Trail Fix: Take a walk on the Wild East.

June 28, 2019 | by Rebecca Johnson

In south-central Pennsylvania, the population is expanding rapidly and wilderness is disappearing. As more people crowd in, open spaces and fresh air may seem hard to come by.

That’s why the Appalachian Trail Conversancy (ATC) launched its “Wild East” initiative. It wants to remind nature-lovers and city slicks alike that there are still serene and bucolic places in the neighborhood—but they need our awareness and protection.

“Wild East” is meant to direct attention to the Appalachian Trail (AT) landscape—its miles of untamed forests, diverse wildlife and dark, unpolluted night skies. These are key attributes and attractions, whether you’re an avid naturalist, an occasional hiker or someone with an interest in healthy and sustainable local economies and communities.

“What we are doing is defining the fact that the AT traverses one of the most important open spaces in the eastern U.S.,” said Lynn Davis, the ATC’s director of federal and legislative policy. “People need to be aware of it.”

Davis is referring to the opportunities for recreation along the trail, but also to the cultural, economic and environmental benefits it provides to surrounding communities. The conservancy hopes to reignite interest in the trail and its landscape, as well as drum up volunteer and advocacy interest.

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is joining in this effort.

“Wild East” furthers their existing partnership with “mutually supportive” objectives and an increased focus on land protection and stewardship, as well as funding—something that is hard to accomplish as a smaller, local nonprofit, said Anna Yelk, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy.

“Protection and stewardship relies on partners,” she said.

Spanning 14 states and 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is one of the last natural corridors left along the densely developed East Coast. Nearly 230 miles of the trail runs through central Pennsylvania, a flat but rocky section of the path. The midpoint of the AT runs at or just south of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, offering many hikers a much-needed break before tackling the hardest section of the Pennsylvania AT—the northwestern portion of the trail beginning in Boiling Springs.

As it traverses the farmlands of the Cumberland Valley and crawls along the ridge south of Duncannon, this section of the AT is at risk of encroachment from urban and industrial sprawl. The trail’s landscape offers respite and solitude to through-hikers and day-trippers alike, but also an opportunity to get people thinking about what the future will be like.

“This is especially for those who may just go for a short time, to get them to say, ‘Wow, I get it,’” Davis said.

This forest corridor is important for alleviating the effects of carbon emissions and climate change, as well as for providing a home for numerous wildlife species, including migratory birds whose populations are at risk, such as the cerulean warbler, which nests along the Kittatinny Ridge.

Though still a working concept, the “Wild East” initiative is intended to prompt conversation about the trail and its landscape, reintroducing concepts that should be important to people, according to Marian Orlousky, director of science and stewardship at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the conservancy, located in Boiling Springs.

“We are putting a new name to something we have been doing a long time,” Orlousky said. “It means we are thinking on a larger scale.”

With heightened awareness of the Appalachian Trail comes an increase in foot traffic, something that is not lost on the conservancy’s organizational community.

“We are walking a very fine line, and we know it,” Davis said. “We hope to build the trail’s profile and educate the public to be prepared and be respectful.”

Just as its construction was largely the work of volunteers, local trail clubs headed up by private citizens donate their time and in-kind contributions to maintain the trail and service its visitors.

Joe Neville, president of the Keystone Trails Association (KTA), expressed concern about the long-term impact on the trail itself, due to the hard work required to maintain it at the current traffic volume. Overall, Neville wants his organization to support the ATC’s efforts, as they are much aligned with KTA’s own mission.

With all “human” issues considered, ATC and its local partner organizations hope that supporting the “Wild East” will do the Pennsylvania AT and its greater landscape a lot of good.

“Part of our goal is to create conservation stakeholders,” Yelk said, referring to people who care about and use the land. “You don’t protect what you don’t love.”

For more information about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the “Wild East” initiative, visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Happenings: Our July Calendar of Events

June 28, 2019 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Studebaker Cool: 114 Years of Innovation,” exploring South Bend, Ind.’s contribution to wheeled transportation,” through Oct. 20

“Harley-Davidson: History, Mythology and Perceptions of America’s Motorcycle,” through Oct. 20

“Raymond Loewy: A Retrospective,” an exhibit on the American industrial designer, who achieved fame for his design efforts, through Oct. 20

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Free for All—Annual Student and Member Exhibition,” through July 18

“Invitational Show,” July 26-Aug. 29; reception: July 26, 5-8 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Works and Working,” art by Arlyn Pettingell and Sharon Pierce McCullough, through July 27

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Clare Klaum

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

“Leisure Time Exhibit,” highlighting what the Reily family did for fun in their spare time as previous owners and residents of Fort Hunter, through December

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

“Membership Show & Gallery Student Show,” highlighting the art and craftwork of Millersburg Area Art Association class and workshop participants and association members, through Aug. 3

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Department of Art and Design Annual Juried Show 2018-2019,” through Sept. 6

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Paul Vasiliades, Jonathan Bean, Mary Kandray Gelenser, Richard Souders and Susan Bailey, through July 14

New works by Joan Maguire, Tami Bitner, Marsha Souders, Julie Iaria and Tina Berrier, July 16-Aug. 11

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Class Reunion,” a showing of artwork by PCCA student award winners, interns and staff members of years past, and a special exhibit by Wanda Pines, through Aug. 3

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Homegrown,” a group showing of works in a variety of media by Perry County artists, through Aug. 3

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Pennsylvania at War: World War I Posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives,” through Dec. 29

“Pennsylvania at War: The Saga of the USS Pennsylvania,” through Dec. 29

“Art of the State,” the 52nd annual juried exhibition featuring Pennsylvania artists and craftspeople, through Sept. 8

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

““Explore: Archives & Collections,” an investigation of archives and collections in the S. Wilson and Grace M. Pollock Education Center Gallery, through Aug. 11

“Inspired: Contemporary Responses to a Legacy of Courage,” through Aug. 18

“Picasso: A Life in Print,” highlighting 1904-1970 works of Pablo Picasso from the collection of the John Szoke Gallery, NYC, through Sept. 22

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art In The Wild,” naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands, through Oct. 31

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Art gallery by Gretchen Gross, through July 18

Art gallery by Eric Brown, July 19-Aug. 15

Read, Make, Learn

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; bvcargo.com

July 10: Bojangles Bracelet, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
July 21: Fire It Up! Raku ceramics, 6-9 p.m.
July 24: Functional Art 420, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 24: Create Your Own Creatures, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 24: Inks and Drinks, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 27: Steampunk Pendulum Clock, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
July 27: Swirly Girl Silver Earrings, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
July 31: Cut It Out! Ceramics, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

July 2: Noel Gevers
July 3, 27, 31: Roy Lefevre
July 5, 12: Corinna Joy, Noel Gevers
July 6: Roy Lefevre, Noel Gevers
July 9: Mike Dempsey
July 10, 24: Andrea Britton
July 11, 28: Anthony Haubert
July 13, 20: Ted Ansel
July 16, 18, 19, 23, 26, 30: Noel Gevers
July 17: Chris Purcell
July 25: Sari and Jesse

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

July 2, 9, 16, 23: Garden Mosaics, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 10: Upcycled Teacup Planter, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 8-12: Art & Adventure Camp (ages 9-14), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 8-12: Picture This! Photography camp (ages 8-12), 8:30-11:30 a.m.
July 12: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
July 15-19: Build and Destroy (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
July 15-Aug. 12: Thrown, Altered, and Assembled ceramics, 5 Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
July 16-Aug. 13: Improv Basics, 5 Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 17: Make a Face ceramic workshop, 6-8 p.m.
July 22-26: The Art of Recycling (ages 5-12), 8:30-11:30 a.m.
July 22-26: Yoga, Art & Soul (ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
July 24, 31: Pit Fire pottery, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 25: Camping By the Lake, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: Science of Art (ages 5-12), 8:30-11:30 a.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: YAY for Clay! (ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: Book It! Handmade books, 1-4 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

July 11: Sensational Shellfish, 6-9 p.m.
July 19: Street Tacos & Street Beer, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
July 25: Beach Favorites, 6-9 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

July 3: Marshmallows from Space, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 6-7 p.m.
July 10: Mission—Outer Space, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 10: Ryan the Bug Man, 6-6:45 p.m.
July 17: Jr. Astronaut Camp, 10:30-11:15 a.m., 6-6:45 p.m.
July 19: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.
July 23: Friends of East Shore Area Library Meeting, 9:30-11:15 a.m.
July 23: Banking on Your Success—Family Budgeting, 4-6 p.m.
July 24: Alien Dance Party, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
July 24: 13 Moons on a Turtle’s Back, 6-7 p.m.
July 25: Microsoft Office Basics, 6-7:30 p.m.
July 26: Fandom Friday, 6-8 p.m.
July 31: Zoo America, 10:30-11:30, 6-7 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Cards & Coffee, 9:15-10:30 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Cards & Coffee, 6:30-8 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Baby Time, 9:15 a.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Toddler Time, 10:30 a.m.
July 4, 11, 18, 25: Family Story time, 10:30 a.m.
July 5, 19: STEM Crew with Flying Andrew, 12-1 p.m.
July 6, 20: Cards & Coffee, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
July 8: Dog Tales, 10:30 a.m.
July 9: Dutch Wonderland Princess Storytime, 2 p.m.
July 9, 16: Crafternoons (ages 5-12), 2-3 p.m.
July 9, 16, 23, 30: Touch a Truck, 10:30 a.m.
July 9, 16, 23, 30: Chess Club, 10:30 a.m.
July 9, 23: Yoga for All, 7 p.m.
July 11: Jesse Rockrather and Rocketing Reptiles (ages 5 and up), 2 p.m.
July 11, 25: Community Knitters, 6 p.m.
July 12: Second Friday and Book Bingo, 6-8 p.m.
July 13: Lace Cottage Tatting Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 13: Family LEGO Club, 11 a.m.
July 17: Mission to the Moon (ages 8-12), 10:30 a.m.
July 18: Drive-in Movie Night, 5:30 p.m.
July 19: American Girl Book Club, 10:30 a.m.
July 20: Book Discussion Group, 9:15 a.m.
July 20: Community Knitters, 11 a.m.
July 23: Think Like an Engineer (ages 3-8), 2 p.m.
July 27: Snow Day in July (ages 5-9), 12 p.m.
July 31: Breaker Space, 2 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

July 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29: Summer Drop-In Story Times (under age 3), 9:30 a.m.
July 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29: Summer Drop-In Story Times (over age 3), 10:30 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Teen Summer Movies, 6:30 p.m.
July 1, 15, 29: Teen Makerspace Drop-In, 4-6 p.m.
July 2: Curl up with the Classics—“The Catcher in the Rye,” 10 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Master Gardener Plant Clinics with Penn State Master Gardeners (ages 12-18), 6-7:30 p.m.
July 3: Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1 p.m.
July 5: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
July 8: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
July 9: Zoo America at the library, 10:30 a.m.
July 11, 18: Blood Pressure Screenings w/ UPMC Pinnacle, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: The Plot Twisters (ages 15-18), 6:30 p.m.
July 12: Blood Drive with Central PA Blood Bank, 4-7:30 p.m.
July 12, 26: Foreign Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
July 19: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
July 22: Fredricksen Reads—“The Recipe Box,” 7 p.m.
July 23: Sciencetellers—Aliens, Escape from Earth, 10:30 a.m.
July 23: Teen Paint Night (ages 12-18), 6 p.m.
July 30: History of Hip-hop Dance, 10:30 a.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

July 8-11: Kids Camp (ages 4-7), 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 15-18: Kids Camp (ages 8-13), 10-12:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

July 3-Aug. 21: Game of the Scene Level 1, 7-10 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17: Mapping 3-Day Workshop, 7-9 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
40 Northeast Dr., Hershey
hersheyart.org

July 12-Aug. 30: Oil Painting, 8 Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 17-19: Watercolor Workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

July 1, 8, 15, 22: Books and Babies, 9:30 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22: Book Buddies, 10 a.m.
July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24: Chewsy Readers, 12:15 p.m.
July 2: Kit’s Interactive Theatre: Grace the Pirate, 1 p.m.
July 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23: 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
July 3: Teen Time: Apollo 11, 1:30 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
July 3, 10, 17: Next Generation Yoga for Teens, 3 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24: Furry Tales, 6:30 p.m.
July 5, 19: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
July 7, 12, 19, 26: Dungeons and Dragons, 2 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21: Essay Writing Class, 2 p.m.
July 9: Children’s Terrific Tuesday Program, 1 p.m.
July 10: Teen Time—Solar Oven, 1:30 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: LEGO Club, 1:30 p.m.
July 11, 25: Card Making Class, 6 p.m.
July 12: Movie & a Craft—”Zathura,” 10 a.m.
July 13: Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.
July 13: 2nd Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
July 16: ScienceTellers—Aliens, 1 p.m.
July 16: Essay Writing Class, 6 p.m.
July 17: Teen Time—Found Spacecraft, 1:30 p.m.
July 20, 27: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
July 22: Central PA Blood Drive, 3 p.m.
July 23: Children’s Terrific Tuesday Program, 1 p.m.
July 24: Teen Time—Moon Cookies, 1:30 p.m.
July 26: Movie & a Craft—”Lilo & Stitch,” 10 a.m.
July 30: Dinosaur Dig, 1 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St, Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

July 1, 15: Monday Morning Board Games, 10-11:30 a.m.
July 2: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 30: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 8: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
July 8, 22: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
July 10: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
July 10: Mindful Eating, 7-8:30 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 15: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
July 17: Home Buying/Selling Seminar, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 17: SciFi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
July 18: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 23: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 24: Apple Users Group, 1-3 p.m.
July 24: Yoga for Beginners, 7-8 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

July 2: Mission—Outer Space, 6-7 p.m.
July 9: Stomp Rockets, 6-6:45 p.m.
July 11: A Solar System of Essential Oils, 6:30-8 p.m.
July 12: Microsoft Office Basics, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 23: The Universe of Sounds, 6-7 p.m.
July 24: Knit 1, Crochet Too! 6-8 p.m.
July 27: Moon Landing Party, 1-2 p.m.
July 30: Alien Dance Party, 6-6:45 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Common Roads Youth, 6-8 p.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways—Trans and Non-Binary Group, 2-4 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads Young Adult, 4-6 p.m.
July 13: Queer & Trans People of Color Advisory, 6-8 p.m.
July 19: Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 North 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

July 1, 15, 22, 29: Video Game Club, 4-5 p.m.
July 2: 13 Moons on a Turtle’s Back, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 8: A Starry Night Painting, 6-8 p.m.
July 9: Stomp Rockets, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
July 10: Dungeons and Dragons, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
July 11: Bank on Your Success—Family Budgeting, 4-6 p.m.
July 15: Cookbook Book Club—Pop Culture Cooking, 6-7 p.m.
July 23: The Universe of Sounds, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 24: Blast Off!, 6-7 p.m.
July 30: Alien Dance Party, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Mid-day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
July 9: Bank on Your Success—Family Budgeting, 4-6 p.m.
July 19: Full Moon Folklore, 6-8 p.m.
July 30: Device Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEM Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
July 2, 16, 23, 30: Family Yoga, 6-7 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Other Worlds Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 5, 12, 19, 26: Science Fiction Book Club (meets online)
July 11, 18, 25: LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 13: Make Your Own Ice Cream, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 26: Trivia Night, 7-8 p.m.
July 27: Stories and Sidewalk Chalk, 11 a.m.-12 p.m

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

July 2: An Evening with Kim Wehle, 7-9 p.m.
July 5, 26: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
July 12: An Evening with Catherine Chung, 7-9 p.m.
July 14: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.
July 20: An Evening with Steven Waldman, 6-8 p.m.
July 21: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
July 21: LGBT Book Club, 4:30 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

July 20, 21: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
July 27: Kids Art Class on the Roof, 12-2 p.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

July 9: Gooey Arts, 1:30-4 p.m.
July 10, 11: Gooey Arts, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 15-19: Theatre Arts Camp (ages 8-16)
July 16-18: The Nature & Art of Wildlife (ages 10-16), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

July 2: Arts Sensations with Whitaker Center (ages 1-2), 11:15 a.m.
July 2: Mighty Engineers with Whitaker Center (ages 7-9), 1 p.m.
July 2, 16, 30: Tales for T.A.I.L.S., 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 8: You Can Code (ages 8-12), 12-5 p.m.
July 8, 15, 22, 29: Summer Storytime (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
July 9: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
July 9, 16, 23, 30: Summer Book Babies Storytime, 11:15 a.m.
July 12: Family STEM Stations—Coding (ages 4-7), 10:30 a.m.
July 13: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 20: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 20: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
July 22: Family Slime Time, 1-3 p.m.
July 23: Family Picnic & Movie Night, 5:45 p.m.
July 25: Teen Gaming Hour, 3-4 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

July 9-18: Little Explorers Story Times
July 19, 26: Makerspace Friday, 1-2:30 p.m.

Paxtang Municipal Building
3423 Derry St., Harrisburg

July 10: Dauphin County Library System hosts NASA Astronaut Scott Altman, 6-7:30 p.m.

Perry County Penn State Master Gardeners
8 S. Carlisle St., New Bloomfield
717-582-5150; extension.psu.edu/perry

July 11: Getting Your Feet Wet with Hydroponics, 7-8:30 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

July 6: Drop-In Art, 1-4 p.m.
July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Art with Ally (entering grades 1-3), 9:30-10:15 a.m.
July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Art with Ally (entering grades 4-6), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

July 7, 14, 28: “There’s Something We Need to Talk About—Preparing for Death, 8:45 a.m.
July 14: Wills and Estate Planning, 8:45 a.m.
July 28: Grief and Mourning, 8:45 a.m.

Rockhill Trolley Museum
430 Meadow St., Rockhill Furnace
814-447-9576; rockhilltrolley.org

July 20: Modern 19040s to 1980s Trolleys—Electric Railroad Days
July 27: Homecoming

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

July 5: Story Time—“Man on the Moon,” 10:30 a.m.
July 5, 12, 26: Learn at Lunchtime, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
July 18: Curiosity Kids—Moon Making, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 19: Learn at Lunchtime—“Apollo 11: Man’s First Step onto the Moon,” 12 p.m.
July 24, 25, 31: Nature Lab, 11:30 a.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

July 17: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.
July 17, 24, 31: Yoga in the Galleries, 6-7 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

July 13: Stress Relief Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.
July 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 14: Flower Walk—Still More Blooms, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 15-19: Outdoor Week (ages 12-14), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 18: Get in Shape Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.
July 22-26: Jumpstart Photography Program (ages 7-12), 9-11:30 a.m.
July 22-26: Jumpstart Photography Program (ages 7-12), 1-3:30 p.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: Fundamentals of Photography 1 Boot Camp (ages 13-17), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

July 2: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
July 9: Friends of Alexander Family Library Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m.
July 10: 2nd Wednesday Cinema, 6-8 p.m.
July 11: The Universe of Sounds, 6-7 p.m.
July 16: Novel Thoughts Too Book Club, 1-3 p.m.
July 16: Let’s Play Resonator Bells—Patriotic Tunes, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 18: Stomp Rockets, 6-6:45 p.m.
July 22: Let’s Talk About it—“A Wrinkle in Time,” 6-7 p.m.
July 25: Ryan the Bug Man, 6-6:45 p.m.

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

July 11: Weaving Class, 12-4 p.m.

Yoga at Simply Well
28 S. Pitt St., Carlisle
717-968-0167; yogaatsimplywell.com

July 7-28: Restore Your Core, 4 Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m.
July 10-31: Restore Your Core, 4 Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m.
July 20: Intro to Core and Pelvic Health, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

July 7: Killer Queen
July 11: Johnny Mathis
July 12: The Texas Tenors
July 14: Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
July 19: America
July 21: Gene Watson

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

July 7: Grass Is Dead
July 12: Ron Holloway Band

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

July 19: Folsom Prison Revival—A Johnny Cash Tribute
July 26: Art Garfunkel
July 27: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
July 30: Mavis Staples

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

July 11: Shrimp Ryan’s Jig Band
July 25: Steve Dincau

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

July 11: Riverboat Jazz Cruise
July 12: 2019 Festival Jazz Party
July 13: George Cables at Mt. Gretna Playhouse
July 14: Festival Jazz Picnic

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

July 2: New Years Day
July 7: Bobaflex
July 11: Baroness
July 12: Don’t Sleep, Digger, Funsize
July 13: Roland
July 19: The Menzingers, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
July 20: Electric 6
July 20: Sad & Boujee
July 21: Buckcherry, Spirit Animal, Iron Chic
July 24: Chris Webby
July 26: Like a Storm and Through Fire
July 27: JBDK + More
July 28: Fit For A King

Club XL
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

July 6: Small Town Titans, Defiant, Lasciate, Dreams of Eden
July 12: Citizen Cope
July 19: DJ Envy
July 20: Genessa—The Selena Experience with DJ Poli
July 24: The Growlers, Diane Coffee
July 25: Faster Pussycat, Bang Tango

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

July 5: Antonio Andrade
July 6: Dominick Cicco
July 7: Shawan & The Wonton
July 12: Paul Zavinsky
July 13: Joe Cooney
July 14: Margaret Rainey
July 19: Janie Womack and Jody Echterling
July 20: Doug Morris
July 21: Colette Eckhart
July 26: Kevin Kline
July 27: Hard Travelin’
July 28: Eric and Dan

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

July 18: Greater Harrisburg Concert Band

Greater Harrisburg Concert Band
717-576-758; ghcb.org

July 12: Concert at Mount Wolf Park
July 18: Concert at Fredricksen Library, Camp Hill
July 19: Concert at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
July 21: Concert at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown
July 26: Concert at Cumberland Crossings, Carlisle
July 28: Concert at Messiah Lifeways, Mechanicsburg

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

July 6: “The Nutcracker and I”
July 7: Francisco Fullana
July 13: GM4K Havana Hop, George Cables Trio
July 14: Julian Bass, Wister Quartet and Bradley Moore
July 24: Yamato—The Drummers of Japan
July 28: Amjad Ali Khan

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

July 1: Concert at Dickinson College
July 2: Concert at Lebanon Valley College
July 3: Concert at Millerstown Park
July 4: Concert at Reservoir Park

House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

July 3: He Is Legend
July 19: Jeffrey Gaines

Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill
5327 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2254; johnnyjoesbar.com

July 1: Observe the 93rd
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Open Mic, Walter DeWall
July 4, 11, 18, 25: DJ Eric B
July 5, 12, 19, 26: DJ Joe Hertz
July 6: Adrenalyn
July 13: Gun Metal Gray
July 20: Colt Wilbur Band
July 27: Smileyfoot

Keystone Concert Band
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

July 7: Concert at Hummelstown Park
July 13: Concert at St. Andrews, Harrisburg

The Lodge at Liberty Forge
3804 Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-756-5032; libertyforge.net

July 10, 24: Open mic with Roy, Janelle and Frank
July 11: Indian Summer Jars
July 18: Shea & Len
July 25: Shrimp Ryan’s Jig Band

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

July 19, 21: Shippensburg Symphony Festival Series

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

July 17: Elvis Costello & The Imposters
July 25: Gordon Lightfoot

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

July 13: Lucille
July 20: Roy Lefevre
July 27: Lucas Gienow

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

July 13: No Last Call, Cruise Control

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

July 5: River City Big Band

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

July 28: C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band

Rubicon
270 North St., Harrisburg
rubiconhbg.com

July 12: DJ FoxyPanda 10pm-1am
July 13: Caleb Smith and Dj Baby Beets 10pm-1am, with specials guests Mister Treats and Friends
July 19: Shine Delphi 5-pm

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

July 5: DJ Ray Rossi
July 6: Natalie Ness
July 12: Shea Quinn and Friends
July 13: Keith Goldstein
July 19: Quentin Jones
July 20: On Tap Duo
July 26: Ben Simcox Music
July 27: Acoustic Generations

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

July 10: Emmanuel Nsingani

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

July 28: Robert Randolph and The Family Band

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

July 19: Shrimp Ryan’s Jig Band

The Stage Door

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

July 19: Mike Albanese

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

July 2-31: “Annie”

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

July 16: Magical Nick

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

July 13-27: “Beauty and the Beast” (Popcorn Hat Players)

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown
717-939-9333; hbg-cpac.org

July 19-21: “Camp Rock—The Musical”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

July 4, 11, 18, 25: Open Mic

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

July 5: Persnickety/Elderprov
July 12: Meow Meow Precious/Ferd Majelly
July 19: Persnickety/Room Remp
July 20: WoW MoM/Without a Tres
July 26: Meow Meow Precious/Mary Todd Lincoln

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

July 18-28: “The Little Mermaid”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

July 2-12: “Murder on West Moon Street”

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

July 19, 20: Shakespeare in the Woods—“Julius Caesar”

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

July 12-28: “Brighton Beach Memories”

The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; allenberry.com

July 6-7: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
July 19-Aug. 4: “Mary Poppins”

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

July 25: “Step by

War & Wine: Boonsboro, Md.–Come for the charm, stay for the medical history.

June 28, 2019 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Some of the most interesting places are discovered by accident.

Such was the case with Boonsboro, Md., a small town that I drove through while visiting Sharpsburg last year during the holidays. I was particularly drawn to a cozy little inn decorated in dozens of twinkly Christmas lights. It drew me in like a hug, and I vowed to return when the weather warmed.

That opportunity occurred last month when I cleared my schedule, booked a room at the Inn Boonsboro and set out to find what other gems were waiting to be discovered in the historic little town.

Turn the Page

One of the first things I learned upon arriving was that bestselling author Nora Roberts lives in nearby Keedysville, and several Boonsboro properties have connections to the prolific writer.

Fans of Roberts will find a comprehensive collection of her works at Turn the Page bookstore, located just off the square in a pre-Civil War townhome. Nora’s husband, who owns the business, works with local authors to promote their works, and Nora herself sometimes can be spotted signing books there. Fans can schedule their visit well in advance by keeping an eye on the website.

Downtown Boonsboro is also home to a number of boutique shops, offering everything from apparel to jewelry to home décor. Those seeking a unique item for a special someone will likely to find it at Gifts Inn Boonsboro, a shop that works with 75 different artists who specialize in items like jewelry, fiber art, pottery and more.

Antique enthusiasts will find a plethora of interesting items at Market Place Antiques & Collectibles, located just a short drive away. The sprawling shop features 130 vendors selling everything from Civil War memorabilia to furniture, ephemera and Victorian-era items.

History Lessons

Those who enjoy learning about old buildings will find a walking tour map in a weatherproof box downtown. The brochure lists 34 historic places, with interesting details about each structure.

Among the standouts is a log home located at 14 N. Main St., which seems to sigh with the burden of age, but has nonetheless managed to stand the test of time, operating as a grocery from 1802 to 1983.

A short drive away takes visitors to another historic property, known as the Pry House Field Hospital Museum. What was once a peaceful farm turned into a scene of chaos for the Pry family, whose lives were forever changed when Union Gen. George McClellan decided to use the house as his headquarters during the Battle of Antietam. The Pry’s best parlor furniture was tossed out onto the lawn, fences were knocked down, and livestock were taken to feed the army. One of the exhibits memorializes the family’s extensive war claims, which were never fully paid.

The museum inside the well-preserved home focuses on the history of hospitals and medical care during the war. On the second floor is a collection of graphic photos taken in the aftermath of the battle, considered the bloodiest single day in U.S. history.

The family barn, located a short walk from the house, offers an additional glimpse into what took place during the occupation of the property, with stretchers and a Civil War ambulance on display.

Eat, Drink, Stay

Big Cork Vineyards is worth the 15-minute drive from Boonsboro to Rohrersville. From the bucolic setting amidst the rolling hills to the sleek, contemporary décor to the exceptional wines, it’s a visit you’ll share with your friends upon returning.

For $10, visitors can taste a total of six wines, most of which are dry, all of which I found to be excellent. The off-dry “Russian Kiss” is described on the tasting menu as a “one-of-a-kind blend of Muscat and Russian grape varietals.” All I know is that it’s delicious, with a unique flavor derived from vines that hail from eastern Europe.

The vineyard also offers quite a lineup of musical entertainment. On tap for this summer is the “Big Concert Series,” with tributes to Frank Sinatra, ABBA and Bruce Springsteen.

Another local business steeped in history is the Old South Mountain Inn perched atop Turner’s Gap in Boonsboro. The inn was founded in 1732, and speculation has it that Gen. Edward Braddock, accompanied by a young Lt. George Washington, may have passed by on his way to Fort Duquesne.

The South Mountain Inn served as a stagecoach stop for traffic passing on the National Road after it was surfaced in the 1820s. In the years that followed, the inn had its share of high-profile visitors, including statesmen like Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and several presidents.

In 1859, the inn was captured and held overnight as an outpost by abolitionist John Brown’s followers and later became the headquarters of Confederate Gen. D.H. Hill during the Battle of South Mountain, which preceded the Battle of Antietam and was, in fact, the first Civil War battle fought in Maryland.

Today, the inn is as popular for its food as its history. Visitors come from miles around for old-school favorites like crab imperial, chicken marsala, beef Wellington and pasta primavera.

I stayed at the Inn Boonsboro, which originally drew me to the area. It’s owned by none other than Nora Roberts, who named each of the eight rooms for couples in literary works. I stayed in the Eva and Roarke room, named after a couple in Robert’s “In Death” series, written under her pen name, J.D. Robb.

I was impressed with all the extra touches, from the scones and cookies in the dining room to the accessible decanter of whisky for guests to indulge for a nightcap. As is often the case in Boonsboro, the inn has an interesting history.

These are just a few recommendations for a long weekend in the Boonsboro area. If you’re like me and love walking around small towns, patronizing local businesses and learning about old buildings and the history behind them, you can’t go wrong in the quaint town of Boonsboro.

For more information

Inn Boonsboro: www.boonsboroinn.com
Turn the Page: www.ttpbooks.com
Pry House Field Hospital Museum: www.civilwarmed.org/pry
Big Cork Vineyards: www.bigcorkvineyards.com
Old South Mountain Inn: www.oldsouthmountaininn.com
Gifts Inn Boonsboro: www.giftsinnboonsboro.com

Bathed in Light: The Pride’s July 4 cruise may be the best seat in Harrisburg.

June 28, 2019 | by Gina Napoli

Fireworks are best shared communally—with a crowd in a park, on a beach or even aboard a boat.

That’s what makes the Pride of the Susquehanna’s annual fireworks cruise so special. Sure, you get fine dining, music and great service. But you also get the best possible view of Harrisburg’s fireworks, surrounded by people having the same experience.

“Being underneath the fireworks show is exquisite,” said Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society’s administrative assistant Kim Yoder. “It’s just really spectacular.”

The cruise is 2½ hours long, with an open bar and a three-course dinner with perfect mid-summer fare—items like barbequed chicken, Maryland crab cakes and stuffed ricotta shells. The riverboat even has its own musician, giving the evening a soundtrack.

As with all Pride cruises, the fun actually begins well before the entertainment, the fireworks or even the food.

Upon boarding, passengers get to watch as the captain and crew perform all the rituals necessary to ensure a safe voyage. You can’t miss their scripted banter as they perform each procedural step and safety check required for launching into the river.

“The passengers stand on the side because they like watching the boat leave and come back—no propellers, no rudders and no other power source,” said Capt. Deb Bradshaw.

Measuring 68 feet long and weighing 97 tons, the Pride is powered by wheels on the back of the boat.

“We listen for the captain to give the commands from the upper deck,” said lead deckhand Rod Mease.

Next begins a series of tying or untying different nylon ropes in a certain sequence, depending on whether the boat is coming or going. The crew repeats each command so the captain can affirm that each step is completed.

“We do things the same way each time,” Bradshaw said.

Following Coast Guard regulations, the Pride’s two full-time captains track and trend weather conditions all year long. They oversee the crew of two deckhands, with several crew changes throughout the day. Captains have the ultimate responsibility for all safety measures and equipment—requirements like fire extinguishers and life jackets.

As part of his rounds, Mease ensures that the long pipe at the stern (back of the boat) has water running through it.

“You need water running through it to tell the engine is being cooled,” he said. “It’s like its exhaust system.”

The Pride doesn’t have navigational charts, so the course for the evening is based on experience, Bradshaw said. That experience is passed down from captain to captain, though they also use a GPS and a depth sounder.

“We prefer to go north toward Independence [Island],” she said. “We can get up to the Governor’s Mansion, but we usually reach Kelker [Street].”

At the end of dinner, to sit in the middle of the river, the crew “uses the paddles to stay in position, less than one-quarter mile away from where they shoot the fireworks,” said Mease. “We’re facing north, looking toward the mountains.”

If putting your hands on the deck’s railing isn’t for you, you can opt to stay inside and watch the sparks reflect off the Pride’s mirrored walls. The retro furnishings and Pennsylvania-specific names carved into its features give the interior a funhouse kind of feel. The fireworks’ colorful flashes conjure the sensation of being inside a kaleidoscope.

“It’s a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere,” Mease said. “Then when [the fireworks are] all over, we wait for all the pontoon boats to move so we can get by.”

A seat on the fireworks cruise is in high demand, with only 60 billets and a long waiting list.

“It’s a waiting list two to three years long,” said Yoder. “I have the waiting list started for 2021 already.”

A typical cruise sells up to 120 tickets, but a dinner cruise only sells as many tickets as there are seats in the dining room.

If you have tickets in hand for Independence Day’s fireworks cruise, clutch them tightly, like a golden ticket. If you miss the cruise on July 4, there is another fireworks cruise to celebrate the Kipona Festival over the Labor Day weekend.

“It’s really pretty with the reflection off the water,” Mease said. “It’s the best seat in the river for the fireworks show.”

The Pride of the Susquehanna departs from City Island, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.harrisburgriverboat.com.

Harrisburg school district leaders swept out, as receiver brings in outside team

June 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg school district Receiver Janet Samuels speaks to the press following Thursday night’s school board meeting.

Harrisburg’s newly appointed school receiver is clearing out most of the district’s top leadership, firing the superintendent, the solicitor and the business manager, among others.

Dr. Janet Samuels tonight announced a new partnership that will subcontract most district management functions, including those of the superintendent, to Norristown-based Montgomery County Intermediate Unit No. 23, one of 29 “intermediate units” set up by the state legislature in 1971 to provide support to local school districts.

Therefore, as of June 30, most of the district’s top positions will be eliminated, terminating the employment of the following people:

Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney
Solicitor James Ellison
Business Manager Bilal Hasan
Acting Harrisburg High School Principal Barbara Hasan
Federal Program Administrator Damali Brunson-Murray
Acting HR Director Lance Freeman
HR Manager Shelena Roy
ACCESS Coordinator Annette Roy

The chief academic officer position will also be eliminated, but Jaimie Foster, who currently serves in that job, will become the new Harrisburg High School principal, replacing Barbara Hasan.

“This was done with much thought and much care,” Samuels said following the announcement. “We are going to move in a very, very, very aggressive manner.”

Earlier today, word leaked that Knight-Burney had sent an email to staff that indicated that she would leave her job, which she’s held for nearly a decade. Until tonight, it was not clear whether she was resigning or would be fired.

According to the resolution detailing the shakeup, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit No. 23 will supply “a team of highly qualified individuals to provide leadership and administration of business services, human resources, internal operations, academic services and student services operations” for a period of three years.

Dr. John J. George, the executive director of Montgomery County Intermediate Unit No. 23 and the former acting superintendent of the Reading school district, will head up the team.

The resolution praises George for “dramatic financial improvements and educational improvements in the Reading School District.”

“The turnaround of the Reading school district was a result of our ability to design and implement a comprehensive, systematic plan that rebuilt the governance, academic, financial, personnel and operational functions of the school district,” George said, in a statement. “We will utilize a similar strategy to review every aspect of the Harrisburg school district, correct any deficiencies, and create systems to ensure that the district is fiscally efficient, staffed with qualified and effective teachers and employees, and is moving towards academic excellence.”

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit No. 23 will “provide key administrative functions of the district and develop an intervention plan designed to stabilize and rebuild the financial and human resources systems of the district, design and implement a K-12 academic plan, design a governance plan, hire key administrative positions and eventually return the district to local control,” according to the resolution.

George will “provide a reorganization plan for the district leadership team, will realign administrative functions to align with a new organization chart, will provide personnel to administer the office of business services, office of human resources, office of academics and office of student services and will to the greatest extent practical collaborate with the current district staff members and assume that all employees are working with fidelity,” according to the resolution.

Samuels also announced that the district will return to hiring an outside law firm for legal counsel, in this case Philadelphia-based Fox Rothschild LLP at a rate of $250 to $300 an hour, depending on the type of work.

The resolution offered various reasons for the personnel terminations. For Knight-Burney, the rationale was that she was working in violation of the law.

“Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney’s most recent appointment as superintendent was non-compliant with Act 82 of 2012, as she was appointed without the required written contract of employment and all payments made to her during the 2018-19 school year when she did not have a written contract were non-compliant with Pennsylvania law,” stated the resolution.

The resolution further said that her resume “does not provide any official letter of eligibility to be a superintendent in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit No. 23 will now assume “the job responsibilities of the superintendent,” according to the resolution.

The resolution also states that the receiver has broad latitude to replace non-instructional personnel, including the solicitor and business manager.

The position eliminations and terminations, Samuels said, would reduce staff expenses by $600,000 per year.

“The bottom line is that this is what’s best for the children,” she said. “This is a reorganization that will work.”

Almost lost in the district shakeup was what, ordinarily, would be the big news of the night—the 2019-20 budget vote.

Earlier in the meeting, the district school board, by a 6-2 vote, passed its 2019-20 budget, which was unchanged from the preliminary budget approved last month. The $155 million budget will result in an increase of 3.4 percent for the school portion of the city property tax, increasing the millage rate from 28.8 mills to 29.78 mills.

Read the full resolution and press release on the school district’s website.

Harrisburg swears in new police officers, gives awards, commendations

June 27, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Nine new Harrisburg police officers were sworn in on Thursday.

Harrisburg has nine more police officers on the street today, as a group of recruits was sworn in this morning as the newest members of the city’s Police Bureau.

In addition to the nine new officers who took the oath to join the force, more than 50 officers, paramedics and other professionals were recognized with awards, including five citizens.

“People become police officers because they’re called to a higher calling,” Police Commissioner Thomas Carter said. “They become police officers because they care about their fellow men, their fellow women. They want to carry on the tradition of caring, of sharing, and to make this world better.”

After the posting of the colors and an invocation from Pastor Sheldon Ames, a retired Harrisburg police lieutenant, and remarks from Carter, Mayor Eric Papenfuse spoke before swearing in the new officers.

Officer Brandon Braughler, flanked by Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter and Mayor Eric Papenfuse, was named Harrisburg’s officer of the year.

Papenfuse said that crime has decreased significantly in recent years and mentioned that negotiations are underway to increase wages and pathways for promotion for officers. He also commended the character of the new officers.

“We have an amazing class with very diverse and distinguished backgrounds,” Papenfuse said. “They have fascinating educational and service backgrounds, and we are extremely excited to welcome all of these officers aboard to Harrisburg today.”

New Officer Juwan Mitchell shared his thoughts on becoming a police officer. He said that, although the selection process is rigorous and requires much training and discipline, he is honored to serve Harrisburg.

“I was always called to do something more than myself,” Mitchell said. “This gives me an opportunity to give back to my community, to bridge that gap between the community and policing. I think that in this point in time, with the kind of culture that we have, that it’s a good time [to become an officer].”

After the swearing-in ceremony, the 2018 awards for valor, bravery, heroism and merit were awarded. Five citizen commendations, distinguished unit citations and distinguished service citations, including the “Officer of the Year” award, were also presented.

Jordin Tharrett, a 12-year-old from Harrisburg, was awarded a Citizen Commendation after saving the life of a stabbing victim in January 2018. Tharrett was home alone when he heard a woman screaming outside his apartment complex. He took the woman inside his apartment, called 911, and remained calm as he applied pressure to the wounds with a towel, saving the woman’s life.

“It was really heartwarming that I got to see the mayor and that I’d be the one to get recognized,” Tharrett said. “I wasn’t really scared [when I saved the woman]. You just got to take risks in your life, and if somebody’s in need, you have to help them.”

Mayor Eric Papenfuse shakes hands with Jordin Tharrett, who was awarded a Citizen Commendation.

Others were awarded for a range of heroic acts, from fearlessly breaking into a burning building to saving the life of a kidnapped infant.

The new officers sworn in at the ceremony are:

Mark Kingsboro
Joseph Giovenco
Brooke Bolton
Evan McKenna
Juwan Mitchell
Jeremy Sborz
Brandon Remington
Leea Abdelmalek
Brian Stright II

For a complete list of Police Award winners, visit https://dauphin.crimewatchpa.com/hbgpd/3271/post/2019-harrisburg-bureau-police-awards-and-swearing-ceremony

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 27, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

SoMa Block Party tonight! Hope you’ll join us!

Outside of that, my weekend looks pretty low-key, especially since my husband is likely working through all of it. Maybe we’ll hit a pool and get this kid to test his new swim lessons?

What are you doing this weekend?

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Capital Region Water votes to move forward with stormwater fee process, despite mayoral objections

June 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital Region Water offered a presentation on its proposed stormwater fee on Wednesday night.

The Capital Region Water board tonight voted to release its proposed stormwater fee for public review, despite a plea from Harrisburg’s mayor to halt and rethink the process.

The unanimous CRW approval kicks off a six-month process that will include public comment and meetings.

“We have 90 days of public comment period so we can hear from people,” said board Chairman Marc Kurowski. “It gives us the fourth quarter of the year to make any modifications to the plan.”

Under the current proposal, most residential customers would pay a new stormwater fee of $72 a year, or $6.15 a month. Commercial customers could potentially pay much more, depending upon the amount of impervious surface area on their properties.

The board voted following a presentation by Claire Maulhardt, CRW’s City Beautiful H2O program manager. She said that CRW is under a “partial consent decree” with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to slash the amount of untreated pollutants flowing into the area’s streams and the Susquehanna River.

As a result, CRW will have to spend some $315 million over 20-plus years to come into compliance, she said. Planned improvements include everything from facility and infrastructure upgrades to installing porous pavement and greening 177 additional acres of land.

Following Maulhardt’s presentation, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse articulated numerous objections.

He said that he feared that city residents would not be able to afford the fee, especially if entities like the Harrisburg school district and Standard Parking passed on their higher fees to residents.

“I’m now paying more on my water bill,” he said. “I’m now paying more to park. Guess what the school district will do? It will pass it on. It all eventually will fall back on the residents.”

In her presentation, Maulhardt asserted that most residents would actually pay less in total, as commercial customers would carry more of the burden with the stormwater fee implemented. If the fee were not implemented, residents would still pay for stormwater improvements, just as they do now, but through the existing wastewater fee, she said.

She said that, currently, residential customers shoulder 48 percent of stormwater expenses, but only account for 23 percent of the city’s impervious surfaces.

Papenfuse, however, didn’t buy the validity of her argument.

“Our residents will have to pay more,” he said. “If you’re a renter, it will be passed onto you. We already have a problem with affordable housing in Harrisburg, and that will make it worse.”

Papenfuse further criticized the process that resulted in CRW proposing the fee. He said that a steering committee should have been formed, which should have included municipal officials, and that the ultimate solution should be a statewide tax, not a user fee.

He also questioned whether the commonwealth—which would pay the second-greatest fee among all users—would actually pay it and, if they did, if they’d retaliate by reducing the annual $5 million “emergency services” payment to the city.

“It is something that can work in some capacities, but all the ramifications haven’t been thought through,” he said.

Numerous surrounding municipalities already have imposed a stormwater fee, which was permitted by a change to state law several years ago.

Maulhardt said that CRW planned to hold three community meetings in Harrisburg to make presentations and get in-person feedback from the public. In addition, she said that CRW would accept comments on the proposed stormwater fee on its website starting Thursday, along with information and background on the fee.

“This is a mandate that has come down from the federal level that we have to deal with and fund, and it’s not an easy situation,” Kurowski said. “We’re trying to find the most equitable and fair way to do it.”

For more information about Capital Region Water and, starting on Thursday, the proposed stormwater fee, visit their website.

Swim Time: Rowland Academy students take inaugural dip in Lt. Gov.’s pool.

June 26, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Hot, sunny weather made it the perfect day for Rowland students to enjoy a swim.

Rowland Academy’s Summer Enrichment Academy discovered a week before the program started that the pool it usually attends would not be able to accommodate its children this year.

The Harrisburg-based program typically takes 50 middle school-aged children swimming once a week during the summer.

That is, until the group discovered Second Lady Gisele Fetterman’s new public swim program, which allows local organizations to apply to swim free-of-charge at the lieutenant governor’s state-owned pool, located at Fort Indiantown Gap.

The Rowland kids (and their nine chaperones) claimed dibs.

“We had this incredible amenity just sitting here unused,” Fetterman, the wife of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, said. “So, we put out a call for groups that are either nonprofits, organizations or schools that otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to have their kids swim.”

So far, more than a dozen groups have responded, and six others are currently on the pool’s calendar, according to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

The Rowland program focuses on water safety, with lifeguards on site teaching the children different swimming skills during swimming tests.

“If we look at statistics in regard to drowning, it overwhelmingly affects children of color, and we want to be able to work to change those statistics,” Fetterman said.

Most of the children enrolled in the program are students of color. Eleven-year-old Baryea said that she hopes that the program will help her strengthen her swimming skills.

“I’m having an amazing time here today,” she said. “I’m hoping to do the swimming test so I can go in the deep end, but for right now, I’m going to stay in the shallow end.”

Darnell Montgomery, a dean of students at Rowland Academy and the site director for the Summer Enrichment Academy, said that the swim program is a great opportunity for the children.

“The lieutenant governor and his wife opening up the pool is wonderful,” Montgomery said. “First, it’s an opportunity for our kids to get out of the city, but it’s also an opportunity for them to swim privately and not be worried about other groups, which gives us a lot of opportunity for them.”

The Rowland Summer Enrichment Academy serves students in 5^th through 8^th grade, with academic enrichment programs in the mornings and activities such as arts and crafts, swimming and field trips.

Fetterman said that she hopes to continue her long-time work in advocacy and equity through the public swim program.

“I want to continue to improve access and work on equity,” Fetterman said. “Equity applies to everything, and it applies to this pool, too.”

For more information or to apply, email Gisele Fetterman at [email protected].

Beat Maker: With Keyzus, you can feel the vibes

June 26, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Musician Sterling Walden, aka Keyzus. Photo by DeAndra Chatman

When it comes to getting his emotions out, Sterling Walden doesn’t need words. Instead, he uses a mixture of sounds, wavelengths and vibrations to convey his feelings.

“Vibrations are the healing blood of the world. In the end, we are all just vibrations,” he said. “Everything is just atoms that are vibrating together.”

The multi-talented music producer created these beats or “vibrations with a little bump to it” for artists all across Harrisburg and the United States. Walden, aka “Keyzus,” music ranges from party songs to smooth R&B and meditation music.

His goal is to not only make amazing music but to promote relaxation through sounds. He released his first instrumental album, “Come Home Keyzus,” in May of this year.

“Usually, when I sit down to make a beat, I have no idea what kind of beat I’m going to make,” he said. “Whatever feeling I have at the moment–[the beat] just comes to me.”

Walden got the name Keyzus from his love of his keyboard his parents got him in the sixth grade. He would lock himself in his room and play for hours. However, it wasn’t until he discovered his brother’s “MTV Music Generator” game that he started making beats.

On his first try, he made five songs and was immediately addicted to it. When his brother got over the game, Walden started going to Blockbuster himself to rent the game and played it on his friend’s PlayStation.

When he finally bought the game, he was playing in his basement when a guy who was installing his father’s car stereo came down and listened to them. “He was like, ‘Yo, your beats are dope, but the program that you’re using is pretty much bullshit.”

The man took Walden over to his house and introduced him to a music program called Reason and Fruity Loops (now called FL Studio, which he still uses to this day.)

Since then, Walden, 32, has created hundreds of tracks for himself and other artists. He’s worked with a plethora of Harrisburg-based musicians including Rawston George, Alonda Rich, John Born and more. He’s also worked with popular artists such as Fetty Wap, Rick Ross, Maino, and “Glee’s” Samantha Marie Ware. His music was also featured in a CHAMPS footwear commercial and on Starz network.

Even though he has worked with artists across the country, he still loved the uniqueness and variety of artists in Harrisburg, his hometown.

“I really like the range of music here,” he said. “You get real golden age hip-hop, some trap, alternative–just a big range. I feel like Harrisburg is bursting at the seams right now, and it’s only going to take one person to really blow it up.”

Currently, Walden is operating his label “Maschine Life” out of Harrisburg. Though many of the artists under the label are musicians, Walden considers Maschine Life to be an art label rather than a record one. Under Maschine Life there are painters, photographers and graphic designers. Walden himself is also a visual artist.

“We just wanted to be that one-stop shop for people,” he said. “Even if they are not a part of Maschine Life, they can find anything in Harrisburg art-wise.”

In 10 years, Walden sees himself on a farm either “in Georgia or Africa,” he said with a laugh.

“I’ll be playing my guitar, and still making music, but this time it’ll just be for me.”

For more information on Keyzus and Maschine Life visit https://www.maschinelife.com/. His music is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and other music streaming services.

This story is one in a series of local musician profiles in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month.

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