Tag Archives: harrisburg

No Apologies: Harrisburg has many strengths; we should be proud of them

February 27, 2025 | by Ryan Unger

Photo by Michael Yatsko

“Our city nearly went bankrupt from a previous mayor, and we’re dealing with the legacy of that.”

This was the response from a community leader last year when asked, “What do you think of Harrisburg?” It was part of a broader effort to better align our region’s business, talent and tourism attraction strategies. Or, to use a favorite sports analogy: making sure we are all calling plays from the same playbook.

As part of that work, we underwent an intensive process, led by our partners at Visit Hershey Harrisburg (our local visitor’s bureau), to bring in placemaking experts who interviewed stakeholders, surveyed regional visitors, and conducted a data-driven assessment of who and what we are as a region.

Their top recommendation? Stop apologizing for Harrisburg.

Not better marketing. Not focusing on a single strength. Just a shift in mindset—because there’s no reason to apologize.

Yet, stakeholders told us again and again, “Downtown Harrisburg used to be a great place to go; it’s not what it used to be.”

Let’s look at the numbers. Dauphin and Cumberland counties outpace our neighboring peers in the number of nightlife experiences, restaurants and events. Our region outpaces benchmarks in population growth and talent while maintaining a low unemployment rate.

Do we have work to do? Absolutely. Our remote workforce has grown faster than our peers, primarily because of our strong industry mix. This changes the way we plan our communities, and we need focused efforts to rethink places that were intended to house workers and commuters.

But here’s the good news: we get to do it right here in Harrisburg—a region that offers a rich diversity of opportunities that allow visitors and residents to live fully. Our region is one of very few places that beautifully balances a high quality of life, low cost of living, and vibrant cultural and outdoor programming.

We sit at the keystone of the Keystone State, a hub of national and international logistics. That asset sometimes leads people to sell the region by saying, “You can visit Philly, NYC, Baltimore or DC every weekend if you want.” Instead, I challenge you to flip that and say, “All of your friends in the East Coast’s biggest cities can easily visit you for a fun weekend getaway.” Harrisburg can be the destination.

A core value of the work I do every day is to be unapologetically positive about our region. Why? Because I noticed the same thing that the consultants found when I started in my role at the chamber three years ago—too many people leading with apologies for Harrisburg instead of pride. To be clear, that’s not blind optimism— I’m not burying my head in the sand. I am not saying we are exactly where we need to be as a city or a region, but why not focus on what we have rather than long for what we don’t?

As residents and lovers of Harrisburg, if we can’t shed the apologies and start by celebrating our community, then who else will?

Ryan Unger is president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. For more information, visit www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

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Greenlee Partners, LLC & Scouting America, Keystone Capital District

February 27, 2025 | by Admin

Greenlee Partners, LLC & Scouting America, Keystone Capital District
Business Supporting Community Nonprofits

Greenlee Partners, LLC
greenleepartners.com
230 State St #1, Harrisburg, PA

Why is supporting local nonprofits important to your business?

For 40 years, Greenlee Partners has been a part of the greater Harrisburg area community. Our firm has supported many local nonprofit organizations with both volunteer hours and financial resources, and we will continue to do so well into the future. It is important to our business because it is important to our people. Each one of us has our own unique life experiences and therefore our own perspectives on what our community needs. That’s what makes a community, varying views and efforts working toward the common goal of improving the lives around us.

Nonprofit organizations provide vital services, often addressing key unmet needs of a community. By partnering with nonprofits, we can help address the needs of those around us, which, in turn, makes our corner of the globe that much better of a place to be. This community has afforded us an opportunity to thrive in an area so rich with history, arts, people, leisure options and economic opportunity. It is incumbent upon us to do our part to give back so that future generations have an equal or greater chance to enjoy the same.

Why did you choose this particular nonprofit, and how do you support them?

Good communities depend on good people. Scouting America, Keystone Capital District, provides our youth with a solid foundation from which to become good people. From the beginning, the youth are taught the Scout Oath,

“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

It is from this simple statement that unforgettable life lessons and unforgettable outings are presented to our youth to prepare them for life, helping to guide them as they grow into good people. As they grow, Scouts become leaders in their community grounded by the foundation of the Scout Law, “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

We are fortunate to be able to interact daily with servant leaders from across our commonwealth. Those interactions remind us that our government works best when those positions are filled by good people. Supporting Scouting America, Keystone Capital District, is one small way to ensure that there will be good people ready to answer the call when their community needs them to step up and lead.

Greenlee Partners is proud to financially support the organization annually at their Harrisburg Breakfast and through the volunteer efforts of Clint Cullison, Partner, as the District Vice Chair for Finance, Assistant Cubmaster, and Den Leader.

Scouting America, Keystone Capital District
newbirthoffreedom.org
1 Baden Powell Lane, Mechanicsburg, PA

What is your organization’s mission, and how does corporate or foundation support contribute to your goals?

The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Oath is: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” The Scout Law is: “A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”

Funding for our programs helps us to deliver the program and reach more youth in the Harrisburg area and Dauphin County. Our programs are designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders, foster community service, and instill the values of preparedness for life, adventure, and education. Contributions are crucial in maintaining high-quality Scouting experiences for every youth we serve.

What is your greatest need for corporate or foundation support in 2025?

Our local council is dedicated to delivering the promise of Scouting to youth across six counties—Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry and York—throughout south-central Pennsylvania. We run summer camp programs at Camp Tuckahoe in Dillsburg. In 2018, our flagship program was opened up to not just boys, but also to girls. About 12% of our membership today are girls, and they have just as much fun at camp as the boys always have. We have been struggling with pool changing facilities over these recent years, as they were designed with a boy-only program in mind. We work to maintain four private spaces for campers: one for boys, one for men, one for girls, and one for women. The current facility was not built to accommodate all four of these groups at the same time, and thus our shower and changing facilities at our magnificent pool at Camp Tuckahoe needs to be upgraded.

We are also in the midst of renovating a cherished piece of Camp Tuckahoe’s legacy to give it new life as the council’s new service center, with work progressing on transforming the historic dining hall into a hub for Scouting operations in the New Birth of Freedom Council. Work began on the building’s exterior as soon as the summer camp season ended in mid-August, and significant progress has been made. We are staging the work in different phases, with Phase I focused on the exterior. This included removing and rebuilding the old porch, installing new windows and doors, and installing new siding and a new roof. We now have a weather-tight building envelope. We have now been working on waterproofing the lower level of the building and installing drainage systems to move water away from it. This section of the camp property receives significant runoff from nearby higher ground. Work continues in our work to transform Tuckahoe’s original dining hall into our council’s new headquarters.

Financial support for these two capital improvement projects will make the largest impact on the Scouting program for the youth and families that we serve.

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Branden-Lee Butler of B Clean Professionals

February 27, 2025 | by Admin

Branden-Lee Butler moved around a lot as a kid, living in over ten homes in his hometown of Harrisburg. He attended a Title I school under the No Child Left Behind initiative, which did not help him succeed later in life as intended but motivated him to teach himself various subjects and three languages. As he got older, he used these experiences and skills to network and connect with people.

Beginning his career with a diverse assortment of jobs, Branden-Lee started work at Hershey Park and Chuck E. Cheese. He later worked for the state of Pennsylvania and the Department of Defense, gaining experience in both blue-collar and corporate environments.

After the birth of his first child, he faced considerable professional setbacks that escalated into financial distress. He lost his job, had his car repossessed, and experienced homelessness. When times were hard, he slept on the couches of family and friends. At one point, he was donating plasma just to make ends meet. It was a tough period that ultimately motivated him to work harder for what he has today. By embracing optimism, resilience, and sharing his story, he hopes to inspire others to cultivate hope and chase their dreams.

B Clean Professionals, Branden-Lee’s cleaning and sanitation business, began as a hobby. Having started the company at the age of 21, he found it satisfying to watch things transform from dirty to clean. His interest continued and he began watching YouTube videos about professional cleaning. Continuing to push himself and nurture his curiosity, he bought cleaning equipment on Craigslist, a purchase that sparked the beginning of his business.

B Clean Professionals won the 2024 business rate for best janitorial services in the Harrisburg area. Using the model that you get what you pay for, B Clean Professionals offers top notch service with effective solutions and products that Branden-Lee now creates himself.

Incorporating a sense of quality into his cleaning business, Branden-Lee formulates high-quality products that last. Employees wears uniforms, have a history of excellent customer service and etiquette, and work as a united force to provide quality service. A firm believer in karma, Branden-Lee believes that if you put out good energy, you will receive it back. To Branden-Lee, his business is not just a business; it’s a movement.

The COVID pandemic affected his business, but ultimately helped it to grow. Having received a call requesting sanitation for COVID, Branden-Lee was hesitant, but ultimately believed in his ability to learn the skills necessary to do the job.

Calling on the same entrepreneurial spirit that started his business, Branden-Lee hopped online and took courses on how to properly sanitize surfaces. After gaining the necessary certifications, B Clean Professionals was able to transition into a commercial cleaning business.

As a single father to three beautiful young kids, there are a multitude of challenges in trying to manage a profession and personal life. Branden-Lee believes that being with his kids and his family is very important and says work-life balance is the secret to having it all.

Each day, he shuts down business completely and turns off his laptop at 5pm sharp. Being the businessman he is, he makes sure to have proper management and staff in place to take calls while he’s with his family. According to Branden-Lee, making money, doing well and providing service to people in need of cleaning is great and has its rewards, but there’s nothing better than spending quality time with your family and putting business to the side.

Like many working parents, one of the ongoing challenges he faces in his efforts for work-life balance is finding reliable childcare. To achieve that balance, he’s doing what he always does, finding a solution. Branden-Lee’s new goal is to open a school to teach youth quality trades and encourage a connection with nature.

Branden-Lee has fond memories of playing outside all day as a kid, with games like tag, manhunt, and red light-green light being the highlights. Through his up-and-coming school, he strives to help youth get back to “how things used to be” with outside play and good quality of work. The school will also incorporate farming and horseback riding. Branden-Lee believes that success starts with how you are raised and that instilling children with life skills and good values is a fantastic start.

The mission of his school is to empower young learners with essential agricultural knowledge, horsemanship skills, and practical infrastructure expertise. Branden-Lee believes in getting back to the basics, fostering a deep connection to the land, animals, and sustainable practices. Through hands-on experiences, his school will aim to cultivate responsible stewards of the environment, equipping them with the ability to grow crops, care for animals, ride horses, and enhance infrastructure. The school’s main commitment is to inspire curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning among the next generation.

To learn more about Branden-Lee’s story, keep an eye out for upcoming book, Schiz and Wits. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the award-winning services of B Clean Professionals, he encourages you to get in contact through his website. Get involved or donate to his up-and-coming school.

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The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC)

February 27, 2025 | by Admin

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC)
717-236-5040
tfec.org

Strengthening Nonprofits Through Smart Philanthropy
For more than a century, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) has been a trusted partner for nonprofits and philanthropists in South Central Pennsylvania. By providing expert financial management, grantmaking services and administrative support, TFEC helps charitable organizations and donors create lasting community impact. Whether assisting with endowment funds, simplifying operational challenges or expanding philanthropic networks, TFEC empowers nonprofits to focus on what matters most—their mission.
“We partner with nonprofits to develop solutions for community change,” said TFEC’s President and CEO Jennifer Doyle. “Through our investment expertise, we help nonprofits perform their charitable work by awarding grants and building community partnerships.”

Financial Stability and Professional Investment Management
TFEC helps nonprofits build financial security through agency endowment funds and investment services designed for long-term growth. With over 900 individual funds under management, TFEC provides nonprofits access to professional investment strategies that maximize returns while keeping costs low. By pooling resources, their team achieves economies of scale that individual organizations might struggle to attain independently. Additionally, as a National Standards-accredited organization, TFEC upholds the highest level of public accountability and transparency, ensuring that funds are managed ethically and efficiently.
“When nonprofits partner with TFEC, they gain the financial expertise of a dedicated team that understands the importance of long-term sustainability,” Doyle said. “Our investment strategies help organizations build a lasting foundation for the future.”

Simplified Administrative and Compliance Support
For nonprofit leaders, managing donations, seeking grants, fundraising and ensuring compliance with financial regulations can be overwhelming. TFEC provides a streamlined approach to financial management, offering services such as financial reporting, budget preparation and transaction processing.
“By removing administrative barriers, we allow nonprofit leaders to dedicate more time to serving their communities,” Doyle said. “We handle the details so they can focus on impact.”

Technical Support for Grant Applications
TFEC provides nonprofits with expert guidance when applying for its competitive grant opportunities. Through technical assistance from TFEC’s grants team, agency partners receive support in strengthening applications, increasing their chances of securing funding and building long-term capacity.
“We’re committed to helping nonprofits put forward the strongest applications possible,” Doyle said. “Our team provides the guidance and resources they need to maximize their funding potential.”
With its deep commitment to community-driven philanthropy, TFEC is vital in helping nonprofits and donors maximize their impact. To learn more or start a conversation, visit www.tfec.org or contact TFEC at 717-236-5040.

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Saint Margaret Mary School To Host Open House on February 2

January 29, 2025 | by Admin

St. Margaret Mary Catholic School invites the public to attend their open house on Sunday, Feb. 2 from 11:30am-1:30pm.

The Pre-K- 8th grade elementary school, located at 2826 Herr Street, Harrisburg PA 17103, recently celebrated their 75th anniversary.

Featuring full day kindergarten and before and after school care, the school’s three pillars focus on spirituality, scholarship and service. Certified faculty teach a classical education program that allows students to grow and mature into critical thinkers.

Some highlights of the school include:
 Guided reading and math grouping in grades K-3.
 Advanced language arts and math grades 7-8
 STEM room
 CAIU math, reading and counseling support services
 Smart Technology
 Student-organized Mass
 Service Opportunities for students to learn how to give back to their community
 Extracurricular activities such as band, choir, CYO basketball, track and field, Quiz Bowl
and Science Explorers

When you enroll your child at St. Margaret Mary, you become part of a community of parents,
faculty and students that will help your child learn and grow. If you cannot attend the open
house, we encourage interested families to contact the school at 717-232-3771 to set up a tour
at your convenience.

St Margaret Mary Catholic School
2826 Herr Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
717-232-3771
[email protected]

School website: https://stmmparishschool.org/
School Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/St.MargaretMarySchoolHarrisburg

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Harrisburg announces new city communications director

December 3, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Mischelle Moyer

Harrisburg has announced a new communications director for the city.

Mischelle Moyer will fill the position, bringing with her over two decades of communications experience, according to the city.

Moyer takes the post vacated by former director Matt Maisel who resigned in September.

“I am honored to join the City of Harrisburg in this capacity,” Moyer said. “As a lifelong advocate for communication as a tool for effecting positive change, I am eager to work alongside city leadership and the residents of Harrisburg to amplify voices, celebrate our community and address challenges head-on.”

Moyer served as a communication and media consultant for the combined title agency of Keystone Land Transfer, Integrated Land Transfer, Mi Casa Land Transfer and Shamrock Settlement Services. She also served as the staff, educational and communications director for Just for Today Recovery and Veterans Support Services. She was also a featured speaker at Gov. Tom Wolf’s Opioid Command Center Summit, according to the city.

Moyer holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in social work from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum development and a Pennsylvania Secondary English Certification from Penn State University.

In her new role, Moyer will oversee Harrisburg’s public messaging, media relations and community outreach efforts.

“Mischelle’s exceptional background in communications, leadership and community outreach makes her the perfect choice to guide our city’s messaging and public engagement efforts,” Mayor Wanda Williams said. “Her passion and dedication to meaningful communication align perfectly with the city’s vision for transparency, growth, and collaboration.”

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The Ghost-With-The-Most, BEETLEJUICE The Musical is in Hershey, Pa

September 26, 2024 | by Admin

It’s showtime! The North American Tour of BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, is playing at Hershey Theatre for eight can’t-miss performances on September 24-29, 2024. _{Pictured (L-R): Isabella Esler (Lydia) and Justin Collette (Beetlejuice). Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2022}

Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
BEETLEJUICE is directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Director of Warner Bros. forthcoming TOTO, the animated musical film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark’s 2017 book) with an original score by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect (King Kong); a book by Tony Award nominee Scott Brown (“Castle Rock”) and Tony and Emmy Award® nominee Anthony King (“Robbie”); music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire); and choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom).

BEETLEJUICE features scenic design by three-time Tony Award nominee David Korins (Hamilton); costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (The Producers); lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots); sound design by Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski (Moulin Rouge!); projection design by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen); puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry (The Lion King); special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), hair and wig design by Drama Desk Award nominee Charles G. LaPointe; make-up design by Joe Dulude II; associate director is Catie Davis and associate choreographer is Michael Fatica; casting by The Telsey Office.Producers for BEETLEJUICE include Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and NETworks Presentations.

BEETLEJUICE opened at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday, April 25, 2019, presented by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (Mark Kaufman) and Langley Park Productions (Kevin McCormick), and won the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for David Korins’ scenic design and was nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best New Musical. BEETLEJUICE had a history making run on Broadway – following the release of the musicals original Broadway cast recording and Tony Awards appearance, the box office exploded, making it the surprise hit of the 2018/2019 season. BEETLEJUICE’s Tony Awards performance has gone on to be the most watched musical number from the broadcast with over 3,921,530 views. BEETLEJUICE became a sensation with fans everywhere including on TikTok, which lead to an additional burst of ticket sales from a new audience for Broadway, making the musical one of the top grossing shows on Broadway, going on to break the Winter Garden box office record. The smash hit musical BEETLEJUICE played 366 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway before being shuttered with the rest of Broadway on March 12, 2020. BEETLEJUICE returned triumphantly to Broadway with performances on April 8, 2022, at the Marquis Theatre where it continued to haunt Broadway through January 8, 2023.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and WARNER RECORDS released BEETLEJUICE – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING for digital download, streaming and on CD. The album is produced by Tony Award winner Matt Stine, Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Tony nominee Eddie Perfect and three-time Grammy Award winner Kurt Deutsch and has surpassed 250 million streams in the United States and 760 million streams globally. These landmark numbers continue the remarkable success of the album, reaching the list of top 10 most streamed OBCRs of the previous decade. The show’s songs have placed in Spotify’s “Viral 50” charts in 13 different countries. In addition, “Say My Name,” one of the show’s breakout showstoppers, was chosen as Amazon’s “Alexa Song of the Day” in 2019. The incredible growth is partly a result of user-generated content on TikTok, where songs from the album have been used in over one million videos.

BEETLEJUICE is based on the 1988 Academy Award®-winning Geffen Company motion picture presented by Warner Bros. and directed by Tim Burton. The smash hit comedy starred Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.

For more information, visit www.BeetlejuiceBroadway.com.

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September News Digest

August 29, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Work Begins on Broad Street Market

Interior demolition began last month on the Broad Street Market.

Harrisburg started demolition inside the market’s fire-damaged brick building after the city declared the market situation an official emergency, according to Matt Maisel, communications director.

Maisel said that the city decided to declare an emergency in late July, over a year after the initial market fire, having been alerted by a community member that rats were in the building and determining the situation was a health and safety risk.

Harrisburg-based TLC Construction and Renovations will complete the demolition work at a cost of $136,460 to the city.

The demo began on the half of the brick building nearest the courtyard, which was significantly less damaged by the fire. The work includes essentially gutting the building. All shelving, counters and stands will be removed, wall coverings will be stripped to expose the brick. Carpet, flooring and insulation will be removed, as well as light fixtures, bathrooms, signs and all debris.

Most of the debris and interior structures and items will be trashed. Vendors have been allowed to mark anything they have in the building that is worth saving, Maisel said. TLC Construction will salvage all items marked for saving.

The emergency declaration, Maisel said, allows the city to bypass “red tape.” Originally, City Council would have been required to vote on the contractor, but the declaration gets around that.

“The good thing was that the mayor was able to put out an emergency declaration, which was able to bypass a lot of the red tape that usually takes place in this, for some of these smaller inside jobs,” Maisel said.

Maisel said that work is just now beginning on the market due to limited city resources and staff. The opening of the temporary tent was the first priority, he said.

“We are doing the best that we can, as fast as we can, with the limited resources that we have,” he said. “Our facilities team is not large. We can really only handle one job at a time.”

The declaration also covers demo work on the opposite side of the brick building, which suffered significant fire damage. That work will be completed by Lancaster County-based VERSAPRO at a cost of $91,200.

Additionally, the city has selected York County-based CB Construction Services to do framing and carpentry on the courtyard-facing side of the building at a cost of $55,856. The same company will do plumbing work to take out pipes and cap lines in the same side of the building at a cost of $19,895. CB also will perform shoring work, such as covering holes and preventing structure collapse in the more damaged portion of the building for $52,407. Lead window abatement will be handled by Camp Hill-based PCS, at a cost of $35,345.

According to Maisel, the city interviewed interested companies for each job. The city reached out to some, while others contacted the city, submitting a letter of interest.

Harrisburg’s request for proposals for an architect was issued prior to the emergency declaration. Maisel said that the city hopes to hire an architect by mid-fall and have a building design prepared by spring 2025. Reconstruction of the brick building is expected to be complete by winter 2026 or spring 2027, Maisel said.

Harrisburg to Seek Storm Reimbursement

Harrisburg will seek state funding to help cover costs incurred from the cleanup of damage from last month’s severe storm.

According to the city, a tornado caused by remnants of Hurricane Debby touched down in Harrisburg on Aug. 9, damaging 111 properties. The storm wreaked havoc on businesses and residences, with the Bellevue Park neighborhood sustaining the most significant damage.

The National Weather Service later confirmed that an EF-1 tornado, with wind speeds up to 105 mph, tore a 3.5-mile path of destruction from Swatara Township through Harrisburg to Susquehanna Township.

City Communications Director Matt Maisel said that Harrisburg is submitting estimates of the total cost to the city of labor and resources used for the cleanup, in hopes of getting the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to issue a disaster declaration. The city then will be eligible for state financial assistance.

Harrisburg Fire Bureau Chief Brian Enterline estimated the cost of storm cleanup at about $417,000 total, with debris removal at about $150,000, road repairs at $100,000 and utility repairs, including 34 damaged street lights, at $167,000.

These are costs solely incurred by the city, not costs of damage to property owners, city officials explained.

The city will submit its estimates to Dauphin County, which will then go to the governor’s office and to PEMA to make a decision. Enterline said that PEMA typically covers about 75% of the total cost of the city’s expenses in these cases.

Food Pantry Opens Downtown

A Harrisburg organization hopes that its new service will make a difference when it comes to food insecurity.

Recently, Downtown Daily Bread cut the ribbon on its Renewed Hope Food Pantry, with officials sharing that the service will fill an important need for local families.

“We were getting so many calls from families who just couldn’t make ends meet,” DDB Executive Director Corrie Lingenfelter said. “They [said], ‘What should we pay; should we pay the light bill or get groceries?’ That’s why we’re here because we want you to be able to do both.”

The Harrisburg nonprofit, located on the 200-block of South Street, already provided breakfast, lunch, year-round day shelter, winter overnight shelter, showers, mailboxes and other assistance to those in need. However, Mieshia Jackson, head chef at DDB, said that she came up with the idea to add a pantry to serve clients who may not feel comfortable coming in for hot meals, but need grocery assistance.

“I want everyone to feel that there are services here for everyone,” Jackson said. “They’re able to pick what their family wants. I wanted to make sure there’s food that everyone likes. There are brand names. There’s nutritious things and produce—things that everyone needs for a good, balanced meal.”

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will help stock the pantry, which is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. DDB is accepting walk-ins for now, but hopes to have an online registration system in the future. Visitors will be able to choose from a selection of food items, with staff assistance.

“I guess it’s not enough that you’re serving over 160 unique people each day meals […] but now, finding a way to serve additional neighbors that are struggling to feed themselves and their family, who maybe aren’t the typical clients you think of who come to Downtown Daily Bread—I’m just in awe,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central PA Food Bank.

Additionally, DDB officials have said that they may be soon expanding to offer year-round overnight shelter, as Harrisburg may provide funding. City officials shared that they plan to give $1 million of the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to DDB and Christian Churches United of the Tri County Area to support a year-round shelter.

DDB is still in the planning phase for the possible expansion, but hopes to open an overnight shelter this fall, Lingenfelter said.

“Health to Go” Machine Debuts

A new device at UPMC Harrisburg brings healthcare to the community in a unique grab-and-go format.

UPMC and Penn State College of Medicine officially launched a “Health to Go” vending machine, one of the first of its kind in the state, outside its emergency department.

The vending machine, an interactive, touch-screen device, allows 24/7 access to free health items such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, wound care kits, personal care items and pregnancy tests, among other items.

The machine is one of two smart devices of its kind in the commonwealth that Penn State has deployed, according to officials. Another is located in Reading, and one will soon be stationed in Millersburg.

Penn State officials shared that the project has been in the works for years, but the need for the vending machine became even greater during COVID and as overdose deaths increased.

Products in the vending machine are free and can be accessed by anyone, anonymously. All that is required is to create a username, using a birth year, a color and an animal.

Penn State and UPMC deployed the machine outside its emergency department in June. In the first month, over 100 people accessed more than 500 items, including about 200 hygiene kits, 150 safer sex kits, 75 wound care kits and 60 naloxone kits.

Additionally, the vending machine includes a list of local service providers that offer food, housing and social services, with information on how to contact them.

UPMC and Penn State will also track information about which items are being taken and at what time of day, and when items need to be restocked.

Home Sales, Prices Rise

Home sales and prices both jumped in the Harrisburg area in July, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 608 homes sold versus 517 in July 2023, as the median sales price rose to $286,000 from $264,900, stated the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales rose to 293 homes from 245 in the year-ago period, as the median price grew to $280,000 from $235,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County tallied 281 home sales, an increase from 236 in July 2023, as the median sales price rose to $295,000 from $292,000, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 32 homes sold, an increase of two, as the median sales price rose to $275,000 from $267,500 last year, GHAR said.

The pace of sales slowed a bit, as “average days on market” increased to 22 days compared to 19 days in July 2023, GHAR stated.

So Noted

Harrisburg City Council has ceremonially renamed Reservoir Drive in Reservoir Park as Destry E. Mangus Way in tribute to a local coach and volunteer who has worked with many Harrisburg youth. The new name will serve as a secondary street name.

Harrisburg University last month announced an agreement with the commonwealth to offer significant tuition discounts for state employees and their dependents, including a 25% discount off the full tuition rate for on-campus graduate programs for employees. For more information, contact the university and visit www.harrisburgu.edu.

John J. “Ski” Sygielski, HACC’s president and CEO, will retire effective July 18, 2025, the college announced last month. Sygielski, who joined HACC in July 2011, is the longest-serving president in the college’s history, according to HACC.

Whitaker Center’s “Girls in STEAM” program was awarded a $35,000 grant from Comcast to help the program continue its career exploration opportunities for youth. The grant from Comcast is part of the company’s Project Up, which has allotted $1 billion toward digital equity in communities across the country.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2424: C., E. & G. Meredith to Dowling Management Co. LLC, $128,000

Balm St., 116: C. Powell & Habitat for Humanity of Greater HBG Area to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $50,000

Balm St., 124: D&L Development Group to D. Okuneye, $84,000

Bellevue Rd., 1960: Easy Exit Home Solutions LLC to Narrow Gate Investments LLC, & ABB Investments LLC, $140,000

Bellevue Rd., 2024: SPG Capital LLC to K. Wartluft, $175,000

Berryhill St., 1633: L. Cruz to Mau Properties LLC, $90,000

Berryhill St., 1941: G. Guzman & A. Aquino to N. Tabbasum, $120,000

Berryhill St., 2262: Ink Properties LLC to T. Dieu, $90,000

Boas St., 1815: Normans Realty Service Inc. to C. Dorilas, $138,000

Boas St., 1826: Normans Realty Service Inc. to C. Jones, $100,000

Boas St., 1827: BCR 2 Properties LLC to C. de Jesus, $159,500

Boas St., 1937: EB & ZEE LLC to O. Sayed, $62,500

Capital St., 1208: M. Caylor & A. Shafer to D. & C. Munchel, $200,000

Chestnut St., 1927: A. Garcia to A. Montero, $50,000

Chestnut St., 2208: D. Wolfe to J. & C. Johns, $365,900

Derry St., 1535 & 320 S. 16th St.: D&L Development Group Inc. to 1420 Walnut LLC, $210,000

Derry St., 2423: S. Bello to A. Trigueros, $115,000

Derry St., 2620: E. Fry to E. Ayala & N. Vogt, $95,400

Edgewood Rd., 2307: M. Bailor & S. Yann to A. Ferritto, $265,000

Ellersie St., 2352: Wengs Labor Services LLC to J. Paulino, $168,500

Elm St., 1714: SRC Capital LLC to JKD Real Estate LLC, $65,000

Emerald St., 636: PI Capitol LLC to D. Jones, $144,999

Forster St., 1832: M. Munoz to Nehema LLC, $89,900

Forster St., 1903: Maco Properties LLC to Men of Morals LLC, $105,000

Fulton St., 1421: C. Geary to T. Chazova, $183,000

Graham St., 300: T. Kruger to A. Kruger, $175,000

Graham St., 310: V. Arrington to D. Lucas & J. Feaster, $217,000

Green St., 1322: W. & M. Hammerstein to A. Newman, $215,000

Green St., 1432: J. Vargo to C. Adams, $217,000

Green St., 1947: J. Howett to P. Shaughnessy, $280,000

Green St., 2038: Goldstein Couriers LLC to D. Urrutia, $168,700

Green St., 2432: Stoute Housing LLC to L. Rodriguez & A. Martinez, $250,000

Hale Ave., 300: Hemlock Girl Scout Council to From the Heart Church Ministries of Harrisburg Inc., $750,000

Harris Terr., 2455: T. Dieu & P. Bank to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $110,000

Harris Terr., 2461: M. Collins to F. Zeray, $120,000

Hoffman St., 3214: Honest Home Solutions LLC to M. Hogancamp, $219,995

Hummel St., 246: Tri County HDC Ltd. to A. Damulak, $128,500

Kensington St., 2266: G. Aponte to P. Thien, $138,000

Lewis St., 319: Feudale Investments LLC to A. Mercedes, $115,000

Logan St., 2233: SR Homes LLC to JKD Real Estate LLC, $89,000

Luce St., 2311: Paramount Sol LLC to S. Merino, $120,000

Maclay St., 241: E. & C. Onyewu to 3Star Home Care Services LLC, $160,000

Maclay St., 252: KDR Investments LLP to A. Velez, $145,000

Maclay St., 415: V. Shree to R. Bapari, $182,000

Muench St., 278: C. Foley to J. Wadley, $230,000

North St., 1941: D. Eberly to P. Almodovar, $135,000

N. 2nd St., 1617: A. & S. Perry to A. Bartlett, $260,813

N. 2nd St., 2131: C. & K. Potter to J. Anderson, $195,000

N. 2nd St., 2243: R. Chang & A. Eng to Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC, $290,000

N. 2nd St., 2711: A. & B. Marino to M. & V. Trejo, $347,000

N. 3rd St., 1914: J. Vega to S. & J. Caruso, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 2214A: PD Estate Properties LLC to M. & A. Leiva, $165,000

N. 4th St., 2217: BCR1 LLC to H. Davis, $123,000

N. 4th St., 2451: J. Crossett & M. Hochstetler to J. Holtzman & R. Davis, $120,000

N. 7th St., 2154: A. Bouhach to M. Smith, $135,500

N. 13th St., 100 and 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 117½ 119 & 119½ Linden St.: G. Radon to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $83,334

N. 15th St., 227: G. Grier to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $65,000

N. 17th St., 719: E. Jones to P. Jimenez, $103,500

N. 18th St., 50; 1837, 1845 Zarker St.; 528 Emerald St.; 2211 & 2318A N. 4th St.; 2234 Logan St.: Dakar Realty Inc. to Leesuer Estates LLC, $1,130,000

N. 18th St., 720: TPH Asset Management LLC c/o American Heritage Property Management to Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC, $85,000

Orange St., 2304: Sunny Day Real Estate Solutions LLC to D. Dacheux, $114,000

Peffer St., 220 & 222: T. Jones to N. Pandey, $325,000

Penn St., 1608: W. Gelgot & E. Schuchardt to G. Dunigan, $240,000

Penn St., 2144: Oasis Property Investments LLC to E. Jameson, $200,000

Penn St., 2214: M. & C. Maxwell to J. Bellamy, $95,000

Penn St., 2313: SPG Capital LLC to T. Kea, $141,000

Race St., 566: JR Phoenix Investing LLC to Allmond Properties LLC, $292,390

Reel St., 2427: Dee’s Properties LLC to Mau Properties, $65,000

Reel St., 2429: Orellanas Properties to Mau Properties LLC, $55,000

Regina St., 1855: London Management LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $163,000

Revere St., 1715: PA Deals LLC to Renovestate LLC, $100,000

Rudy Rd., 2480: Bank of New York Mellon Trust to 248 S. Quince Street LLC, $88,725

S. 16th St., 11: Httrinh LLC to 3DST LLC, $107,500

S. 17th St., 425: B. Debeljak to Villalona Barbershop LLC, $125,000

S. 18th St., 1208: B. & J. Fazzolari to C. Filcidor, $147,500

S. 25th St., 732: P. Bullock to P. Sawadogo, $157,600

Spencer St., 1843: B. Debeljak to C. White, $135,000

State St., 1723: S. Goodling to K. Higdon, $85,000

State St., 1920: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $82,500

State St., 1922: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $82,500

Susquehanna St., 1833: C. Straub to K. Ryan, $180,000

Swatara St., 2046: T. & A. Wyre to E. & F. Augustin, $141,900

Swatara St., 2140: J. Zabala to V. Saldana, $120,000

Valley Rd., 2301: K. Bard to L. & R. Philbin, $259,000

Verbeke St., 1613: C. Bowman to A. Powell, $55,000

Woodbine St., 340: MJE Properties to Normans Realty Services Inc., $50,000

Harrisburg property sales, July 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg filmmakers spotlight the city’s diversity in “River City Stories,” to debut at fringe festival

July 11, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Filmmakers Paul Hood (left) and Wallace McKelvey (right) in front of Midtown Cinema

A new film showcases the diversity in Harrisburg and the interconnected stories of its residents.

“River City Stories,” a film by Harrisburg residents Paul Hood and Wallace McKelvey, will premiere at the Midtown Cinema on July 19 and 20 as a part of the Harrisburg Fringe Festival.

While it functions as an hour-long story, “River City Stories” is a collection of four shorter films, each telling fictional stories based on real life in Harrisburg.

“It’s comedic; it’s dramatic,” McKelvey said. “It runs the gamut of emotions and experiences in this city.”

Hood, a playwright, and McKelvey, a journalist and filmmaker, first met at a social function after McKelvey moved to Harrisburg over a decade ago. Although they discussed partnering to work on a film together, it took the pandemic to make it happen.

“Everything that was holding us back from collaborating melted away during COVID,” McKelvey said. “We had full schedules previously, but all of it got canceled. That gave us space to hang out.”

They began meeting, socially distanced, and developed the concept of “River City Stories.”

Through a process of writing and revising, they wrote the scripts for the short movies that now comprise the film.

“It came out of us talking about what we’ve experienced in Harrisburg and what we’d like to experience in Harrisburg,” Hood said.

While the stories are fictional, they are deeply rooted in real-life experiences, according to McKelvey.

“It’s based on what was going on in the community,” he said.

To capture a sense of authenticity and reality, McKelvey and Hood allow humor and tragedy to coexist in their films.

“We’re showing different perspectives, viewpoints and cultures, but hopefully keeping it entertaining as well, and making you laugh here and there,” Hood said. “We need that, in order to deal with this heavy stuff.”

(From right) Wallace McKelvey, Paul Hood and actors on the set of “River City Stories”

A strength of McKelvey’s and Hood’s collaboration is the differences in their backgrounds, on both a professional and personal level.

“The differences between us are kind of obvious and surface level,” McKelvey said. “I’m a journalist, and he’s a playwright. I’m white, and he’s Black. I’m gay, and he’s straight. We come from different worlds and have different vantage points, so we get to bring that together to this collaboration.”

McKelvey’s and Hood’s differences help them tell a story of diverse characters. Their goal is not to “write villains and heroes,” according to McKelvey, but rather to tell a story weaving together a range of well-developed characters from different backgrounds and cultures.

“It’s about where these characters collide,” McKelvey said. “Even when characters make questionable choices, it’s all about what’s behind that. Asking, ‘how did they get to this point?’”

The film also showcases the variety of neighborhoods in Harrisburg.

“We want to peel back the layers on the city,” Hood said. “People only think of downtown and Midtown. They don’t know about Allison Hill or South Side, or even Uptown. We want to show all these different places with different people.”

The cast consists of local actors, as well as both Hood and McKelvey, who star in the film.

“Paul and I set out to tell the stories we’ve never seen anyone tell and go to the places few people show. We hope that every single person can identify with something in the River City,” said McKelvey.

Tickets for “River City Stories” can be purchased for $10 at Harrisburg Fringe Festival’s website or at the Midtown Cinema box office at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg.

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Chew on This: Reflections, a year after the Broad Street Market fire

June 27, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

I thought hard about whether I should write another column about the Broad Street Market.

After all, my last piece was just two months ago, and I’ve served up several others over the past year.

However, this month marks a year since the devastating early-morning fire that ripped through the historic brick market building, closing the 150-year-old structure and displacing about two-dozen vendors and thousands of customers.

If you’ll bear with me, I believe that I have one more column in me as we mark this sorrowful anniversary. So, where have we been?

The morning following the fire, Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with other officials, gathered in front of the market and made a big show of promising to marshal government resources to quickly restore and rebuild the market.

“This market matters; it’s mattered for more than a century,” Shapiro said before a circle of TV cameras. “You’re going to see government at all levels now work together. We are all now going to come together and do what’s necessary to support the rebuild.”

We wanted to believe him. We wanted to believe that he’d pull a Harrisburg version of the I-95 bridge overpass, which was fixed in 12 days, to great acclaim.

But it wasn’t to be. As I write this, work hasn’t even begun on the restoration, the building sitting as a sad, burned-out ruin for a year and counting.

And when the city said that the temporary market would be open in weeks, by Labor Day, we wanted to believe that, too.

But that also wasn’t to be. As it turned out, the city had the wrong summer holiday in mind, as the temporary market finally opened 10½ months after the fire, the following Memorial Day weekend.

Both major parts of the project languished. Displaced vendors lost hope and left. The public fumed.

I realize that hindsight is 20/20, and, if I had been in charge, maybe I wouldn’t have done any better. But, given a year’s worth of hard lessons, we should be able to soberly assess the situation. Perhaps it’ll prove valuable for the next major city disaster, which, God willing, won’t happen in my lifetime.

Owner/Advocate
Major projects need an empowered, organized individual who can make things happen. That person needs to be responsible for shepherding the complex undertaking from day one, as a primary part of their job. They also must have the ear of decision-makers, be able to cut through the red tape, herd the cats and crack the heads. They must understand all the moving parts and play the role of passionate, tenacious advocate. The Broad Street Market didn’t have such a person, despite yeoman’s work by some city staff whose plates were already full. Despite Shapiro’s pledge, the project often was treated in the same slow, business-as-usual way of plodding, distracted government, instead of as the profound emergency it was and still is.

Unified Effort
Since I’ve been in Harrisburg, one thing’s been constant—the unending feud between the administration and City Council. It’s the same story, year in and year out, no matter the mayor, no matter the council. You’d think that an unmitigated disaster like the market fire would bring our elected officials together for a common cause—and you’d be wrong. Official Harrisburg never united behind this effort, which became an increasing problem as all parts of government needed to communicate and cooperate. For its part, council seemed mostly to want to ignore the whole thing, even after the market sank into insolvency and had to pass around the hat, relying on private donations to pay its bills. Then, when forced to act, council immediately reverted to its default divisiveness.

Board Quality
Many nonprofits creep along with substandard boards of directors: political hacks, résumé builders, no shows. Over the years, the Broad Street Market board has had all of these, along with some quality members. The board, though, was caught flat-footed when disaster struck. What’s that old saying—this isn’t what we signed up for? Several members left, as did the market’s over-his-head director. Fortunately, a few capable, concerned residents stepped up, repopulating the board, thinking creatively and making key decisions to keep the market functioning.

I’ve given a lot of thought to what’s transpired over the past year. One through-line, I believe, is that many Harrisburg officials didn’t—and maybe still don’t—understand and appreciate the market’s importance to the community.

Sure, the market is a major source of fresh food, one of the few in the city, which, alone, should have focused minds (and didn’t). But it’s so much more.

The Broad Street Market is a wonderful, wacky, loud place where people of all races, classes and cultures mix, mingle, shop and dine. Walking in, you may see people talking, laughing, fighting, flirting, sleeping, eating, playing, plotting.

It’s where a biker sits next to a businessman, where kids chat with retirees, where folks from every neighborhood wait together for a sandwich, where the Amish brush up against the barflies.

Harrisburg tends to be a transient place, one without a deep sense of shared roots or fate. But, if there’s a center of city life here, it is, without question, the Broad Street Market.

Lawrance Binda is publisher/editor of TheBurg.

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