Press Release For 04/97

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY Mc DONALD’S RESTAURANTS CELEBRATE GRAND OPENINGS

Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed expanded the number and type of service opportunities as he conducted the ribbon cutting for two new McDonald’s Restaurants in the city, the first-ever outlets for the international chain to locate within the city limits. The new full-service restaurants are located at the Uptown Plaza on Division Street and at the Kline Village Plaza, just off South 25th Street on Allison Hill.

Reed said the new restaurants are owned and operated by principals James and Kerry Norem, who invested substantial amounts of private capital to make the new eateries a reality. Together the two new restaurants provide full and part-time employment for nearly 100 people, many of whom are entry-level city residents.

Mayor Reed said: "We are delighted to welcome the Norems to Harrisburg and we applaud their strong degree of commitment and faith in the city as evidenced by the substantial investment needed to making these franchises reality. We urge citizens from throughout the region to support their efforts through frequent patronage."

KID’S FEST 97 HONORS WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD

Kid’s Fest 97 is a pro-active celebration hosted by Media Play in Harrisburg running April 18 through 20. Designed to work out, stimulate, amuse and arouse the curiosities of our beloved children. Experience the wonder of the top young magicians in Pennsylvania, enter the world of Mr. Music the best children’s entertainer you may ever hear! Dance along with famous costume character or with the best kid’s DJ’s in Central PA. There will be storytelling, science demonstrations, authors to meet, and you can even participate in a smart parents guide to TV show. There’s much more. See this month’s AGENDA calendar for details or call Media Play at 652-4200 ext. STEW.

HARRISBURG GRANGE TO BRING "SPRING FEVER" TO BROAD STREET MARKET APRIL 12

The Harrisburg Area Grange is bringing "Spring Fever" to the Broad Street Market Saturday, April 12, in the form of a community event celebrating the arrival of the planting season.

The all-day event will feature information on "urban gardening" and a special sale of "mini-greenhouses" for growing flowers and herbs on windowsills and other convenient indoor locations. The greenhouses, the size of a restaurant take-out meal, are fully prepared with potting soil and seeds in a waterproof container and sell for just $5.00. Greenhouses with seedlings already started will also be available for $10.00.

"These greenhouses are very easy to make using ordinary household items, so, if you don’t want to buy one, we’ll show you how you can make one," said Judy White, a Grange member who is helping to organize the event.

Other agricultural products, as well as the renowned Pennsylvania Grange Cookbook, also will be offered for sale.

"Spring Fever" will take place on the Market Plaza (or inside Stone Market House if raining). The market is located at Third and Verbeke Streets in Harrisburg’s "Midtown Market District" just four blocks north of the State Museum and State Capitol. Having undergone a $2.5 million restoration by the City of Harrisburg in 1996, the Broad Street Market is the nation’s oldest continuously-operating farmers’ market.

For more information about "Spring Fever" or the Harrisburg Area Grange, contact Judy White at the Grange at 234-5001.

CALLING ALL GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISBURG, PA ALUMNI

Harrisburg, PA – Are you one of the thousands of women who attended the Girls Club of Harrisburg, PA, in the last 50 years? Girls Incorporated of Greater Harrisburg, formerly known as the Girls Club, wants to hear from anyone over the age of eighteen who ever attended the Girls Club of Harrisburg. Alumni should call the Girls Incorporated office at (717) 232-4898 and leave their name, phone number, address and occupation.

The alumni list is being composed as part of the celebration marking 50 years of Girls Incorporated in Harrisburg, PA. Girls Incorporated would like to know what happened to the women served by the organization for historical purposes. Alumni will also be invited to the many celebrations planned for our 50th birthday.

The 50th birthday kick-off celebration is a Magic Show at The Forum in downtown Harrisburg on May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. This family event will feature magician John Karas. Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed will be in attendance to proclaim May 2nd "Girls Incorporated Day." Tickets are priced $3.00 for children and adults.

For ticket information or to learn more about Girls Incorporated, call 232-4898.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO PLANT THOUSANDS OF TREES IN
CAPITAL AREA GREENBELT

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay needs volunteers to help plant 3,500 trees in the Capital Area Greenbelt along Asylum Run on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, groups, and families interested in volunteering for all or part of the event are asked to sign-up in advance by calling the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay today at 717-236-8825. Participants are asked to bring shovels, gloves, and enthusiasm!

The saplings, provided by the National Tree Trust, will not only enhance the Capital Area Greenbelt but help protect water quality in Asylum Run, one of the many streams which flows into the Susquehanna River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

In recognition of the importance of streamside forests, the Chesapeake Bay Program has set a goal of adding 2,010 miles of streamside forests in the region by the year 2010.

For more information on streamside forests or the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, call the Chesapeake Regional Information Service at 1-800-662-CRIS.

GREATER MIDTOWN SIDEWALK SALE TO FEATURE 22 BLOCKS OF BARGAINS

Harrisburg, PA – A massive 22-block sidewalk sale is planned in Harrisburg’s Midtown Historic District on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The annual sale of antiques, collectibles and second-hand treasures is presented by the Midtown Square Action Council, one of Harrisburg’s oldest neighborhood organizations, in conjunction with the Midtown Market District, a newly-established organization which is promoting the retail and business climate of Harrisburg’s century-old Midtown retail corridor along North Third Street in the vicinity of the Broad Street Market.

The sale encompasses blocks between Front and Third Street and between Forster and Reily Street. This year, the shops of North Third Street and the more than 35 vendors of the Broad Street Market will also participate in the sale, offering a variety of discounts and special sales.

In addition to bargain hunting, visitors may enjoy a rich variety of ethnic foods and refreshments, either from market vendors or at bistros and outdoor cafes. Those on a budget are invited to simply enjoy the beauty of the historic neighborhood and the excitement of urban activity.

For more information, call the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, headquarters of the participating organizations, at 233-4646.