note as all contributors, whether at home or on the road, share as a common theme. There is a newfound appreciation in the season’s recalibration of life as we now know it—time for reflection, time for creativity and, most importantly, time for exploring what makes us happy and fulfilled. Thank you to all the artists who took part in this essay. Now you’re ready for the first day of school.

Developer proposes dozens of townhouses in Midtown Harrisburg

August 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of one part of the large residential project.

A Harrisburg developer has plans to construct nearly 100 townhouses on long-empty lots that dot numerous streets just north of the Broad Street Market.

Midtown Redevelopment LLP, a team comprised of developers Chris Bryce, Erica Bryce and builder Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, hopes to build some 96 townhouses, along with off-street parking for each unit.

Plans also include one larger, mixed-used building for “workforce housing” with first-floor commercial space, along with several community parks.

“We love Harrisburg, and we want it to be even better than it already is,” Chris Bryce said. “That’s truly our motivation.”

Chris and Erica Bryce have completed numerous construction projects in Harrisburg, most recently the renovation of a Locust Street building that now houses the firm, Merit Marketing. They also are the owners of City House Bed & Breakfast.

The proposed project would require the team to purchase 189 separate lots, most currently owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority (HRA), in the Marketplace and Capitol Heights neighborhoods.

Many of the lots were originally part of a townhouse development proposed by State College-based builder, S&A Homes. S&A began the project about 15 years ago, but then stopped, leaving most of the lots empty.

Last year, the HRA bought back the empty lots from S&A and, in April 2019, named another developer, Seven Bridges Development, as its preferred developer. Seven Bridges has not broken ground and, late last year, said that it would seek additional community input before proceeding with its plans.

The Midtown Redevelopment team would now like to be named HRA’s preferred developer for the lots, an issue that may be on the HRA’s agenda for its Aug. 18 meeting.

Many of the city-owned lots are overgrown, with fences in disrepair

Bryce believes that a strength of his proposal is that it conforms with the current “residential medium neighborhood” zoning for the area. Last year, Seven Bridges asked the city to rezone the area to “commercial neighborhood,” which would allow for greater height, density and mix of uses. It later withdrew that proposal.

“Ours is a comprehensive, shovel-ready proposal,” Bryce said. “We’d be ready to move very quickly.”

He said that the first townhouses would be ready for sale within six months of the team receiving the go-ahead from the city.

The development team had renderings of its proposal available for viewing last weekend at four locations on Reily Street, N. 4th Street and Hamilton Street.

Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors (right) speaks with a Harrisburg resident on Saturday about development plans for the Midtown neighborhood.

Bryce said that he’d like to restore the neighborhood to what it once was— residential blocks of rowhouses.

The once-thriving working- and middle-class neighborhood became depopulated and increasingly blighted with the failure of Harrisburg’s heavy industry and the collapse of the railroads. In the 1970s and ‘80s, the neighborhood also fell victim to numerous arson fires.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the city cleared much of the neighborhood, but most of the lots have now been empty for 20 years or more.

“We’re very proud of what we’re proposing,” Bryce said. “We’re eager to share our plans with the community.”

This story has been updated.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

A Black Lives Matter mural was painted on the Harrisburg Improv Theatre in Midtown last weekend.

These summer weeks seem to fly by. If you missed any of our reporting amid the crash of the waves or the routine of work, we have our week’s stories listed and linked below.

A Black Lives Matter mural was painted in Midtown last weekend, our online story reported. Organizer Mike Fitzgerald hopes it will create dialogue and promote social justice in the community.

“Candles on the Water” promotes peace and harmony through its 75^th annual commemoration of the bombings of the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. In our magazine story, read more about the event and how it connects to Harrisburg’s Peace Garden along the Susquehanna River.

The 2020 census approaches its final two months, and we have an update on response rates thus far. Read about how Dauphin County is encouraging participation and why some fear the Latino community will be undercounted.

Commonwealth Monument Project leaders presented Dauphin County commissioners with a bronze replica of a map of Harrisburg’s Old 8^th Ward. Our online story has more on that, as well as updates on the monument scheduled to be unveiled Aug. 26 on state Capitol grounds.

COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania are finally declining after a month of increasing cases. There was an average of 747 new diagnoses each day last week, our weekly reporting shows.

Harris Family Brewery has joined other local brewers to create a special “Black is Beautiful” beer. They hope the message will spark conversation on racial inequality while enjoying a good drink. Read more about their latest collaboration with Troegs Brewery as well as two other partnerships.

Musicians have taken their tunes to the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guitar teacher Paul Wegmann has done the same with his lessons. Read more in our magazine story.

A proposed citizen’s policing advisory board was the topic of discussion at a Harrisburg town hall Thursday night. Our reporting outlines city residents’ criticisms and frustrations with the lack of power of the board as it stands.

Sara Bozich has a great lineup of events in her Weekend Roundup. Find the list that includes a drive-in movie event, a yard sale and Virtual Beer Olympics, here.

Schools in the Harrisburg area are making plans for the upcoming academic year. Our magazine story tells how brick-and-mortar schools are split on whether to return to in-person classes or virtual. Many students seem to be turning to cyber charter schools for their education.

TheBurg’s editor has what he calls a “mask problem” in his August magazine column. Read about his journey to embracing the mask, despite the discomfort, and additional thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

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

New coronavirus cases fell in PA over past week, reversing month-long trend

August 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 diagnoses and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

New COVID-19 cases dipped in PA over the past week, reversing a month-long trend of increases week to week.

Over the past week, the commonwealth averaged 747 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average 925 new daily cases last week and 870 new cases per day the week before. The department reports that testing has also increased (see chart).

Locally, diagnosed cases over the past week are as follows:

Adams County: 497 cases (prior Friday, 462)
Cumberland County: 1,276 cases (prior Friday, 1,203)
Dauphin County: 2,757 cases (prior Friday, 2,640)
Franklin County: 1,328 cases (prior Friday, 1,268)
Lancaster County: 5,822 cases (prior Friday, 5,525)
Lebanon County: 1,594 cases (prior Friday, 1,563)
Perry County: 121 cases (prior Friday, 113)
York County: 2,485 cases (prior Friday, 2,269)

Today, the department confirmed 758 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.

With today’s update, 117,279 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 5,231 over the past week, according to the health department.

Overall, 8.9 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 108 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 7,297 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now stands as follows:

Adams County: 20 deaths (prior Friday, 20)
Cumberland County: 71 deaths (prior Friday, 70)
Dauphin County: 158 deaths (prior Friday, 155)
Franklin County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 46)
Lancaster County: 410 deaths (prior Friday, 406)
Lebanon County: 54 deaths (prior Friday, 54)
Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
York County: 86 deaths (prior Friday, 79)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 26,419 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 10,015 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,702 and 855, respectively.

“As the state has put in place new mitigation efforts to offset recent case increases, we must renew our commitment to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,968, or 68 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 19,860 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,122 cases among employees, for a total of 23,982 at 872 distinct facilities in 61 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 8,573 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 1,316,899 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 1,199,629 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 1,216,872 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

1 percent are aged 0-4
1 percent are aged 5-12
3 percent are aged 13-18
9 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 38 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 23 percent are aged 50-64
24 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. However, the health department has emphasized that, increasingly, more younger people are being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

“Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach,” Levine said. “However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

At town hall meeting, Harrisburg residents express frustration with proposed police advisory board

August 6, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Members of Harrisburg City Council, which held a virtual town hall meeting on the proposed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

Harrisburg City Council held the first of three town hall meetings tonight on a proposed Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, meeting with substantial pushback from residents who attended the virtual gathering.

Around 50 residents participated, and most who spoke did not approve of the legislation, Bill 8, that would create the proposed board.

The most discussed aspect of the bill over the past weeks, which was reiterated on Thursday night, is the lack of board subpoena and independent investigative powers. Some residents believe the advisory board should be a more powerful review board.

“I don’t believe this bill would be a step in towards accountability,” resident Rachel Peacock said. “It seems like a horse-and-pony show.”

Others echoed the complaint that the board, as currently proposed, lacks sufficient power, and some added that residents should have a say in who is appointed to the board. Currently, the bill states that City Council would appoint four members and the mayor would choose three.

The bill also states that Harrisburg’s police commissioner would sit on the board without voting power. Appointed board members would also be required to attend police academy training or participate in a police ride-along.

“I can imagine a chilling effect if the chief of police is sitting on the citizens’ advisory board,” resident Vishal Bajpai said.

One of the most repeated criticisms was the accessibility of the meeting itself. A majority of residents was frustrated by the virtual format, which required participants to watch a live-streamed meeting through YouTube and call in to speak. Many also didn’t think the three-day’s notice of the event was enough lead time.

“It doesn’t seem like City Council is making it easy for people to have their voices heard,” Bajpai said.

There will be two more town hall meetings on the bill, according to council member Ausha Green, the chair of the public safety committee. The next will be held virtually on Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the following on Aug. 18 in Reservoir Park.

“It’s important for us to have everyone’s voices as a part of our decision,” Green said. “We will look to make changes through amendments.”

Harris Family Brewery collaborates with local brewers on “Black is Beautiful” beer

August 6, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Harris Family Brewery’s “Black is Beautiful” beer is on tap today at Troegs in Hershey. Photo by Antwan Little, Just a Little Photography.

Owners of the Harris Family Brewery think it’s time to talk about racism—over a beer.

The brewery, in collaboration with Troegs independent Brewery in Hershey, released its “Black is Beautiful” beer today.

“We want people to have conversations, and we want to bring these social injustices to the forefront,” Tim White, one of the three Harris Family owners, said. “I’m glad it jumped into the craft beer world.”

With the national spotlight on racial inequality, the brewery owners wanted to do something.

“We are three black men who experience all of the injustices that you could imagine,” White said.

The Harris Family Brewery is on track to become the first black-owned brewery in Pennsylvania. With the “Black is Beautiful” beer, they hope to raise awareness of an issue personal to them in an industry that is majority white.

The “Black is Beautiful” movement in the craft beer world was started by Weathered Souls Brewing Co. in Texas. Once Harris Family Brewery caught wind of it, they jumped to join.

The partnership with Troegs is the third in a series of collaborations to produce “Black is Beautiful,” each with a different flavor. White said the artwork on the cans show people of color’s skin in a range of shades as a pixelated design.

The beer on tap today at Troegs is a brown lager with a flavor inspired by cornbread. It can be enjoyed in a glass on-site or taken as a four-pack to go, White said. There are about 200 cases of the special edition “Black is Beautiful” beer. This is double the amount as the last two times, which sold out within two to three days, White said.

He attributes the popularity not only to the taste, but also the message on the can.

“I knew we would be busier, but I didn’t expect it to be that busy,” White said. “People that were scared to have this conversation are now empowered to have it.”

Harris Family’s first collaboration was with Philadelphia-based Love City Brewery. The black stout with a hint of coconut sold out in three days. The second time around, they partnered with Camp Hill’s Ever Grain Brewery to create a banana nut bread flavored stout.

For each of their collaborations, all proceeds went to organizations fighting for racial justice. The first raised funds for Black Lives Matter Philadelphia, and the second for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA. Their newest “Black is Beautiful” beer at Troegs will support Harrisburg-based Amiracle4sure, a re-entry program for ex-offenders.

Harris Family Brewery is considering continuing the collaborations on the “Black is Beautiful” beer. White said they may try to partner with a Harrisburg brewery next.

“This is not just a right-now thing,” White said. “From here on out, you will see Black is Beautiful beers in the market.”

Harris Family Brewery owners Shaun Harris, JT Thomas and White have had plans for around six years to manufacture craft beer and open a taproom in their Allison Hill neighborhood.

An opening is now finally in sight.

White said that, within three to four months, the brewery should be operating. Struggling previously with raising funds, that’s not an issue anymore.

Within months, the brewery’s GoFundMe page exploded and reached over $36,800 in donations. People were buying their merchandise, cups, T-shirts and mugs like never before.

“That has blessed us so now we can actually have enough money to open up,” White said.

Harris Family Brewery will operate out of an industrial building at 1721 Holly St. on Allison Hill and focus on wholesale brewing.

In order to open a taproom, White said they need to raise another $30,000 to secure a building and remodel. That is in sight, he said.

Harris Family Brewery and Troegs “Black is Beautiful” beer is available today at Troegs Independent Brewery at 200 East Hershey Park Dr., Hershey. For more information about Harris Family Brewery, visit their website or Facebook page.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 6, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend! Hey folks, couple fun things happening this weekend. Mela Kitchen at Jack’s Cider House opens (hit my IG for a preview) on Friday, two small biz Pop-Up shops happening Saturday, and Appalachian Brewing Co. has launched a Virtual Beer Olympics. On Saturday, grab the fam for Carpool Cinema – Jurassic Park with Midtown Cinema and Friends of Midtown. Oh, and my neighborhood is having a yard sale, if you’re into that.

Hiya, 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.

Weekend Recs

Saturday is International Beer Day. Take the opportunity to try some local brews from Boneshire Brew Works, Hemauer Brewing, Appalachian Brewing Co. or Tattered Flag. Plus grab the latest #BlackIsBeautiful collab with Tröegs + Harris Family Brewery (available starting today)
(We have wine + distillery recs below, scroll)
Stock up at R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market
Order some great takeout, maybe a BBQ feast for the backyard from MoMo’s
Try something new: Catch The Obstructed View with Open Stage TONIGHT
Binge the first seven episodes of Poured in PA: The Series free on YouTube!
Browse some new gems at Meeka Fine Jewelry.
Shop for some new masks at Hello Gorgeous Boutique.
Maybe it’s time for a contactless debit card?

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? For serious. Click here.
Wait, what about coffee, kombucha, tea, juice? Got you!
Find Carry-Out options here

Bronze map of Old 8th Ward presented to Dauphin County; Commonwealth Monument Project offers update

August 5, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Members of the Commonwealth Monument Project present Dauphin County commissioners with a bronze replica of Harrisburg’s Old 8th Ward.

Monuments around the country have been in the news recently, many taken or torn down by people who regard them as symbols of racism.

But for over a year, members of the Commonwealth Monument Project have had a plan to erect a new monument in Harrisburg, one that highlights and honors Harrisburg’s African American heritage.

Today, they discussed updates to that plan, as they also honored the Dauphin County commissioners who helped make it possible.

“In other places in our country, we are seeing monuments taken down,” Commissioner George Hartwick said during a public meeting today. “We are putting monuments up.”

Earlier this year, the commissioners awarded the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade a $100,000 gaming grant, indicating their support for the monument project.

Lenwood Sloan, the project’s executive director, phoned in to the meeting to present the commissioners with a bronze replica of the Old 8^th Ward. The replica shows an aerial view of the historic primarily Black and immigrant neighborhood that was demolished to make room for expansion of the state Capitol Complex.

“We cannot bring back the buildings or the ancestors, but we can raise the level of dignity,” Sloan said.

The bronze map models a larger one that will sit atop the “Orator’s Pedestal”—the base of the forthcoming monument.

The bronze replica presented to Dauphin County today is one of a series of four. The first was given to Peggy Grove, a supporter of the Monument Project. The second went to Gov. Tom Wolf, the third to the City of Harrisburg, and the last to the county today.

The four maps were created by the A.R.T Foundry in Lancaster.

“I would really like people to understand the history of the Old 8^th Ward,” commission Chairman Jeff Haste said. “Bringing history a little more alive for folks will make this a better region.”

The Commonwealth Monument Project is scheduled to be unveiled on Aug. 26 on the Capitol grounds at 4^th and Walnut Streets.

On the pedestal, 100 families’ names are engraved, as well as maps of Old 8^th Ward streets. On top of the pedestal will be the Old 8^th Ward map, as well as four historic African American figures from Harrisburg—Frances Harper, Thomas Chester, Jacob Compton and William Howard Day.

Two of the figures will stand on the pedestal when it is unveiled. The other two are being finished and will be installed by Nov. 14.

Land surveyor Melham Associates has already done construction at the site where the monument will be placed. A small plaza, the Irvis Equality Circle, will allow visitors to walk around and view the monument.

For more information on the Commonwealth Monument Project, visit https://digitalharrisburg.com/commonwealth/. For more on the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, visit their website.

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Resources for to-go/delivery

You May Also Like

You May Also Like