Come Together: In Harrisburg, party unity takes on new meaning

May 29, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck

It’s just after 1 p.m. on a Friday, and there isn’t an open barstool at the Zeroday Brewing Co. “Outpost” in the Broad Street Market.

This doesn’t surprise me at all.

I have lunch at the market regularly, and, passing through, notice this is usually the case. In fact, often, it’s standing room only at the Outpost, even on a weekday, even at midday.

But it’s not just the quantity of people that’s striking. The makeup of the crowd is unique for this city. Young, old, rich, poor, groomed, grizzled—it’s all there, a fascinating cross-section of life here.

As I’ve written before in this space, I regard the Broad Street Market as the crossroads of Harrisburg, a place where people of every background come together to eat, shop, share and socialize. In that spirit, you might regard the Outpost as the crossroads of the crossroads.

I don’t usually imbibe during the day, which I blame (or credit) on my demanding job, so don’t tend to stop for an afternoon pint. But I’m there almost every 3rd in The Burg, when the Outpost is open late, with people, post-work, gathered several layers deep around the bar, breaking off into little groups to chew over whatever: the city, the country, sports, jobs, spouses, vacations.

On any given 3rd in the Burg, you may spot the neighborhood guy chatting up the state legislator, the barber whispering to the banker, the artist making a toast. An Amish gent wades into the crowd, and here come state workers with lanyards around their necks. Several young people squeeze in, passing their IDs over to Matt, the Outpost’s manager, mixologist and jolly organizer of chaos.

“This is the melting pot of Harrisburg,” one patron told me recently, halfway through a tall pour of a Market Research IPA. “This is where everyone comes together.”

I agree. Harrisburg has a reputation for being rather segregated based on race, class, ethnicity, age, etc. But not at the market and, emphatically, not at the Outpost.

I believe that there are only a few other places in Harrisburg that offer such a welcome sense of unity. One is seasonal, and that season is now.

If you stand at the corner of 3rd and Market streets, looking towards Chestnut, you may be surprised at what you see.

This is a quieter, less-trodden slice of downtown Harrisburg, a block with renovated storefronts and a nicely designed streetscape where, once the weather warms, the city comes out to play.

Once a month or so, Harristown closes down this block of SoMa (South of Market) and, along with Sara Bozich, hosts summertime block parties that stretch into the night. This month, there are actually two—one on June 20 in conjunction with Juneteenth and the second just six days later.

The festive atmosphere is like that inside the Broad Street Market for 3rd in The Burg, only larger, more family-forward and, well, outdoors. Sure, there’s food and beer, but also a band, goods for sale, kids’ stuff, games.

In any case, the block parties similarly attract a broad section of the Harrisburg community, folks from every walk of life, joining together for the sole purpose of having a good time. People even venture in from across the river to attend, so we can add “suburbanite” to the demographic mix.

There are a few other places that attract such a blend of the Harrisburg community. Riverfront Park and City Island immediately come to mind. Going for a walk or run or ride on a warm summer day, you may encounter people of all backgrounds, ages and even nationalities.

I don’t know—maybe I’m unusual, or just old.

I remember a time, before social media and streaming, when people eagerly ventured out to gather, meet, connect and celebrate.

At least in Harrisburg, you can still find that spirit, if you know where to look. I recommend the Outpost during 3rd in The Burg or a SoMa block party this summer, two joyful places where a sense of community abides, where having fun together is the only goal.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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June Publisher’s Note

May 29, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

As a small business owner, I’ve felt lately like I’m living in a funhouse.

Only, it’s no fun.

A few months ago, the menace of huge tariffs hung over us, threatening our business, as most newsprint and sheet paper is imported from Canada. Then, to my surprise, that tariff threat suddenly disappeared—at least for the time being.

One day it’s up, the next it’s down, and who knows what tomorrow holds? And round and round she goes.

So far, we’ve lucked out, but many of our small business friends and neighbors have not. They’re bearing the brunt of this country’s trade war against the world, putting their very futures at risk.

Five years ago, during the pandemic, I used this space to urge our readers to shop locally to ensure the survival of our area’s wonderful small businesses. I’m doing so again, this time because the U.S. government’s own trade policies have taken something incredibly difficult—operating a successful small business—and made it even harder.

Go into your favorite local business and ask if they’re impacted by tariffs. You may be surprised by the answer, as I have been. So many products, goods, foods, etc., are imported, and small businesses simply cannot pivot overnight to alternative suppliers, if they exist at all.

One day, I presume, the U.S. will see its way out of this chaos and return to a sane, stable trade policy, so that businesses have predictability and the ability to plan long-term. Until then, it’s up to us to ensure that our locally owned stores, shops and restaurants survive, even if selection is limited, even if prices are higher.

As you flip through our June issue, you’ll see that many small businesses support TheBurg, and we, in turn, support them. Small business is the lifeblood of any community. You’ll discover so many here, in these pages, which are worthy of your patronage anytime—but especially now.

Lawrance Binda

Publisher/Editor

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June News Digest

May 29, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Incumbent Mayor Williams Re-Nominated

Harrisburg voted to retain its leadership in city hall last month, as incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams narrowly claimed the Democratic nomination.

With all precincts reporting in the municipal primary, Williams won 1,725 votes, compared to 1,642 for city treasurer Dan Miller, who came in second in the field of five.

Rounding out the ballot, City Council member Lamont Jones claimed 1,092 votes, community activist Tone Cook Jr. received 312 votes and repeat candidate Lewis Butts won 90 votes.

The race came down to the wire, with the final precincts giving Williams the edge. At a victory party, Williams described herself as “elated” by her win.

“They wanted me back in office, and I’m here and I promise to do everything I can to make this city better,” she said.

Williams is heavily favored to win re-election in the November general election, as no Republicans ran in the primary. It would be her second four-year term.

The race for Harrisburg City Council was hotly contested, with 13 candidates competing for four, four-year seats.

In the end, Democratic incumbents Ausha Green, Jocelyn Rawls and Ralph Rodriguez all prevailed, with challenger and former council member Robert Lawson taking the nomination for the one open seat.

The Democratic challengers who fell short include Leslie Franklin, Lisa Glenn, Sharon Horne, Elyse Irvis, Willie Ross, Rich Sanders, Lori Saulisbury, Karl Singleton and Basir Vincent. Singleton died in March, but his name remained on the ballot. No Republicans ran in the council race.

The primary race for school board was not contested.

Democratic incumbents Roslyn Copeland, Danielle Robinson, Brian Carter and Jaime Johnsen all won nomination for four, four-year seats, while Annie Hughes was nominated for the lone two-year seat. No Republicans filed to run, meaning the incumbents are likely to win new terms in November.

For city controller, Karen Balaban was uncontested for the Democratic nomination. No Republicans competed for the seat.

Dauphin County has elections for several row offices this year.

For prothonotary, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg ran uncontested in the Republican primary, as did Harrisburg resident Antonio Carreno in the Democratic primary. They’ll compete in the general election.

The clerk of courts primary was competitive, with Tina Nixon defeating Timothy Pianka, both of Harrisburg, for the Democratic nomination. John McDonald won the Republican nomination running uncontested.

For county coroner, long-time incumbent Graham Hetrick took the Republican nomination running uncontested, as did John Harris Jr. for the Democratic nomination.

The primary results are considered preliminary until certified by the Dauphin County Bureau of Elections. The general election is slated for Nov. 4.

School District Weighs Tax Hike

Harrisburg property owners may see a tax increase in the coming year, as the school district seeks to make up for lost funds.

Harrisburg School District officials proposed a 2025-26 budget last month, while weighing a property tax increase that, they say, is needed to balance a budget impacted by the post-COVID-funding fiscal cliff.

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Marcia Stokes presented a proposed $211.8 million budget, a $5 million decrease from the 2024-25 budget, along with a 2% property tax hike.

The proposal would raise the tax rate from 30.78 to 31.4 mills. Even though the tax would increase, Stokes said that homeowners who qualify for the state’s Homestead Exemption would likely see a decrease on their bill, due to increased relief funds and fewer program participants.

Stokes explained that a tax increase is needed to combat less projected local revenue, due to a drop in taxable properties in the city, as well as less projected federal revenue.

School board directors questioned what would happen if they decided not to raise taxes. Stokes said that the district would likely have to make budget cuts and that the school district would face challenges in the long run, as it needs to begin raising taxes to maintain a healthy, balanced budget.

“From my professional standpoint, small incremental increases are the way to go, because they are predictable for our homeowners,” Stokes said. “They are something that’s slowly building the revenue stream that we have to maintain.”

However, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski wasn’t in complete agreement with Stokes about the tax hike—she believes they may need to raise taxes even more.

Most concerning for Suski, the district has petitioned the state to end its court-appointed receivership, a state oversight program that the district has been in for almost six years. In June, a Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas judge is slated to decide whether Harrisburg is ready to exit and regain local control or remain in the program for another three years.

As part of a potential exit, Harrisburg would be required to follow its Amended Recovery Plan, which details goals and objectives to help the district become financially and educationally stable. Part of that plan includes a need to raise revenue through local sources.

According to an outside financial advisory firm, Public Financial Management (PFM), the district needs to raise its property taxes by 4.81% this year to satisfy the Amended Recovery Plan and to balance the budget. Suski said that she is worried that, if the district doesn’t follow that guidance, it could be placed back under state control.

“We need to look at the long-term goal, and the long-term goal is we’ve worked very hard to exit,” she said.

Currently, Suski said that she expects the court to decide on a possible exit from receivership on June 17. The district is slated to adopt its budget on June 24. So, if the district is granted an exit, the board needs to decide if it strictly will follow the Amended Recovery Plan. If not, Suski said that she believes the state could put Harrisburg back into receivership, as it is required to monitor the district for five years after an exit.

“It’s like rolling the dice. You don’t know what you’re going to get,” Suski said. “I can’t imagine that they would throw you back in, but I don’t know.”

She also pointed out that the difference in the impact on the average taxpayer, if the board approved the 4% hike over the 2%, would be less than $100.

“I would hate to see all the work that has gone on in this district over the last few years to be down the tubes for just over $80,” she said. “I’m not trying to diminish the impact on the taxpayer. But we also need to remember that local control means local effort, local investment in our school district.”

Harrisburg Finances Deemed Stable

Harrisburg’s finances are “stable,” but the city faces considerable challenges moving forward, according to a recent report from a state-appointed financial board.

Last month, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) submitted its annual report to the commonwealth, offering a generally positive view of the city’s finances, but noting several concerns and, especially, urging the city to move ahead aggressively on developing an economic development plan.

“In the report, the ICA finds that the City of Harrisburg’s financial condition is currently stable, with progress toward many individual objectives,” according to the ICA, tasked since 2018 in helping to oversee Harrisburg’s financial progress. “The report, though, continues to advocate for a more comprehensive approach to economic redevelopment, as well as work toward reentering the credit marketplace.”

The report emphasizes three issues of note.

First, it “encourages” the city to work with other stakeholders, including businesses, residents, developers and neighborhood groups, to “adopt and implement a wide-ranging economic development strategy.”

“Such a plan would help significantly with the city’s vitality and preventing future downturns in the local economy,” according to the ICA.

The ICA, in its report, states that the city is the preferable entity to lead such an effort and that, in fact, the city administration has begun to put together a working group to develop a plan.

Secondly, on a related note, an economic development plan would help address the negative impact of the post-pandemic local economy, as many state and other office workers now work remotely. These impacts include higher commercial vacancy rates, reduced property taxes, less parking revenue and lower income from worker taxes.

Thirdly, the ICA remains “concerned” that the city maintain adequate fund balances both in its general fund and its neighborhood services (sanitation) fund. For years, the ICA has urged the city to improve its collection of sanitation fees, which it repeats in its current report.

The ICA stated all three of these issues as “areas of concern” in last year’s report, as well.

In the current report, the ICA notes that city is on “the cusp” of exiting from Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed municipalities. However, it’s been prevented from doing so because of ongoing, unresolved litigation involving the city’s former incinerator, which it sold in 2013 as part of the recovery plan from its financial crisis.

Once the longstanding litigation is resolved, the city would be able to quickly exit Act 47, an important step to be able to re-access the credit markets, which it’s been unable to do since entering the program about 15 years ago.

Home Sales, Prices Higher

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both moved higher in April, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 501 homes sold versus 496 in April 2024, while the median sales price rose to $289,900 from $255,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 253 houses changed hands compared to 227 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price increased to $264,261 from $230,000, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 205 home sales, a drop from 227 the prior April, as the median sales price rose to $315,000 from $287,600, according to the GHAR report.

In Perry County, 34 houses sold in April, a decrease of one from the prior year, as the median sales price grew to $292,450 from $230,000, stated GHAR.

The pace of sales slowed in April, as “average days on market” rose to 33 days from 26 days in April 2024, said the report.

So Noted

Hannah Ison last month was named the executive director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a statewide trade organization for brewers. Ison has served as the head of brewing operations for Harrisburg-based Zeroday Brewing Co.

Jon C. Stuckey has been named interim president of Messiah University, replacing Kim Phipps, who is slated to retire at the end of this month. Stuckey will serve until a permanent president is appointed, according to the university.

Plants + Pints raised $7,000 for Downtown Daily Bread, a Harrisburg shelter. The check was presented in Strawberry Square, which hosted the day-long festival in April featuring vegetable-based products and local craft beer.

Sycamore Homes last month cut the ribbon on a 23-unit affordable apartment complex at 1400 Sycamore St. in Harrisburg. The $4.8 million project began construction in October 2022 as a partnership of the Latino Connection Foundation and Fernandez Realty Affordable Homes.

William (Bill) Habacivch, a former executive director of Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania, has passed away. Habacivch helped establish the recently opened Veteran’s Grove community in south Harrisburg, also serving as long-time director of the business department at Central Penn College.

Changing Hands

Benton St., 606: G. & C. Hetes to C. Dailey, $145,000

Berryhill St., 1623: A. Pichardo to Unique Homes Group LLC, $145,000

Boas St., 104: R. Wambach to D. Shemory, $225,000

Boas St., 414: Berlin Group LLC to S. & G. Davis, $275,000

Brookwood St., 2117: E. Davis to Puzzle Properties LLC, $75,000

Brookwood St., 2424: R. Patterson to Blessed Investments LLC, $111,033

Brookwood St., 2432: D. Crawford to G and W Rentals LLC, $115,000

Brookwood St., 2445: B. & C. Roach to M. Kernizan, $126,000

Calder St., 215: M. Woolley & L. Evans to VNS LLC, $125,000

Chestnut St., 1200: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,858

Chestnut St., 1202: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857

Chestnut St., 1204: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857

Chestnut St., 1206: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857

Chestnut St., 1208: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857

Chestnut St., 1909: R. Goldberg to Vantage Estate LLC, $140,000

Chestnut St., 1919: K. Brown to GW Rentals LLC, $80,000

Chestnut St., 2116: R. Pattillo to G. & T. Casner, $305,000

Derry St., 2145: R&K Realty Group LP to L. Tiburcio, $180,000

Derry St., 2233: D. & J. DePastino to Soul House LLC, $91,928

Division St., 423: Archie Group LLC to Upscale Properties LLC, $100,000

Emerald St., 232: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Chavdar Jade LLC, $290,000

Emerald St., 627: M. Braxton to Alpha Royal Lounge LLC, $87,000

Evergreen St., 26, 28: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857

Geary St., 622: D. Peralta to A. Mauricio & Y. Trinidad, $55,000

Green St., 805: J. Cowden & K. Edwards to A. Fontaine, $285,000

Green St., 1207: Arc Realty & Property Management LLC to J. Brenize, $212,500

Hanover St., 1318: B. Rodriguez to E. Forney, $108,000

Harris St., 204: T. Burke to J. & M. Cameron, $259,900

Holly St., 1830: J. Montiel & A. Salgado to R. Vidal, $171,000

Howard St., 1347: Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC to Amazings Rentals LLC, $256,000

Hummel St., 410: M. Hernandez to R. Gutierrez & A. Ortiz, $50,000

Hunter St., 1715: Side by Side 365 LLC to A. Caceres, $149,000

Kelker St., 632: D. Villalona to M. Jobczynski, $143,000

Logan St., 1730: B. & W. Bechtel to C. Fox, $243,000

Mercer St., 2472: K. Dodson to S. Rubinstein & H. Choi, $133,000

Mulberry St., 1160: E. Gonzalez & M. Castro to F. Luciano & D. Canario, $50,000

Mulberry St., 1809: D. & M. Patrick to D. Boyer, $149,900

Mulberry St., 1916: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to BAJ Holdings LLC, $90,000

North St., 1822: R. Burgos & JFDIECIOCHO22 LLC to R. Vazquez, $130,000

North St., 1838: T. Bauserman & J. Hoskins to Breneman Properties LLC, $91,000

North St., 2014: C. Brooks to Famous Achiever LLC, $98,000

N. 2nd St., 404: A. Weinstock to Family Tires V LLC, $435,000

N. 2nd St., 1833: Glanzair Properties LLC to Elite Remodeling Realty LLC, $99,000

N. 2nd St., 1915: Apple Tree Community Development Company to Capital Acres LLC, $322,500

N. 2nd St., 2215: R. Hall to A. & A. Ferguson, $415,000

N. 3rd St., 904: Ramsden & Ramsden LLC to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $390,000

N. 3rd St., 1419: Midtown Development LLC to Heinly Homes LLC, $320,000

N. 3rd St., 3007: V. McCray to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $100,000

N. 4th St., 1719: J. Blymier & C. Fox to C. Corrado, $240,000

N. 4th St., 2611: J. Runion to MDR Homes LLC, $97,000

N. 5th St., 2652: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to J. Holmes, $170,000

N. 5th St., 3135: G&W Rentals LLC to J. Vega, $275,000

N. 6th St., 1716 & 1718: 3N Consulting Services LLC to 1720 N 6th St PA LLC, $85,000

N. 6th St., 1720: 3N Consulting Services LLC to 1720 N 6th St PA LLC, $85,000

N. 7th St., 2624: S. Reid to Kapp Property LLC, $113,000

N. 14th St., 1201: R. Burgos & Doceuno LLC to Bedon Flooring LLC, $105,000

N. 14th St., 1203: R. Burgos & Frdoce03 to Bedon Flooring LLC, $105,000

N. 15th St., 18: Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC to E. Esh, $190,000

N. 17th St., 56: F. Gomez to My Majesty LLC, $87,000

N. 18th St., 902: S. Marshall & J. Colbertson to W. Renesca, $190,000

N. 18th St., 916: M. Castro to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $88,000

N. Front St., 1101: S. Krevsky to D. Aldous, $260,000

Park St., 1631: E. Torres to Goods Creekside Properties LLC, $80,000

Paxton St., 1700: N. Akhter to Paxton Mart Co., $765,000

Penn St., 2333: Adonis Real Estate LLC to M. & C. Fleming, $155,000

Penwood Rd., 3116: A. Hollinger & E. Shellhamer to G. Haffner, $175,000

Penwood Rd., 3214: R. & S. Holloman to I. Trost, $195,000

Radnor St., 618: M. Temba and C. & J. Liu to D. Glick, $125,000

Radnor St., 672: Rivas Property Investments LLC to N. Chisolm, $155,000

Randolph St., 1614: R. Augustin to L. Chavez & L. Morales, $91,000

Reel St., 2414: J. Ford to C. Woods, $75,000

Regina St., 1810: R. Bedon to A. Perez, $170,000

Reily St., 215: Calders Street Development LLC to Velocity Capital Group LLC, $290,000

Rumson Dr., 2842: R. & D. Bratina to Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC, $171,000

Rumson Dr., 2983: C. Caraballo to E. Jimenez, $174,000

Showers St., 612: J. Forry to F. & D. Vaughn, $230,000

S. 17th St., 523: Philadelphia Macaroni Co. to Couscous Co. LLC, $4,250,000

S. 18th St., 157: B. Vincent to Blue Trust Investments LLC, $60,000

S. 19th St., 28: M. Slabonik to VTF Dylle Properties LLC, $130,000

S. 29th St., 708: Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC to C. Lozano, $195,000

S. Cameron St., 1325: M. Khan to J. Finefrock, $52,000

State St., 1414: A. & M. Collins to Aybar Bonilla Investment LLC, $224,900

State St., 1508: Vernon St Apartments LLC to JG Family Trust, $236,000

Susquehanna St., 1336: Green Scapes Investments LLC to E. & R. Clammer, $440,000

Susquehanna St., 2005: D. Witmer to H. Martinez, $230,000

Sylvan Terr., 125: Triple S Real Estate LLC to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $290,000

Verbeke St., 1613: R. Sanchez to A. & D. Bolinger, $220,000

Vernon St., 1348: D. Boyle to Unique Homes Group LLC, $75,000

Vernon St., 1435: Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC to O. & A. Ogunfowora, $159,000

Vine St., 113: C. Friedel to S. & M. McGarvey, $151,000

Walnut St., 1732: A. Lovo to A. Bouhach, $83,000

Wiconisco St., 420: Sky Resort Investments LLC to H. & A. Fisher, $585,000

Wiconisco St., 529: Taylor Made Bizzness LLC to C&C Homes LLC, $80,000

Woodlawn St., 2312 & 2317 Luce St.: Zieger Son Inc. and Zieger & Sons Inc. to 2300 Woodlawn Street LLC, $1,115,000

Harrisburg property sales, April 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Burg Bucket List: Play tourist and start a summer romance with Harrisburg

May 29, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

I had family in town recently and, since it was their first time in Harrisburg, I was excited to show them around. My husband Jamar and I took them to several of our favorite spots—Riverfront Park for a stroll, the Broad Street Market for Friday lunch and the Capitol building for the view at the top of the steps.

While I played tour guide, I felt like I was seeing my city through fresh eyes. When my mother- and sister-in-law’s eyes lit up over the buffet of steaming Jamaican food at the Porter’s House market stand or when my nephews giggled while picking dandelions in the park or when everyone said they loved the view of the sparkling river, I thought, “Wow, me too!”

I’ve lived in the city for five years now, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking Harrisburg’s gems for granted. For those who have lived here 10 years, 20 or their whole lives, I’m sure it’s even easier. So, I set out to round up some of my favorite ways to romanticize everyday life in our city with some hidden gem ideas.

Peaceful Park

This may be at the top of my list of Harrisburg’s most underrated places that’s literally right under your nose. The Capitol! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gone to eat lunch on a bench in Capitol Park and thought, “It’s so nice and peaceful up here. Where is everyone?” I love taking a break from the office to relax in the park and watch the squirrels.

I also highly recommend coming back to the Capitol complex in the evening to walk around the stately building with a view of the fountain and Soldier’s Grove Park. Last summer, we got takeout from Tacos Mi Tierra in Allison Hill, drove across the bridge to the east side of the Capitol and ate our dinner with friends at one of the picnic tables overlooking the fountain. There was no one else in sight. I joked that it felt like we were having dinner on our own private mansion patio.

Taco Tour

Speaking of tacos…Every time I’m in Allison Hill, I take a mental inventory of all of the restaurants I’m still dying to try. There are so many food trucks and restaurants selling Latin cuisine. So, I decided—why not try a bunch at once with a “Taco hop” through the neighborhood? Jamar happily tagged along, and we made it through three places, each with its own unique flair. First stop was for yummy steak tacos at Rice & Beans Restaurant on S. 17th Street—a place I’ve been before but never for tacos. Conveniently right next door is El Verdadero Sabor de Mexico, where we popped in for round two, birria tacos smothered in guac. Then we hooked a right on Derry Street and stopped at El Carrizal to finish the night with an assortment of chicken, chorizo and carnitas tacos. Also nearby are several other places, like Tacos Mi Tierra, as well as a few Dominican food trucks and a Guatemalan spot. But for this trip, we decided to stick to tacos, so we weren’t in a food coma by sunset.

We had our favorites but enjoyed each restaurant. We had so much fun and will be planning more themed food tours this summer.

If you aren’t too stuffed by the time you’re done with tacos, maybe grab a dessert and head to Reservoir Park to relax or walk off all the tacos. Reservoir is another beautiful, yet underutilized city park.

Read and Roam

I live on the border of Midtown and Uptown, and recently I’ve enjoyed walking to the Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, which I just call “my library” because we share a name. I think it’s the cutest little spot with a pretty oak tree out front. If you don’t live nearby to walk, you can drive and park in their lot and head inside. The library is snug, but I’ve borrowed several books from them that I’ve loved. This time, I checked out a novel and a cookbook, which we’ll use for a later activity. Make sure you have a Dauphin County Library card!

Take your finds and walk 10 minutes to Italian Lake Park to either find a shaded bench to sit and read on or stroll around the quaint lake. The park is such a beautiful hidden oasis in the city that more people should take advantage of. When you’ve hit a good stopping point in your book, walk back to your car at the library. And if you need to cool down after the walk, take a short drive down 3rd Street to Midtown Juice Lab for a smoothie or, my favorite, an acai bowl with fresh fruit.

Market Meal & Movie

If you picked up a cookbook at the library like I did, or you have another recipe in mind, it’s time to do a little shopping. I must admit, I’m not a big fan of cooking, but I stepped outside my comfort zone to make something with all local ingredients. I decided on citrus salmon with brown butter asparagus. I grabbed fresh produce and ingredients at the Broad Street Market and Radish & Rye Food Hub and then hit Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe on Green Street for a loaf of bread (try to get there somewhat early for the best options). My meal turned out delicious!

Bonus idea: catch a movie at Midtown Cinema after dinner and make it a date night. The cinema has a chalkboard outside with their daily movies and times, which I like to check when I walk by. I love having a theater in my neighborhood that’s so much cleaner, cozier and has better concessions—coffee drinks, ice cream, Zeroday brews—than the big theaters.

Take Me Out

I recently attended a Senators baseball game on City Island and was reminded of how much I enjoy attending games with friends. I’ve got to tell you, I’m not a big sports person. However, I love a good live sporting event, even if it’s 50% because of the snacks (try the hot candied pecans and thank me later). There’s nothing like a warm summer night at the baseball field, chatting, I mean, watching the game with friends. FNB Field is such a nice stadium that’s just a walk across the Walnut Street Bridge away.

If you’re looking for some ways to spice up a Saturday or summer weeknight in the city, be a tourist—even if you’re not one. Try a restaurant you’ve never been to, buy cheap seats for a baseball game, or find a tree to sit under and read or enjoy a picnic with friends.

I’m a huge “Gilmore Girls” fan and, if you know the show, Stars Hollow is the ultimate small town, with places to eat within walking distance, a movie theater, bookstore and cast of quirky characters. Well, Harrisburg’s got all that!

Every time I’ve hosted visitors in Harrisburg, they’ve enjoyed our town. Some loved the nature, others the food and some the history, like my Jersey grandmom who was excited to visit as an avid Burg reader. Invite your friends and family too! And maybe, you’ll get a fresh glimpse at the city and, like me, think, “Oh wow, Harrisburg is really nice.”

If you try any of these ideas or come up with your own, share your photos and tag @theburgnews!

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Tent Sent: Tent Valley Ministries has made a Harrisburg encampment its mission

May 29, 2025 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Volunteers participate in cleanup days

It could happen to any of us.

No matter how things look now, an unexpected twist of fate could make you, or someone you know, homeless.

Just ask Kelly Lester, co-founder of Tent Valley Ministries, a grassroots organization that tends mainly to a homeless community situated near PennDOT’s administration building in Harrisburg.

Lester said that the residents of these tented woods “come from all sorts of different places in life.”

“Some are still recovering from COVID (shutdowns), some are veterans, some are everyday people who happen to have a mishap,” Lester said. “Most of us are just one step away, just one paycheck away from being in the same situation.”

One example? A man with a “six figures” income who recently spent a year living at the homeless community after his identity was stolen, according to Tent Valley co-founder Donna DeVore. He came to the encampment after being left with no money, no housing and a girlfriend who abandoned him.

Others are left homeless due to unemployment, natural disasters, personal issues, or just a bad turn of luck. The reasons vary; few are the same.

“If you sat down and talked to some of them, their stories would amaze you,” DeVore said.

Tent Valley Ministries was founded four years ago by a coalition of women representing four area churches. Lester represents Grace Temple of the Living God in Steelton, while DeVore represents Christ Community Church in Camp Hill.

Also working as co-founders are Sheri Emswiler of Fountain of Life Church in Middletown and Jocelyn Maddox of Shiloh Church of God in Christ in Swatara Township.

The women met while volunteering “out in the field,” assisting homeless around the city, according to Lester. Today, they’re accompanied by “a variety of people” on their weekly visits to the encampment, offering food, medical needs, clothing, and at times, even tents.

“My dream always was to have a cookout for these people,” Lester said. “We all met at dinner and started talking about doing a cookout. I’ve been doing this since 2020. I started out with soup and sandwiches at church as a missionary.”

Today, about 100 people reside in the tent encampment near PennDOT, according to Mischelle Moyer, director of communications for the City of Harrisburg. Moyer said that she believes that “some people […] prefer the encampment” to other available alternatives.

“We generally have homeless shelters with empty beds even in the coldest months because people do not wish to leave their pets or belongings even though we store belongings up to 30 days for free,” Moyer said. “Some people simply do not want rescued and wish to lead that way of life. They will take advantage of food and medical offerings. However, when it comes to living, they prefer the encampment.”

The biggest challenge the encampment currently faces is the impending replacement of the I-83 South Bridge. Construction is tentatively slated to begin in 2026, according to PennDOT. At that time, encampment tent residents will need to move from the area, DeVore stated.

For now, Lester said that, through Tent Valley, she wants the encampment’s occupants to “feel at home.”

“We bring them firewood bits, hats, gloves, hand warmers. It’s cold out there,” she said. “We take enough food so that we don’t run out.”

Last Feb. 15, Tent Valley hosted a “Love Day” at the encampment, for which the women made chili, hot coffee and desserts. The YMCA Center for Healthy Living provided care packages with thick, warm changes of socks, while other volunteers performed music around a community campfire.

Besides regular weekly supply visits, Tent Valley also celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day and other holidays there with food, campfires and decorations for surrounding trees. Encampment residents, in turn, help the group with setups and “treat us like family,” Lester said.

Today, Tent Valley’s volunteer and donation network also includes Love Church of the Living God, Lifepoint Church, Baptist Fellowship Church, By His Mercy Ministries, Positive Attitude in Negative Situations (PAINS), Christian Churches United, Socks It 2 Me Inc., Elle & Olyv Baking Company, NP Blessed Decor & Rentals, Kennedy Blue Communications and Harrisburg Dairies.

While group members and passersby also offer donations, Lester said the group is “in the process” of becoming a state registered nonprofit organization eligible to apply for various funding grants.

In the meantime, Tent Valley encourages people to join their cause.

“They [encampment residents] are just regular people like us,” DeVore said. “They shouldn’t be shunned.”

For more information on Tent Valley Ministries, call 233-231-6805 or visit the group on Facebook.

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Lifting Voices: Singing competition to raise money, honor a life

May 29, 2025 | by Ashley Andyshak Hayes

Asayah Beatty

Asayah graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, where he was on the school’s wrestling team. He loved music, cars and adventure, Luff said, and was a “thrill-seeking, adrenaline junkie.”

But last summer, at age 20, his life was cut short as the result of a motorcycle accident. His family was heartbroken, but they’re finding a way through their pain by starting a foundation in Asayah’s memory.

“I’m the type of person where I can’t sit still in sadness or my brain will overload, and I’ll go into depression,” Luff said. “I need to keep moving.”

Luff and Asayah’s mother, Jenn Hoffman, established the foundation earlier this year. Their mission, according to the foundation website, is “to build pathways for individuals who may not be interested in or able to pursue a traditional four-year college experience.”

“We believe in providing real, accessible alternatives—from creative arts and entrepreneurship to mentorship and hands-on opportunities—especially for those who often go overlooked,” the site says.

The foundation’s first fundraising event, a musical competition called “The Voices of Harrisburg,” will honor Asayah’s love of music.

“He was a huge, huge music lover,” Luff said. “It always astonished me that someone so young would be listening to Ray Charles or heavy metal. He loved music. It was playing on his phone all day.”

Two Voices of Harrisburg events are currently planned for June 29 and Dec. 27 at the Civic Club of Harrisburg. Artists of all genres are invited to register, as long as their performance is family-friendly, Luff said. A panel of three judges will determine the winner, who will receive a cash prize.

“This event is more than just a singing competition,” Luff said. “It’s a celebration of life, love, healing and community.”

The Voices of Harrisburg events will also provide paid internship opportunities for young people interested in event planning and production. The foundation is working on internship arrangements with the local vendors who are helping to produce the events, Luff said.

The foundation is also looking for event sponsors and donations of auction items.

As the foundation builds its programs and determines how it can best support local young people and honor Asayah’s memory, the ultimate goal is to let people know they are not alone, Luff said.

“We want the Asayah Beatty Foundation to be a foundation where people who are hurting know that they have a place to go and that they are not alone,” he said. “It’s hard to talk about certain things without crumbling to the ground. We’re showing people that, even in the midst of our pain, we just don’t want to go through it alone.”

“The Voices of Harrisburg” music competition will be held Sunday, June 29, at 4 p.m. at the Civic Club of Harrisburg, 612 N. Front St. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-voices-of-harrisburg. For more about the Asayah Beatty Foundation, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/asayah-beatty-foundation.

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A Load of Scrap: The scrap economy has long been a thriving industry in Harrisburg—and still is

May 29, 2025 | by M. Diane McCormick

Diane McCormick at CRS

The flattened burgundy Chrysler teetered atop the conveyor. From the control booth, operator Careen Nation angled a joystick, and someone’s former pride and joy plunged under the pounding hammers of the Consolidated Scrap Resources shredder.

In three seconds, it was an ex-Chrysler.

What happens to our scrap when its usefulness has ended—all that steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, brass and electronics cluttering our homes and garages?

In Harrisburg, they might come to a scrapyard or electronics recycler. The city’s scrap economy creates jobs, supplies manufacturers with recycled materials, and diverts our discards, from aluminum cans to shopping malls, away from landfills.

Carloads & Truckloads

The stretch of Harrisburg’s 7th Street corridor north of Maclay Street is lined with recyclers accepting steel, aluminum, paper and other materials.

Below Maclay, on North Cameron Street, the flagship yard of Consolidated Scrap Resources is now in its fourth generation of Abrams family ownership.

Rail cars bringing scrap in or hauling it out still run directly into the 28-acre, circa-1907 Harrisburg yard. So do tractor trailers from industrial and government clients responsibly discarding their waste. Homeowners in cars haul old water tanks. Pickup trucks arrive filled with trash-day metal.

“It helps pay all those extra bills that need to be paid,” said Melissa Hershman, of Harrisburg, whose husband, Jim, began trash-day collecting to augment his Social Security retirement payments.

In 2024, Pennsylvania’s scrap industry generated $7.1 billion in economic activity, according to the Recycled Materials Association. In the 10th congressional district spanning much of Dauphin, Cumberland and York counties, the industry generated $450.7 million and created 1,673 jobs.

CSR collects cardboard and some plastics, but its bread and butter is metals—steel, copper, aluminum, cast iron and more.

One Maryland police department brings its confiscated weapons to be destroyed, certifiably and under the watch of state troopers. Municipal governments bring the loads generated by residents who use drop-off recycling centers.

“It doesn’t end up in the landfill,” said CSR Vice President of Operations Steve Marcus.

Even the plastics, upholstery and other non-metals that are integral to every car, appliance or golf club sent for recycling are separated during processing and converted into lint-like piles called “fluff,” used as a soil alternative for covering landfills.

“We want to get as much squeal out of the pig as we can,” Marcus said.

The Shredder

As Marcus gave me a tour of the CSR yard, we passed the “peddler pile,” soaring with sinks, bathtubs, water heaters and hubcaps from small-load customers.

I commented on another pile, full of reddish steel beams. A demolished bridge, maybe?

“The Harrisburg Mall,” Marcus said. “We got all the scrap from the Harrisburg Mall.”

There goes that Orange Julius I remember from 1994.

But CSR’s acceptance of materials for resale to industry—steel melted into more steel, aluminum cans converted back into cans—is just the beginning. Those clients write exacting specs for their purchases, suited to their own manufacturing processes and shipping needs.

So, scrapyard becomes processor. Giant steel is torched and pummeled into fist-sized “frag” for efficient melting. Smashed cans are wrapped into efficient, stackable bales.

At CSR, the journey begins with the shredder. When they told me about it, I pictured something like a drive-thru car wash.

Then we walked the yard, and I gasped at the beast standing beyond sight of the street. Its towers, winding conveyors and sheds reminded me of the hulking coal breaker in my dad’s Northeast PA hometown.

This behemoth has its own electrical substation, powering a system so muscular and intricate that momentum keeps it going for 30 minutes after shutdown each day.

“There are definitely larger scrapyards,” said Marcus, a 35-year veteran of the business. “There are definitely smaller scrapyards. When we put our shredder in, one of the parameters that made us decide the size of the shredder was what we felt, in the area, was enough scrap to support it.”

After the shredder machinery pounds the bejesus out of the mixed metals fed to it, the pieces travel to the first intersection of conveyors, where giant rotating magnets grab the ferrous steel and push it forward.

The non-ferrous pieces drop to a belt below, where the magic of an eddy current separates aluminum by providing a charge that convinces it to leap, salmon-like, off the belt’s end.

As steel makes its way to conversion into frag, the “last line of defense” constitutes CSR employees deftly picking any remaining dirt, trash or undesirable materials from a belt whizzing by.

“Copper is a no-no when it comes to steel mills,” Marcus said. “You put too much copper into an electric furnace, and it’ll blow the heat. It’ll ruin the whole load. Our product is clean and has very little copper.”

Electronics Equation

In an Allison Hill garage, a forklift operator hoisted stacks of televisions—75-inchers, still boxed. Precision Recyclers had just received three truckloads of the damaged TVs.

Now, they were destined for dismantling. Parts with market value, such as circuit boards, would be sold online. The remaining metals were destined for return to the supply chain, sold by the pound and shipped to refiners.

John Sposit founded Precision Recyclers in 2017 when he learned that local school districts and businesses lacked the capacity or outlets to properly manage their electronic discards.

“It was mind-boggling to me how they throw things away, and there were no other competition or other businesses doing similar things in the area,” said Sposit, an accountant and U.S. Army veteran who had been in the book resale business.

While Dauphin County residents have free disposal of their electronics and appliances at the county recycling center, the waste stream never stops flowing, and other free options are scarce.

Precision Recyclers helps fill the gap. Residents can bring their electronics—essentially, anything that plugs in—for free disposal. Businesses and government agencies are assured legally compliant disposal of their outdated or unused equipment. Some might be charged a fee, depending on labor or processing costs, but the firm has never charged school districts, Sposit said.

Depending on condition and age, Precision Recyclers might refurbish and donate its usable items to local organizations or tear them down for parts.

“We encourage people to dispose of their things properly because we follow state and federal law, and we educate those around us to try to do the same thing,” said Recycling Manager Cynthia Craig.

With its Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection certification, Precision Recyclers can provide data destruction for keepers of sensitive information. In most cases, the hard drive goes under a specialty crusher.

“Crushing is the most secure process because you’re not reusing the hard drive,” said Sposit.

Old electronics left to languish can be dangerous, as batteries leak and create fire hazards.

“If you have a fire, it’s going to destroy your buildings,” said Craig. “We want to educate people to not just let these things build up.”

So, about those laptops stacked in my closet, supposedly waiting for the day when I preserve my decades of research and writing?

“Transfer it to a portable disk, and get rid of the computers,” Craig said.

Education and partnerships drive the Precision Recyclers mission, she added. The firm participates in community events. Camp Curtin YMCA and The Bridge host drop-off sites for residents. Neighborhood groups can bring in the items collected from electronics clean-up events.

Some schools or businesses receive donations of refurbished machines, such as 3-D printers.

“We can’t necessarily write them a check, but we can help with items they need,” Craig said.

Customer Relationships

Almost daily, the Hershmans pull onto a CSR scale with a Dodge Ram’s load of discards— from trash days, from neighbors, from people who flag them down.

“People are really nice,” said Melissa Hershman. “They thank you for taking the stuff because they don’t know what to do with it.”

A typical load of about 1,000 pounds can earn $100. The work can be strenuous, but Hershman said that her husband is “strong as a bull.”

The nonprofit Recycle Bicycle has been taking its scrap to CSR “forever,” said founder Ross Willard. Steel gets only pennies per pound, but recycling is “the right thing to do,” he said.

As for aluminum, “now we’re talking some bucks.” When Boy Scouts volunteer, he’ll assign them to cutting the alloy rims off unredeemable bikes.

“You give them a pair of bolt cutters, and they go wild,” Willard said. “They love destroying stuff.”

Marcus easily got approval to pay Willard above-market rates for Recycle Bicycle’s scrap, as a contribution toward its mission of changing lives through free, refurbished transportation.

Scrapping offers “a benefit to humanity,” Marcus said. From recycling glossy magazines for Ronald McDonald House fundraisers to offering the Harrisburg Fire Bureau jaws-of-life training on scrap cars, “the main thing is that we’re supporting the community,” he said. “There’s a place that people can bring their recycled goods. We try to be involved with the community as much as possible. It’s a win-win situation.”

Melissa Hershman knows that scrapping serves a higher purpose.

“Instead of it going to a landfill or sitting in somebody’s backyard rusting away and going into the ground, it’s good for the environment, good for us, good for CSR,” she said.

Consolidated Scrap Resources is located at 1616 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.consolidatedscrap.com.

Precision Recyclers is located at 104 S. 18 St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.precisionrecyclers.com. Dropoff accepted Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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History + Hospitality: There’s much to see, eat, enjoy at the restored Ashcombe Mansion

May 29, 2025 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Photo courtesy of Ashcombe Mansion

These days, development often takes precedence over preservation. So, Deborah Myers Welsh is grateful to have been in the right place at the right time to save the historic Ashcombe Mansion in Mechanicsburg.

Built in 1892 and nestled on 22 acres, the stunning Queen Anne Victorian boasts classic period details—steeply pitched roofs, a vibrant color scheme, large bay windows, a wraparound porch and a prominent round turret evoking the Rapunzel fairytale.

“A developer was going to tear it down to make way for 50 homes,” said Myers Welsh, before she swooped in.

Passion Project

The stately abode was built by a man with considerable standing in the community: Henry G. Moser, a prominent iron manufacturer, legislator and county judge. He intended it as a summer house for his beloved wife Margaret.

The home remained in the Moser family for 93 years until it began operating as a bed and breakfast in 1984. After the B&B ceased operations, the mansion sat vacant for nearly eight years until Myers Welsh purchased the property, saving it from the wrecking ball.

For Myers Welsh, it’s been a passion project.

“I am an attorney by trade, serving as in-house general counsel to healthcare companies, but when our daughter went off to college, I decided to take it on,” she said. “I’ve always loved the hospitality business.”

Myers Welsh began renovations in 2018 and completed them about a year later.

“We added on the portico and circular porch, the hallway entrance and a sunroom, which was an old, enclosed porch,” she said. “We also installed a commercial kitchen, restrooms and a Sperry tent.”

For those unfamiliar with the term, a Sperry tent is a high-end, handcrafted sailcloth tent known for its elegant and airy appearance. The 6,000 square-foot, custom-made tent is attached to the building.

“It accommodates more than 300 guests, and we think of it more as a ballroom,” Myers Welsh said. “It has permanent heating and air conditioning and a black-and-white checkered floor.”

Five rooms in the mansion are available for rent, typically in conjunction with events like weddings.

The Willows

Today, the mansion operates as an events venue known as “The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion.” The name “Ashcombe” means “grove of ashes,” a nod to the ash trees that stood on the property. Unfortunately, due to blight, many have been removed.

“We were able to save some, and new tree plantings have already taken place, including the planting of several willow trees, hence the name,” Myers Welsh said.

About a year ago, Myers Welsh hired Harrisburg resident Anthony Bianco to act as manager and executive chef. Bianco had previously worked at the Hilton.

“We started out with a catering company and were a BYO facility, but now we handle everything in-house,” Myers Welsh said. “It allows us to serve our patrons more efficiently when food is prepared onsite, which is how we set ourselves apart from other wedding venues.”

More recently, The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion has opened its doors to the public for English-style teas on Sundays.

“A typical tea menu will include petit fours, scones and clotted cream with ingredients like pear butter, brie and apple, or smoked salmon mousse with salmon roe and chives,” Bianco said.

Sunday teas allow patrons a cost-effective way of viewing the magnificent interior, which boasts ornate ceiling medallions supporting glistening chandeliers, intricate woodwork, marble fireplaces and thoughtfully curated furniture, including plush, elegant sofas.

The public is also invited to dine at the mansion from Monday through Wednesday.

“We put together a small plate menu with items like wagyu beef sliders with truffled goat cheese and pork-braised onions on grilled brioche,” said Bianco, adding that the menu changes seasonally.

And, with warmer weather on hand, the porch is also open.

Myers Welsh said that there’s more to look forward to.

“We’ll be starting a supper club that will take place around nine times a year with a fixed menu,” she said. “And we’re looking forward to hosting more new and exciting events in the future.”

The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion is located at 1100 W Grantham Rd., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.ashcombemansion.com.

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Brain Battles: Trivia nights in Harrisburg thrive as games expand

May 29, 2025 | by Colin McGuire

As the lobby filled with patrons for a private event, Brennen Dickerson and Chris Gibson sat in a dark, empty theater at Midtown Cinema on a chilly Tuesday night in April.

Together, they pondered the nuances of the movie trivia game they were about to produce, and one thought emerged as the event’s new mantra.

“We even have a prize for last place,” Gibson, who ran the technical side of the evening, deadpanned. “So, even the losers are winners. That’s kind of our motto here.”

Losing. Winning. Laughing. Drinking. Eating. Spinning the Wheel of Trivia. Whatever the case may be, Harrisburg’s options for know-it-alls (or, as many players endearingly refer to themselves, nerds) are plenty. Spread throughout the region, players can find games on any night of the week, ranging from general knowledge to Harry Potter-themed, to, of course, movies, which is where Midtown comes in.

The cinema hosts movie trivia the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. It began a couple years ago when Rachel Landon, general manager of the theater, asked Dickerson if he’d be willing to serve as host of the event. While they initially held the game weekly, it soon settled into a biweekly gathering, which has been the approach that’s worked best, Dickerson explained.

First place at Midtown earns the winning team $50 in cash while second place earns members a night at the movies—tickets and snack vouchers. Third place finishers receive a round of drinks from the Zeroday Outpost at the theater.

As for the game itself, the night is centered mostly around movie clips. On this night, a round that Dickerson called “Right Scene/Wrong Music” was on tap for the participants. It was here that players were tasked with identifying the correct music for a movie scene that had an incorrect soundtrack dubbed on top of it.

“I think all walks of life can come,” Dickerson noted. “Some rounds are a little trickier, but there’s always a baseline that’s simple and then it gets slightly more complicated as the night goes on. Sometimes, we have groups full of cinephiles and other times, there are more people who wouldn’t consider themselves cinephiles.”

Sarah Berkowitz didn’t consider herself a cinephile, but she also finds herself on the winning team most weeks. That’s because, on this night, one of her teammates, Kevin Durkin, does know a thing or two about film—so much so that the brains behind the event have asked him to occasionally help write some of the trivia questions.

“Most of us are here for the vibes,” Berkowitz said. “We’ve won enough money that we can afford to privately rent out the theater twice, and that’s our plan. We want to put the money back into it and help out as much as we can.”

Down 3rd Street from the cinema, Zeroday Brewing Co.’s taproom holds its general knowledge trivia at 7 p.m. every Thursday night. Ryan Zickgraf runs that game under his “Curious Cat Trivia” moniker. Zickgraf is a veteran of trivia nights—he moved to Harrisburg from Atlanta, where he was part of Dirty South Trivia, an outfit that organized events in that area.

Zickgraf’s approach to outlining the night is both intricate and focused. He writes his own questions and tests most of them at Zeroday before sending them off to Atlanta, where they will be used again. Above all else, Zickgraf takes pride in making his trivia night a unique experience, approaching the evening with more of a game show twist.

“It’s the most fun part-time job anyone can have,” he said as he set up his workspace in the middle of Zeroday’s tap room. “This is always the highlight of my week.”

Prizes for Zeroday’s game include gift cards to the brewery ($30 for first place, $20 for second place and $10 for third place). Zickgraf’s structure features six rounds and includes the Wheel of Trivia, which is spun between rounds and gives participants the ability to earn bonus points depending on where the wheel stops.

Mark Wolfe is typically one of the participants on Thursday nights. He’s also typically part of the winning team, a team that paired itself with another team to form something of a mega-group. Though Wolfe has played trivia elsewhere throughout the city, he explained that he prefers Zickgraf’s game because he feels it’s more refined.

“With it being Thursday night, it feels like the weekend starts early,” Wolfe relayed. “I look forward to it every week.”

While Zickgraf is still building his Curious Cat brand, Cheaters Never Prosper runs games seven days a week, sometimes organizing dozens in a day across central Pennsylvania. One of those gatherings goes down at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday night at Appalachian Brewing Co.’s N. Cameron Street location.

Alexis Neel is the MC for ABC. She used to captain the trivia ship at Tattered Flag Brewery in Middletown until it closed, and she shifted her focus to Wednesdays at ABC. Though Cheaters Never Prosper offers various themed trivia nights, ranging from “Hunger Games” trivia to an all-music trivia, the ABC game is steeped in general knowledge.

“I was a player first and had a group of people I played with every week,” Neel explained. “The owner of the company let me know they were expanding and looking to hire people. She suggested I might enjoy hosting, and I do enjoy it. You get to meet a lot of fun people, and I’m kind of a nerd, so I like to learn new things.”

Neel’s game lasts four rounds, with 10 questions per round, plus a bonus. ABC issues the prizes in the form of gift cards—$25 for first, $15 for second and $10 for third. Whereas Zickgraf and the Midtown crew write their own questions, Neel is given a set of them by Cheaters Never Prosper each week.

Al Yaney, Steve Marroni and Lori Corden made up one of the seven teams that showed up on a recent gorgeous Wednesday evening. They agreed that they like to play each week for a fun night out with friends, though they did reveal that they began attending the ABC trivia night once Neel took it over because they enjoyed her work elsewhere.

“If we were ever to play individually, we’d come in last,” Yaney admitted. “But our areas of knowledge kind of mesh together really well. Some of us know the important things like chemistry, and some of us know things like ‘80s movies.”

Such is the beauty of Harrisburg’s trivia nights. Because across the city from ABC, there’s a place where you can play a game in which knowing ‘80s movies will be far more important than knowing chemistry. It’s a place accepting all-comers every other Tuesday night. And it’s a place, they say, where even the losers can be winners.

The Answer Is . . .

Trivia nights have become increasingly popular and can be found throughout the Harrisburg area. The venues and events mentioned in this story include:

Appalachian Brewing Co.
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
www.abcbrew.com

Midtown Cinema
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
www.midtowncinema.com

Zeroday Brewing Co.
925 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
Thursdays, 7 p.m.
www.zerodaybrewing.com

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A Foray into Foraging: There’s a bounty in those woods

May 29, 2025 | by Deborah Lynch

Purple Dead Nettle. Photo courtesy of Debbie Naha-Koretzky.

It’s going to be hard to look at the dandelion flowers growing in my yard with disdain again after exploring with foraging expert Debbie Naha-Koretzky, who gives those pesky weeds a whole new image.

I no longer see them as weeds to mow over or something that turns into fluff that children love to blow into a breeze while making a wish.

Naha-Koretzky, who grew up in the nation’s most densely populated city (Union City, N.J.), never set out to be a professional forager. But after someone told her the unexpected fact that she could eat the dandelion flowers sprouting on the campus lawn at what is now New Jersey City University, where she was studying biology, it piqued her passion. She wanted to learn everything she could about edible plants—and that included making dandelion flower fritters.

“There’s something satisfying about eating food from the wild. I guess it brings us back to our prehistoric roots,” said Naha-Koretzky, who has worked as a nutritionist, a dietitian supervisor and a biology teacher.

Now decades later, she is known as the “Wild Edibles Lady” and lives in the Harrisburg area. The author of “Foraging Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” which was published in 2021, she leads foraging tours and education programs around the area and state.

The book describes the plants, their seasons, edible parts, nutritional information, fun facts and problematic lookalikes, along with photos to help with identification. It also includes recipe ideas. While the recipe for dandelion flower fritters is not included, one for dandelion strawberry salad is. Naha-Koretzky said the dandelion root also can be chopped and roasted to create a super-nutritious, coffee-like drink.

I have always wanted to know how to forage, but I’ve been afraid I might munch on something poisonous and keel over dead. I grew up roaming the forests of central Pennsylvania on Sunday family walks in the woods. For two of my teenaged summers, I worked as a Youth Conservation Corps member, clearing trails and building jack dams. Despite chewing on teaberry leaves that I could identify, I was afraid to sample any of the other flora and fauna—until my springtime walk along the Appalachian Trail with Naha-Koretzky.

Even before we had left the parking area, I learned from her that we don’t have to leave our yards or our cities to find edibles. Much more than dandelions flourish in our urban environment, but venturing into nature can reveal so much more. Cautions for urban foraging include avoiding anything that has been sprayed or treated or in areas that might have pet droppings.

On our walk, we saw dandelions, winter cress, garlic mustard and purple dead nettle before we’d even made it to the trail. From there, we admired a shagbark hickory tree, cleavers, spring beauties, ground ivy, Virginia bluebells, mayapples, trout lily, multiflora rose, violets, spicebush, teaberry or wintergreen and chestnut oak. That was quite a variety for a short, early spring walk.

We came back empty-handed, which had been the plan as early growth was sparse, and a rule of foraging is that “if a plant isn’t plentiful, leave it, and don’t disturb it,” Naha-Koretzky said. “If you find a good-sized patch, take only a small amount. It shouldn’t even be obvious that you’ve been there. But I guess we can make exceptions for invasive species. Eat the garlic mustard!”

Much to Know

Naha-Koretzky recommends, if possible, finding an experienced forager to help with identification at first.

“Safety is really important,” she said. “I always tell people, don’t rely on just one person, book or website. Check multiple sources. Buy at least a few good field guides. Don’t trust apps.”

It’s also important to know the rules for foraging in each area—and they won’t always be posted. It’s still the forager’s responsibility to check whether foraging is permitted by searching online or with townships, counties, states or parks. Some areas only allow foraging non-native plants.

Pennsylvania state parks allow harvesting of edible fruits, nuts, berries and fungi. Pennsylvania state forests allow edible wild plants or plant parts to be foraged. If a species is rare or endangered, it should not be touched. Foraging is only permitted for personal consumption.

After Naha-Koretzky told me about the spring beauties we found—she says the starchy roots look somewhat like little potatoes also known as “fairy spuds” that can be boiled, roasted or eaten raw for a deliciously sweet and chewy treat—I put that on the list for my first solo foraging expedition.

Mayapples also make the list even though they could be dangerous. The umbrella-shaped plant lies on the forest floor, and all parts of it except the ripe fruit are poisonous. Some Native American tribes used the root to commit suicide, she said. The flesh of the ripe yellow fruit still tempts me.

We didn’t see the edible native plant at the top of my list—the pawpaw. But Naha-Koretzky said that pawpaw trees grow throughout the Harrisburg area, sometimes by water, sometimes on wooded slopes. The largest edible fruit native to North America, the pawpaw is called the “Susquehanna Banana” by many in the area because of its tropical flavor. Pawpaws ripen in late summer into early fall and resemble (and taste like) mangoes.

Among the places that Naha-Koretzky offers educational programs is the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, which recently received a state grant that it will use to establish Pennsylvania’s first “Wild Mushroom and Conservation Area” on 72 acres of the center’s lands over the next two years. They will continue to develop more fungi educational programming and start a mushroom club.

“Our ‘Fungi Foray’ is a great program for anyone already interested in mushrooms or anyone who’d like to learn more,” said Emily Rosmus, the center’s director of educational programming.

That program is led by Rosmus and Jerry Hassinger, a long-time volunteer and retired Game Commission biologist and will be held in September.

“Whenever I forage something new, I make a point of cooking up a small portion for myself and my husband, eat that, wait a few hours or overnight, and if neither of us have a negative reaction, then we will go ahead and use it,” Rosmus said.

For those who already feel competent identifying edible mushrooms and plants, the grounds of the center are open for foraging, Rosmus said. The center has more than nine miles of marked trails across 530 acres of property.

For her part, Naha-Koretzky has several events slated for June, including at the Nature & Arts Festival of the Ned Smith Center on June 21 at MYO Park in Millersburg, where she will give a talk and a walk. She also has an event sponsored by the Alexander Family Library in Hummelstown on June 25. On July 22, she will give a slideshow and discussion on Wild Edible Plants at the Olewine Memorial Library in Harrisburg.

For more information, visit Naha-Koretzky’s website at www.wildediblesnjpa.com.

For more information on the Ned Smith Center, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

Correction: To readers who saw the print version of this story, the photos of mushrooms that ran with it were mistakenly credited to Debbie Naha-Koretzky, but they were taken by Emily Rosmus of the Ned Smith Center. The mushrooms pictured are not edible.

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