Tag Archives: LGBT Center of Central PA

Harrisburg receives one of the highest scores in PA for LGBTQ inclusivity

Mayor Wanda Williams shared Harrisburg’s score on the “Municipal Equality Index” at a press conference in city hall.

According to a new study, Harrisburg is one of the most welcoming places in the state for LGBTQ residents.

At a press conference on Tuesday, city officials shared that Harrisburg received its highest score to date on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for its support of the LGBTQ community.

The MEI measures how municipalities assist this group through its laws, policies and services. Harrisburg scored 96 out of 100 and earned 13 “flex points,” giving it a total of 109, the highest score of any participating municipality, according to the city.

“I am more encouraged now than ever before that Harrisburg is on the right path forward,” said Mayor Wanda Williams.

According to the city, in 2019-21, Harrisburg scored 69 points on the MEI and in 2022 scored 71. This year’s high score was reached through initiatives like beginning to report hate crime statistics to the FBI and offering city employees transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits.

In the spring, Harrisburg also appointed Deborah Robinson as the LGBTQ liaison in city hall, as well as Jennifer Cameron as the liaison in the police bureau. Both Robinson, special assistant for community affairs, and Cameron, special assistant for the police bureau, serve as liaisons for all underrepresented community groups, acting as advocates on their behalf.

The city received perfect scores in areas like its non-discrimination laws, city leadership’s position on LGBTQ equality and for having a human rights commission. Harrisburg gained bonus points for employing openly LGBTQ elected and appointed officials and for providing services to LGBTQ youth, senior citizens and people experiencing homelessness.

“There is always more work to be done, so this does not mark a finish line, but it does mark important progress,” said Amanda Arbour, director of the LGBT Center of Central Pa. “We are grateful for the work that Mayor Williams and her administration have done to prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusion within the past year.”

To view the Municipal Equality Index report for Harrisburg, click here.

 

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Bob’s Art Blog: Send in the Artists

Over the years I have made it my mission to cover the wide range of artists housed within Millworks’ three levels. With school starting back in a matter of weeks, I felt mid-August was the perfect time to cover a special group of creatives. Falling in line for roll call finds 10 eclectic elocutionists who speak the language of art with precise articulation and verve. Art class is now in session.

I had the good fortune of catching up with two fresh faces at Millworks during the most recent 3rd in The Burg event. If one were to combine the finely delicate art of Georgia O’Keefe “Flowers” series, done with a modern-day flourish, you may be admiring Marjorie Taylor’s studies of the same subject matter in Studio 214. Nature serves as a major source of inspiration as she quotes Einstein, “Look deep into Nature and you will understand everything better.” Acrylics and oils on linen panels provide the impetus for her poetic paintings. Breathtaking, “Madagascar Comet Moth,” is enhanced by the addition of gold-leaf while her “Pansy” study speaks to O’Keefe’s most famous works.

Madagascar Comet Moth by Marjorie Taylor

Stained glass by Carrie Shusta

Carrie Shusta of Millworks 322 likes to pick up the pieces as in the stained glass she creates working her magic like a kaleidoscope rotated to perfection, where creativity meets assemblage. Borrowing from “old school inspiration like the Arts and Craft Movement of the ‘60s (like the 1860s).” Carrie bends the rules and pushes the natural boundaries of stained glass to its edge employing the Tiffany Method of “copper foiling.” Shusta is fascinated by the possibilities of what can be within the medium.

Art of the Earth in Studio 102 finds Kate Gambini, a potter with a predilection for surface decoration, adapting her style to build hand slabs or work at the wheel. It is in the combination of textural technique and illustration that make her works stand apart. Rachelle Lowe, a ceramic sculptor, shares the studio in tandem with Kate, finding a common ground in ceramics. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her resume draws on atypical crafting works of art, bridging her love as an entomologist with the fine art of sculpting. Her creations embody an abiding love of nature, specifically her fascination with insects. This passion started as a child, developing into an artistically successful pursuit. Fine Art by Angela Lapioli is for all lovers of nature. Her paintings breathe and live in a portal between this world and the next. Her work has been featured in the atrium of WITF. Angela is a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia and has already left her mark as an illustrator, graphic designer and art director. If you appreciate dreamy renderings of the natural world, her paintings may gently awaken you in Studio 214.

April Henbest’s outpost, number 216, is reminiscent of a modern-day “Little House on the Prairie” general store, in that it showcases T-shirts, linens for the home, fanciful cards, all displayed on eye-catching hooks and stands as part of her Tiny Homestead Studio. Breezy and light, its charm lies in its simplicity. Pat Frese of Studio 216 is an enamellist of the highest order, sharing space with fellow compatriot, Averill Shepps. Inspired by the world around her, Pat marries finely ground glass to metal in a kiln at high temperatures. Her work has been featured at the Enamellist Society Exhibition in 2022.

Jessica Cavey of Circe, Studio 213, creates one-of-a-kind pieces as a fiber artist and herbalist. Her “brand” name stems from Greek mythology, referring to a woman of knowledge and power who is rarely recognized for those attributes. Ms. Cavey is ready to change that thinking. Her work is artistically refined in clothing and accessories. Jennifer Skerpon is a unique jeweler who offers permanent adornments in high carat gold, sterling silver and gold-filled, all with links that are welded closed in lieu of a clasp. Found in Studio 212, Jennifer is ecologically conscious, working with only recycled precious metals. In addition, the lapidary elements employed are “in the rough” from ethical sources, then cut, shaped, and polished by the artist. A rare artisan, Jennifer creates jewelry that speaks to the soul, attracting clients of similar tastes.

Charcoal study by Richard Lopez-Hernandez

Perhaps the newest addition to the fray is Richard L. Hernandez (RLO), planting his flag firmly in Studio 215. Specializing in charcoal studies as his medium gives him the latitude to operate in two worlds simultaneously, moving between “shadow and substance,” finding the gray areas not defined by light or dark, comfortable in twilight’s tantalizing thrills. Subjects swirl in surreal seductions, only to segue toward artistic abstraction. RLO deftly demonstrates divergent dreams as the curtain comes down on the drama that unfolds before our eyes.

Over the years, Millworks has turned out a stalwart class of “graduates” that include Amie Bantz, Meg Caruso, Lauren Castillo, Kelly McGee Curran, Mary Gelenser, Jason Lyons and Joan McGuire, just to name a few, as well as Stash Collective. These artists cut their teeth at Millworks before moving on to solo and group enterprises. Half of the early adaptors who believed in the power of art at Millworks have remained steadfast, continuing to thrive under its art director, Tara Chickey. Tara rotates the artists through an annual calendar, with each one contributing to a major show twice a year featured in the downstairs lobby. She shared “that the process brings out the very best in all of them.” I would be remiss not to tip my hat to the original 16 (of 33) led by Tara with her husband, Caleb Byron Smith. They are an art power couple. Apparently, art and marriage go hand in hand, judging by the creative duos of Richard and Marsha Souders, Joelle and Justin Arawjo of Fennec Design, and Robert McCloskey and Linda Benton McCloskey. Independents from the very start include Ann Benton Yeager, John Davis, Yachiyo Beck, Paul Vasiliades, Judy Kelly, Tina Berrier, Julie Iaria and Tami Bitner.

Millworks studio boards (photo: Tara Chickey)

All the above are noted, as well as other current Millwork’s artists I have covered over the past five years that are still roosting in Millworks loft. Beyond the art itself, there is an underlying sense of community connected by more than paintings, photographs and pottery. The thread of continuity speaks to camaraderie where artists share and support, critique and commiserate, all done with a bond of unbreakable bonhomie. Even the “graduates” share a wistfulness about their days at 340 Verbeke.

I could write about the group of artists I’ve covered over the years at Millworks in nine chapters up until today. Pamela Black, Elaine Elledge, Rebecca Adey of Mod Sew, Paul and Alexander Zemaitis of Moonrise Candle, P.D. Murray, Paul Gallo, Phil Wells, Reina R76 Wooden, Kristen Fava of Rexmake, Zack Rudy and Garrick Dorsett of The Hucklebuckle Boys, all have made for great copy as well as those “originals,” the sweet 16. For the moment, time and space does not allow that luxury, and it appears I am now up to date for the fall semester. The artists’ “in/out boards” near the entrance provide up-to-date info as to who is in each studio. With all due respect and reverence for the legacy of modern-day composer, the late Stephen Sondheim, I borrowed a few words from his classic, “Send in the Clowns.” Me paraphrasing Sondheim’s words, (no need to) “send in the artists…they’re already here.”

 

August Special Events

3rd in the Burg: LGBT Center of Central PA presents “A Home of Our Own” (soft launch) at their new headquarters, 1323 N. Front St., 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 19, Sprocket Mural Works & Parliament Arts Organization present York Mural Fest, Royal Square Arts District, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

LGBT Center of PA officials stand in front of their new building on Front Street in Harrisburg.

The August issue of TheBurg dropped a bit early this month, so you’ll have extra time to enjoy all of our magazine content. Pick a copy up or read it online. You also can feast on the stories we published over the past week, which are all listed and linked below.

The Broad Street Market fire is the subject of this month’s publisher’s note, which opens our August issue. In it, our publisher/editor describes his experience as he learned about and then covered the blaze and its aftermath.

Found Collab is one of Harrisburg’s newest businesses, but it also has a great pedigree. Two veteran Harrisburg retailers have joined forces and expanded their wares in a new downtown location, says our magazine feature.

Harrisburg has a new city engineer, ending a long search stretching back 18 months. Daniel Snow is already on the job, with a long list of projects ahead to tackle, according to our online story.

Jason Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit, opened the HU Presents Summer Concert Series in Riverfront Park. Our reviewer described the evening as a “spectacular” night of music along the Harrisburg waterfront.

Julia Parkins isn’t your average suburban mom, as she’s also a jiu-jitsu champion. Our magazine story relates how she discovered the sport and rose through its ranks.

Lamont Jones was nominated for a Harrisburg City Council seat in May. However, two city residents have now filed a lawsuit challenging his nomination, according to our reporting.

LGBT Center of Central PA has a new home after being in temporary quarters for nearly two years. Our online story details how the group came to purchase their own building and what will happen next.

Living off the grid may be a dream for those who desire a simpler, environmentally friendly lifestyle. Our magazine feature tells the story of one local couple that are making it happen, and in beautiful style.

National Night Out is moving to City Island this year, our reporting found. The family-friendly, city-sponsored event, taking place next week, outgrew its prior location, says our online article.

Sara Bozich is back in the action after a much-needed vacation. In her weekly column, find out what she has on her agenda this weekend and what could be on yours.

Trap, Neuter, Release programs are essential for controlling the feral cat population. Our magazine story details some of the groups, people and techniques at work in our area.

Venture down to York to discover one of the gems of that city’s arts district. Three local women have joined forces to offer an eclectic artistic experience, says our fine arts writer.

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LGBT Center of Central PA purchases permanent home, plans renovations before relocating

The LGBT Center of Central PA soon will move into this building on N. Front Street in Harrisburg.

After several years in a temporary location, the LGBT Center of Central PA has purchased a permanent home on a prominent Harrisburg street.

Last month, the organization bought a commercial-style building at 1323 N. Front St., near the corner of Verbeke Street, for $255,000 from DMI55 Enterprises LLC, according to Dauphin County sales data.

In a press release, the LGBT Center stated that it will officially move into the 3,000-square-foot space this fall, following renovations. Improvements will include making the space fully ADA accessible, expanding the lobby and community room, and installing a full kitchen, according to the organization.

“This is especially meaningful for us because it is ‘A Home of Our Own,’ a building that we own, and a permanent space for the center,” said Executive Director Amanda Arbour. “Past experience showed us the importance of having control over our own space. Ownership will also support the long-term financial health of the Center, as we build equity and plan for the future!”

LGBT Center officials stand in front of their new building. From left: Wallace McKelvey, Brad Gebhart, TaWanda Stallworth, Ted Martin, Amanda Arbour.

The LGBT Center was located for nearly a decade in a building on the 1300-block of N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg, but moved out almost two years ago. It since has been operating out of the GLO-Harrisburg building on the 1700-block of N. 3rd Street.

The center serves over 2,000 people each year across Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Lancaster counties.

“Our work at the LGBT Center of Central PA is as important as ever in the face of increasing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and discrimination,” said Wallace McKelvey, board co-chair. “With the establishment of a home of our own, we extend heartfelt gratitude to all who support our efforts in fostering the health and wellbeing of our community.”

According to the release, the LGBT Center was able to raise 61% of its $350,000 goal during its “quiet” fundraising phase, enabling it to purchase the building. The fundraiser is now in its “public” phase to raise the rest of the funds for the building.

“The LGBT community now has a home where firstly we should rest and recognize the work it took to get us here,” said Ted Martin, chair of the Capital Campaign Committee and one of the founders of the center. “And after we’ve taken that breath, gather everyone together under our roof and plan for the future.”

In the meantime, the center is planning A Home of Our Own “Soft Launch” Event on Friday, Aug.18, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the new building during 3rd in the Burg. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

The new LGBT Center of Central PA is located at 1323 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website. Photos used with permission of LGBT Center of Central PA.

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Find Your Community: LGBTQ+ youth groups create safe, social environment

Illustration by Stephen Michael Haas

Young people spend many of their waking hours in spaces where they do not feel comfortable—at home, at school or at work.

This is especially true for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LBGTQ+).

According to The Trevor Project, “71% of LGBTQ+ youth reported discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Regional youth can find an alliance and explore their identities at the Common Roads program—serving Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Lancaster counties. This LGBTQ+ youth-serving program has offered a drop-in social setting and community resources for youth and young adults since 1993.

“The Common Roads program is a space for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to find community, connection and support,” said Amanda Arbour, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA.

Almost two decades after its founding, Common Roads merged with the regional LGBT Center, bringing the missions of the two organizations together as one nonprofit organization.

Gabe Taylor, now the Youth Programs Coordinator at the LGBT Center, grew up in the Harrisburg area and remembers the need they had for support and resources as a child discovering their identity.

“When I moved back to town, it was very important for me to get involved in the local LGBTQIA+ community,” Taylor said. “I want to be a possibility model for younger folks in the community who are also struggling to find themselves. It can be very difficult to find comfort in being your most authentic self if you do not have support.”

They use their experiences to continue the mission of Common Roads and speak to Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) school groups discussing resources available in the community. Taylor is proud to be a queer adult role model for students to look up to and a resource advocate for their community.

 

Friendly Spaces

The Common Roads program has been operating on a hybrid model since COVID-19, with the first meeting of every month being virtual.

The Harrisburg youth group (ages 12 to 17) meets on Wednesday evenings at GLO – Harrisburg, and the Lancaster youth group (ages 12 to 17) meets on Friday evenings online via Zoom. The young adult group (ages 18 to 29) meets on Sunday afternoons at GLO – Harrisburg.

Before each in-person meeting, attendees complete a COVID-19 screening and are required to wear a face mask while indoors. These two-hour social gatherings include sharing weekly updates such as highs and lows of the week and participating in themed activities.

“In honor of International Pronouns Day, we made pronoun pins and discussed topics such as school atmospheres and how to talk to parents about respecting pronouns,” Taylor said.

The LGBT Center hosts several youth-focused events throughout the year, including the largest LGBTQ+ youth gathering in central PA, the GSA Summit. Before COVID-19, the summit would see over 400 LGBTQ+ youth and youth adults come together to connect with other GSA or likeminded groups in the area.

“Our 13th annual summit was held in a virtual setting, but we are hoping to be in person this spring,” Arbour said.

Safe Space Prom was created to provide a friendly space for LGBTQ+ youth who may not be able to be their fullest selves at their own high school proms. In previous years, it has been held at Club XL in downtown Harrisburg and has invited drag artists and vogue dancers to perform. The LGBT Center looks forward to hosting a prom this June.

The last Saturday in July marks a historic event in the LGBTQ+ community—Harrisburg Pride. The Common Roads program wants to keep youth safe by offering a Youth After-Pride Party with pizza, music and comradery.

“Our after-party allows youth to celebrate Pride season in a comfortable and safe environment,” Arbour said.

“There are very few all-ages spaces available and even less sober spaces, so this party is fun but also very important,” Taylor said.

Last year, the LGBT Center bid farewell to its long-time home on 3rd Street and began researching to find their next community space. The LGBT Center looks forward to expanding on their programming and serving more community members in the future.

“We hope to be in a larger space to allow us to support more youth and continue providing a social space, three times a week,” Arbour said. “We also want to help youth find resources in the community, such as food, mental health services and housing—such as launching our Rapid Rehousing program.”

The Rapid Rehousing program will help LGBTQ+ young adults (ages 18 to 34) gain financial independence to live on their own. Through a 12-month program, individuals will be able to pay housing through aided assistance and gain financial responsibility.

Looking to get involved? Common Roads needs volunteer chaperones for their weeknight youth group meetings. Visit their website to learn more.

 Weekly in-person group sessions do not require pre-registration and are currently being held at Glo – Harrisburg at 1701 N. 3rd St. Visit their website at www.centralpalgbtcenter.org for more information.

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Burg Blog: To Publish or Not to Publish?

The former LGBT Center of Central PA

In journalism, some stories are much tougher to judge than others.

Most stories are obvious in terms of news importance. But some aren’t.

Take, as a good example, our story on Thursday about a dispute between the LGBT Center of Central PA and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

In that story, Amanda Arbour, the center’s executive director, in a widely circulated press release and social media post, leveled certain charges about a building the mayor owns, where the center used to be located.

It was a follow up to a story from October, when we reported that the center had left its long-time home. Thursday’s story offered a lot more detail over what had allegedly happened.

Now, this is a landlord/tenant dispute at its core, so it’s something we typically would not consider newsworthy, unless perhaps there was a broader community concern or issue involved.

However, to me, this story’s importance was elevated by the prominence of the two parties involved: the city’s mayor and one of our area’s foremost nonprofits—as well as what the LBGT Center was claiming.

So, in the end, I decided it was newsworthy and should be published.

It wasn’t an easy call, and, after it was published, some people disagreed with my decision, emphatically starting with the mayor, who believed that we targeted him because of his position.

I might add that, for the story, we contacted Papenfuse for comment, which he provided and we incorporated. So, he knew we intended to publish a story based on what the LGBT Center said had occurred.

Now, the story doesn’t reach a definitive conclusion over who’s right. How could it? We weren’t there, but the two disputing parties were—and they’re saying very different things about what happened. So, we presented the center’s claims and Papenfuse’s response to them.

Many news stories are like that, of course. A reporter asks one side for their view, then the other side for theirs. It’s an imperfect method of discerning a “truth,” but it’s sometimes the best tool we have, especially when that “truth” is in dispute.

Papenfuse now believes that what we published was so egregious as to constitute irresponsible journalism at best, defamation at worst.

I continue to believe that we made the correct call.

So, what would you have done? Would you have published the story?

Lawrance Binda is the co-publisher and editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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LGBT Center left headquarters following dispute with Harrisburg mayor over building

Former location of the LGBT Center of Central PA on N. 3rd St.

Last October, the LBGT Center of Central PA abruptly left its long-time headquarters in Midtown Harrisburg.

At the time, Amanda Arbour, the center’s executive director, said that “a number of factors have aligned to indicate that now is the right time to make this move.” They would work remotely out of GLO-Harrisburg, located several blocks away, until they find another, larger home, she said.

However, center officials have now publicly released a lengthy statement explaining in greater detail why they left the building at 1306 N. 3rd St. They had to leave due to unaddressed, potentially harmful, environmental factors, they said.

In their statement, center officials placed blame for the departure squarely on the landlord, who also happens to be the city’s mayor. For his part, Mayor Eric Papenfuse thoroughly disputes their version of events.

In a lengthy press release, the center claims that they found mold and asbestos in the basement of their leased building and brought up these concerns with Papenfuse. According to Arbour, the center brought in inspectors who identified the mold as “a serious issue requiring remediation,” she said.

According to Arbour, Papenfuse was resistant to follow the remediation treatment proposed by inspectors that the center brought in. Instead, she said, he proposed an alternate treatment, which Arbour did not believe would address the issue.

In the meantime, the center closed off impacted areas of the building, she said.

While the center did not rent the basement of the facility, Arbour said that Papenfuse allowed them to use it for storage.

“It was a stressful, frustrating, and exhausting process trying to address these serious issues in our building with no support or acknowledgment of the potential impact on our health and safety from our landlord,” Arbour said. “We wish our departure had been under different circumstances, but with the lack of response and subsequent non-action from Eric Papenfuse, we had no other option.”

However, Papenfuse, responding to TheBurg via text message, said that he wasn’t against remediation, but rather wanted to hire his own contractor, stating that Arbour’s suggested company would’ve cost $10,000.

“We never said we wouldn’t remediate the mold in the basement,” he said. “A lot of Harrisburg basements are unfinished and have areas where water penetrates. It was simply a matter of cost and approach.”

According to Arbour, Papenfuse asked them to remove their items from the basement so that they could do a walk-through with him. Papenfuse said that they shouldn’t have been using the basement.

“He did not address any of our specific requests or the documentation that we had provided,” Arbour said in a statement on the center’s website. “This response indicated to us that he had no intention of addressing these serious health and safety issues in his property.”

The center requested an early lease termination, which Papenfuse said he honored.

“They were not forced out,” he said. “The situation was handled professionally at all times.”

Papenfuse said that he has since remediated the mold in the basement.

He added that he saw the public statement, which was also posted on social media, as a fundraising tactic by the center.

“It’s a viciously slanderous email that uses hate as a fundraising tool,” he said.*

The LGBT Center stated that they decided to wait to share their experience until after the recent 2021 municipal election, in which Papenfuse ran as a write-in candidate for mayor and ultimately lost to Democratic nominee Wanda Williams. Arbour said that they wanted to avoid the appearance of involvement in a political campaign which could have affected their tax-exempt status as a nonprofit.

“We feel it is important to hold Eric Papenfuse publicly accountable for how he treated us as a tenant, and to do our part to ensure that other tenants or potential tenants aren’t put in the same position as we were,” Arbour said. “We will not be silent in the face of injustice and mistreatment.”

As part of their statement, the center added that for those who would like to help offset the costs associated with the mold, the move and the ongoing operations that have been affected, they welcome donations.

* This story was updated with an additional quote from Mayor Papenfuse.

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November News Digest

Senior Housing Gets Go-Ahead

An affordable housing development for seniors planned for Harrisburg is free to break ground.

At a recent legislative session, City Council unanimously approved the land development plan for Bethel Village, a 49-unit apartment building for low-income seniors at N. 6th and Herr streets.

“I think this is a win for the community,” said Blane Stoddart of RB Development, one of the partners in the project. “So many people are going to benefit from the building of this building to provide affordable housing for the residents of Harrisburg.”

While many council members voiced support for the mission of creating affordable housing in the city, some did have hesitations about the limited parking.

Officials of the $15 million Bethel Village plan to have only four off-street parking spaces. Council President Wanda Williams expressed concerns about the lack of planned parking for building residents.

Bethel officials have said that they believe a majority of their residents, all low-income and elderly, will not own a car.

The developers also have letters of intent with Tabernacle Baptist Church for the future use of 15 surface parking spaces and with the state Department of General Services for use of 10 spots.

Williams noted that using the church and DGS parking lots will require senior residents to walk uphill and across busy streets, something she saw as a safety hazard.

“I want to make sure everything is right for the senior citizens,” she said.

However, in the end, with reassurance from Stoddart that they would increase their safety measures, Williams voiced her support for the project.

“I’m excited for this because I know the city needs this,” she said.

 

Building Design Approved

A new, mixed-use building in downtown Harrisburg received its first city approval last month, despite some lingering concerns over its contemporary design.

By a 3-1 tally, the Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) voted to approve a five-story residential and retail structure at 512-514 N. 2nd St. that includes an exterior of brick, glass and metal.

Currently, two long-empty, neglected buildings occupy the site. Under the plan by developer Derek Dilks, they would be razed and a new, 5,000-square-foot structure would be built consisting of first-floor retail space and seven apartments on four floors above.

“I think it’s great to see more projects that are going to improve the city and turn a couple of dilapidated buildings into occupied, new construction,” said architect Chris Dawson, following the meeting.

At a prior meeting, several HARB members questioned the modern aesthetic of the design, saying that it stood in stark contrast with the streetscape, which largely consists of century-plus-old brick buildings.

However, at last month’s meeting, a majority seemed satisfied overall with the project design.

HARB member Kali Tennis stated that cities need a blend of historic and modern architecture, with buildings not mimicking older styles but reflecting the times in which they’re constructed.

“My personal opinion is that it both blends and distinguishes itself,” she said, of the building design. “Our job is to thoughtfully look at a proposal like this and think about it in the context of the whole city.”

The project now needs to go through the city’s land development process.

 

Fire Bureau Announces Hires, Awards

The Harrisburg Fire Bureau last month held its annual awards ceremony and announced new hires for the department.

Three new firefighters, Dylan Landuyt, Johnathon Felty and Codie Schaffner, officially joined the bureau. The swearing-in of these firefighters brings the bureau to a full complement of 90 personnel, Chief Brian Enterline said.

In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the following awards and recognitions were given to firefighters in the bureau:

Award of Bravery—Kyle Paul

Award of Merit—Capt. Aldo Morelli, James Grundon, Zachary Miller, Patrick Giberson, John Peskie, Battalion Chief Jason Lloyd

Unit Citation—Lt. William Skinner, Nathaniel Barbolish, Justin Zimmerman, Michael Stender, Lt. Jeffrey Miller, Jared Day, Thomas Propst, Joseph Kuhn, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli, David Gilkey, Shane Conrad, Lt. Robert Lohin, Brandon Trygar, Jamie Kleckner, Thomas Cucchiara

CPR Save—Jared Day, Lt. Corey Stone, William Junkin, Shane Conrad, David Aguayo, Johnathan Little, Thomas Cucchiara, Austin Howard, Capt. Charles Zavrel, Richard Brocius, Nicholas Hurst, Lt. Brian Yonkin, Marty Henderson, Glenn Raudensky

Bureau members of the Pennsylvania Task Force 1 also received National Deployment Awards for assisting throughout the country. They were recognized for assisting at the presidential inauguration, during Hurricane Ida and at the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Florida.

One firefighter, Brent Hill, received a National Deployment Award for supporting the National Interagency Fire Center during California’s wildfire season.

 

Downtown Tasting Rooms Debut

Last April, downtown Harrisburg lost Sip@SoMa, a rotating, limited-engagement brewery concept on S. 3rd Street.

This was actually good news, as Swatara Township-based Boneshire Brew Works opened a permanent tasting room in the space.

But now Sip@SoMa is back—times two.

Last month, Harristown Enterprises debuted a new Sip@SoMa just a few doors down from the original location. In addition, it plans to open another tasting room on the street, Sip@17, which will cater to small-group gatherings and tastings.

Both locations will feature products from a rotating lineup of Pennsylvania brewers, vintners and distillers, in limited engagements.

“Harristown is thrilled to add these two new tasting rooms to this thriving neighborhood,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “These two new tasting rooms will add to the vibrancy of this block and create a destination tasting row for the SoMa neighborhood.”

Located at 23 S. 3rd St., the new Sip@SoMa is larger than the original location at about 1,000 square feet, plus a 600-square-foot patio in the back, which together seats about 40 customers. The industrial-style design also features a small bar and performance stage.

Sip@17, located at 17 S. 3rd St., is a smaller space of about 600 square feet. It is intended mostly for special, more intimate events, such as wine tastings.

Sara Bozich will be responsible for booking vendors and promotion.

Longer term, Harristown’s plan for the two spaces is the same as for the original Sip@SoMa, now occupied by Boneshire—to lease them permanently and turn S. 3rd Street into a “tasting row,” according to the company.

“Harristown intends to offer these spaces for lease eventually and will be looking to build additional tap rooms in the neighborhood at other storefronts it owns,” Jones said.

 

New LGBTQ History Markers

The LGBT Center of Central PA’s History Project last month unveiled two state historical markers in downtown Harrisburg that honor local LGBTQ history.

The plaques, one at N. 3rd and North streets and the other at 205 State St., tell the stories of past Pennsylvania Gov. Milton J. Shapp and Richard Schlegel, a pioneering gay activist, respectively.

“People look to these historical markers as a window into our state history,” said Barry Loveland, chair of the LGBT History Project. “It’s really rewarding to know that finally some of this history will get recognized.”

These are the first historical markers for LGBTQ history in the commonwealth outside of Philadelphia, Loveland said.

The LGBT History Project started in 2012, and since then, Loveland and others have uncovered and documented many stories from LGBTQ history. Shapp and Schlegel’s stories were two that had huge impacts in central PA and nationally, Loveland explained.

In 1974, Shapp met with activist Mark Segal, which is believed to be the first meeting of a sitting governor with a gay activist. Shapp later appointed a task force to study and advise him on improving public policy for LGBTQ people, Loveland said.

Schlegel began working for the PA Department of Highways in 1963. He became active in the Janus Society, one of the first LGBTQ organizations in the state, and established a central PA chapter in 1964. The group met at Schlegel’s apartment at 205 State St., Loveland said. Schlegel was investigated for his involvement in gay activism and fired from his state job, later setting up a foundation to benefit LGBTQ organizations.

Loveland said that he was surprised to learn of Shapp’s advocacy for the LGBTQ community.

“He’s not particularly known for gay rights accomplishments,” he said. “That’s something we were surprised by. Shapp was really ahead of his time.”

 

Street Renamed to Honor Black History

A downtown Harrisburg street will get a new name to recognize Black history in the city.

At a legislative session last month, City Council unanimously approved a resolution to designate a section of Walnut Street as T. Morris Chester Way.

“I think it’s important that we recognize and highlight the contributions of African Americans in the city of Harrisburg and what we’ve done to improve Harrisburg despite the odds,” council member Westburn Majors said.

The idea was brought to council by the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, which is responsible for the recent installation of the Commonwealth Monument at N. 4th and Walnut streets.

According to the Commonwealth Monument Project, Chester was a prominent figure in Harrisburg history during the 1860s. He was a lawyer, soldier and the only Black war correspondent during the Civil War. He also is recognized as one of the bronze figures in the Commonwealth Monument.

Walnut Street will keep its name, but, from Commonwealth Avenue to Front Street, it will gain T. Morris Chester Way as a second name. This will allow addresses to remain the same and avoid confusion, city Engineer Wayne Martin explained.

Lenwood Sloan of the Peace Promenade and executive director of the Monument Project said that the name “would concretize our designation as a national heritage site.” It will help create a pathway that connects several of the group’s African American history memorial sites, which include the Commonwealth Monument and the Bethel Heritage Trail, which commemorates the Bethel AME church in Harrisburg, he said.

 

Home Prices Up, Sales Dip

Harrisburg-area home prices continued a months-long climb while sales dipped in September, according to the most recent report on existing home sales.

For the month, 757 houses sold in the three-county region compared to 812 in September 2020, but the median sales price surged to $231,000 from $204,200 last year, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 356 homes sold for a median price of $205,000 in September, versus 370 homes at $178,000 last year, GHAR stated.

In Cumberland County, 347 houses sold, a drop of 21 units from last year, as the median price climbed to $255,000 compared to $226,250 in September 2020.

Perry County saw sales of 34 houses for a median price of $217,450. Last September, 51 houses sold at a median price of $180,000, according to GHAR.

Houses were selling more quickly than last year, as the “average days on the market” dropped to 20 days versus 33 days the prior September, GHAR stated.


So Noted

Andrea Britt last month was named 2021 New Librarian of the Year by the Pennsylvania Library Association. Britt has served for the past three years as the STEM librarian at Penn State Harrisburg Library.

Autumn Cooper and Anthony Burnett last month were named the first two appointees to Harrisburg’s Citizen Law Enforcement Advisory Board, which will be focused on police accountability. The mayoral nominees must be approved by council, which also must make five of its own board appointments.

Capital Region Water last month opened its customer service center for walk-in customers at its new location at 3003 N. Front St., Harrisburg. CRW also was recently featured as a community “anchor institution” for the Harrisburg area, according to a U.S. Department of Environmental Protection report titled, “Water Utilities as Anchor Institutions.” The piece highlights CRW’s programs and efforts to assist lower-income residents.

Elvis Solivan was hired last month as Harrisburg’s new business development/LERTA administrator. Solivan has experience in affordable housing, workforce development, government affairs and customer services, according to the city. He previously served as a regional senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a communications specialist at the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Kelly A. Gollick last month was named the new executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Harrisburg, replacing Mark Totaro, who retired in July after serving in the post for 18 years. Gollick previously served as executive director of CONTACT Helpline in Harrisburg.

Lorien Reese Mahay last month began as the new executive director of Theatre Harrisburg, responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s oldest community theaters. Mahay has over a decade of experience in theater management, education and development, including as associate director for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, based in Stony Brook, N.Y., according to the theater.

Nate Spriggs is the new director of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department. Spriggs worked for Harrisburg for 22 years before leaving in 2017 to become public works director for Susquehanna Township. He replaces Dave West, who is retiring at the end of the year, and, before that, Aaron Johnson, who retired in March.

TheBurg was named “News Organization of the Year” last month, an annual honor from the PA NewsMedia Association Foundation. TheBurg won first-place in the “weekly” category, while another Harrisburg-area newspaper, PennLive/The Patriot News, took first in the “multi-day” category. In all, 120 news organizations competed for the honors, according to the foundation.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2450: J. Alicea to R. Mondesi, $120,000

Adrian St., 2467: L. Locke to Alliance Estates LLC, $82,000

Bartine St., 925: Federal National Mortgage Association to A. Bryce, $41,000

Berryhill St., 1243: M. Seif to TKO Properties LLC, $38,000

Berryhill St., 2443: T. Yanich to K. Murphy, $69,900

Boas St., 124: A. Masser & A. Byrne to R. Schlicker & D. Della Loggia, $162,000

Boas St., 213: L. & S. Godinez to Z. Woodward, $190,000

Brookwood St., 2456: D. Stockley to Alliance Estates LLC, $80,000

Brookwood St., 2460: G. Trout to C. Mellinger, $96,500

Calder St., 109: Peter J. Lawson Trust to B. Smith, $163,500

Calder St., 319: J. Rivera to T. Russ, $113,000

Cumberland St., 107: T. Shovlin to C. & J. Askin, $160,000

Cumberland St., 212: N&R Group to E. Vera, $220,000

Cumberland St., 257 & 259: CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC to N&R Properties, $340,000

Derry St., 1127: Medallo Real Estate LLC to K. Purnell, $47,000

Derry St., 1240: S. Akhter to G. Olivo, $195,000

Derry St., 1632: M. Wijaya to K. Gonzalez, $50,000

Derry St., 1950: Next Generation TC Parvez Akhter IRA to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Division St., 650 & 2997 Jefferson St.: D. Walker Jr. & J. Alwine to 650 670 Division Street Ventures LLC, $650,000

Elm St., 1714: Tridents Partners LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $34,000

Emerald St., 247: M. Bekelja to W. Correa & E. Rose, $115,000

Emerald St., 248: C., A., & K. Thompson to M. Nolan, $136,250

Emerald St., 520: J. Perkins to R. Feiler & B. Braun, $60,000

Emerald St., 635: Great Row LLC to C. Arango, $61,000

Forster St., 1912: PA Deals LLC to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $49,900

Fulton St., 1713: M. Fagan to C. & R. Ellis, $170,900

Geary St., 610: CPenn Patriot Properties LLC & Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Parfait Real Estate LLC, $119,995

Green St., 711: R. Coldren to S. Patrick, $190,000

Green St., 1122 & 1210 and 1114 Penn St.: Salvation Army Inc. to High Pointe Apartments LLC, $658,200

Green St., 1711: B. Rockwell & N. Gurley to B. Foster, $231,000

Green St., 2235: V., D. & J. Brown to P. Thomas, $115,000

Green St., 2316: U&N Properties to Dolly Properties LLC, $40,000

Hale Ave., 414: D. Wilson to I. Yolov, $65,000

Hale Ave., 415: J. & J. Fickett to B. Fickett, $70,000

Herr St., 119: J. Cooper to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $142,000

Herr St., 1500: R. Welborn to C. & T. Stephens, $120,000

Herr St., 1507: P. Akhter to SPG Capital LLC, $57,000

James St., 1327: S. & D. Noto to K. Lupold, $110,000

Jefferson St., 2999: J&S Estates LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $345,000

Kensington St., 2227: B. & L. Nguyen to KCA Holdings LLC, $60,000

Liberty St., 1343: HBGRE LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $36,000

Liberty St., 1406: PI Capital LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $75,000

Logan St., 1938: P. Abel & R. Rolan to SPG Capital LLC, $74,000

Maclay St., 236: D. Lee to Bebe LLC, $289,000

Maclay St., 401 & 407: Trinity Church of God to Viva Iglesia Manatial de Agua, $100,000

Market St., 1907: J. Alvarado to H. Johnson, $155,000

Market St., 2203: J. Hunter to D. De La Rosa, $189,900

Midland Rd., 2317: J. Jordan to M. & P. Sweeney, $261,000

Muench St., 318: P. Sisemore & K. Hugo to V. Adams, $124,900

Mulberry St., 1823: Mid Penn Bank to H. Ali, $43,500

Mulberry St., 1848: Kirsch & Burns LLC to Quality Rentals LLC, $70,000

Mulberry St., 2002: C. Keester to H. Saldana, $87,000

North St., 1936: Y. Smith to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $30,000

N. 2nd St., 224: Nicholas E. Dunphy Jr. Trust to A. Sidhu, $210,000

N. 2nd St., 1718: 1718 Realty Associates to Harrisburg Redevelopment Group LLC, $330,000

N. 2nd St., 1807: D. Keech to PDI Properties LLC, $98,500

N. 2nd St., 2138: R. Nagy to S. & J. Toole, $125,000

N. 2nd St., 2527: K. & D. Maltzie to J. Sutter, $270,000

N. 2nd St., 2711: V. & A. Montgomery to N. Corado, $282,000

N. 4th St., 1426: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to E. Drum, $89,900

N. 5th St., 1632: T. Kenenitz Jr. to A. Rasheed, $175,000

N. 5th St., 1738: M. Meads to A. Brown, $185,100

N. 5th St., 2744: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC & R. Rudy to C. Peterson, $60,000

N. 6th St., 2450: D. & A. Semancik to D. Aibangbee, $122,500

N. 6th St., 2633: CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2703: G. & J. Rhiel to J. De Grullon, $46,000

N. 6th St., 2915: N. Frazier to J. Brubaker, $150,000

N. 14th St., 1211: F. Burgos to T. & F. Jenkins, $115,000

N. 15th St., 1329: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to E. Drum, $69,900

N. 16th St., 618: C. & E. Henderson to C. Henderson & S. Ranson, $130,000

N. 16th St., 1002: D. Wilson to L. Deane, $71,000

N. 17th St., 52: Akilis Realty LLC to Akilys Real Estate LLC, $30,000

N. 17th St., 92: H. Pitt to ZM Penn Group LLC, $38,000

N. 17th St., 1105: R. & L. Overton to S. Simmons Sr., $55,000

N. 18th St., 905: M. Johnson to K. Mills Jr., $125,000

N. Front St., 1631: Front & Hamilton Streets Associates to PASA Sustainable Agriculture, $750,000

N. Summit St., 45: Evolution Properties LLC to N. & J. Hoover, $37,500

Paxton St., 1801: TNT Properties LLC to MMLM Realty LLC, $170,000

Peffer St., 230: Keystone Brothers Investments LLC to D. Tepper & E. Lowe, $190,000

Peffer St., 272: J. Bush to L. Kirkwood & H. Sindelar, $163,800

Penn St., 913: J. Robinette to A. Wooditch, $143,000

Penn St., 1915: J. Bankard to A. Birkhimer, $171,000

Penn St., 2117: TKO Rental Properties LLC to Sound Community Solutions, $60,000

Penn St., 2320: J. Compton to R. McCullough, $120,000

Pennwood St., 3200A: Husky Assets LLC & Ron Gensil LLC to Men of Morals LLC, $45,000

Race St., 552: A. & H. Appleberry to C. Martinez, $185,000

Radnor St., 403: TKO Rental Properties LLC to O. McCadney, $131,000

Revere St., 1715: S. Wallace to PA Deals LLC, $65,000

Rudy Rd., 1919: A. Ross to J. Kimble, $106,000

Rudy Rd., 2478: M. Murphy to J. George, $82,000

Rumson Dr., 2965: T. Jones to K. Jackson, $115,000

Showers St., 606: N. Jones to T. Buehler, $185,000

S. 13th St., 445: R. & T. Smolsky to S. & T. Jefferson, $100,000

S. 15th St., 27: Notable Investments LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $36,000

S. 18th St., 15: Gilligan Realty LLC to L. Rivas, $45,000

S. 18th St., 1100: S. Savage to J. & I. Lusan, $128,000

S. 19th St., 10: J. Gritten to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $80,000

S. 19th St., 1201: D. Greene to R. Rodriguez & C. Ross, $160,000

S. 20th St., 1200: G&H Holdings to R. Yussif & S. Alhassan, $220,000

S. 25th St., 704: E. & P. Southard to S. & M. Mejia, $120,000

S. 25th St., 734: SPG Capital to J. Pichardo, $81,000

S. Front St., 549: J. Benjestorf to Raas Properties LLC, $359,900

S. River St., 313: K. Mahoney to K. Grant, $119,900

State St., 211: SREG H LLC to State Capital Property Holdings LLC, $318,500

State St., 231, Unit 603: LUX 1 LP to Kreit Group LLC, $150,500

Susquehanna St., 2246: Harrisburg Mini Storage LLC to SJL Rentals LLC, $251,000

Swatara St., 1314: Peter & Rose Abel Properties LLC to D. Boyle, $43,000

Swatara St., 1937: R. Purdy to K. Watson, $115,000

Verbeke St., 1325: Care Properties LLC to K. Brunner, $87,600

Walnut St., 403: Get Rich Early Associates & R. Heaney to J. Charles Realty LLC, $575,000

Wayne St., 1400: W. Owens & L. Razo to S. Saxton, $170,000

Harrisburg property sales for September 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

“Over the Edge” is coming to Harrisburg on Oct. 29.

Whether you plan to head to the pumpkin patch, sit around the campfire or sip a latte at your favorite coffee shop this weekend, take time to get up to date on the current local news. Our week’s coverage is all listed and linked below. 

Bethesda Mission will soon kick off its annual food drive, our reporting found. The nonprofit hopes to collect 120,000 pounds of food for those in need during the holidays.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region’s (BBBSCR) “Over the Edge” event is on Oct. 29, our online story reported. It will challenge participants to go over the edge of Harrisburg’s Fulton Bank building and rappel 21 stories, or 257 feet, down to the street below.

Federal and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to target illegal gun purchases in Harrisburg, our reporting found. “Operation Scarecrow” seeks to track down people who illegally use a third party (straw party) to buy guns for them.

The Harrisburg School District may soon be adding increased mental health support to its students, our reporting found. They plan to work with Effective School Solutions (ESS), which provides mental health programming to K to 12 students.

The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board approved plans for a large apartment building proposed for Midtown, our reporting found. The project consists of one- and two-bedroom, market-rate apartments and a 3,000-square-foot commercial space.

The Hershey History Center tells the story of Hershey and Derry Township through exhibits and events, our magazine story reported. Currently, it’s showcasing an exhibit of locomotives and trolleys.

The LGBT Center of Central PA announced that it will move out of its current home on N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg, our online story reported. According to the executive director, the center will continue operations remotely while looking for a new, larger building.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced his proposal to use over $12 million in federal funds to support seniors, our online story reported. The money would go towards creating a guaranteed income program for seniors, devoting money to a proposed affordable housing project and funding improvements to a local senior center.

Minority women entrepreneurs had a chance to network and learn at “EmergeHer,” a panel discussion, our online story reported. Harrisburg business owner Christine Titih held the event in hopes of providing resources to those looking to start a business.

The PA Farm Show is set for Jan. 8 through 15. However, the show can only go on if they can hire over 100 employees, our online story reported. Open positions range from part-time, temporary and permanent positions in security, maintenance and skilled trades.

Sara Bozich comes through again with her list of events in the Harrisburg area this weekend. Find something fun to do, here.

Seven Mountains Wine Cellars in Spring Mills offers 40 varieties on its wine list at any one time—many of them award-winners. In our magazine story, read about the father-son duo behind the brand and their mission to make great wine.

Small Business Saturday has created a platform for local businesses to get their name out during the pandemic. In our magazine story, read about founder Ashley Smith’s desire to support budding entrepreneurs through the monthly pop-up shops.

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LGBT Center of Central PA to move out of Midtown building, looking for new home

The LGBT Center of Central PA

A prominent Harrisburg organization that supports the LGBTQ community will leave its current location in search of a new home.

The LGBT Center of Central PA announced its plans to move this month from its location at 1306 N. 3rd St, where it has resided since 2012.

“A number of factors have aligned to indicate that now is the right time to make this move,” said Amanda Arbour, executive director of the center, in a statement. “While we’re excited about the opportunity to find a new, larger space to support our growing staff and programs, we recognize that this was the center’s first home of our own and leaving it is bittersweet. We’re grateful for all of the work that went into creating this space for the center.”

The center has been closed to the public throughout the pandemic, opting instead for virtual programming.

“Our goal was to reopen for in-person programming again, but our plans have changed,” Arbour said.

The center staff will work remotely out of the GLO-Harrisburg building on N. 3rd Street until they find a new, larger home. Arbour said that they plan to solicit community feedback about what people hope to see in a new space.

A farewell party will be held on Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. across from the center, in the grass lot at N. 3rd and Verbeke streets. Past and present staff and board members will be recognized and there will be an “open mic” time for people to share memories and reflections.

Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees are asked to wear masks.

The LGBT Center provides programming for LGBTQ youth, transgender and non-binary people, queer and trans people of color and LGBTQ older adults. It also provides virtual training and education sessions for the community.

For more information about the LGBT Center of Central PA, visit their website.

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