Maddie Conley

August 28, 2026 | by Stuart Landon There will be cake, naturally. There will be music and games.

Curtis Smith helps young writers find their voices, even as he continues to pursue his own. This fall, the longtime educator and prolific independent author will release two books simultaneously: the novel, “(step)sisters” and the story collection, “this heart.” Smith, of Hershey, has seen writing from many angles. As an instructor at Elizabethtown College, he […]

This year, Safe Harbour celebrates 40 years of service to the community. The Carlisle-based nonprofit organization, comprised of eight full time and four part-time employees, provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent affordable housing and supportive services for unhoused adults and families. Its programs operate year-round and frequently run at, or near, full capacity, reflecting the […]

I’m not proud of this, but I let my watch boss me around. My Apple Watch tells me when I need to stand, how many steps I should take, when to go to sleep. Each afternoon, it guilts me into ungluing myself from my office chair and heading out for a long walk. Sometimes, I […]

If I were in charge of Harrisburg, I would dub September “arts month.” To me, it’s an obvious choice. September is the month of Gallery Walk, of Kipona, of Jazz Walk, of many theater and concert season openings. That’s why, each September, TheBurg turns the arts coverage all the way up to “11,” or, as […]

It’s a Thursday on Derry Street, and Allison Hill is buzzing with the promise of the weekend ahead. It’s summer, so some kids are outside. The Mount Pleasant Plaza benches are full. Patrons pop in and out of businesses. Neighbors greet one another. Abdel Karim Ouard and his 16-year-old son, Anas, walk down the street […]

It’s no surprise that many classical and modern masterpieces are composed for string quartets, mainly violin. Yet, if you are lucky enough to attend a live performance of groups like the Galvin Cello Quartet, you will experience an instrument that comes closest to the human voice, according to Peter Sirotin, co-director of Market Square Concerts. […]

August 28, 2026 | by Colin McGuire Stuart Landon loves “Harold and Maude.” No, but really. Stuart Landon loves “Harold and Maude.”

As an organizer of the New Cumberland Music + Film Festival, I'm gearing up for my busiest season of the year. I've been heavily involved since the festival began four years ago, but this is my first year as its co-chair, and I'm particularly excited about a few events in our lineup.

He grew up attending a large church with a sizable music program, inspired by the organist there. He began playing the piano at age 7 and transitioned to the organ at 12, when he was finally tall enough to reach the instrument's pedals.