A Blue Christmas: Providing “comfort and joy” to seniors during the holidays.

November 29, 2019 | by Dr. Amanullah Khan

The holidays are upon us and likely filled with traditions that include family and friends.

Although the season evokes nostalgia and good tidings for most, they are not necessarily merry and bright for all. In fact, for some people, they can do the opposite. This is especially true for the older population.

While depression usually arises in young adulthood, it is also common among older adults. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 7 million American adults over the age of 65 experience depression each year, and the National Institute of Mental Health considers depression in people age 65 and older to be a major public health problem.

By 2060, more than 98 million people will be senior citizens—half of them baby boomers who carry a higher predisposition to suicide than earlier generations, according to the American Psychological Association. In fact, the suicide rate in those 80 to 84 is more than twice that of the general population.

Not all hope is lost, however. Identifying the triggers, anticipating any hurdles, and otherwise knowing when it’s time to help can be a gift no matter what time of year.

Blues or Depression?
While aging can bring wisdom and experience, it also can bring inevitable losses and significant changes in one’s life. The passing of time and missing loved ones with whom seniors used to share memories become more apparent during this time of year. Additionally, declining health or energy levels and the inability to take care of oneself can result in the feeling of lost independence or purpose.

Sometimes, even the healthiest people struggle with these realities. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recently conducted a survey in which about 75 percent of respondents reported that the holidays contribute to feeling sad or dissatisfied. Among these, 68 percent felt financially strained, 66 percent experienced loneliness, 63 percent too much pressure, and 57 percent held unrealistic expectations.

Knowing the symptoms of depression versus the doldrums, which usually are temporary and mild, is important since depression is more serious and can be life threatening. If you recognize any of the following in a loved one for more than two weeks, seek professional support.

Sadness that won’t lift
Loss of interest or pleasure in doing things
Changes in appetite or weight
Frequent crying
Feeling restless or fidgety
Feeling worthless, helpless or guilty
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Trouble concentrating
Difficulty falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much

Coping Tips
Fortunately, there are tips that can help one cope with the loneliness of the holidays.

Exercise in the form of a brisk walk is a great way to beat the depressing moments. Group exercise programs, it turns out, are a wonderfully effective way to reduce isolation and loneliness in seniors and provide the added benefit of improved physical and mental health. Many area gyms offer specific senior workout classes or programs designed to meet their needs and conditions.

Encourage a loved one or neighbor to help another in need by volunteering at a local shelter, church, store, museum or school. Volunteering is a rewarding activity, and seniors have a unique skill to share life experiences with their communities. It can also boost longevity and contribute to mental health and wellbeing. Suggesting a new class or training program in an old or new area of interest may also be a good distraction, as well as provide future outlets for socialization and purpose.

Extend invitations to celebrations and help others with cooking, cleaning, shopping or wrapping gifts. Take into account seniors’ needs with transportation, income and special diets. When you participate in these activities, you also provide an outlet for communication by listening and encouraging them to share their feelings of sadness or excitement. This is the time of year for connections, so make one.

Those family, friends and neighbors of older individuals should be on the lookout for changes in mood or behavior that may indicate depression. Keep a close eye on this person and check in from time to time. If they don’t live near, call to let them know you’re thinking about them or plan a visit. Human interaction, in addition to formal treatment approaches, can work wonders for an older adult dealing with depression and the holiday blues.

Amanullah Khan, MD, is a psychiatrist with UPMC Pinnacle Psychological Associates. For more information, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 28, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is by tradition that I prepare this weekend missive for you a day early so if you are nothing like me, you can go out partying with your peeps tonight. I don’t remember the last I did such a thing, but I would guess it was when I worked IN a bar. I’m much more the cozy-in and avoid the crazies type (unless it’s to go grocery shopping; I have issues). That said, catch me at the Broad Street Market and Aldi today. Tomorrow I’m cooking, but just for the immediate fam. But first, some Turkey Day yoga at om my yoga. By Friday, hunting widow status is invoked, and well, not sure what the toddler and I will get into — Paulus Farm Market? Shopping? Popcorn and something terrible on TV is in store for me by nights.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Sustainable, Renewable: Harrisburg native, football pro Garry Gilliam has big plans for Bishop McDevitt site

November 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The former Bishop McDevitt High School

A former professional football player from Harrisburg is leading an ambitious effort to build eco-friendly, mixed-used developments in Harrisburg and beyond, with sights first set on the former Bishop McDevitt High School.

Former NFL lineman Garry Gilliam, a Harrisburg native, is heading up a four-person development organization comprised of long-time friends who all attended the Milton Hershey School and Penn State.

“We’re going to build what I believe will help a lot of inner city people who don’t have the means or the resources or the education to do something like this for themselves,” Gilliam, CEO of a new development company called The Bridge, said on a phone call on Wednesday afternoon.

Gilliam spent five years in the NFL playing for the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, which released him earlier this year.

Gilliam’s concept for The Bridge is wide-ranging. In sum, he wants to take existing, often-historic, urban structures, such as obsolete school buildings, and repurpose them for sustainable, 21st-century needs.

For instance, The Bridge first will create co-working, maker and event spaces within the former Bishop McDevitt, which is located at 2200 Market St. in Harrisburg. Gilliam said that he expects those projects to open in 2020.

Other elements of the proposed “Eco Village” project include sustainable, zero-energy housing, commercial areas and indoor urban agriculture. These pieces, which require more planning and engineering, are planned for future build-outs, Gilliam said.

“I said I have to help Harrisburg first,” he said. “I have to help this place I came from.”

An artist’s rendering of the old Bishop McDevitt High School transformed into The Bridge.

The Bridge is leasing the Bishop McDevitt site from its owner, William Penn Holdings, which bought the sprawling, 115,000-square-foot building in March from the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The building has been empty since 2013, when the diocese moved the school to a new campus in Lower Paxton Township.

Gilliam said that he also has a proposal before the Harrisburg school district to purchase the former William Penn High School, which includes 25 acres of property near Italian Lake.

In a separate statement today, The Bridge said it “aims to acquire five to 30 acres in Harrisburg for sustainable Eco-Village campuses that will produce healthy fresh food, clean water and renewable energy.”

Currently, Harrisburg is considered a “food desert,” with poor access to nutritious food, Gilliam said.

He said that, over the years, he had thought up the various elements that he combined together for the overarching concept of The Bridge. Then, earlier this year, he was speaking with his friend, Corey Dupree, who came on board as chief operations officer.

The pair then brought on two other friends: Dezwaan Dubois, who now serves as chief information officer, and Rob DeJarnett, who is now is chief financial officer. All attended Milton Hershey and Penn State together.

Gilliam said his funding comes from himself and other investors, mostly other “athletes and entertainers.”

The Bridge plans to engage the community before embarking on its plans, said Dupree.

“Having the community input for everything will be very important,” he said.

This is the second time this year that professional football players from Harrisburg have announced plans to develop in the city. Over the summer, brothers LeSean and LeRon McCoy bought the former Curtis Funeral Home at the corner of N. 6^th and Boas streets and are renovating it into three market-rate apartments, with retail space on the first floor.

The McCoy brothers have ambitious plans to build dozens of apartments on that block of N. 6^th Street and the adjoining 400-block of Herr Street. However, currently, they own only the Curtis Funeral Home site (1000 N. 6^th St.) and a small strip of grass at 1008 N. 6^th St.

The Bridge also has very ambitious plans. After starting in Harrisburg, the partners hope to expand to other cities. On its website, The Bridge lists such cities as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Houston and Seattle as “pending areas.”

The Bridge website also lists a section of “partners,” which include 2020 Engineering, a Bellingham, Wash.-based environmental consulting and civil engineering company, Evergreen, Colo.-based Ecoponex Systems, which specializes in renewable urban agriculture, and AcquaCare Environment, a Bellingham-based aquaponics company.

“We don’t have everything down quite yet,” Dupree said. “Right now, as I say, we’re assembling the avengers.”

Find out more about The Bridge by visiting their website.

Harrisburg mayor proposes balanced 2020 budget, asks for salary increases for police, accelerated debt payments

November 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse presented his proposed 2020 budget to City Council on Tuesday.

Harrisburg’s mayor had positive financial news to report on Tuesday night, as he presented a proposed budget that would boost pay for police officers and pay down debt over the coming year.

These were some of the main takeaways as Mayor Eric Papenfuse delivered his 2020 budget presentation at the City Council legislative session.

“We have a lot of exciting and positive news tonight,” he told council members. “I’m glad to be able to present a balanced 2020 budget to you.”

The proposed 2020 budget, which contains no property tax increase for a seventh straight year, totals $120 million, which includes a $74.3 million general fund, a $17.5 million neighborhood services fund and a $15.3 million debt service fund.

In contrast, the city’s 2019 budget totals nearly $110 million, which includes a $70.8 million general fund, a $20.6 million neighborhood services fund and a $9.8 million debt service fund.

Papenfuse first told council that he expects the city to run a 2019 surplus of about $1 million. He attributed the surplus mostly to earned income taxes and business taxes that exceeded expectations, which indicates a healthy jobs climate in the city.

“There are more people working in the city,” he said. “They’re earning more money.”

Papenfuse said that he wants to use much of the budget surplus to increase salaries for police officers, with the hope that a pay boost will help the Police Bureau, which has long struggled with retention, keep its young officers.

Under the proposal, the entry-level salary for a police officer would remain the same at almost $49,000 a year. However, an officer would be able to move up in pay quickly, so that officers, in year six, would be able to earn as much as $70,000—some $6,000 more than current levels.

“We put the bump at five years, so they’re more likely to stay for a longer time,” said Papenfuse, who is also proposing to add several new lieutenant and captain positions.

In all, Papenfuse said that he would like to add about 10 to 15 officers to the force, bringing the personnel count to a budgeted 153 officers. That increase, though, will come at the cost of higher salaries, so that officers trained by Harrisburg remain with the city, he said.

The police union contract doesn’t actually expire for another year. However, the city opened it up early to create the new salary regimen, Papenfuse said.

City Council must approve the new, six-year collective bargaining agreement with the police union, which resulted in the introduction of a resolution on Tuesday.

Papenfuse has also proposed adding four firefighters, mostly paid for by reductions in overtime for existing staff. That would bring the Fire Bureau complement in 2020 to 86 total personnel, plus command staff.

Council also introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would amend the city’s agreement with its bond insurer, Ambac Assurance Corp.

Papenfuse would like the city to prepay $5 million in debt using the city’s substantial reserve funds. With Harrisburg pre-paying, Ambac has agreed to a “multiplier” that would actually reduce city debt by $6.9 million, Papenfuse said.

“This is a very big deal for the city,” he said.

He also would like to refinance existing general obligation debt that extends through 2022 at a lower interest rate.

During his budget presentation, Papenfuse emphasized several other points.

First, he said that the city and the school district have reached an agreement to split the cost of two school resource officers. The district’s SRO program expired in 2009 when funding dried up and was never renewed.

Secondly, Papenfuse said that UPMC Pinnacle will increase its PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) contribution by about $150,000 for 2020. As a nonprofit, UPMC Pinnacle is not mandated to pay property taxes, but has long made voluntary PILOT payments to the city.

Papenfuse also is proposing renovating the first floor of the MLK city government center. Money for that work would come from federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

For 2020, the city is focusing on five capital improvement projects, Papenfuse said. These include:

Beginning the conversion of much of N. 2^nd Street to two-way traffic.
A roundabout, improved crosswalks and a partially protected cycle track on N. 7th Street.
Road and curb improvements to the MulDer Square area.
Safety improvements to State Street on Allison Hill, pending cooperation and approval from PennDOT.
“East-West connector” project, which consists of improvements to the area around Walnut and Chestnut streets downtown, funded with a state grant.

City Council is expected to hold two hearings on the 2020 budget next month, with a final vote on the spending plan expected the week before Christmas.

Thanksgiving under the Bridge: Many occupants of a former homeless camp haven’t moved very far.

November 26, 2019 | by Susan Ryder

Tents beneath the Mulberry Street Bridge

Editor’s Note: In September, a long-time homeless encampment dissolved when property was sold near the Mulberry Street Bridge in Harrisburg. In part 2 of our story, our writer catches up with several of the former occupants two months later.

“It is what it is,” said John*. “You got to keep moving forward. Just a bump in the road.”

This “bump” involved moving from the 1001 Mulberry St. lot, with a bit of extra cover from several warehouse buildings, to under the bridge in a tent.

As reported previously, the lot has been cleared out. The trees and vines that covered the buildings are gone, exposing the structures hidden for so long. Also gone are the people, like John, who lived there. Though they haven’t moved far.

Many have slid over directly underneath the Mulberry Street Bridge. It provides some shelter, but at a cost.

The conversation echoed under the pilings as GarriAnn Hearn, from Market Square Friends, explained that many folks who moved under the bridge experienced flooding from bridge runoff, when Harrisburg experienced torrential downpours at the end of October.

John had initially relocated closer to the creek, and, when the creek rose, he lost his tent and all of his belongings.

Also lost, a sense of security.

“They are in closer quarters now,” said Sue Haverstock G2:10 Outreach coordinator. “In the warehouse, they paired off. Now, it’s one tent community.”

Laundry dries near the tent encampment.

Insecurity lurks.

“Someone cut around the tent and stole our stuff,” said Maggie Nace. “I’m sleeping in a cut-up tent.”

Bob* said they took shoes and clean laundry from his tent.

A rumor circulated around the group—they will need to relocate again.

“They can’t chase us out from the bridge,” said Bob*. “It’s city property, right?”

The question hung in the air. No one in the group could offer a definitive answer.

One thing was certain. That night, Missions of Mercy and other organizations would serve “Thanksgiving Under the Bridge.” Volunteers set up tables, made coffee, served from the back of a flatbed, and unloaded aluminum pans full of turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, even hot cocoa with marshmallows. The smell wafted through the mercifully warm, yet cooling evening.

Folks began to arrive on bikes, dropped off from cars, and on foot, and helped themselves to the hors d’oeuvres of the night— coffee and cookies.

Rhonda Nesbitt piped up to Hearn.

“I’m not homeless anymore, I have my own apartment,” she said. “It was bad. I don’t know how I did it for three years.”

Enos Hake has been without a traditional home for more than three years. He had to give up his warmer, more sheltered warehouse room and now resides under the bridge in a tent.

Hake was a bit quieter than at our previous meeting on a sunny, unusually hot September day. But his stoic determination remained the same. “Nothin’s changed down here,” he said.

The Thanksgiving meal

With plates piled high with food, people paired off and settled in on curbs, headed off to their tents, or sat on the little bit of grass there was. They talked, laughed, caught up. Tom Swanger helped serve this feast.

“There’s so many stories. It could happen to anyone,” he said. “One day, you’re working then the next day you’re out— addictions, illnesses.”

Along with food, nonprofit groups brought clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, a few tents and tarps–as well as less tangible words of encouragement, support and concern for these people they know and care about.

“They are no different than us, looking for love and acceptance,” Haverstock said.

It was difficult to distinguish, among the 60 or so faces, who would go home to a warm bed, who would climb into a tent, or who would sleep in an alley.

“They’re people, too,” said volunteer Kevin Wise, tall and sporting a cowboy hat.

The light from Hake’s battery-powered lantern glowed to the right as cars drove up Mulberry Street and left the early Thanksgiving feast. It softened the darkness under the bridge, even made it feel cozy.

But their situation teetered. On that night or any to come, they could hit their own bump in the road. And due to unforeseen circumstances, lose all they own, the little comfort that exists, or their community.

*Last names have been withheld at interviewees request.

Learn more about Market Square Friends at www.marketsquarefriends.org; G2:10 Outreach at https://www.facebook.com/G210outreach/; or Missions of Mercy at https://www.facebook.com/MissionsOfMercy/

Engaging, endearing, “A Christmas Carol” opens for 20th year at Open Stage

November 26, 2019 | by Amy Mastrangelo

Nicholas Hughes stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in Open Stage’s 20th anniversary of “A Christmas Carol.” Photo: Marc Faubel

Do you watch “A Christmas Carol” every year? Sometimes, it feels good to return to the things we know best.

An annual tradition locally, as well, “A Christmas Carol” had its 20^th annual premier at Open Stage this past Saturday, adapted by Rachel and Stuart Landon from the Charles Dickens story, and it is a compelling reimagining of the classic story. It revisits the traditional characters and events, yet sprinkles in some differences to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Several surprising elements keep everyone intrigued—even those who know the story inside and out. And, if you aren’t as familiar, this holiday season is the perfect time to experience it.

On Saturday, several young cast members (The OSHkids Performance Co.) joined us in the lobby and began singing Christmas carols in their tweed caps, plaid scarves and oxfords. Once finished, they led us to the stage, which was cloaked in a light fog. We heard low rumbling sounds, reminiscent of an old London port by the Thames. We walked right past Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, and one performer asked an audience member if they’d like to buy an apple. The interaction invited us to not only witness the scene, but join it.

Suddenly, a large door burst open to reveal a woman (Terri Mastrobuono) shaking a tambourine along with her acting troupe. The actors wore masks with puffy cheeks and big noses to entertain the crowd and poke fun at the nefarious town grump, Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge.

However, the spectacle is broken up by rain, and the play shifts indoors to where we find Scrooge himself (played by Nicholas Hughes) lying in his bed. His caretaker (Patty Cole) enters, crooning a funny, off-key rendition of “Silent Night.” We soon learn that Scrooge’s business partner, Marley, died seven years ago on this very night (Christmas Eve).

Hughes, as Scrooge, wears sideburns, and the corners of his mouth sag as he speaks. He spits the word “pudding” and shoos off young carolers with a fireplace poker. While he occasionally squints his eyes and raises his bushy white brows, he remains quite expressionless otherwise. He intimidates the street solicitors who owe him money, and they tremble in his presence.

When the fog rolls in, Scrooge returns to the comfort of his own bed but is greeted there by the ghost of Marley. Covered in chains and dressed from head to toe in macabre silver hues, Marley has wispy hair, ragged robes and looks as if he has returned from the depths of a shipwreck. He warns that Scrooge will be visited by three ghosts: Past, Present and Future.

Scrooge wakes to a rather terrifying Christmas morning, which was executed very well onstage. There are disorienting flashes of greenish-blue light while masked performers pop up around his bed. The bed, impressively, begins to spin and move on its own to the side of the stage to make way for the ghosts.

Thanks to brilliant sound effects, the Ghosts of Christmas Past (also played by Mastrobuono) and Present (Karen Ruch) speak in normal voices interlaced with otherworldly male undertones and sinister echoes.

Scrooge leaves the safety of his bed and blankets to stand in the center of the stage and face the third Ghost of his Future. Here, we see Scrooge at his loneliest and most vulnerable. Though I won’t spoil what he looks like, this final ghost has a threatening presence standing in the shadows and looming behind Scrooge’s shoulders.

Open Stage’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is engaging throughout and features endearing cast performances in its finale. From moody to joyful to downright cantankerous, Hughes’s portrayal of Scrooge is not to be missed. Friends and family of all ages are sure to enjoy it.

“A Christmas Carol” runs through Dec. 29 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, call 717-232-6736 or visit www.openstagehbg.com.

Angled parking, wider sidewalk coming to Harrisburg’s Capitol neighborhood

November 25, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Road work on N. 3rd Street in front of the State Museum.

If you walk or drive near the state Capitol, you may have noticed that big changes are afoot.

Today, workers were busy painting lines in front of the State Museum, where the parking configuration is changing from parallel to angled.

According to Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, that change is a part of larger plans in the area.

“There are several components that are working together,” he said.

The city opted for front-in, angled parking in front of the museum for two reasons, Papenfuse said.

First, the city soon will install eight electric-car charging stations in front of the museum, funded by a $40,000 state Department of Environmental Protection grant. These charging stations will require vehicles to pull in front-wise.

Also, next year, the city will complete the sidewalk-widening project around the Capitol, extending it along N. 3^rd between State and North streets. About eight years ago, the state widened a strip of concrete surrounding the Capitol along Walnut and N. 3^rd streets, but stopped at State Street.

That sidewalk project will eliminate about nine parallel parking spaces. However, those nine spaces will be made up by the new angled configuration in front of the museum, which permits a greater density of parking, Papenfuse said.

The new parking configuration has removed the right-hand lane traveling north on N. 3^rd Street just before Forster Street. Starting today, there are just two lanes on N. 3rd in that area: a center lane and a separate left-turn lane, which was first created about three years ago.

Farther down 3^rd Street, the city has reduced the number of vehicle lanes from two to one from Walnut to Chestnut streets. It then took the left-hand lane to create a new bike lane.

Papenfuse said the bike lane was created as part of an east-west connector project that is designed to link the downtown with bike-friendly spaces as the Capital Area Greenbelt and Riverfront Park. He said the bike lane also should make 3^rd Street more pedestrian-friendly.

“Hopefully, the city is becoming safer,” he said.

Harrisburg extends leaf collection into late December

November 25, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

These street trees in Harrisburg still have most of their leaves.

Does it seem like leaves have dropped late this year?

The city of Harrisburg thinks so, so is extending its leaf collection program through Dec. 20. Originally, leaf collection was supposed to end next week.

The city’s tips for leaf collection are:

Put leaves in brown paper bags at the curb the night before street sweeping. Plastic bags are not accepted at the composting site.
If you’re unable to bag your leaves, you can pile them into the street the night before street sweeping. Please be sure not to block drains.
Follow the posted street cleaning schedule even if your collection day is a holiday. There will be no leaf collection on holidays.

For questions on leaf collections, residents can call the city at 311. For street sweeping questions, contact Capital Region Water at 888-510-0606.

There is one caveat. If there is a major snowfall before Dec. 20, leaf collection will cease for the year, according to the city.

TheBurg, Jeff Woodruff to receive 2020 Arts Awards

November 25, 2019 | by Scott Tilley

TheBurg and Jeff Woodruff are the 2020 recipients of the Awards for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region.

Theatre Harrisburg announced its selections last week, citing TheBurg and Woodruff, the long-time executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, for their contributions in advancing the arts in central Pennsylvania.

“This is a tremendous honor for TheBurg staff,” said Lawrance Binda, editor-in-chief of the award-winning community magazine and news organization. “It helps validate our belief that the arts play an essential role in a healthy and thriving community.”

Theatre Harrisburg established the “Arts Awards” in 1989 to honor artists and arts leaders, philanthropists and visionaries, educators, organizations and companies. Each year, a panel of past recipients selects one individual and one company/organization to receive the award.

“Deeply embedded in the community, and believing that the arts are a fundamental part of a healthy community, TheBurg has become particularly noted for both its arts coverage and its artistic design, with each issue featuring stories about painters, illustrators, theater, musicians, performers and other artists, as well as art spaces,” according to the Theatre Harrisburg announcement. “TheBurg also commissions the work of local illustrators, painters, photographers, cartoonists and designers.”

TheBurg also was praised for its role in organizing 3^rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and cultural event in Harrisburg, and its core support for the Harrisburg Mural Festival, a Sprocket Mural Works project that has resulted in dozens of murals in Harrisburg over the last few years.

Woodruff (pictured) was lauded for his 17 years at the helm of the HSO.

“Under Woodruff’s leadership, the HSO has grown substantially,” according to the Theatre Harrisburg announcement. “He has overseen the expansion of the HSO Pops series from three concerts to five, collaborative efforts between the HSO and several other arts organizations in the region, and dramatic expansion of the HSO’s educational programs into the schools.”

Woodruff plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.

TheBurg and Woodruff join an impressive roster of past recipients, including such distinguished people and organizations as Anne and Don Alsedek, Marcia Dale Weary, Clark and Melissa Nicholson, WITF and Market Square Concerts.

The Arts Awards will be presented on May 31 in a gala at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in downtown Harrisburg. The event is open to the public with proceeds benefitting Theatre Harrisburg. Visit www.theatreharrisburg.com.

Pictured above: TheBurg staff members Lauren Maurer, Lawrance Binda, Kelsey Tatge and Megan Caruso.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 22, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse this week announced details of the city’s annual holiday parade.

Our local government coverage was heavy this past week, with meetings to cover almost every night. We also ran numerous business, culture and feature stories. In case you missed anything, we have it all recapped below.

Capital Region Water has voted to implement a new stormwater fee beginning on July 1. Drinking water and wastewater rates also will rise, starting on Jan.1. Read our online story, which has all the details.

Gamut Theatre Group opened its fall play, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” to accolades from our theater reviewer. Check out the review to find out why she was so impressed.

Green Ridge Acres celebrates 10 years in the Broad Street Market with produce, baked goods and much more. The market has special Thanksgiving hours this coming week, so pay them a visit, but first read our feature story from the November magazine.

Harris Family Brewing has received zoning board approval for its future brewery on Allison Hill, bringing it a step closer to opening the state’s first black-owned brewery. Read about their plans in our online story.

Harrisburg’s holiday parade steps off on Saturday for its annual march downtown. Find out what’s old and what’s new this year from our online story.

Human trafficking in central PA is serious issue, one that several groups are trying to help solve. Read about the efforts of one organization and how it’s coming to the assistance of victims.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority has a new member: Harrisburg resident Doug Hill. Hill was sworn in last week to fill an open seat on the state-appointed body tasked with overseeing the city’s five-year financial plan. Read more here.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore is bringing in the animals this weekend—a dog and a donkey, more precisely. On Saturday, the bookstore hosts two authors who have written books about the life-changing power of animals (along with the animals). Click here for the details.

Open Stage last weekend opened its quirky, irreverent seasonal show, “Who’s Holiday!” Our editor was so inspired that he wrote a review entirely in verse. Click here to find out what he thought and to read his embarrassing poetry.

Sara Bozich recommends that you find something fun to do this weekend—and she’s here to help. Pick and choose from her extensive list of events and activities by visiting her weekly blog.

Susquehanna Art Museum has several places to showcase exhibits, including in the vault of the former bank building where it is located. That’s where our fine arts writer headed to see an exhibit called “Dreams,” which he wrote about in his recent blog post.

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

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