Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine
TFEC’s Janice Black presents a check to Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse and the Commonwealth Monument Project’s Lenwood Sloan.
A monument honoring voting rights and Harrisburg history is a step closer to reality, as the project today received more than $100,000 in new funding.
At a city hall press conference, the Commonwealth Monument Project received several large checks and pledges that will enable work to begin on critical aspects of the multi-part statue.
The city, the Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and philanthropist Peggy Grove all announced additional support for the monument planned for the lawn of the Capitol’s Irvis office building at N. 4th and Walnut streets.
“It’s a wonderful and incredibly important day,” said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “The monument, which has been a vision for so long, will become a reality.”
In its 2020 budget, the city pledged $25,000 to help build the base of the monument if organizers could raise a $25,000 matching grant. Today, TFEC provided that match.
The $360,000 monument, called “A Gathering at the Crossroads,” consists of three distinct aspects, all crafted by Lancaster-based A.R.T. Enterprises.
The first, the “orator’s pedestal,” depicts scenes of Harrisburg’s old 8th Ward, which was demolished to expand the Capitol complex. It already has been completed (pictured).
The second consists of life-sized figures of four important figures in Harrisburg history: civil rights activist William Howard Day, journalist and lawyer Thomas Morris Chester, musician and restaurateur Jacob T. Compton and abolitionist and suffragist Francis Ellen Walker Harper.
In addition to honoring the demolished 8th Ward, the monument is a tribute to voting rights—specifically, the U.S. Constitution’s 15th and19th amendments, which secured the vote for African Americans and for women, respectively.
The project’s third aspect is the base of the monument, which today’s $50,000 donation will fund.
President and CEO Janice Black said that TFEC made the gift as part of its commitment to fund community projects in connection with the charitable organization’s 100th anniversary.
“Because of our anniversary, we are honored to provide this money to help with the city’s match,” Black said.
Grove, who had already helped fund the monument’s pedestal, then announced additional support by the Grove Family Fund for two of the four statues.
“This bronze monument and what it signifies . . . for all people of color, for women, for all the disenfranchised people who have had to fight for the vote, all these many years–that’s what this really represents,” Grove said.
Besides raising money, the monument’s executive committee has succeeded in receiving legislative approval to site the monument on the grounds of the Capitol complex.
Today’s funding announcement allows the monument to stay on schedule, said Lenwood Sloan, the project’s executive director. A groundbreaking is slated for late March, with a June 15 unveiling.
The event concluded with an appeal for additional funds to close the remaining gap.
“I’m asking our community to make donations so we can complete this project,” said Kelly Summerford, executive committee treasurer. “Those with deep pockets, go deep, and those without such deep pockets, do what you can.”
Click here to contribute to the monument initiative. The Commonwealth Monument Project is an initiative of the IPTT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, a project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), fiscal sponsor.
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra has named a new leader to replace its retiring executive director.
Matthew Herren, who grew up in Lancaster, will take over as director on June 15, the HSO announced today.
“I am honored by the opportunity to work for such a celebrated orchestra,” Herren said, in a statement. “As a young cellist, I played in the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and feel like I am returning home.”
Herren left central PA to attend the Julliard School, from which he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cello performance. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
“I am eager to begin working with an award-winning team including Maestro Stuart Malina, the hard-working staff and board, and the exceptional musicians of the HSO,” he said.
In a statement, Malina returned the compliment.
“It is a testament to the artistic quality of our orchestra, the strength of our board and administration, and the quality of life in the Harrisburg area that we are able to bring Matthew’s caliber and experience back to the region,” Malina said. “As we recognize our 90th anniversary, I look forward to working with Matthew to build an even stronger future for the HSO.”
Herron will take the place of long-time executive director Jeff Woodruff, who is retiring after serving in the position since 2003. The executive director is responsible for managing the human and financial resources of the HSO. Herren will manage a team of eight full-time and eight part-time staff.
Owner Tammy Worthy-Jones stands behind some of her baked goods at Just Baked Cakes & Pies.
If you don’t have young kids, you may not have had a reason to venture into the children’s section of Midtown Scholar Bookstore.
But what if you knew there was a bakery tucked back there?
Recently, Just Baked Cakes & Pies debuted in space long occupied by P&R Bakery. The sweet shop boasts “desserts that remind you of grandma,” according to their tagline. But if you give them a try, they might even beat out grandma.
“Everything here is baked from scratch,” said Owner Tammy Worthy-Jones. “Everything is made with real ingredients.”
Worthy-Jones makes cookies, cakes, pudding and sweet potato pies, but the fan-favorite is her cheesecake—strawberry, sweet potato, plain, it doesn’t matter which. Most items come in a full-size pie or cake, as well as a smaller, single-serve size.
“We’ve been famous for cheesecakes for like forever,” she said. “Even people in Texas are asking for our cheesecakes.”
In addition to the sweets, Just Baked Cakes & Pies serves breakfast and lunch. Some options are the “Big Daddy” or the “Lil’ Mama” breakfast sandwiches, depending on your appetite.
“We are delighted that Just Baked Cakes has opened,” said Midtown Scholar co-owner Catherine Lawrence. “I recommend the homemade chicken corn chowder, along with the classic banana pudding, just like my grandmother used to make!”
Worthy-Jones, a New York native, grew up baking cakes for friends and family members. As she got older, she worked in bakeries and restaurants, tallying up over 30 years of experience. When she moved to Harrisburg 11 years ago, she sold her goods through word of mouth and at local restaurants like Crawdaddy’s in Midtown.
“I like making different things all the time,” she said. “I like the creativity of it all.”
Most importantly, Worthy-Jones values customer service. She enjoys interacting with customers, having conversations, laughing and joking.
“When you come, I want you to have great service,” she said. “A lot of times, to me, great customer service is better than the food at some places. But let’s not get it twisted. You come here and you get a really good meal.”
Just Baked Cakes & Pies can be accessed directly from the side entrance of Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 270 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. Hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 717-236-3626 or visit their Facebook page.
Capital Region Water workers went deep to fix a crack in a water main in downtown Harrisburg.
Water was the word this past week around Harrisburg, as a massive water main break disrupted service to hundreds of downtown residents and businesses. But there were other things going on, as well, and we had it covered on a daily basis. If you missed any of our stories, we have them summarized and linked below in our weekly recap.
CASA is moving on up—to the third floor of Strawberry Square. The Capital Area School for the Arts recently signed a lease to expand its space significantly, allowing it to consolidate its learning spaces. Read our online story to learn what’s happening.
Harrisburg is gearing up for a busy March, with several annual celebrations planned for downtown. There’s something for everyone, whether you like your festivals ice cold or with a touch of Irish. Check out our online story for what to expect.
Harrisburg area home sales continued to be strong in January, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors. We have the latest data for you in our online story.
Midtown Cinema seems to always have something fun and quirky playing—to wit, a satire called “Greed.” Check out our monthly movie review to see if “Greed” will be good for you.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore is bringing two of the country’s most popular podcast hosts to Harrisburg for a book and politics talk. The big event takes place for 3rd in the Burg next Friday, and you can find out all the details here.
Sara Bozich has the rundown of all the events for this Valentine’s Day weekend, with plenty of non-romantic options tossed in, as well. Check out her extensive list of fun things to do.
Strawberry Square Arcade seems like an odd thing to own—but someone has to be responsible for it. Currently, Harrisburg city owns it, but council members were asked this past week to transfer possession to a private entity. Read all about it in our online story.
Valentine’s Day in Harrisburg comes with one certainty—a beautiful bouquet from Mike and Hari’s Flowers. Despite a brisk winter day, the line of eager buyers stretched down 3rd Street. Get to know your flower guy by reading our magazine feature story.
Water main break dominated much of our news coverage this past week, as some 200 downtown residents and businesses either had no water or had to boil it. We followed the story daily, from the initial break and closed businesses to the repair and the happy conclusion.
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Harrisburg is considering transferring ownership of the Strawberry Square arcade.
If you live in the Harrisburg area, there’s a good chance you’ve strolled through the Strawberry Square arcade at least once—maybe hundreds of times.
Have you ever wondered: Who owns this thing?
It turns out that the city owns it, though that may not be the case for long.
At a recent City Council work session, Harristown Development Corp. made a pitch to transfer the arcade—the elevated walkway that connects Strawberry Square to the Hilton Harrisburg—to the Strawberry Square Condominium Association.
“The public use would remain in place,” said Neal West, Harristown senior vice president and legal counsel. “People would continue to have full use and benefit of the arcade.”
West, who is also president of the condominium association, told council members that Harristown has absorbed the cost of maintaining the city-owned property for decades, but would like a permanent solution for the 66-foot-long enclosed pedestrian pathway.
West explained that the arcade was built in two parts—the first part in 1979 and the second in 1989, with Harristown footing the bill for construction.
The city, as owner, was supposed to pay for the maintenance, estimated at about $70,000 per year, but the city stopped reimbursing Harristown for that expense in the early 1990s, accumulating a debt of $404,000 by 1998. Subsequent agreements relieved the city of that debt and of additional maintenance payments through today.
Moreover, Harristown has invested some $500,000 over the years to reconstruct and upgrade portions of the arcade, West said. And, he said, more improvements are needed now, including HVAC and structural work to even out the temperature in the arcade, which can fluctuate wildly from one area to the next.
“There is a need for upgrades,” he said. “We have estimates anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000.”
In 2015, Strawberry Square became a condominium, co-owned by Harristown and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, which has transferred its board seats to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as state workers occupy the majority of office space in Strawberry Square.
If council approves the transfer, ongoing expenses would be split between Harristown and the commonwealth, West said. Because the arcade generates no revenue, yet has expenses, its value is negative, he said.
The arcade extends over N. 3rd Street in downtown Harrisburg.
City council member Ausha Green asked what the city would get from the arcade transfer.
“The benefit to the city would be that they don’t have to pay the operating expenses going forward,” West replied.
Currently, Harristown has a month-to-month agreement with the city to maintain the arcade, so could exit it at any time.
Council President Wanda Williams asked why the city wanted to transfer the arcade at this time.
“What’s the urgency now?” she said. “I’d like more time to delve into this. We just got this tonight.”
Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that Harrisburg’s facilities manager examined the situation, and the administration believes it’s in the city’s interest to be relieved of potential maintenance and upgrade expenses.
“The liabilities associated with maintaining the arcade properly are more than the city is in a financial position to want to bear,” Papenfuse said. “Harristown has the resources and the ability to properly maintain the arcade, and that is a benefit to our residents.”
He added that the city has much better use for its capital improvement funds, such as repairing city hall or the decrepit public safety building next door.
“We have a lot of assets in the city and limited resources,” he said. “We don’t need to be spending it on an arcade, which we are not getting any benefit from at all.”
Several council members wanted assurance that the arcade would remain open to the public if the city no longer owned it.
“It would be treated just like the common areas of Strawberry Square,” West said.
Councilman Dave Madsen said he would collect questions from fellow council members for any additional information they want before putting the issue to a vote.
Council has the option of voting at its next legislative session, which is slated for Feb. 25. If it doesn’t do so, the city and Harristown presumably would extend their month-to-month agreement into March.
Capital Region Water crews on Tuesday as they worked to repair a water main break in downtown Harrisburg.
Capital Region Water today lifted the boil water advisory for most of the area impacted by a water main break last weekend.
CRW spokesperson Tanya Dierolf said that most of the 200 affected residents no longer have to boil water for uses such as personal consumption, washing dishes and brushing their teeth.
The boil water advisory remains in effect only for a small number of customers who are located at:
Dierolf said that these customers will be advised individually when they no longer need to boil water.
Early Sunday morning, an 82-year-old, 16-inch water main on the 100-block of North Street developed a large crack. A large residential and commercial area of downtown, generally bordered by Front, North, N. 3rd and Forster streets, then either lost water service or had to boil their water before personal use.
Water service returned to most of the affected area on Tuesday, but the entire area remained under a boil-water advisory until today.
Now that repairs have been complete, CRW will flush nearby hydrants, which may temporarily lead to cloudy or discolored water. According to CRW, this does not pose a health risk, but customers still should run their taps for a full minute to flush out their system.
For more information, call CRW’s customer service center at 888-510-0606 or visit their website.
Last year’s Ice and Fire Festival featured this cold seat and some rapidly melting snow.
Two celebrations, just weeks apart, will mean a busy March around downtown Harrisburg.
First up, on March 7, the city hosts its third annual Ice and Fire Festival. The one-day event closes down a portion of N. 2nd Street for free ice skating in the street, children’s activities, music, food trucks, fire dancers and other fun events, capped off by a dozen or so ice sculptures.
True to form for the first week of March, it’s been both frigid and mild for the first two festivals. So, depending on this year’s weather, you’ll be able to admire the elaborate ice sculptures in their full artistic glory or watch them change shape as they slowly melt.
Two weeks later, on March 21, downtown again springs to life with a host of St. Patrick’s Day activities.
The fun takes off at noon for what’s become the start of the long race season in Harrisburg, with the Lucky Charm 5K/10K. At 2 p.m., the run becomes a slow walk as the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade begins to wind its way through the downtown.
The parade will feature six Irish pipe and drum bands, fire trucks, floats, Irish dance groups and other entertainers, in addition to numerous food trucks.
“We are pleased to be hosting this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and are excited to show off more of our downtown business community,” said Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District. “We invite you and your family to join us for a great day downtown.”
Several downtown streets will close for the Ice and Fire Festival and St. Patrick’s Day events, which both occur on Saturdays. Four hours of free parking is available in downtown metered spots by using the Parkmobile app with code “LUVHBG.”
Harrisburg’s Ice and Fire Festival takes place on March 7, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in downtown Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/iceandfire.
The Lucky Charm 5K/10K begins at noon on 2nd Street in downtown Harrisburg. To sign up, visit the race website. The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at 2 p.m. from the Market Street Bridge. For more information, visit www.HarrisburgStPatricksDayParade.com.
Hey hey! It’s Thursday! We hope to see you this evening at the Pop-Up at The BenMar today. It’s a great chance to check out these new apartments in downtown Harrisburg — plus, of course, we’ll have some light food, beer, spirits, and live music.
My weekend plans include a couple photoshoots, toddler-wrangling, and Hershey Bears hockey with the fam on Sunday! 
In case one progressive voice wasn’t enough for you, Midtown Scholar Bookstore is now featuring an author double bill for the next 3rd in the Burg.
Civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson (pictured) will join bestselling author Dan Pfeiffer on stage for a ticketed event on Feb. 21 at the sprawling independent bookshop.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Dan Pfeiffer and DeRay Mckesson to Harrisburg for what’s sure to be a fascinating conversation on the upcoming election,” said Alex Brubaker, manager of Midtown Scholar.
Mckesson is host of “Pod Save the People,” a top-rated podcast, and has been a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement. Pfeiffer is the co-host of another top podcast, “Pod Save America,” and author of the new book, “Un-Trumping America: A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again.”
Mckesson will interview Pfeiffer, leading the conversation about his book as they also share their thoughts about the coming election. A book-signing will follow the discussion.
The ticketed event requires attendees to purchase “Un-Trumping America,” which costs $30.
“‘Pod Save America’ and ‘Pod Save the People’ are two enormously popular podcasts in today’s political media culture, so I can’t wait to hear what they have to say in Harrisburg,” Brubaker said.
Dan Pfeiffer and DeRay Mckesson will appear on Feb. 21, starting at 7 p.m., at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtownscholar.com. Ticket information is available at www.midtownscholar.com/dan-pfeiffer/event-ticket-and-book.