Bob’s Art Blog: Let Us Give Thanks for Fiber (Art)

November 10, 2025 | by Bob MacGinnes

Green Goddess at the Civic Club of Harrisburg

Linus and Sally are sadly resigned having to wait another year for the Great Pumpkin to rise, but the good news is The Green Goddess emerged yesterday from the Women’s History Garden at the Civic Club in a special unveiling ceremony.

“The Green Goddess”

A tribute to topiary timelessness, the Goddess embodies the legendary legion of women, who through their efforts and accomplishments since 1898, have completely changed the landscape of the Harrisburg community. Contrena Baltimore, Civic Club president, presented the sculpture in honor of their legacy as pioneers of philanthropic endeavors.

How to Put More Fiber (Art) in Your Diet
From Both Sides of the Susquehanna

3rd in The Burg at the AAH
“Stitched & Woven” is the title for the latest art installation at the Art Association of Harrisburg, curated by its director of exhibitions and master of ceremonies, Nate Foster. The exhibit features a trio of female artists; Jordan Bashore, Andrea Finch and Karen Troyer, who deftly weave a template for the senses full of magic and wonder.

Jordan Bashore of Harrisburg leans into spirituality and the high calling of motherhood, a journey she is undergoing as the two are inextricably interwoven. As a parent, nurturing your child and watching them blossom with every stage is life’s greatest joy. Her fiber path is reflective and reverential, working with tulle, silk and acorns, bringing the beauty from nature to adorn a hand-woven kimono. Jordan is “exploring the relationship between artmaking and motherhood,” a never-ending story.

Andrea Finch of Chambersburg creates fiber art that is “otherworldly” in the best sense of the word. From her intuitive imagination, she is guided by the fabric’s feel, features and figurative facets forming fiber sculptures that incorporate her love of botany. No textile is beyond Andrea’s grasp as she employs tablecloths, curtains, clothing and quilts, to name but a few. Her tactile tableau begs the viewer to touch and feel, although that would be stepping over an undrawn line. An artist cannot ask for anything more than to know her work is that embraceable.

Karen Troyer of Mechanicsburg encapsulates incidents of global consequence through her quilts, often symbolic in their storytelling. From the far corners of the world, she identifies cataclysmic cracks in the society of mankind to bring an awareness to tragedies that touch each and every one to varying degrees. We all hold a responsibility for positive change.

This exceptional exhibit, edifying and enlightening runs through Nov. 27.

“Copse” by Carol Reed

New Gallery and More Fiber in the Borough (Carlisle)
The last leaves are falling from the trees, but you can still view the forest at a “new to us” art space in Carlisle that is well worth the 30-minute drive. Fiber artist extraordinaire, Carol Reed’s groundbreaking “Copse: a Small Gathering of Trees” is like a breath of fresh air. With five more dates in November on the following two weekends…mark your calendar now. This exceptional exhibit at The Gallery at JNStudios, owned and curated by Jennifer Naslund, is found at 175 E. Louther St., just blocks away from the downtown square. Drink it all in—it is a powerful presentation of 16 individual works. We were fortunate to be invited to the opening night reception, which played to a standing-room-only crowd of art lovers and patrons. Standout pieces are “Hanging On,” “Conflagration” and “Altar,” but you be the judge. All works are available to purchase. Four sold opening night yet are still available to view. The gallery is open, spacious and lends a capricious air to what is a true homage to the very living things that keep us breathing—the trees that surround us. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment. Contact the gallery at TheGalleryAtJNStudios.com or by phone at 412-721-9955.

Carol’s backstory presents a well-rounded artist with a whole other dimension to her craft. Her fiber art extends way beyond the works themselves. Organic in nature, she is a textile technician creating indelible indigo dyes and enchanted eucalyptus as patterns emerge embodying everything from fantastical flora to Rorschach inkblots on apparel, adorning sweaters, socks and, if it were still used today, even sack cloth. A dyed-in-the wool purest, Carol subscribes to old school methodology of always taking the more difficult yet authentic path. For her, that is the only one true way to dye.

Even More Fiber (Yikes!) @ CALC
On your way upstairs at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center shop, visit their annual “Art for the Holidays” market, which fills the entire downstairs gallery. Once you reach the second floor, you may come “Unraveled” as you view a fiber art extravaganza of an exhibit that features weavers, quilters, stitchers and dyers. Veteran artists include Andrea Finch, Barbara Warfel, Craig Bomberger, Deb Fingerlow, Joh Ricci, Rebecca Adey, Michelle Moats, and, of course, Carol Reed. The name Beth gets double billing with artists Beth Reese and Beth Rice. Add one more and you’ll have it thrice. Rounding out the gallery works are Mary Cantore, Miki Howell, April Bilbrey, Deborah Smith, Erica Hillegas, Gail Lenhart, Ginny Streckwald, Joanne Bast, MacKenzie Bytof and Tara Barnard.

Third Annual Holiday Hygge Market
Hygge Market hostess, Kirsten Olson, celebrated ceramicist, is joined by friends and fellow artists for this third annual (Hu-gah) Market. April Hammond of Cloth, Nelly Smith of Weft Weaving, and Carol Reed of Dye Lab will be selling their artisanal crafts, clothing, botanically dyed textiles, home goods, hand-fabricated jewelry, and accessories for this three-day event from Nov. 28 to 30 @The Penny Gallery at 32 W. Pomfret St. in Carlisle. For more information: www.kolsonceramics.com

Millworks Bi-Annual Odd Ones Bizarre
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 29 (Small Business Saturday) as Millworks rolls out its holiday studio party featuring the art of 40 different in-house creatives as well as a gaggle of gifts found in the main lobby store. Mix and mingle and share some jingle (coins, folding money, and credit cards welcome).

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Celebrating 40 Years of Care, Community, and Compassion

November 10, 2025 | by Admin

For four decades, Alder Health Services has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ+ community across South Central Pennsylvania. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, affirming environment that empowers every person we serve to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

As we proudly celebrate 40 years of service, we honor our deep commitment to communities that have long been underserved by the traditional health care system. Through an integrated model of care, Alder Health provides affirming primary health services, medical case management, community support, on-site and mail-order pharmacy, and HIV/STD testing and treatment. We also operate a food pantry and clothing market and offer reproductive health and family planning programs—all focused on treating the whole person and supporting informed, equitable health decisions.

Today, we face growing challenges as anti-LGBTQ+ policies threaten to undermine the safety,
dignity, and well-being of our community. These policies have far-reaching effects—impacting
physical, mental, emotional, financial, and social health. At a time when federal laws are being
misused to discriminate in education, health care, and employment, Alder Health remains
steadfast in our mission: to build safety, community, and care for the powerless, the silenced, and the underserved. We are deeply committed to advancing social justice and health equity in every service we provide. However, to continue meeting these challenges and protecting the health of our community, we need your support.

Please join us for Rubies & Roses, our annual fundraising event in recognition of World AIDS
Day, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion in
Mechanicsburg. This year’s event is especially meaningful as we celebrate both Alder Health Services’ 40th Anniversary and the enduring spirit of Rubies & Roses as one milestone occasion.

Your participation and generosity will help ensure that Alder Health continues its vital
work—caring for, empowering, and uplifting our community well into the future!

Purchase tickets here!

Sponsored Content

Burg Review: Laughs, music and Canada? Head north to Gamut’s “The Mikado, Eh!”

November 9, 2025 | by Gina Napoli

Gamut Theatre rolls its D’Oyly Carte straight up north to visit our Canuck neighbors in “The Mikado, Eh!” Set in Canada, this comedic operetta speaks the dual official languages of romance and violence, with just enough slapstick to give all its unconventional characters and silly dialogue a French accent.

Benjamin Krumreig not only adapted this famous Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, but he also serves as director and choreographer and plays the role of Chris Brooks. Why set “The Mikado” in Canada? Krumreig’s love for Canada runs deeper than The St. Lawrence River-Great Lakes Waterway. And the setting gives the cast carte blanche to dig their flannels and jeans out of the backs of their closets (costume designer, Michael Ciaramitaro), from back when we listened to Nirvan-eh. But unlike the grunge era, “The Mikado, Eh!” is a fast-paced, high-energy show from beginning to end.

We start out in the woods of Saskatoon, staring at the back of music director and conductor Nicholas Werner pounding out the prelude on his keyboard. It’s the perfect vantage point to watch his fingers flail, frantically flipping page after page, chair-dancing while he tinkle-tinkle-tinkle-tinkles 16^th and 32^nd notes, like an incredibly talented Mountie rhythmically riding a horse into a Dudley Do-Right cartoon.

Then we ride with him into the first singing number, the bold “If you want to know who we are,” a manly vocal blend from Canadian gentlemen (Krumreig, Christopher Ondeck, Ethan Goss, Alex Winnick, Tony Barber, and Quentin West). Their soft-shoe routine, to include swinging axes like batons, makes even the burliest of prancing lumberjacks feel approachable, like a murderous setting with a flirting wink.

Traveling minstrel Bertie-Lou (Timothy Lupia) enters next, singing “A wand’ring minstrel,” strumming his … trombone? No matter. That maple-leafed, denim-clad wanderer has an amazing tenor voice, which also features in harmonious duets with paramour Autumn (Madison Eppley) in “Were you not to Coco plighted” and “Brightly dawns our wedding day.” Eppley trills a triumphant solo with “The sun, whose rays are all ablaze.” And the addition of the other love triangle member, Coco (Eric Mansilla), amps up the comedy with “Here’s a how-de-do,” complete with fancy hand motions.

In addition to his strong tenor in every song he sings, Mansilla’s comedic prowess deserves its own paragraph. Although most of the play contains references from either Victorian era or Canadian stereotypes, Mansilla both authors and sings the genius “List Song” containing an updated list of people who should be beheaded. (Several times, I recognized myself on that list, and Mansilla assured me I won’t be missed.) Mansilla also had me laughing in the familiar “Willow, tit-willow” and “The criminal cried as he dropped him down,” graphically describing an execution while the oversized Ondeck (as The Mikado of Canada) wears a glittering hockey uniform and sips from a teeny-tiny teacup, pinkies up.

Paints a picture, does it not? Add to that picture Ondeck wearing a jester’s collar, clumsy ballet dancing attempts, and several adult tantrums, and you have his hilarious “A More Humane Mikado.” Ondeck is so funny to watch that I neglect to mention his excellent voice. The equal parts funny and vocally talented also goes to Preston Schreffler (as Big Bob), whose accented, multi-personalitied mimicry exceeds only the number of quirky job titles bestowed on him, my favorite being the Archbishop of Saskatoon. The most impressive tongue-twister song of the whole she-bang goes to Schreffler, Krumreig, and Mansilla for their rendition of “I am so proud,” sung in tempo-hopping round-style.

When it comes to beautifully synchronized harmonies, the lady lumberjacks (Bryden McCurdy, Becky Mease, Eppley, Maria Elena Petrilak, Dedeandrah Rodriguez, Victoria Debernardis, Erika McCandless, Larissa Curcio) combine their talents for vocal blends most pleasing to the ear, especially in singing “Comes a train of little ladies.” I did see – but not hear – a few lip-synchers, though. (You know who you are, little ladies.) Then Eppley (as Autumn), Petrilak (as Cleo), and Mease (as Josephine) find a pleasant vocal balance in “Three little maids from school are we,” with the latter delivering the pleasing solo “Braid the golden hair.”

After all the demure ladies grace the stage, Agatha (Sarah Anne Hughes) launches her fierce presence into the woods of Saskatoon. Although dressed as a sparkly Mountie, I swear I feel Wicked Witch of the West energy, especially in Hughes’s intensely angry solo, “Alone, and yet alive.” Her duet with Mansilla, “There is beauty in the bellow of the blast,” complete with tongue-twisters and square dancing, showcase their chemistry in their stage-combat-style courtship. At the end of their number, my plus-one leaned over to me and commented, “Those two are SO good together.”

In “The Mikado, Eh!” Gamut delivers audiences a rich and robust score. If the thought of trying to follow an operetta makes your stomach feel like Niagara Falls, fear not, fair maiden (or manservant). Unlike traditional opera, most lyrics are in English, with a little French (sore-ry a-boot that), but you won’t need sub-titles to follow the maple leaf-shaped bouncy ball. Even with all the tongue twisters, the beautifully performed song lyrics are both ridiculous and lovely, but not difficult to follow. Like most operas, the plot is an outlandish afterthought, and anyway, it’s tertiary to the eye-catching costumes and the ear-catching music. There are so many more beautiful numbers in this operetta, along with dance steps so achievable that I think even I could pull them off. Had I extra ink, I would credit all the different combinations of richly complex vocal mixes. Alas, if I prattle on here, I will again find myself on Mansilla’s beheading list. In short, don’t miss “The Mikado, Eh!”

“The Mikado, Eh!” runs through Nov. 23 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4^th St., Harrisburg. Find more information at www.gamuttheatre.org/mikado.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 7, 2025 | by TheBurg Staff

From the results of Harrisburg’s mayoral election to a story behind an upcoming refugee-run Thanksgiving feast, our coverage has it all. Catch up on what happened in the city this week, below.

Capitol City Music Hall opened in October. Our magazine story gives you a glimpse into owner Justin Browning’s journey in bringing the venue to life.

Church World Service-Harrisburg will host a Thanksgiving feast, highlighting refugee chefs, our magazine story reported.

City Council weighed two adaptive reuse projects on Monday, our online story reported. New plans were proposed for the former Polyclinic Hospital building in Uptown and a former downtown office building.

Harrisburg voters re-elected Mayor Wanda Williams for another four-year term on Tuesday, our online story reported. She beat city Treasurer Dan Miller, a Democrat, who ran against her on the Republican ticket.

Interested in music? Tons of folk-ish artists are playing local venues this month, as reported in our magazine story.

Our publisher praised Amiracle4sure for welcoming more than 100 displaced occupants of “tent city” to its gridded encampment in south Harrisburg and cheered other local homelessness solutions in November’s magazine.

PennDOT will soon demolish the 19th Street bridge over I-83, our online story reported. The demo is set to start the night of Saturday, Nov. 15.

Sara Bozich has lots of events on the schedule for this weekend, including a pop-up sale by Plant Family, and more.

The State Capitol will begin its yearly crow dispersal efforts on Monday, our online story reported.

What did this year’s mayoral race teach us? Our publisher shared his top five insights in an online editorial.

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Dauphin County accepting applicants to fill various boards

November 7, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Administration Building

Dauphin County is asking residents to volunteer by bringing their voices and perspectives to the table.

The county commissioners on Friday issued a statement saying that they are looking for applicants for a number of boards and commissions.

The following boards have open seats:

Affordable Housing Board (3 positions)
Agricultural Land Preservation Board (3 positions)
Council on Aging (6 positions)
Capital Resource Conservation & Development Area Council (3 positions)
Children & Youth Advisory Board (6 positions)
Conservation District Board (2 positions)
Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority & Susquehanna Reg. Transp. Authority (1 position)
Drug & Alcohol Services (5 positions)
General Authority Board (1 position)
Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Technical Committee (1 position)
Library System Board of Trustees (2 positions)
Mental Health, Autism, & Developmental Programs Advisory Board (3 positions)
Merit-Based Hiring System Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel (1 position)
Dauphin County Planning Commission (1 position)
Redevelopment Authority Board (1 position)
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (5 positions)
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (1 position)

Interested county residents are encouraged to apply. Commissioners will then make appointments.

Applications are due by Dec. 5 and will be considered in early 2026.

To apply for Dauphin County boards and commissions, or for more information, visit their website.

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Crow dispersal to prevent roosting at Capitol begins next week

November 7, 2025 | by Alexandra Jones

Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex.

Pennsylvania will launch its annual crow dispersal program next week, marking its yearly effort to avoid damage inflicted by crow droppings to the State Capitol building’s historic structure.

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced Friday that Harrisburg-area visitors may hear exploding shells and whistling devices, deployed to scare off crows, beginning on Monday, Nov. 10.

The program will continue through the next few months, between 5 to 7 p.m., until the crows have been effectively dispersed.

“Our goal each year is to balance the needs of Capitol operations with respect for our community,” said Jason Snyder, deputy secretary for property and asset management. “We want to ensure residents and visitors are aware of the program so they’re not alarmed, while also keeping the grounds safe, clean, and enjoyable for all.”

The Capitol’s crow dispersal efforts also aim to reduce slippery walking conditions that can be caused by accumulated crow droppings on sidewalks at the Capitol complex.

The state Capitol has done a crow dispersal every fall since 1998. The state credits the program with significantly reducing the number of crows roosting at the Capitol.

For more information, visit the Department of General Services’ Crow Dispersal Program website.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 6, 2025 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Plant Family is hosting a pop-up all weekend; the new Wild Game & Mushroom menus have launched at Fire & Grain and Revelry at the Hershey Lodge; Tröegs Lager is here!

Worth noting: Meeka Fine Jewelry hosts its holiday open house on Thursday; Autos & Ales is Friday; Enders Marathon is Sunday — loads more below!

Things on my agenda this weekend: Book Fair with the kiddo, TBD on the rest of it!

🆕 Quick Weekend Links: Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday

New + Noteworthy

you know, ICYMI

Add to calendar: Aortic Valve is back in Harrisburg on Nov. 21
SoMa Christmas Market returns on Nov. 30
Coronet Park to open in early 2026. If you want to check it out, make sure you’re on my email list.
See what else you missed on the blog
and check out the new “Extras” section at the very bottom

Sara’s Top Picks

for the group chat

Restaurant to revisit: Cafe Fresco. With a new young chef, people are chatting, and it’s good. Check out my latest visit here.
Someone want to be my date to this?
📤 Share this with the friend who always asks, ‘What’s going on this weekend?’
👨‍💻 Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Girls Night Out at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
FREE- Beginner Cycling Workshop at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Holiday Open House at Meeka Fine Jewelry | Free | Camp Hill
Plant Family Autumn Pop-Up | Free | Harrisburg
Keystone Merge at The Candy Factory | Free | Lancaster
Open Mic and Jam at The Abbey Bar | Every Thursday Night!| Free | Harrisburg
Kitchen Dwellers at XL Live | $ | Harrisburg
STRAND THEATRE AT 100 with Hometown History at The Appell Center | $ | York

Friday

Holiday Open House at Calicutts | Free | Mechanicsburg
Plant Bingo with The Plant Witch at Agape Elixir Bar | Free | Harrisburg
TGIF Theme Cycle Express: TRL at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Yin Inspired Flow Class at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
November First Friday at Dill’s Tavern | Free | Dillsburg
drag night at Consciousness Coffee | Free | Lemoyne
Plant Family Autumn Pop-Up | Free | Harrisburg
Autos & Ales at the AACA Museum | $ | Hershey
Hershey Bears vs. Toronto Marlies at the GIANT Center | $ | Hershey
FIRST FRIDAY FREE FAMILY FILM: THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE at The Appell Center | Free | York
Messiah University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds at Parmer Hall | Free | Mechanicsburg
Blues, Roots, & Southern Rock Revival Tour with Lone Crow Rebellion and The Jukehouse Bombers at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
Inhuman Condition at Capital City Music Hall | $ | Harrisburg
Fortunate Youth Love For The Music Tour with Bumpin Uglies wsg Josh Heinrichs at XL Live | $ | Harrisburg
Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band at Mickey’s Black Box | $ | Lititz
Oyster Mill Playhouse presents No Sex Please, We’re British | $ | Camp Hill
The 2025 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls at American Music Theatre | $ | Lancaster
Latin Fuzion Fridayz at Level 2 | Harrisburg

Saturday

Saturday Morning Yoga at Boneshire Brew Works | $ | Harrisburg
Saturday Schedule: H2L Studio – Be a Weekend Workout Warrior | $ | Mechanicsburg
Holiday Open House at Calicutts | Free | Mechanicsburg
Barre in the Vineyard: H2L at Gruver Farms | $ | New Cumberland
Kevin Kline at Gruver Winery at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
Cycle Express: FREE WITH FOOD DONATION Benefiting Local Food Pantry at H2L Studio | Free | Mechanicsburg
Volunteer Work Day – Park Rx at Wildwood Park | Free | Harrisburg
Birds & Coffee with Appalachian Audubon at Wildwood Park | Free | Harrisburg
Community Care Day at Greater Zion Baptist Church | Free | Harrisburg
Storytime at the Scholar | Free | Harrisburg
Holiday Open House 2025 at Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouse | Free | Mechanicsburg
Plant Family Autumn Pop-Up | Free | Harrisburg
Penn State Extension Good Gardening Saturday: Owls of Pennsylvania | Free | Virtual
Taste of the Season at One Good Woman | Free | Camp Hill
Friends of New Cumberland Public Library Book & Media Sale | Free | New Cumberland
717 Vintage Fest at the York Expo Center | $ | York
Cumberland Valley HS Band Boosters Bingo | $ | Mechanicsburg
Wine & Pie Pairing Weekend! at CrossWinds Winery | Free | Hershey
Cocktails & Candy Canes (2025) Winter Open House at the Carlisle Antique Mall | Free | Carlisle
Chor Chili Contest at Der Harrisburg Maennerchor | $ | Harrisburg
Speranza Garden of Hope Gala at West Shore Country Club | $ | Camp Hill
Golden Harvest Gala at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion | $ | Mechanicsburg
Tri-County OIC 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala at the National Civil War Museum | $ | Harrisburg
Steve Rudolph & Jonathan Ragonese at King’s Gap | $ | Carlisle
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra MasterWorks 2: Orchestral Odysseys at The Forum | $ | Harrisburg
YORK SYMPHONY’S BRAHMS & ELLINGTON at The Appell Center | $ | York
Technicolor Motor Home: Steely Dan Tribute at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
Hank The Buffalo at Big Bottom Brewery | Free | Dillsburg
experimental music night at Consciousness Coffee | Free | Lemoyne
Miss Gay Pennsylvania America 2025 Pageant at Capital City Music Hall | $ | Harrisburg
Drag Arena Audition Nights Part 2 – KARMA | $ | Harrisburg
The Weeknd Night Dance Party at Capital City Music Hall | $ | Harrisburg
The Ten Band A Tribute to Pearl Jam at XL Live | $ | Harrisburg
TUSK: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Carlisle Theatre | $ | Carlisle
Oyster Mill Playhouse presents No Sex Please, We’re British | $ | Camp Hill
Gamut Theatre Group presents The Mikado, Eh | $ | Harrisburg
The 2025 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls at American Music Theatre | $ | Lancaster
Ciroc Saturdays at Level 2 | Harrisburg
Brewery Tours: York City Walking Tour | $ | York
Brewery Tours: Cruise York County | $ | York
Brewery Tours: Lancaster City Walking Tour | $ | Lancaster
Brewery Tours: Lancaster City Walk-a-Bout! | $ | Lancaster

Sunday

Sunday Tea at The Willows at Ashcombe | $ | Mechanicsburg
Kundalini Yoga with Keane Living at Consciousness Coffee | $ | Lemoyne
Sundays at Stumpy’s! | $ | Hershey
Sunday Music Bingo at Royal Winery | Free | Harrisburg
Enders | YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay on City Island | $ | Harrisburg
Kids Discover: Get Ready for Winter! (Ages 4-6) at Wildwood Park | $ | Harrisburg
Holiday Open House 2025 at Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouse | Free | Mechanicsburg
Plant Family Autumn Pop-Up | Free | Harrisburg
Wine & Pie Pairing Weekend! at CrossWinds Winery | Free | Hershey
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra MasterWorks 2: Orchestral Odysseys at The Forum | $ | Harrisburg
717 Vintage Fest at the York Expo Center | $ | York
Hershey Bears vs. Rochester Americans at the GIANT Center | $ | Hershey
Central Wedge Cheese Pop-up at Big Hill Ciderworks | Free | Gardners
Author Lecture & Book Signing – Antique Bottles of Harrisburg, PA: A Window on the Past at the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion | Free | Harrisburg
Holiday Open House at Calicutts | Free | Mechanicsburg
Sip and Scan Soirée at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
The Ghoulastic Book Fair at Capital City Music Hall | $ | Harrisburg
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
Feed the Need at Hershey Country Club | $ | Hershey
Music at The Spring featuring Big Sky Quartet at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church | Free | Mechanicsburg
The Crane Wives wsg Spencer Lajoye at XL Live | $ | Harrisburg
WXPN WELCOMES I’M WITH HER with special guest YE VAGABONDS at The Appell Center | $ | York
Gamut Theatre Group presents The Mikado, Eh | $ | Harrisburg
The 2025 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls at American Music Theatre | $ | Lancaster

Extras

Did you take my reader/follower survey?
I just finalized my 2026 Event Schedule! 👀
Want to share an ‘extra’? Email Sara with interest!

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Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Burg Blog: Five Takeaways from Election Day

November 5, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg city hall on Election Day

In Harrisburg, another election is in the books, so what have we learned? Here are my five takeaways from a surprisingly interesting evening watching the polls from the 2025 municipal election.

Williams Knows How to Win
Despite how you voted, you must give credit where it’s due: Wanda Williams knows how to win elections. Sometimes, she squeaks by, as in the last two mayoral primaries. Sometimes, she dominates, as in the last two general elections. She also won repeatedly earlier in her political career, as a long-time member of City Council and school board. A Harrisburg native, she has built a strong base of support through a lifetime of connections and service, and she leverages that network to turn out her voters. I’ve sometimes called myself a “turnout guy.” Sure, things like messaging, candidate quality and style matter in campaigns—I don’t doubt that. But you must have the political savvy and on-the-ground capability to turn out your core voters, something that Williams and her team have perfected.

Accept Your Losses
For the fourth straight mayoral election, a Democrat who lost in Harrisburg’s primary ran again in the general election—and lost again. In fact, for Dan Miller, history just repeated itself. He did the same thing in 2013: lost the primary, got the Republican nod through write-ins, accepted the nomination and lost in the general, at that time to former Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Papenfuse himself (2021) and former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts (2017) both launched write-in campaigns in the general election after losing in the primary. In my view, the lesson to future mayoral candidates is clear. Go all out in the primary, campaign like mad, leave nothing on the field. If you lose, accept the outcome with grace and maybe try again next time. In Harrisburg, oddly, the opposite often happens. Candidates run weak, barely visible primary campaigns then, after losing, put more effort into extremely long-shot general election campaigns, running as Republicans or write-ins. This is completely backwards, with predictably dismal results in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

Dissatisfaction Displayed
Williams won re-election handily, with about 56% of the vote. That said, Miller received an impressive 42% of the vote in a surprisingly high-turnout general election—on the Republican side of the ticket. His vote total was much greater than I expected, which, to me, demonstrates that many city residents are not satisfied with how things are going. It’s my hope that, in her second term, Williams will take dissenting viewpoints openly and seriously. A second term should consist of assessing what went well in the first term, building upon that, and then thoughtfully addressing what didn’t go so well, making changes where necessary.

New Democratic Era?
A while back, registered Democrats began to outnumber registered Republicans in Dauphin County. Still, for years, you couldn’t tell that from the results, as Republicans continued to win nearly every countywide election. In fact, a few years back, I wrote a blog openly questioning why that was—and took a lot of heat from local Democrats in return. My, how things have changed. Several cycles ago, Democratic candidates began to creep up on their Republican opponents, even if they still lost in the end. Then, in 2023, the three-member county board of commissioners surprisingly flipped to become a Democratic majority, a trend affirmed yesterday with Democrats winning two row offices and two judgeships. Democrats also showed gains in other municipalities and counties, as the Harrisburg area continues its long, gradual makeover from red to blue.

Midterms Up Next
In my view, area Democrats seem well-positioned to perform well in next year’s midterm elections. Of course, I can’t read the future, and unexpected events can—and often do—intervene to change political fortunes. However, several factors seem to be converging to continue favoring Democratic candidates locally. As mentioned above, the greater Harrisburg area has become increasingly blue. Moreover, midterm elections nearly always favor the out-of-power national party, and the backlash to President Donald Trump’s policies seems especially strong based on yesterday’s election results nationally. This could well impact our area’s marquee race for next year—the battle for the 10^th congressional district. Last year, Democrat Janelle Stelson came enticingly close to unseating long-time incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry, solidly outperforming Democratic candidates nationally. I’m not one to make electoral predictions (at least not publicly), but thirsty Democrats now must be eyeing our district as one of their top prospects for a flip in 2026.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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PennDOT to soon begin demo on Harrisburg bridge

November 5, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Map of detour for 19th Street bridge demo. Graphic provided by PennDOT.

A Harrisburg bridge is scheduled for demo in the coming days.

PennDOT announced on Wednesday that it would demolish the 19^th Street bridge over I-83 on the night of Saturday, Nov. 15, as part of the Capital Beltway Project.

The 19^th Street bridge closed to traffic on Oct. 26, as PennDOT plans to reconstruct the bridge, as it did to the 29^th Street bridge, which recently reopened. Both bridge projects are part of the East Shore Section 3 portion of the highway widening plan.

Traffic on I-83 will be detoured starting at 11 p.m. that Saturday. Demo and clean up are expected to be completed overnight and the corridor back open to traffic by 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. There will be lane restrictions on I-83 and on westbound Route 322 approaching the project area starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with a full closure of I-83 taking place at 11 p.m.

PennDOT will begin prepping the bridge for demo during nighttime hours during the week of Sunday, Nov. 9. Lane restrictions will be in place as needed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., between the 13^th Street and Paxton Street interchanges.

PennDOT will implement the following detours during the Nov. 15-16 demo:

Northbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 42 to 2nd Street, then continue on 2nd Street to Paxton Street, turn right onto Paxton Street and continue east to Eisenhower Boulevard, turn left on Eisenhower Boulevard and continue north to northbound I-83.
Southbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 45 (Paxton Street/Bass Pro Dr) to Paxton Street, then continue west on Paxton Street to 17th Street, turn right on 17^th Street, then left onto the ramp to southbound I-83.

PennDOT expects the bridge to be closed for about a year, with ramps not reopening until spring 2027.

For more information on the I-83 Capital Beltway project, visit their website.

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Williams re-elected Harrisburg mayor, will serve another four-year term; strong night for Democrats in Dauphin County

November 4, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams (center) celebrates her re-election victory.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams won a second term on Tuesday, besting the city’s treasurer for a second time this year.

With all precincts reporting, incumbent Williams received a tally of 5,096 votes versus 3,837 for Dan Miller, currently Harrisburg’s treasurer.

“Thank you for giving me another four years,” said Williams, at her victory party in Uptown Harrisburg. “I promise as I did before: a new Harrisburg. Now, who’s with me?”

Mayoral candidate Dan Miller tallied up votes as results came in.

Like Williams, Miller is a registered Democrat. However, he was running on the Republican ticket after narrowly losing the Democratic primary to Williams in May, but garnering enough write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination.

After conceding defeat, Miller said that he gave it his best but couldn’t overcome running on the Republican side in such a Democratic city.

“It’s so disappointing,” said Miller, at his election eve gathering of supporters at the Millworks. “You don’t know how many people told me you have to win. They know that Harrisburg is in a bad place.”

Lewis Butts Jr., who also lost in the Democratic primary in May, was running for mayor as a write-in candidate. Butts’ tally wasn’t available on Tuesday night, but it’s assumed he received all or most of the 93 write-in votes.

Other than the mayoral race, Harrisburg’s other general election races lacked competition in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

For City Council, Jocelyn Rawls, Ralph Rodriguez, Ausha Green and Rob Lawson all won running unopposed for four, four-year seats. For school board, Roslyn Copeland, Danielle Robinson, Brian Carter and Jaime Johnsen all won running unopposed for four, four-year seats, while Annie Hughes captured the lone two-year seat, also unopposed.

Democrat Karen Balaban, running unopposed, won a four-year term as city controller. She’ll replace long-time controller Charlie DeBrunner, who did not stand for re-election.

Dauphin County also had elections for several row offices and judgeships this year, with Democrats performing well.

For prothonotary, Democratic challenger Antonio Carreno of Harrisburg unseated the Republican incumbent, Matt Krupp, also of Harrisburg. For clerk of courts, Democrat Tina Nixon of Harrisburg bested the Republican nominee, John McDonald. For county coroner, long-time Republican incumbent Graham Hetrick squeaked past the Democratic nominee, John Harris Jr.

In close races for Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas judge, Democrats Katy Kennedy-McShane and La Tasha Williams defeated Republicans Fran Chardo and Jim Zugay.

All results in this story are preliminary until made official. TheBurg will update this story if necessary.

Maddie Gittens and Alexandra Jones contributed to this story.

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