Broad Street Market names new executive director, person chosen from 80+ applicants

April 2, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The Broad Street Market’s stone building, looking up Verbeke Street, in Harrisburg

After a months-long search, the Broad Street Market has a new day-to-day leader, as Harrisburg resident Joshua Heilman soon will take the reins of the historic farmers market.

Heilman is slated to start next week as the market’s new executive director, confirmed Amy Hill, president of the market’s board of directors.

“We are really excited about this,” Hill said. “What appealed to us about him is that he has quite a few years of management experience. He also understands food and, most of all, he has the heart of the community.”

The title of the position will change from “manager” to “executive director” to reflect the market’s status as a nonprofit entity, Hill said.

She said that the choice was difficult due to the number and quality of applications, which numbered more than 80. A four-person “transition committee” reviewed the applications and recommended finalists before the full board made a decision.

Heilman has many years of experience in the local food industry, most recently as manager of the Provisions grocery store in downtown Harrisburg.

“I think he’ll take the market and the nonprofit mission that drives us to the next level,” Hill said.

Heilman replaces Beth Taylor, who ran the market for more than three years before stepping down in December. Taylor is now general manager of the Millworks, a restaurant and brewery across the street from the market, with plans to open a second tasting room and smaller restaurant in Camp Hill.

Heilman arrives at an optimistic time in the 159-year history of the market, which dates to the Civil War era. After decades of struggle, the market has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in recent years and, last year, announced that all its vendor slots were filled.

Hill said that, in addition to the regular duties of running the market on a day-to-day basis, Heilman will oversee the launch of a “Friends of the Market” membership program. She also would like to see a renewed effort in trying to secure grants for the nonprofit market.

“We needed someone who could help us launch our community engagement mission,” Hill said. “It was a tough decision. There were many, many qualified candidates.”

The Broad Street Market is located at Verbeke and N. 3^rd streets in Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://broadstreetmarket.org.

First Look: At forum, Harrisburg school board candidates criticize sitting board, district administration

April 2, 2019 | by Mary Imgrund

Challenger Steve Williams speaks during a school board candidate forum at HMAC on Monday night

Harrisburg got its first look at the large field of candidates for the hotly contested race for school board on Monday night, as seven of the 12 candidates gathered for a forum in Midtown.

All of the candidates attending the evening of speeches were challengers for the five, four-year seats, though all 12—including the incumbents—were invited to attend, said Carrie Fowler, a sitting school board director who helped organize the forum.

Challengers Jayne Buchwach, Doug Thompson-Leader, Lewis Butts Jr., Steve Williams, Cory X. Williams, Gerald Welch and James Thompson took turns speaking, presenting themselves, many for the first time, to residents gathered at the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC).

They’re running against incumbents Lionel Gonzalez, Patricia Whitehead-Myers, Lola Lawson and Ellis R. Roy, none of whom were present. Challenger Ralph Rodriguez was also absent.

The audience of about 50 wasn’t large, but it was passionate, cheering often at the shared message of the candidates—a need for swift and decisive change.

“Despite being an off-year election, the people I meet while canvassing care about this race, and they want to hear about policy,” said candidate Steve Williams.

Jayne Buchwach echoed that sentiment, adding that she was pleased with the turnout at the event.

Despite the crowded Democratic field, the candidates were positive and seemed unified against a common enemy – the current school board members who generally support the policies of the district’s administration. Williams suggested that, no matter who ultimately won, any one of the eight challengers would be an improvement over the existing board.

Buchwach began the night of informal speeches with personal anecdotes about her husband, her children and her own struggle with cancer. She called her platform one of restorative justice, claiming that zero-tolerance policies in schools rob children of their education through the misuse of disciplinary action.

Thompson-Leader shared his frustrations as a parent of an elementary-aged daughter in the Harrisburg school district and promised to provide teachers with the tools they need, while Lewis Butts, Jr., spoke of his personal experiences in the district and suggested that Harrisburg students should have access to the resources already available within the city.

Steve Williams lamented that the school district’s poor reputation often pushed young couples out of the city, in hopes of giving their children a better education. Given that the district spends so much money per student, there’s no excuse for graduating seniors to be so ill equipped with critical thinking and life skills, he said.

Corey X. Williams also emphasized his personal relationship with the district. He admitted that he may not have the policy expertise of some of the other candidates, but said that he knows the district and its needs, and he challenged city leadership to do better by its children.

James Thompson, a former school board director, touted his past success on the board. Thompson suggested that, since his departure, early childhood education was threatened amidst budget negotiations and that the most at-risk students were being penalized by funding decisions. He said that he would focus on reinstating Head Start classrooms in the district.

Finally, Gerald Welch shared that he could empathize with struggling students, having dropped out of high school himself, only to receive a master’s degree in social work later in life. Rather than making it easier for students to graduate without the necessary skills, the school board needs to use taxpayer dollars more wisely by reinvesting in students, he said.

All the candidates were critical of the current school board, and many of their stated policies aligned. This batch of challengers repeatedly questioned where and how the district is spending its money and said that they hope to empower teachers and students to reach educational attainment goals.

The candidates plan to hold more formal debates throughout April and May. Their first debate will be held on April 18 at HMAC from 6 to 9 p.m. The primary election is on May 21.

Spring Cleaning: Earth Day means the Harrisburg area gets a good scrubbing.

March 29, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

John Naylor started an Instagram account to document all the plastic he was pulling out of the Susquehanna River and into his canoe.

Two years later, the “lifelong Yorker” has personally discovered and disposed of 6,000-plus items—mostly plastic bottles and bags—plus the occasional tire, even an old couch. (That didn’t go into the canoe.)

“The Susquehanna is geologically the most significant feature in the region,” said Naylor, 54, who regularly enjoys canoeing between the Columbia/Wrightsville area, south to the Maryland line.

How many pieces of plastic trash can he fit into his canoe? On Earth Day last year, he scoured 505 items from the river, put them into his canoe, paddled it all back to land, into his pickup truck and, eventually, into recycling bins.

“The most upsetting thing I’ve ever found was a huge Styrofoam block, birds were drilling and eating,” he said. “My dad influenced me to give a damn about the natural world and have respect for it.”

If you’re curious, Naylor tracks everything he finds on social media under the handle susquehanna_plastic_pickn_1000.

He’s found numerous blue, 55-gallon plastic drums floating in the river—he can fit three into his canoe at a time. He counts each as one piece of plastic for his tally. Small items go into his green York City recycling bin. When he’s on the river’s Lancaster County side, he takes plastics directly to LCSWMA. Other items, like the old couch, go to the York incinerator.

“I’ve had comments like, ‘You can’t clean the whole river yourself,’” said Naylor, 54. “My return is, ‘Well I can clean a little bit of it and, along the way, give some exposure to the challenges of single-use plastic.’”

Naylor occasionally joins a larger environmental effort, patrolling the river with the Lower Susquehanna River Keepers. The nonprofit, dedicated to protecting the ecological integrity of the Susquehanna watershed and Chesapeake Bay, relies on grassroots “pollution patrols” by volunteer boaters. They’re looking for violations by wastewater treatment facilities and other major sources of contaminants.

He has also made a difference in his workplace of 21 years, the Starbucks York Roasting Plant and Distribution Center. About 20 years ago, he went to his superiors and proposed a stretch-wrap recovery program, recycling the plastic wrap from warehouse pallet loads. They agreed, and, at that time, the facility was recycling 900 pounds a week. Since then, he said, the amount has undoubtedly escalated. The plastic wrap is manufactured elsewhere into durable decking material and park benches.

Naylor encourages others to make small changes in their habits.

“Ask yourself what you can do to reduce the amount of single-use plastic,” he said. “It will become second nature to you and make a positive change in the environment.”

Ripple Effect

Naylor’s example is especially fitting at this time of year as Earth Day is April 22, a celebration of environmental awareness dating from 1970.

In Harrisburg, volunteers will join forces for the 7th Annual Great Harrisburg Litter CleanUp on April 13. Coordinated by Tri County Community Action, the event provides T-shirts and cleanup supplies to all who lend a hand.

Last year, nearly 500 volunteers removed more than 28 tons of trash from Harrisburg’s public spaces. About 100 of those volunteers, working along the Capital Area Greenbelt, removed 150 bags of trash and more than 100 tires.

“About 70 of the tires were near 19th Street on top of a steep slope,” said Mary Ann Furedi, a city resident and Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) board member.

Volunteers, working in assembly-line style, rolled the tires downhill for loading into open bed trucks driven by volunteers to the city’s waiting dumpsters.

“Someone had definitely dumped these tires in the night,” Furedi said. “The area was also littered with a lot of oil cans, and it looked like someone had owned a garage years ago.”

She said that volunteers’ spirits were high throughout last year’s efforts, despite working through patches of poison ivy, a cache of dirty diapers, old transistor radios, needles, old beer cans and plenty of plastic bottles and straws.

“A lot of people realize how far the city has come, and they realize the Greenbelt is a valuable, beautiful resource,” Furedi said. “There’s a sense of pride that comes with a sense of responsibility, and it makes you angry about what people throw away.”

Greenbelt volunteers included both individuals and groups, including Highmark Blue Shield, The Vista School, Philadelphia Insurance Co., Penbrook Leo Club, Caleb’s Legacy Fishing Group, Harrisburg Area Road Runners and River Runners.

“Earth Day is perfect timing for a cleanup because the tree canopy hasn’t opened up, and you can get to the refuse,” said Mike Shaull of Harrisburg, a CAGA board member who works at Highmark Blue Shield and coordinated last year’s team of 20 volunteers. “Plus, people have a little cabin fever.”

He said that it was rewarding to see the fruits of their labors—bags of trash—at the end of the day.

“Part of our issue is our throwaway culture,” said Ann Brooks of Mechanicsburg, who volunteered with the Highmark team. “I’m old enough to remember when we returned Coke bottles to have them refilled.”

The dental IT worker enjoys biking on the Greenbelt, and she plans to pitch in again this year.

The one thing that all volunteers note: Earth Day cleanup efforts are primarily successful due to old-school, grassroots efforts that rely on volunteers doing hands-on work.

Another common theme—consumers need to evaluate their habits.

“It’s cliché, but if people just thought more about reducing their amount of trash—simple things like refillable water bottles or coffee mugs—it can make a difference,” Furedi said.

And it’s a ripple effect, she added.

“In relation to the Susquehanna River, everything that gets tossed in Harrisburg has the potential to end up in the river, which then ends up in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean,” she said.

For more information, see cactricounty.org/great-harrisburg-litter-cleanup and www.caga.org.

Stories on environmental topics are proudly sponsored by LCSWMA.

The Painted Word: For spring, a trip to Carlisle, a loop around Wildwood.

March 29, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Spring is its own reason for a road trip just 30 minutes away to view great art and visit a quaint boulevard.

Anyone looking for charm in historic Carlisle need look no further than Pomfret Street. At first glance, you may think it is perhaps a street in Georgetown or Colonial Williamsburg. Pomfret is one block, chock full of great restaurants, a teahouse, gift shops and one-of-a-kind stores.

The gem that anchors it all is the Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC). Art gallery and educational emporium rolled into one, CALC is located at 38 W. Pomfret St. in the old firehouse building. CALC truly stands out as a distinguished destination for all art lovers, no matter which side of the river they live on.

CALC recently celebrated 25 years of building community through the arts. Exhibits change bi-monthly under the creative vision of gallery Curator Cathy Stone and Executive Director Becky Richeson. CALC generates almost half its revenue with contributions, with grant funding providing the balance.

Upcoming events for spring start unfolding April 26, with a dual-artist show entitled “Imagery and Field.”

This exhibit features a contrast from Harrisburg-based artists Mary Hochendoner and Maaike Heitkonig in the lower gallery street level.

Hochendoner paints with detailed imagery that is juxtaposed with Heitkonig’s subtle, color fieldwork. Her dreamlike style is simultaneously symbolic and narrative, providing a pivotal point to Heitkonig’s works, which more engender spatial and emotional feelings.

Upstairs, the CALC collaborative will house “The Real Faces of Homelessness” from Carrie Breschi, a founding force of CALC and former gallery director. Mounted through 2-D and 3-D installations, Breschi’s works will explore the faces of homelessness and the community misconceptions that accompany this profound societal problem. Her work shines a spotlight on what too-often is an invisible population.

CALC’s far-reaching educational components include classes available to the public across all mediums of the fine arts. Summer art camps for children ages 5 to 15 start when school ends and run through the start of the new school year in August.

“S.E.E. Art Salon” is another program through CALC, featuring in-house art salons through lectures and field trips. Of interest on May 9 is a trip to the Glenstone art museum, located in Potomac, Md. The exhibit includes the works of Louise Bourgeoise and a guided tour of the monumental sculpture garden. This trip is free by carpool so RSVP by April 17 at 717-249-6973.

The acronym, CALC, represents the first four letters of “calculated.” It’s a destination you will want to make plans for in the near future. No risk involved.

Art in the Wild

By its very nature, spring is unpredictable. However, eventually, the birds return, the bunnies bound, and we humans come out of our winter hibernation.

To partake of the local offerings amid the beauty of seasonal change, a good place to start is in your own backyard—figuratively speaking.

For the seventh year since its inception in 2012, “Art in the Wild,” sponsored by Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and Friends of Wildwood, will unveil a group of art created with a love of nature.

By definition, “Art in the Wild” lends itself to its founding premise—that the art be formed by found objects within the framework of the park. Fallen limbs, gnarly grapevine, trustworthy trees and verdant moss abound for artists to cull and create their vision around a unifying theme.

Unveiled to the public on April 13, the installations are available for viewing through Oct. 31. The theme this year is “Playful,” perfect for inspiration after our long, cold winter.

Wildwood Park and “Art in the Wild” are environmental and cultural gems. Just traversing the six miles of trails amidst the park’s 229 acres, which includes 90 acres of wetlands, is a visual treat no matter the season. And the subtle changes the seasons bring to the installations are noteworthy in that nature alters the canvas to suit its will.

Perhaps the greatest insight for reflection is to catch “Art in the Wild” early in April, then again at the height of summer and again before its last breath at October’s end.
The Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC) is located at 38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.carlislearts.org.

Wildwood Park is located at 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.wildwoodlake.org.

“The Painted Word” will appear every few months to highlight a group of upcoming artistic exhibitions in central Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg Needs: A lot has been accomplished over the past decade. Let’s build on that.

March 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck

Back on a chilly weeknight in mid-February, I sat among a few hundred others at the annual meeting of Harrisburg Young Professionals.

TheBurg was there in force because we had been nominated for one of HYP’s annual awards—namely, the “community engagement” award.

I bring this up neither to boast nor complain (we didn’t win) but because of what I saw around me.

Sitting in the auditorium of the State Museum, I felt delightfully ensconced in a type of ad hoc club—one that I definitely wanted to be a member of (sorry, Groucho).

I had tremendous respect for the people surrounding me because they’d accomplished so much.

Blake Lynch, who’s made it his mission to improve outreach between the community and the city’s police bureau, was in our category. So were the good people from Friends of Midtown, led by Annie and Andy Hughes, who spent two years organizing, raising funds for and building Harrisburg’s first public dog park.

Sitting right in front of me was Meghan Jones, co-founder of the HBG Flea, and, right in front of her, the young folks who organized HUE Fest, Harrisburg University’s block party and e-sports tourney. Off to the right sat Sara Bozich and her contingent from Harrisburg Beer Week, an event-rich celebration of local craft beer, and, in front of her, Andrea Grove and the people of Elementary Coffee Co.

All were nominees for various community and business awards.

Then, on the stage was keynote speaker Amma Johnson of the AMMA JO boutique and new HYP President Adam Porter, who has co-founded two city businesses, st@rtup Harrisburg and Provisions grocery store.

And sitting right next to me was TheBurg’s own Megan Caruso, a 2018 HYP award-winner for co-founding the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

Wow, what a group!

In recent years, these folks have helped transform Harrisburg with new events, new products, new businesses and a new energy. When TheBurg began, 10 years ago, none of this existed.

And 2019 promises more of the same. At least four Broad Street Market food vendors are expanding to storefronts on or near 3rd Street (Knead, Urban Churn, Elementary Coffee and Radish & Rye), and another HBG Mural Festival will paint the town for 10 days starting in late August.

But all this has at least one guy (me) wondering—what comes next? What other great ideas are out there? Harrisburg has come a long way in a short time, but there is still much to do to complete this city’s transformation from post-industrial poster child to shining city on a river (this time, apologies to Ronald Reagan).

When people talk to me about what Harrisburg most needs, the conversation often turns to better schools and more and better housing. I agree. However, those two issues seem so large, the problems so overwhelming, that they can be a formula for inaction. Since we, as individuals, can’t seem to do much about these, why not just crack open another beer and watch more “Judge Judy?”

No.

Individual action is exactly what’s needed. America’s cities have improved largely due to the cumulative effect of countless small actions by ordinary citizens, just like we’ve already seen here. And, just like in Harrisburg, many of these cities, unfortunately, still have huge housing problems and underperforming schools.

I’ll start the conversation.

Harrisburg needs retail. Duh, right? In Harrisburg’s hierarchy of needs, more and better retail often ranks right up there behind better schools and housing. Retail is a tough nut, but, heck, I’m a guy who started a print magazine—I never said it would be easy. Looking at other cities, specialty shops and boutiques seem to be the type of retail that can work in an urban environment, though stores typically need to be concentrated to create critical mass in an attractive, walk-able area.

Harrisburg needs community assets. The dog park is a perfect example of a community asset that people long said was needed—and then a few intrepid pooch-lovers made it happen. A farmers market on Allison Hill could be another great community project, and Riverside desperately needs a gathering place, such as a café. Speaking of gathering places, I would love for the city to do something useful with its warren of desolate alleys downtown. Many cities have created vibrant pedestrian zones, event spaces and shopping areas from underused, well-located alleys, just like those around 2nd Street.

Harrisburg needs attractions. The city can’t afford grand building projects, such as museums, nor would I ever suggest one. But smaller attractions (the HBG Flea, Beer Week, Mural Fest) have proven to be big winners. How about a multi-weekend Christmas market on City Island, more food-focused events or better, more frequent use of the plaza at the Broad Street Market? The state could even throw us a bone by opening up the old Archives building (once emptied) as an observation tower or encouraging better use of the vast, empty plaza behind the State Museum—talk about an underused asset.

Harrisburg needs people. Most of all, Harrisburg needs people. It needs more people to live here, visit here, shop here—bringing their checkbooks with them. This situation has improved immensely from 10 years back, when I often felt that I was the only person walking down 3rd street. Still, city businesses would benefit greatly from more foot traffic and more customers.

I would like to close out this column with a disclaimer. Naturally, these ideas are mine alone, a little spit-balling exercise to get the discussion started. What are yours? I would love to know. And, most importantly—like Amma and Annie and Meghan and Adam—are you ready to make them happen?

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

A Brew for You: Harrisburg Beer Week is back, with something new on tap.

March 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Over its five-year history, Harrisburg Beer Week has become known for its signature events.

The Little Big Beer Fest, a tribute to high-octane brews, sells out fast, and I know a married couple from Shipoke who actually delayed the start of their European vacation so they could attend their favorite event this month—the annual Battle of the Homebrewers.

Then there’s the 717 Collaboration.

Each year, several Harrisburg-area breweries band together to create a signature Beer Week beer, which is then served over the course of the 10-day suds spectacular.

The “Collab,” as it’s known, is meant to demonstrate the communal spirit and creative power of Harrisburg-area brewers. However, by the organizers’ own admission, the resulting product hasn’t always been a crowd-pleaser.

“It shouldn’t just be for the people brewing the beer,” said Chelsie Markel, Beer Week co-organizer and brewery liaison. “We want to appeal to the entire Beer Week community.”

So, last August, four breweries—Zeroday Brewing Co., Troëgs Independent Brewing, Appalachian Brewing Co. and Boneshire Brew Works—got together to begin noodling concepts for the 2019 Collab.

“They wanted to create an approachable beer,” Markel said. “Nothing crazy or zany.”

At the same time, the brewers wanted to make something unique, which would stand out from all the IPAs and sours on tap everywhere.

After many meetings and test batches, they decided on a final recipe for a helles bock, a crisp, malty lager that is a relatively uncommon offering among central PA craft breweries.

“When this got started last summer, we all went around and talked about styles, ingredients and techniques we were interested in,” said Troëgs brewmaster John Trogner. “Classic styles of beer started to pop up in the conversation, and eventually we settled on a subtly complex lager.”

Last month, area brewers gathered together at Troëgs in Hershey for “717 Collab Brew Day” to ceremonially push the button and let the brewing begin.

Zeroday’s Theo Armstrong said that he and his fellow brewers wanted a beer that average consumers would enjoy, but that would also would hold their interest as beer-makers.

“We asked, ‘What inspires us? What do we like to drink when we get off of work?’” he said. “We all agreed that we like to drink these clean, crisp lagers.”

John Straitiff, head brewer at ABC, described the beer as “light and refreshing with some nice floral notes.”

“It’s meant to be a beer for the general public that is also very distinctive,” he said.

Starting April 26, you’ll be able to find the 717 Collab at more than a dozen breweries and pubs from Carlisle to Elizabethtown to Dillsburg. For the first time, you can also purchase the beer in cans, as 300 cases will be distributed throughout greater Harrisburg.

So, after attending one of Beer Week’s many firkin evenings, tap takeovers, pint nights or special events, you can grab a four-pack to go.

Beer Week co-organizer Sara Bozich emphasized the charitable aspect, as $1 per draft sold will be donated to the event’s beneficiary, Harrisburg River Rescue. Last year, Harrisburg Beer Week donated $40,000 to the River Rescue, with hopes of exceeding that goal this year.

“We want to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy this beer during Harrisburg Beer Week and, by doing that, contribute to a great cause,” she said.

Harrisburg Beer Week takes place April 26 to May 5 at many locations throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information, including a list of where to buy the 717 Collaboration and a full schedule of events, visit www.harrisburgbeerweek.com.

Seeds of Success: Homegrown Harrisburg digs deep for a healthier community.

March 29, 2019 | by Diane McNaughton

Like a flowering vine, a budding network of volunteers is lacing its way across some of the most barren corners of the Harrisburg area, breathing new life into decaying lots and delivering fresh food to empty tables.

Flowers, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, herbs and other edibles are about to sprout up in the rocky soils of the city, Steelton and Susquehanna Township, at the seasoned hands of a fast-growing urban gardening movement called Homegrown Harrisburg.

Along with nutrition and blossoms, this green team is producing intangibles, such as food security, health, togetherness and community pride.

Connections

The seeds of the movement were planted last year when a group of devoted gardeners, community leaders and nonprofits joined forces, led by returned Peace Corps volunteer Rachel Rasmussen.

I recently found Rasmussen tending a pollinator garden along Peffer Street, which features more than 100 perennials that took root in 2013. People who walk by often stop to chat about the garden and to learn about birds and butterflies, she said.

Many gardens throughout the city are “fun and experimental,” she said, yielding mint and other aromatic plants. Others have raised beds, ideal for those with disabilities and aging knees and backs.

Currently, 16 gardens are blossoming throughout Harrisburg, mostly in Uptown and on Allison Hill. It is remarkable growth for a movement that started just a year ago.

Last year, the group re-did eight gardens, digging up old beds and building 109 new beds. This year, three gardens will be made over.

Many businesses and organizations have donated seeds and tools, including the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Green Urban Initiative, Capital Region Water and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Others, including the Midtown restaurant Right on Reily and, across the street, Zeroday Brewing Co., have held recent fundraisers, both donating a portion of their food and drink proceeds to the green team.

Rasmussen is a believer in the transformative power of caring for the earth for both individuals and the community.

“Gardens reconnect them to the land and to their home,” she said. “They promote a love for the neighborhood, inspire care for Harrisburg, and create a sense of belonging, helping people form connections with one another. It’s a multi-faceted approach to community revitalization and togetherness.”

Something Beautiful

Lifelong gardener Donnel Brown, the neighborhood revitalization coordinator for Tri-County Community Action, has joined the effort. Four years ago, as an employee of Aurora Center, she saw how the center’s beloved flower garden transformed clients with special needs.

When Brown was hired at Tri-County for a community safety initiative, she transplanted her gardening idea as one way to fight blight. She started the Wesley AME garden and began a mission to link together Harrisburg’s passionate, yet dispersed, community gardeners.

Brown cites Kevin, “a big, grumpy guy” with mental health challenges who, by his third outing in the fresh air and soil, was transformed into an enthusiastic gardener.

“I feel good when I’m in the garden,” Brown recalled him saying. “I like to help, and it helps me feel better. It gives me energy to do more.”

Brown also recalled a Syrian immigrant who was feeding her family of seven through three garden plots. Gardening also helped “bridge the cultural divide,” allowing Brown to move beyond hand gestures and Google Translate to learn key words in Arabic. And it allowed Brown to offer the family other services, including trauma-informed preschool and English-as-a-second-language classes.

It is the 21st century incarnation of “flower power.”

Indeed, countless studies show that a garden does far more than feed hungry stomachs in a low-cost way. Gardening has been shown to improve mental health, beautify forgotten lots, reduce blight, transcend cultural barriers, curb crime, improve community safety and grow happiness. The results are organic and sustainable.

The community is reaping the benefits. The culinary program at Kappa Omega chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity uses the herbs from local gardens, and fresh local fruit is used in Zeroday’s infusion tower, Brown said.

Soon, 25 students from Harrisburg High School will learn about gardening skills, sustainability, the environment and careers in agriculture.

Brown noted that the average age of a farmer in Pennsylvania is 55.

“Farmers are dying,” she said. “Having the chance to open their eyes to this is really ground-breaking.”

Rasmussen agreed.

“Agriculture is a viable career opportunity,” she said.

Richard Martinez, also a returned Peace Corps volunteer, helps tend the Peffer Street garden.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for everyone involved,” he said.

Martinez and Rasmussen also are active in Tree Tenders, a group that will plant 48 trees to beautify Scott and Rowland Elementary schools.

“There are so many lots in the city that could really use some love,” Rasmussen said. “We can create something really beautiful here.”

For more information about Homegrown Harrisburg, visit their Facebook page: Homegrown Harrisburg.

Greening Up

This month, you can help make your community a little healthier and more sustainable.

On April 27, Homegrown Harrisburg will hold its Annual Seed Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the OIC Learning Garden and at Whitaker Center. At the OIC garden, 500 Maclay St., there will be family activities, workshops, live music and sign-up information for available garden plots.

Also on April 27, the Harrisburg Tree Tender Committee will partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the city and Capital Region Water to plant 48 trees at Rowland Academy and Scott Elementary on Allison Hill for Arbor Day and will need volunteers to help. The planting will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1842 Derry St. Refreshments will be provided.

All Star Player: In raising funds for LLS, Marc Kurowski swings for the fences.

March 29, 2019 | by Rachel Jenkins

Over seven decades, the national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has put more than $1.2 billion into cancer research.

“That’s billion, with a ‘b,’” said Tara Reyka, senior director of development with the Central Pennsylvania LLS chapter

Come mid-May, Harrisburg resident J. Marc Kurowski hopes to add $250,000 to the pot.

By day, Kurowski is co-founder, president and CEO of K&W Engineering, a busy engineering firm located in the stately King Mansion on Front Street. By night, he and his team turn their attention to a rigorous, 10-week fundraising campaign for LLS’s national “All Star Man and Woman of the Year” competition.

By raising $23,000 back in 2010, Kurowski earned his local “Man of the Year” title with the Central Pennsylvania LLS chapter. Nearly 10 years later, he’s hoping to increase that number 10-fold at the national level—the “All Star” competition.

“I’m not a doctor. I’m never going to cure cancer,” Kurowski said. “But I can do this to try to be part of the solution, part of beating cancer.”

A “Why”

Man/Woman of the Year is a “philanthropic competition where local community leaders and individuals come together to really form some inspiring fundraising teams and compete in joining us in the fight for cancer cures,” said Reyka.

And just as it sounds, the man and the woman who raise the most money during this 10-week challenge are named their local chapter’s Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY).

“All Stars” like Kurowski are MWOY alum now chosen by their local markets to compete nationally. So Kurowski is battling other All Stars from around the country, people representing communities from New York to California.

The male and female who raise the most funds during the campaign are named the National Man & Woman of the Year All Stars.
Kurowski and his team are vowing to give it all they’ve got. According to Reyka, there’s one secret ingredient to finding success during this competition—a “why.”

“I think for someone to be successful, it takes their desire to make a difference in the world of cancer cures,” she said. “They don’t need a certain background. They don’t need to have certain experiences by any means or be fundraising gurus.”

As for Kurowski’s “why,” it’s a relatable one. He, like many folks, has felt cancer’s impact.

“I’ve lost too many family members,” he said. “I’ve lost a coworker and a close friend in the last year that were cancer-related. They weren’t all specifically blood cancers, but, to me, I’d do anything to start combatting cancer.”

So how, exactly, does Kurowski and his team plan on raising $250,000?

Through sponsorships, a fundraising event and expanding his network of team members. But most importantly, he is using what he learned in 2010 to perfect this year’s recipe for fundraising success.

Kurowski admits he didn’t quite have his head wrapped around everything he needed to do the first time around. But this year, he began gearing up months in advance and has honed the art of delegation.

His competitive spirit also doesn’t hurt.

“I’m certainly competitive, so that drives me,” he said. “But the bigger driver is having been impacted by people close to me and honestly really feeling like this is something we can accomplish. I feel like this is something we can do.”

Impactful

All Star competitors can fundraise for 10 weeks between February and June. Kurowski and the local MWOY competitors began collecting donations on March 8 and will finish on May 17.

According to Reyka, Kurowski isn’t the only one with a large goal in mind. As a whole, the Central PA LLS chapter hopes to raise $650,000 through the local MWOY competition.

Where does that money go? Reyka said that the Central PA chapter provided a staggering $818,562 last year alone in financial support to patients for drug and insurance copayments, in addition to health insurance premiums.

Unlike other forms of cancer, there are no preventative methods to help catch blood cancer early. That’s why the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s mission is to “find cures for blood cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.”

According to Reyka, this disease can affect anyone, of any walk of life.

“We don’t know necessarily what causes [blood cancer], and it affects people of all ages, gender, race, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “Blood cancer does not discriminate. Anyone and everyone can be affected by it.”

Through the money raised by Kurowski and the rest of Central PA’s participants, LLS is focused on “funding the best researchers out there who are on the cutting edge of finding great breakthroughs,” said Reyka.

While there’s no trophy for reaching the finish line, Kurowski believes that personal satisfaction will be enough.

“Knowing that you’ve been able to help at hopefully a significant level, that for me is what it’s all about,” he said. “Touching people, talking to people. It’s being so engaged in something you believe in that you can be impactful at potentially a significant level.”

J. Marc Kurowski and his team will host an LLS fundraising event at the King Mansion on April 13. To donate to his campaign, visit his fundraising site at www.pages.mwoy.org/cpa/hbg19/mkurowski.

Second Chance: “Clean Slating” offers some offenders a new start.

March 29, 2019 | by M. Diane McCormick

The STEP Academy graduate dropped by Victor Rodgers’ office.

“David,” as Rodgers called him, had a substance abuse problem after exiting 10 years of incarceration. Through HACC’s STEP Academy, he learned workplace expectations and job skills. Now, “David” informed Rodgers that he had a good job and an apartment. He regularly attended AA meetings. He was getting a car.

“These don’t seem like big steps, but think of the changes in his life,” said Rodgers. “You have someone now that’s a taxpaying member of our community, who can be counted on every day to show up to work, who’s helping a company produce and stay in business. It’s a win-win all around.”

Throughout the midstate, employers and lawmakers are sharing an epiphany. People make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes send youthful offenders directly to jail. They might emerge sadder but wiser, but their criminal records diminish their prospects for holding jobs, paying taxes and supporting families.

Changes are afoot. A new state “Clean Slate” law will, by midyear, automatically seal the records of those with certain second- or third-degree misdemeanors who have been free of convictions for 10 years. “Second chance” job fairs for ex-offenders, also known as re-entrants, are pairing employers desperate for workers with workers desperate for jobs. Rodgers’ STEP program for ex-offenders is on pause due to lack of funding, but he hopes for a revival.

The Clean Slate law is a first in the nation, adopted with bipartisan support in 2018. Prime sponsor state Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) co-chairs, with Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), the legislative Criminal Justice Reform Caucus. There, lawmakers and interest groups of widely divergent views converge over the idea of giving some ex-offenders another chance.

“Everyone can understand making a dumb decision that affected them the rest of their life,” said Delozier. “If you’ve been able to keep clean for 10 years and you’re a different person, you should be given a second chance.”

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) became passionate about the issue when constituents looking for help finding jobs “would say quietly they have something on their records, and it was making it hard to get employed,” she said.

Legislative support rallied around employers’ workforce needs and the opioid crisis, which is driving criminal-justice encounters towards the suburbs and countryside.

“It’s waking up lawmakers that this is something we need to fight and not through rigid laws but through compassion and therapy,” Kim said.

Increasingly, employers recognized that re-entrants “are highly motivated to do well and work hard,” Kim added.

In February, 250 people at Kim’s “Second Chance Expo” connected with 10 employers and attended workshops on overcoming hurdles to employment. One man shed tears of relief at learning how to recover his driver’s license.

“The face of somebody who is struggling was invisible,” Kim said. “There was a blank space. I want us to look deeper into the people who are struggling and understand their issues in a more intimate way.”

She added, “We can pay $50,000 a year for an inmate, or we can do these Second Chance clinics.”

To Contribute

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia offers information to help ex-offenders navigate the new Clean Slate process. Clean slating—which closes records to the public while keeping them open for law enforcement and a handful of sensitive employment fields—came up as a solution to the cumbersome expungement process that was clogging the courts, said Litigation Director Sharon Dietrich.

“Records were a big, old road block,” said Dietrich. “Employers reject people with any blemish whatever. I once had a client fired for disorderly conduct for making a loud noise.”

Pennsylvania State Police are preparing for a June 28 launch of Clean Slate and do not yet have a count of records to be sealed, said Communications Office Director Trooper Brent Miller.

The workforce hiring crunch is driving employers to rethink the concept of not hiring based on “a small black mark” on an applicant’s record, said David Black, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

“It’s also being driven by a sense of fairness,” he said. “People deserve a second chance. It’s a fundamental part of the criminal justice system that you do your time or pay your fines or serve on probation, and after that, you should be able to come back and contribute positively to society.”

While some fields have long embraced second chances—dock work and construction, for instance—shifting mindsets in other fields are opening up more options for ex-offenders, said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale.

At Vantage Foods, a meat and seafood processor outside of Camp Hill, Shipping Supervisor Stephen Dixon knows that not everyone likes to work in a cold facility or do the mandatory overtime. But he is ready to provide second chances because the company gave one to him. Having served time for involuntary manslaughter, he was offered a job after one of Kim’s job fairs.

“I just want to give people a chance,” said Dixon, a Midtown Harrisburg resident. “Regardless of someone’s record, you never know somebody’s story.”

Every re-entrant looking for a second chance has different motivations, he added. His were watching the recidivism churn of prison—“I’m not about to be part of that number,” he declared—and seeing his daughter cry.

“I can’t get time back with my kids,” he said. “The only thing I can do is continue to grow.”

A Balance

Since the tough-on-crime 1990s, the pendulum swung “as far as it can go,” said Black.

HACC’s Rodgers noted that Pennsylvania prisons disgorge 25,000 people a year, “and that’s 25,000 potential workers who could keep our economy going as Baby Boomers age out.”

“It’s a shame we put people away for all these years,” he said. “Now we’re in a bind. We don’t have enough people to work.”

Bloomingdale gave kudos to former state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner for leading Clean Slate efforts in the Senate by sharing his experience as owner of Penn Waste.

“Getting key Republicans and Democrats to work together was quite a show of bipartisanship,” he said.

Delozier remains “wholeheartedly” committed to being tough on crime and the “criminal heartless,” but she also believes that “there needs to be a balance.”

“A dad of three that had a drunk and disorderly when they were 22 years old deserves to be able to have a break,” she said.

Kim hopes for “more job training and resources, because re-entrants don’t know where to go or where to start.” Rodgers has hopes for reviving STEP, with its track record of 100-percent employment for graduates.

The legislative Criminal Justice Reform Caucus was slated to meet late last month to discuss next steps, said Delozier. She would like to tackle inequities in professional licensing, such as a morals clause in licensure requirements for cosmetologists that’s absent for barbers. In Pennsylvania prisons, men often are trained for barbering, while women get cosmetology training.

And while some offenses obviously preclude certain employment—the convicted embezzler shouldn’t be managing money, for instance—licensure regulations should explicitly address those crimes that correlate to licensing, she said.

While “there are bad people out there,” Clean Slate is giving many ex-offenders “another opportunity in life outside of incarceration,” said Dixon.

“It makes me feel good to help people like that,” he said. “Knowing where I came from the last eight years, and now to help somebody provide for their families, I guess I’m proud of that. It’s not something I look for to get anything back in return. I feel like I’ve been blessed, so I need to bless others.”

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia offers information to help ex-offenders navigate the new Clean Slate process. Visit www.mycleanslatepa.com.

Community Corner: Notable April Events

March 29, 2019 | by Missy Smith

April Community Corner

Blood Pressure Screenings
April 1: Stop by the food court pavilion at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., for free blood pressure screenings offered by UPMC Pinnacle. www.shopharrisburgmall.com

Decisions 2019
April 1, 15: World Affairs Council of Harrisburg will host “Great Decisions,” a program organized by the Foreign Policy Association. Sessions are held every other Monday at 1 p.m. at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, through May 13. Cost is $10 per session. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Safe Kids Ceremony
April 3: Join Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance at the Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, for the PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards Ceremony to honor Pennsylvania residents who work to protect children. Youth musical performances begin at 10:30 a.m. www.pablueribbonchampion.org

HBG Flea
April 6: Explore the HBG Flea, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. www.hbgflea.com

LGBT+ Job Fair
April 6: If you’re a person of queer or trans identity, drop in at Alder Health Services, 100 N. Cameron St., Suite 201-East, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to learn about job opportunities with affirming organizations in central PA. www.centralpalgbtcenter.org

Civil War Presentation
April 6: National Civil War Museum offers the next presentation in its “Lessons in History” speaker series, “Embattled Freedom: Journeys through the U.S. Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps,” with Dr. Amy Murrell Taylor, 1 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Book Sales
April 6, 20: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across from the library. Shop for books, vintage jewelry, men’s items, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Author Festival
April 7: Kick off National Library Week Celebration at the 3rd Annual Local Author Festival, 12 to 3 p.m., at the East Shore Area Library. Authors will discuss their books and offer them for sale. Attendees can enter to win a raffle basket filled with books. www.dcls.org

Art in the Wild
April 7: Meet the artists as they put the finishing touches on their installations for “Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor art exhibit. Take a self-guided, 3.1-mile trail walk to meet the artists, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Clean Water Walk
April 7: Join students, parents and community members for the fourth annual “Walk for Clean Water,” starting at 1 p.m. at Hershey High School, 550 Homestead Rd., Hershey. There also will be games, food, a raffle and a fair. Proceeds help fund water projects around the world. www.walk4cleanwater.org/hershey

Quilt Show
April 7: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library present a “Vintage Quilt Trunk Show” in Foundation Hall, 3 to 4 p.m. The program shows antique and vintage quilts from the mid-1800s through the 1930s. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Quit Smoking
April 10: Join PinnacleHealth’s free Tobacco Cessation Support Group, facilitated by a certified tobacco treatment specialist, at Giant Food Store, 3301 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 6 p.m. www.pinnaclehealth.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 11: West Shore Chamber of Commerce holds its annual celebration featuring food from the chamber’s culinary members at Bobby Rahal Toyota, 6711 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, 4 to 7 p.m. Local nonprofits will receive a portion of the proceeds. www.wschamber.org

Seed Starting
April 11: Betsy Rushong, Master Gardener in Cumberland County, will share tips on starting plants from seeds at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 6:30 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Wild Art Lecture
April 11: Join a free lecture with artist Ted Prescott at the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Prescott will describe his process for using natural materials in his work displayed at “Art in the Wild.” www.wildwoodlake.org

Guitar Show
April 12-14: Artisan Guitar Show will be held Best Western Premier The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with exhibitors and enjoy a concert series. Workshops included in general admission. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for the annual Forster Street Cleanup, beginning at 9 a.m., Forster and 2nd streets. Volunteers will pick up litter, pull weeds and plant native seeds and young shrubs. Tools, gloves, safety gear, food and drink will be provided. www.hyp.org

Beautify Harrisburg
April 13: Help beautify your city at the 7th Annual Great Harrisburg Cleanup at various locations, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The citywide effort works to remove litter from city streets, alleyways and public spaces. Individuals, neighbors and groups are encouraged to register prior to the event for cleanup supplies and T-shirts. www.cactricounty.org

Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Friends of Midtown for its Great Harrisburg Cleanup event at Harris and Logan streets, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Assist with picking up trash and large dumped items. Friends of Midtown also needs volunteers to lend pickup trucks. Email [email protected].

Earth Day Cleanup
April 13: In honor of Earth Day, Wildwood Park invites volunteers to “Clean Up Your Earth Day,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will pick up litter and pull invasive plants. Snacks, tools and work gloves provided. www.wildwoodlake.org

Trivia After Hours
April 13: Join Fredricken Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, at trivia night—“Parks and Rec Challenge”—7 to 9 p.m. Popcorn, corkscrews, bottle openers and prizes provided. Ages 21 and up, BYOB. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Spring Fundraiser
April 13: Palmyra Public Library hosts its sixth annual benefit and silent auction fundraiser, “Springtime in the Vineyard,” at Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown, 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature a buffet dinner, wine and beer selections, a large silent auction and music. www.palmyra.lclibs.org

Library Auction
April 13-28: Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, 16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg, hosts its 2019 Online Auction, with a preview period of April 13 to 19, and bidding April 20 to 28. www.simpsonlibraryauction.org

New Member Social
April 16: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for its New Member Social, 6 p.m., at Café 1500, 1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. This event is for new and prospective members. RSVP required. www.hyp.org

Latino Health Summit
April 17-18: The 2nd annual Latino Health Summit will be held at York ExpoCenter Memorial Hall, 334 Carlisle Ave., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the free Adelante Health and Wellness Expo, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for health screenings, dental assessments, fitness activities, healthy samples and more. www.palatinohealthsummit.org

Spring Happy Hour
April 18: YWCA Junior Board will hold its Spring Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., at Level 2 in downtown Harrisburg. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Camp Reily Program. www.ywcahbg.org/events

Book Sale
April 18-21: Shop the Friends of Kline Library Spring Book Sale for gently used books, videos, CDs and other items, at Paxtang Municipal Building, 3423 Derry St., Harrisburg. www.dcls.org

3rd in The Burg
April 19: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Pollinator Workshop
April 24: Manada Conservancy will host “Backyard Pollinator Habitat,” a free educational program with Ryan Davis of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Grace United Methodist Church, 433 E Main St, Hummelstown, 7 p.m. www.manada.org

Baseball Mixer
April 25: Join the West Shore Chamber and local business professionals at an afternoon Baseball Club Mixer, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at FNB Field, Harrisburg. www.wschamber.org

Annual Coffeehouse
April 25: Enjoy an evening of music, fellowship, food and drink, a silent auction and advocacy, 6:30 to 10 p.m., at the 11th Annual PUREHope Coffeehouse at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 240 Broad St., Highspire. Email [email protected].

State of Arms
April 25: Mark Fitzgerald, former U.S. senior diplomat, will address the current state of arms control before the Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg at the West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. His talk begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A dinner precedes the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org

Spring Book Sale
April 25-28: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host its Spring Book and Media Sale, April 25, 2 to 8:30 p.m. (members preview), April 26, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 27, 1 to 5 p.m., and April 28, 1 to 4 p.m. (bag sale day). www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Fundraising Event
April 26: Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania hosts the 21st Annual Visions of Monte Carlo fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd., for a dinner, auctions, music, casino-style games and more, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Beer Week
April 26-May 5: Harrisburg Beer Week returns for a 10-day salute to local craft beer. The celebration includes beer festivals, tastings, pours and other events at dozens of venues throughout central PA. www.harrisburgbeerweek.com

Indoor Sale
April 26-27: Caitlin’s Smiles will hold its annual Indoor Yard Sale and Food Counter at Zion Lutheran Church, Dauphin, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. An assortment of donated items will be for sale to support the organization’s mission. A breakfast, lunch counter and bake sale will offer a variety of food items. www.caitlins-smiles.org

Race Against Racism
April 27: Walk or run a 5K race along Harrisburg’s 6th and 7th street corridors to promote awareness of racism and injustice in our community and to support YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice programs, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. www.ywcahbg.org

Wetlands Festival
April 27: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, displays and talk to representatives from environmental groups. www.wildwoodlake.org

Garden Tea Benefit
April 27: AKA Foundation of Central PA presents “Hats, Heels and Handkerchiefs,” a garden tea, fashion show and silent auction at Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event benefits programs and scholarships of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Epsilon Sigma Omega, Harrisburg. akafoundationofcentralpa.com

Odd Ones
Apr 27: Odd Ones Spring Bizarre will be held at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this spring alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Community Fair
April 27: Vista Autism Services, 1021 Springboard Dr., Hershey, will host a community fair during Autism Acceptance Month, 1 to 5 p.m. Families and children can enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting, arts, crafts and food available for purchase. www.autismservices.org

Shakespeare’s Birthday
April 28: Celebrate the life of William Shakespeare and support Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, 4 to 7 p.m., at the annual Spring Fling. Tickets are $100 or $150 per couple. Enjoy an open bar, silent and live auctions, entertainment and food. www.gamuttheatre.org

Kids’ Book Week
April 29-May 5: Kids and families are invited for fun activities to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Children’s Book Week. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

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