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| All year long, indoors and out, Central Pennsylvania offers great opportunities for recreation and fun. Check out these family-friendly options, activities and games and have a blast!
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| Family Camping: Plug into Nature and Each Other |
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| Camping has long been a perfect pastime for families because it’s light on the wallet and heavy on the focused family time. As budgets get tighter and kids are more prone to being plugged in, getting them unleashed outdoors is perhaps more important than ever, camping enthusiasts say.... more |
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| Readers’ Jamboree at Dutch Wonderland Celebrates Literacy |
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| On September 25 and 26, Dutch Wonderland will celebrate Princess Brooke’s love of reading with special appearances by such favorite children’s books characters as the Cat in the Hat, Corduroy the Bear, Frog and Toad, Llama Llama in Red Pajamas, Pig from If You Give a Pig a Pancake, and Skippy Jon Jones. Other special entertainment for the day includes performances by children’s musician Bruce Fite and Superreader. All activities associated with Readers’ Jamboree are free with paid admission.... more |
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| Keep Your Eyes on the Sky Tonight |
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| The sky may light up in amazing curtains of red and green light as the sun projects plasma toward the earth late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning. Those hoping to witness the event should look to the north during this time period. For more, visit http://bit.ly/aQiZlG.... more |
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| Puppy Raisers Needed for Service Dogs |
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| Susquehanna Service Dogs needs Puppy Raisers for Labrador retriever puppies that will grow and be trained to become service or hearing dogs in support of adults and children with disabilities. Those interested in this incredibly rewarding volunteer opportunity should visit: www.keystonehumansevices.org/ssd and fill out an application to become a volunteer.... more |
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| ZooAmerica Welcomes New Species |
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| Guests at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park can spot a new species in The Great Southwest region. Two male ocelots have just arrived in Hershey as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the creation of a zoo in Hershey. ... more |
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| Join Central Penn Parent for The Harrisburg Mile |
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| Tomorrow, July 21 at 6pm, the Harrisburg Mile will be held to raise money for youth and child care programs at the Harrisburg YMCA. The Central Penn Parent staff will be on hand with crafts, facepainting, tattoos and giveaways. For more, visit www.harrisburgmile.com.... more |
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| Ice Skating at York City Arena |
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| Buy 1 get 1 free public skate admission at York City Ice Arena. Or enjoy the coolest place in town and get 10% off skate or hockey lessons. ... more |
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| Win the Utz Ultimate Snack-cation Photo Contest |
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| Utz is asking its fans to send a picture of themselves enjoying one of their favorite summer activities and their favorite Utz snack. The photographer of the Grand Prize-winning photo will receive one of every flavor of snack that Utz makes. All photos should be submitted by Aug. 6. Each entry should include the submitter’s name, hometown and a short description of what you love about the picture. Visit www.UtzSnackCentral.com to enter.... more |
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| Score Free Bowling for Your Kids |
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| Did you know that kids across the USA and in parts of Canada can participate in Kids Bowl Free all summer long and bowl 2 free games every day? See where you can redeem your free games locally.... more |
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| Celebrate Lancaster with Music, Food and Fireworks |
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| Celebrate Lancaster will offer fun for the whole family by featuring free entertainment from the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, and visual comedian Michael Rosman, a fireworks display, and a variety of food on June 25 in Binn's Park, Lancaster.... more |
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| Love trains? Check this out. |
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| In recognition of National Tourism and Travel Week May 8-16, four top Pa tourist destinations are celebrating America’s love of travel by inviting 50 travelers to visit – for FREE!... more |
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| Family Fun and Safety Day and More May 8th! |
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| Carlisle Regional Medical Center will host its 11th annual rain or shine “Family Fun and Safety Day and More,” event May 8 at the hospital from 10am to 2pm. This event will be full of activities for the entire family to learn to practice safety, health and wellness in their everyday life. Mother’s Day will also be celebrated with special surprises for Moms during the event!... more |
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| Have a horse lover? This is the event for you. |
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| Young foals romping with their moms. A free ride on a gentle, fuzzy pony. A blacksmith forging new footwear for an accomplished dressage horse. The perfect weekend for families comes together April 24 and 25 during the Pennsylvania Equestrian Horse Farms Open House, a free, self-guided tour of professional stables that are open to the public only one weekend a year.... more |
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| Experience a Spring Night |
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| Kings Gap Environmental Education Center will offer a free "Experience a Spring Night" evening hike program. Bring your flashlights with red lenses and cross your fingers and hope to see frogs and other critters.... more |
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| Proclaim your Mom as Best! |
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| Calling all kids, dad, grandparents and more! Almost everyone knows a great mom. Tell us why yours is the best by entering Central Penn Parent's annual Mother's Day Essay Contest and score said mom some amazing prizes!... more |
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| HACC to Celebrate PA German Heritage |
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| A free festival celebrating Pa. German heritage through arts and crafts, foods, music and more will be held this Saturday, March 6, at HACC's Lebanon Campus. Speakers will offer up historical lessons as well. Top it all off with a slice of Shoofly pie!... more |
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| Visit Central Penn Parent at the Garden Expo |
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| Central Penn Parent's Family Night at the PA Garden Expo will offer up fun in all shapes and sizes. From marvelous mascots to cute critters to creative crafts, we've got it all. And admission is FREE for those under 12 years of age.... more |
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| It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! |
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| All this snow got you down? Just think about Girl Scout cookies and it’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Everyone seems to have a favorite. Thin Mints, Samoas, Tag-alongs. Vote for yours, find a local Scout troop and more at www.gshpa.org/home.html.... more |
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| Are you a Chocoholic? This is your weekend! |
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| Sampling chocolate for a good cause? Sign us up! Keystone Human Services will host its 15th Annual Chocolatefest at the Hershey Lodge on Jan. 17. Aside from tasty treats, local youth will provide musical entertainment.... more |
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| Where Do Kids Eat Free in 2010? |
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| Do you know of a great local restaurant where kids eat free? Tell us about it and you could win a $50 gift card to the restaurant of your choice.... more |
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| Think Spring! Enter the Hershey Gardens "For the Birds" Contest |
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| Hershey Gardens is going to the birds. Well, sort of. Next summer’s exhibit, "For the Birds" will feature dozens of colorful, handmade birdhouses. Whether made by a child or a professional artist, all eligible birdhouses will be accepted as part of this distinctive contest and exhibit. ... more |
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| 8 Steps to Finding the Perfect Family Pet |
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| Bringing a pet into your home is a decision that should be taken seriously. After some research and self-examination, you might find adopting a family-friendly pet can be an easy and rewarding experience for your family. These eight steps should help get you started.... more |
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| Reader Pet Essays |
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| They’re cute. They’re cuddly. They’re members of the family. We asked you to tell us why your pet is best and here’s what you had to say:... more |
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| Fall Festival to Offer Fun for All |
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| First United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg, will offer an event with something for every member of the family on Nov. 7 from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Adults can bid on items like an autographed Pittsburgh Steelers helmet at the auction and kids can get messy at the "Slime Fest."... more |
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| 1st Annual "The Celebration Festival" Oct. 10 in York |
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| Celebrate how we're all alike, despite our differences, at "The Celebration Festival" in York this Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The event will feature motivational talks, mascot appearances, a skateboarding demonstration and more. Admission is free.... more |
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| 10 Tips to Carve a Perfect Pumpkin |
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| Can get past cutting out simple triangle eyes and a jagged mouth on your pumpkin each year. Try these tips and your friends and neighbors will think you're a pro!... more |
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| Put Me in the Zoo |
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| Looking for a wild zoo adventure? You can find it here in the midstate! Try these three attractions with your children and experience a quality zoo trip without the hassle of travel.... more |
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| Marketplace, Ministries and More |
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| Oct. 3, from 9am to Noon, the 2nd Annual MARKETPLACE AND MINISTRIES will be held rain or shine at Mission Central, located at 5 Pleasant View Drive, Mechanicsburg. The event is a unique combination of a yard sale, a mission/ministries fair and more.
... more |
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| Step out to Snitz Fest this weekend |
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| Like apples? Try lots of them at the 22nd Annual Snitz Fest planned at The 1719 Hans Her House and Museum in Willow Street this Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Also featured will be traditional children's games, crafts and more.... more |
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| Bel Voce To Perform Children's Concert This Sunday |
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| Bel Voce, under the artistic leadership of Dr. Teresa Bowers is pleased to collaborate with the Carlisle Arts Learning Center to present Songs for Children: Hello, Sunflower and friends, a program of music, art and theatre especially for children on Sept. 27 in St. John's Episcopal Church, Carlisle.... more |
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| COBY's Bike and Hike Set for Sept. 13 |
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| COBYS Family Services is trying to turn 13 into a lucky number. The 13th annual COBYS Bike & Hike is slated for Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Lititz Church of the Brethren. Events begin at 1:30 p.m.... more |
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| 5 Easy Steps to Family Volunteering |
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| There is no shortage of nonprofit agencies in the midstate that depend upon in-kind, hands-on assistance from caring individuals. Yet many people who would otherwise be thrilled to give those organizations a few of their hours a month hesitate to take time away from their spouses and children. In their minds, volunteering is an “either-or” prospect – either volunteer alone or spend time at home with the family.... more |
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| Dining Out With Children: Planning for a Pleasant Experience |
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| When my children were little, I longed to have dinner at a restaurant - a real restaurant. You know, the kind that serves food on a plate instead of in a Styrofoam box. But I learned early on that taking kids out to eat was like sitting on a time bomb. With each passing minute the food did not arrive, we got closer to an explosion of energy and frustration. I realized if I ever wanted to dine out with my children, I would have to get them prepared (and me too!).
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| First Friday Getting More Family Friendly in York |
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| Downtown Inc. has partnered with Bring On Play (BOP) to plan a more family-friendly First Friday event for September. Kid-friendly activities will be presented by businesses throughout the downtown district, and BOP will host a children's activity area in Cherry Lane Court featuring live children's music by The Cat's Pajamas (www.howlinrecords.com), as well as a downtown scavenger hunt.... more |
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| Donating Can Do a Body Good |
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| There are more individuals and families requiring the assistance of the Abbottstown Food Bank than ever before and donations are needed.... more |
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| Jesters, Joust and More |
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| Beginning Aug. 8 on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair brings to life hundreds of colorfully costumed characters in a grand country festival.... more |
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| Want to Meet Jane? |
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| Come out for coffee, conversation and more with plain jane columnist Jane Suter tomorrow, July 23, at the Cocoa Perk Cafe, Hershey.... more |
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| Celebrate Father's Day with Products Made in the U.S.A. |
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| Made In America offers you a chance to get up close and personal with a piece of Americana in the making, as you "Walk the Line" at Harley-Davidson. Let your senses soar with a trip to Wolfgang Candy, voted one of the "Top 5 Tasty Tours" by the Food Network. Don’t miss trying a warm potato chip fresh off the line at Martin’s Potato Chips, the bipartisan snack aboard Air Force One during the G.W. Bush, Clinton, and Obama administrations.
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| Take A Step Back In Time |
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| A visit to the Old Tyme School Room is an opportunity for all ages to step back in time and glimpse the days of education at the East Berlin High School. New curators Leslie Deardorff and Bobby Weaver will be on hand Saturday, May 23 from 10am to 2pm as they host an open house to celebrate the school’s legacy.... more |
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| HACCSTOCK Open to the Community |
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| This year’s creative arts festival, HACCSTOCK, at the Harrisburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, will be a day of peace and music – with a purpose.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Allison Hill Community Center, where young students can gather after school.... more |
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| Do You Ride? Pedal for a Cure for Diabetes |
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| The Central Pennsylvania office of the American Diabetes Association is challenging local cyclists to dig deep within themselves and un-tap the determination, strength and courage it takes to participate in the 2009 Tour de Cure, an annual cycling event to raise money for diabetes, the nation’s sixth leading cause of death by disease on May 30 and 31.... more |
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| Ladies! Pamper Yourself at the PA Women's Show This Weekend! |
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| The first annual Pennsylvania Women's Show is coming to Central Pennsylvania. Doors open Friday, May 1 with over 300 exhibitors, how-to demonstrations, celebrity appearances, entertainment and more at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Expo Hall. The three-day Women's Show will offer fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, charity auctions, a pampering tent, great prizes and much more. Celebrity attendees include reality TV stars Jon & Kate Gosselin, Take Home Handyman Andrew Dan Jumbo and daytime TV star Eric Martsolf. ... more |
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| Share Your Home this Summer |
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| You can enjoy a picture-perfect summer this year by inviting a Fresh Air child into your home! Close to 5,000 New York City children visit volunteer host families every summer through The Fund’s Friendly Town program in communities from Virginia to Maine and into Canada. Hosting a child does not take much – just a little room in your heart and your home – but the experience creates friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
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| Movie Review: Race to Witch Mountain
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| Should you race to "Race to Witch Mountain?" Race to Witch Mountain isn’t the best movie you’ll see this year, but it’s an entertaining family movie, and it has some pretty cool special effects.... more |
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| Experience Life Under the Sea -- In 3D! |
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| Experience the sea and its marvelous marine life streaming into Select Medical IMAX® Theater. Through the visual majesty of IMAX, audiences will be transported to the crystal blue domains of diverse underwater dwellers, including the Leafy Sea Dragon and the Flamboyant Cuttlefish.
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| Cold weather adventures |
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| Who says winter has to be long and miserable? On the contrary! It should be fun and exciting. PLUS, it’s the perfect opportunity for your family to get out and breathe in the crisp, fresh air, explore the outdoors and enjoy the activities that only winter can provide. ... more |
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| Geocache for Conservation |
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| The trail beckons. The air is crisp. The trees tantalize in a mix of summer green and fall color. The GPS unit in your hand says you’re close . . . so close . . . and there it is! The hidden treasure!... more |
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