How long does it take to remove 26,400 pieces of trash from the Susquehanna River?
John Naylor found out. One boatload at a time. Continue reading York man has pulled 26,000 pieces of trash from the Susquehanna – 1 boatload at a time
The largest study of its kind — focused on tiny ticks — is underway in Pennsylvania.
The full study, expected to be released this summer, is not only compiling the tick intel, but is building prediction models designed to help reduce human exposure to ticks, and therefore lower future Lyme disease rates. Continue reading Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease. The state is responding with groundbreaking research
On the surface, the Pennsylvania scene appears idyllic. But a closer look reveals the presence of numerous invaders. Experts say climate change is fueling and favoring the growth of invasive species—in many cases, at the expense of Pennsylvania’s cherished symbols. Continue reading In Pa., climate change threatens the state tree, bird and fish. Work is underway to help the native species
In a town as synonymous with history as Gettysburg, the nonprofit Adams County Historical Society found a way to make new history. Continue reading Gettysburg Beyond the Battle
Greg Johnson’s first project, as he was launching his woodworking business, was for his dog. Continue reading Hammering it Home: Fourth-generation woodworker Greg Johnson crafts small business success
It’s a stunning vista overlooking the Susquehanna River.
To the north, the river flows and swirls around the pillars of the picturesque Shocks Mills Bridge. If you stay perched on the rocky outcropping long enough, you just might spy a miniature train below, chugging across the bridge.
Most people would probably describe the scene as “sweeping.” But most people haven’t seen or even had access to this bird’s-eye view, until now.
Continue reading Park Perch: Susquehanna Riverlands is a new gem of a state park with a bird’s-eye view of the river
It’s one of Harrisburg’s most treasured, beloved landmarks. The Susquehanna River is the longest river east of the Mississippi. Its basin — an immense 27,510 square miles —encompasses half of Pennsylvania, along with portions of New York and Maryland.
As iconic as it is, the Susquehanna is also considered one of the most flood-prone watersheds in the nation, averaging $150 million in flood damage annually. And with an already-observed 10% to 20% increase in Pennsylvania’s precipitation, a heightened risk of flooding is considered the state’s top climate change-related risk. Continue reading Climate change in Pa.: The flood-prone Susquehanna River watershed poses a widespread challenge
If there’s a face, or voice, of climate change awareness in Pennsylvania, it might be Greg Czarnecki’s.
As climate change and research coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), he’s the only person dedicating his entire focus to climate change at a Pennsylvania state agency.
For more than five years, he’s been crisscrossing the state, giving about 60 presentations annually, about the impacts of climate change on the Keystone State.
But last summer, there were three that stood out as perhaps more vital than all the others. Continue reading Change Agent: Meet Greg Czarnecki, a man on a mission to impact climate change, one Pennsylvanian at a time
Dolly Parton’s unmistakable voice floats across the graveyard, carried on a chilly breeze, sweeping down Adams County’s Harbaugh Valley. Her music provides the soundtrack for Lisa Rawlings’ workday.
Humming along, absorbed in her work, Rawlings focuses on the gravestone in front of her. Perched on a stool, her purple rubber-gloved hands gripping a long gray brush, she scrubs a 60-year-old gravestone—the kind that marks a double grave for a husband and wife who wanted to be remembered as they likely lived—side-by-side.
“I feel like it’s an honor for me to come and do this. I don’t want them to be forgotten,” says Rawlings, 47, of Fairfield. Continue reading Resting Places, Restored
Liatra Sage has found her niche with kitsch.
“Some people would describe kitsch as borderline gaudy or tacky, but it’s really fun to me,” said Sage, of York.
And if there’s one time of year to be kitschy, it’s Christmas. Continue reading Merry Kitschmas: Christmas wreaths, created by York’s Liatra Sage, are kaleidoscopes of kitsch
New Cumberland has a new identity.
A brightly colored logo proclaiming, “New Cumberland Borough: Old Town, New Energy” is coming to banners and flags, signs, borough newsletters and “everywhere we can put it,” said Valerie Copenhaver, the Cumberland County borough’s first-ever director of community and economic development.
But branding the borough is just the beginning. Continue reading New Energy, New Cumberland: Revitalization efforts are creating a buzz in the riverside borough
Chances are, when you think about Philadelphia, certain icons come to mind: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels and cheesesteaks. You may even hear a strain of the theme song from “Rocky.”
But there’s one more colorful symbol to add to the list: murals. The organization Mural Arts Philadelphia is considered the nation’s largest public art program, credited with creating the world’s biggest outdoor art gallery—with a tally over 4,000. Continue reading Mural Mecca: How Philadelphia became “mural capital of the world.”
Kareem Rosser’s childhood neighborhood, “The Bottom,” is known for its poverty and violence. To say it was an unlikely home for the United States Polo Association’s (USPA) High School National Championship team is an understatement. But Philly loves an underdog story. Continue reading If Wishes Were Horses: Kareem Rosser’s Story
Outdoor recreation is “in.” Amid the pandemic, its popularity has soared as high as the treetops.
At the same time, Silas Chamberlin, vice president of the York Economic Alliance, is doing some re-creating of his own: he’s redefining the field of economic development and merging it with his lifelong appreciation of the outdoors—specifically trails—as conduits for community revitalization. Continue reading How Silas Chamberlin Forged a New Path in York County
Pilates, as an exercise, is all about strengthening your core muscles.
But Allison Zang, owner and founder of Absolute Pilates, is also focused on core strength in a business sense.
That’s why becoming a Certified B Corporation, with the “B” standing for “beneficial,” resonated with her. Continue reading At Its Core: Based in PA, the Certified B Corp movement is growing around the world
Every dog has his day. But not every dog has his own Twitter account with nearly 20,000 followers. Continue reading Lucky Levi: How a chained, rescued dog became “the official dog of Pennsylvania”
Sliding behind the wheel of a shiny new convertible is how many people imagine celebrating their 50th birthday.
But as Father Leo Patalinghug approached his 50th milestone, his wheels turned in a different direction. Continue reading A Vehicle for Good
Hitch a ride on my first-time RV adventure amid a record-breaking year for recreation. Continue reading RV Rookies
Meet Holly and John Hoey—but don’t call them a “power couple.” These humble community leaders just want to make a difference in central Maryland. Continue reading Building a Better Baltimore
It’s where LeAnn Martinez goes to find “a moment of sanity.” Dauphin County’s Memorial Lake State Park is where she connects to nature.
Amid a worldwide pandemic, she’s not alone. Pennsylvania, with one of the largest state park systems in the country, shattered recreation records in 2020. Continue reading It’s All Uphill: State park benchmarks go wild amid pandemic.
There’s never been a better time to get lost in a book.
“An ironic positive side effect of the pandemic is that people are falling back in love with reading,” said Alex Brubaker, manager of Harrisburg’s Midtown Scholar Bookstore. Continue reading Pandemic Plot Twists
Stacy Schroeder was lying in bed one night, unable to sleep because of all the home organizational projects on her mind.
That’s when she had a lightbulb moment. Continue reading Home Sweet (Organized) Home
Usage of the Capital Area Greenbelt has soared upwards of 400% since the pandemic.
“It may sound crazy, but it’s a believable number,” said Dick Norford, spokesperson for the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA).
That means that as many as 2 to 4 million people hit the Greenbelt in 2020 to ease their cabin fever, get outside and work out their pandemic stress by walking, running, biking or even rollerblading.
And colder temperatures don’t have to put the brakes on healthy habits. Continue reading Snowball Effect
If you need a new reason to visit Gettysburg—besides hallowed battlefields and history—chances are you’ll find it at Mela Kitchen at Jack’s Hard Cider. The new flagship restaurant showcasing Jack’s Hard Cider and freshly-launched Atomic Dog Wines is located at one of the region’s largest open-air outlets, the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg.
“We’re a fast, casual-style restaurant with a quality of food that matches some of the area’s best full-service restaurants,” says Chef Josh Fidler, who considers his latest gig the “highlight” of his 20-year career. Continue reading Cheers to Mela Kitchen
The soul of a business is often depicted in a logo. And that’s the case for Uncle Moe’s Soul Food Truck, which, on any given day, rolls into Gettysburg or throughout the region—from Frederick, Md., to Chambersburg, Hanover to Fairfield.
Eldridge “Moe” Moses walks to the side of his bright red food truck and stands beside the logo—a circle containing hands, stretched upward toward a blue sky, clouds, and a sunburst.
“When praises go up, blessings come down,” says Moses. Continue reading A Taste of Heart and Soul
It was 1978. George Chorba was stuck waiting in a mile-long line of vehicles at the only gas station that still had fuel amid one of the Arab oil embargoes. He was in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., so, needless to say, it was hot.
“My pickup truck didn’t have air conditioning, and I remember looking up at the sun—I had certainly heard about solar—and I thought, ‘This solar stuff makes a whole lot of sense.’” Continue reading Home Sweet Green Home
For nearly 30 years, Marian Elby has been a regular visitor at central Pennsylvania prisons.
“People need someone,” said Elby, 77. “Ever since I was little, I had a heart for those who didn’t have.” Continue reading Being a Spark
George Keeney has two affirmations he says every morning and every night.
First, he asks St. George to help all those in need. Then he asks that his family’s new endeavor, Mansion House 1757, he a positive influence on the community. Continue reading Mansion House 1757
Thirty armed militia members started walking down a hill, across the Gettysburg Battlefield, toward him.
It was the 4th of July, and it was the first time all day that Scott Hancock felt his heart beating out of his chest. Continue reading Monumental Issues
Hometown pride is something that touches your soul.
That’s what Donovan (“Dono”) Krebs felt when he met longtime Hummelstown resident Mike VanGavree. And that’s why he accepted VanGavree’s offer to become head brewer at Rubber Soul Brewing Co. Continue reading Hometown Soul
Extraordinarily challenging times call for strength of character, and these women are flexing mighty muscles to help others throughout the Susquehanna Valley. Continue reading Women of Strength
All records were shattered by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s recent donation campaign. Continue reading “Epic” Campaign Helps Central PA Food Bank Prep for Thanksgiving
Nov. 4, the day after the presidential election, could be the most divisive day in modern U.S. history.
That’s according to a nonprofit organization called “Braver Angels.” But they’re flying in the face of adversity. Continue reading On the Side of the Angels
Chris Lauer decided to walk across the country.
The Minnesota native set off with not much more than a backpack and camping gear, bound for Philadelphia. But about 1,000 miles down the road, his four-month journey hit a snag on Route 30, in south-central Pennsylvania.
“I fell in love with Gettysburg and stayed,” Lauer said.
The financial picture is a little rosier today for capital region arts organizations.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced $20 million in grant funding Tuesday for the state’s cultural and arts institutions, including a combined $308,978 headed to eight Dauphin County organizations. Continue reading Arts Aid
Character and conviction, drive and determination.
What propels people forward—sometimes over seemingly insurmountable hurdles—to pursue their dreams, especially later in life? We talked to eight extraordinary people, following their career paths in and around Adams County, to find out. Continue reading Fascinating, Fearless, and Flourishing at 40 and Beyond
If Dauphin County were a city, it would be in the top 30, nationwide, for breweries per capita.
Based on population, and with more breweries set to open, it would take the next round of national beer statistics by storm. Nearby, Lancaster is already in the top 25.
Jason Meckes did his homework when he helped design Visit Hershey & Harrisburg’s (VHH) new Brew Barons Beer Trail, which launched in mid-July. Continue reading Banking on Beer
Only in 2020 could “Restaurant Week” involve a month-long celebration of takeout.
Tuesday kicks off “Harrisburg Takeout Month,” organized by the nonprofit Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (DID). It replaces Harrisburg Restaurant Week, in its 12th year in the capital city. Continue reading Takeout Turnabout
There’s a new show in town at Gettysburg’s former Frank Theatres. It’s not a Hollywood production, but there’s plenty of action, name recognition, and star power.
Mela Kitchen, led by Chef Josh Fidler, is Gettysburg’s newest restaurant. Affiliated with parent company Jack’s Hard Cider and Atomic Dog Wines, it’s located at the former movie house at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. Continue reading Mela Kitchen
Norris Flowers was 12 years old when he launched his life-long career in the tourism industry.
Fifty-five years later, he’s seen a lot—but never anything like the pandemic crisis of 2020. Continue reading Vacation, Staycation
Lucas Brownback is sitting on a cash crop.
“We’ve been preparing and hoping for a year like this—we just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances,” said Brownback, a second-generation farmer who co-owns and operates Perry County’s 300-acre Spiral Path Farm with his brother, Will. Continue reading Agriculture Restructure: Farmers shift gears amid the pandemic
Carryout is king during these pandemic times. When the carryout is king crab—or Maryland’s famous blue crabs—even better for area seafood lovers.
The success of Harbour House Crabs is no fish story or fisherman’s tale. Jessica and Curt Engle hooked the catch of their lives 20 years ago when they founded their Harrisburg-based business. Continue reading Get Crackin’ with Harbour House Crabs
Rick Hill thought he’d be playing golf every day, enjoying retirement.
“I was incredibly bored, and my wife said, ‘You might as well get another job,’” said Hill. “The stars aligned… I was introduced to Goodwill and its mission, and at that point I knew I didn’t want to do anything else but work for Goodwill the rest of my life.” Continue reading Goodwill to All
One of Harrisburg’s longest-running summertime traditions, the Harrisburg Mile, will go on in 2020 despite the pandemic.
“We’re trying to provide a summertime event that feels like the joy that the Harrisburg Mile usually brings to the city,” said Rosie Turner, the YMCA’s director of marketing and communications. Continue reading Harrisburg Mile Gets the Green Light
A body in motion tends to stay in motion.
Sound familiar? It’s part of Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion.
Physics aside, it’s also a credo many runners live by. Continue reading Run On: Amid pandemic, many find therapy on the run.
Breweries in the ‘Burg offer an experience.
That’s the premise behind the Brew Barons Beer Trail, launched today by Dauphin County’s tourism bureau, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH). Continue reading Brew Barons Beer Trail Launched
Alex Lemon grew up with a childhood tradition of drinking coffee with her mom on Sunday mornings. It was such a cherished time that it pulled her back home to Dillsburg from West Chester University during her college days, so that their mother-daughter coffee rituals could continue.
Little did she know then that she was just a few years away from becoming co-owner of a highly successful Gettysburg coffeehouse and roasting company—Eighty Two Café and Ragged Edge Roasting Co.—housed together under one roof at 82 Steinwehr Ave. Continue reading Eighty Two Cafe
Janice Black was in a unique position to recognize the scope of the COVID-19 crisis—and to do something about it.
The 25-year president and CEO of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) also has a background in healthcare and nursing. Continue reading Pandemic Pinch
“I miss the human connection—that’s why I became a teacher. Right now, going online to talk with them is the highlight of my day,” said Tricia Donley, a high school English teacher.
That ability to adjust—even though it’s difficult—is one of the keys to our collective mental health through the pandemic, according to experts. Continue reading An Experience in Resilience
Cereal, peanut butter, pasta, sauce and other essential household staples are inside the brown cardboard emergency food boxes.
But it’s innovative “outside-the-box” thinking and “extremely generous” acts of charity that are powering and placing the ingredients inside. Continue reading Hunger Pains
Fractures and breakdowns in the global supply chain—a pandemic-laced crisis—may actually present opportunities for south central Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector. Continue reading Chain Reaction
Sunday brunch is much more than a meal—it’s a state of mind, a respite, a soul-quenching experience that powers us through the rest of our week. And it supports local small businesses, many of them highlighted in this piece. Continue reading Sunday Brunchin’
By the time you’re reading this, the Pennsylvania Distillers Guild will have produced some 2.4 million 4-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer, predicts Rob Cassell.
“To me, I feel like what you’re seeing happen between public-private partnerships and businesses converting to creative solutions is like what our grandparents talked about happening during World War II,” said Cassell, guild president and master distiller at North Philadelphia’s New Liberty Distillery. Continue reading Kindred Spirits
In the midst of today’s COVID-19 pandemic, record unemployment figures, and economic uncertainties, are there comparisons to the Depression era? Continue reading Depression Reflections
The face of a little boy is captured in Kathy Anderson-Martin’s memory. His eyes followed her, as she put milk on the table—the table holding grocery items his family was about to receive—and he started licking his lips. Continue reading Satisfying the Hunger
“Public enemy number one” is how Shannon Powers refers to the spotted lanternfly.
Powers, press secretary for Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture, said the invading insect is an $18 billion threat to the state’s economy—specifically products and jobs related to the grape, apple, hops and hardwood industries.
And April is when the spotted lanternfly hatches. Continue reading Unwelcome in Our Woods
“People appreciate seeing partnerships,” said Wade Leedy, co-owner of Fourscore Beer Co., Gettysburg, along with his brother Drew.
Indeed partnerships are hopping at three of central Pennsylvania’s newer hot spots for beers and cheers: Fourscore, plus Liquid Noise Brewing Co., Marysville, and Hook & Flask Still Works, Carlisle. Continue reading Three Cheers, Beers
Is it Hallam or Hellam? Here’s the scoop: Hallam is a York County borough along Route 30, east of York. Hellam Township surrounds Hallam and borders the Susquehanna River and Wrightsville. Either way, this little slice of the 717 offers farm-fresh fun, classic nostalgia, and loveable quirks. Continue reading Talk of the Town: Hallam and Hellam
Dan Healy is anxiously awaiting a shipment of hydrogen peroxide. It was due to arrive at Harrisburg’s Midstate Distillery sometime today.
You read that right. Hydrogen peroxide isn’t something the head distiller and co-owner normally orders. But then again, he’s normally producing whiskey, vodka, rum or gin. For about a week, he’s switched to production of hand sanitizer instead. Continue reading Community Spirits
Every Saturday morning for the past 30 years, Marjorie Lebo has organized Harrisburg-area runners and routes. This past Saturday was no exception.
And she suggested a route familiar to many Harrisburg-area runners: the Capital 10-Miler route, paying tribute to one of Harrisburg’s two major March races recently canceled due to coronavirus concerns. Continue reading The Run Goes On
When Genevieve and Jason McNew were house hunting in 2005, they had one thing in mind. “We told our realtor, ‘Don’t show us anything unless it’s 100 years old or older,’” Jason recalls, and then he laughs. “But we didn’t quite know what we were getting into.” Continue reading DIY History Lesson
Gwen Loose was hiking with a friend on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) when a question crossed her mind.
While Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery are considered the founders and fathers of the A.T., “Who was holding down the fort at conference headquarters?” she wondered. Continue reading Trailblazers
When Tina Weyant began her position as founding executive director of the World Trade Center (WTC) Harrisburg nearly 30 years ago, there was no internet. Continue reading Window to the World
It’s possibly the most-listened-to podcast produced in the Harrisburg area.
“When we first started, we didn’t know how it would be received,” said Angie Spencer. “We figured there would be an appetite, but we’ve been blown away.” Continue reading Run Hear
Authentic Italian cuisine is something to crow about. Which makes sense at New Oxford’s Gallo Pizza & Italian Restaurant, since “gallo” is Italian for “rooster.” Continue reading Route 30 Rooster
Life is sweet in the Mack family. That’s because Jacki and Hal Mack’s business, Dawg Gone Bees, is based on one vital product–honey. Continue reading Operation Pollination
Michael Doub describes it as a hunger.
He has a need to know more. He wants to know the truth about a single, vital subject—the history of slavery in the United States. Continue reading Michael’s Mission
David W. Blight wrote his first book about Frederick Douglass 30 years ago and never dreamed there would be another—let alone a full biography. However, “some lives are, in a way, made for biography,” Blight said during a recent interview. Continue reading A Voice for the Ages
Prime health and wellness are at your fingertips! We went back to the basics to compile a “primer” of ABCs that spell out local health and wellness experts’ top 26 tips–one for every letter of the alphabet. Continue reading A-Z Guide to Health & Wellness
Eight-year old Alexi is hiding in a closet with his younger brother.
It’s a game they often play called “invisibility cloak” because, as Alexi says, “Being invisible is the best superpower.”
But the real story is that their mother locked them in the closet for their own safety. Ultimately, domestic violence drove them into homelessness. Continue reading I’ll Be Your Voice
The roof leaked all the way to the basement when Nam Doan purchased the property on Reily Street in Harrisburg.
“It was a wreck,” Doan, 38, said.
After six months of intense work, he transformed the century-old property into Midtown’s newest restaurant, the Red Boat. Continue reading All Aboard the Red Boat
“Everything old is new again.”
This phrase is a way of life for more than a dozen antique centers throughout the Gettysburg area. Whether you have an eye for antiques, enjoy vintage finds, like DIY trash-turned-treasure projects, seek collectibles, or simply want to step back in time, we’ve got you covered in this guide to antiquing in Adams County. Continue reading Pickers’ Paradise
It’s not every day that your teenager texts you uplifting messages like, “I’m extremely proud of you,” and “You’re a hell of a human,” and “Love you, Dad.”
Those texts “were like fuel,” said Mike McCauley, which inspired his run throughout the first weekend of November. And it was the run of a lifetime by the 55-year-old Mechanicsburg dad, a run dedicated to his 17-year-old son Lachlan. Continue reading Son Run
From American classic, to old Hollywood glam, the 2019 Silver Spoon Award winners have more than great food. Continue reading Silver Spoon 2019 Awards
Ben* became homeless when his Carlisle landlord kicked the family out of their rental home. As a result, the family of seven—Ben, his wife and their five children—lived out of their minivan for six months. Continue reading When a Car Becomes a Home
Karen Hendricks 
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