Good Morning, Pennsylvania: Christmas weather; grocery store hours; open restaurants

Also, how Habitat for Humanity changed a Harrisburg man's life.

View in browser  |  Get our newsletters Good Morning, Pennsylvania FRIDAY, DEC. 22, 2023 • TODAY'S WEATHER Santa Claus and other wonders Back in 1897, an 8-year-old girl wrote to the New York Sun newspaper, saying her friends insisted that Santa was fake. The editorial that answered her — "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" — is a holiday standard even these 126 years later.    We like this paragraph the best: "Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.    "The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world."   This weekend and beyond, let's strive to embrace the seen and unseen wonders of our world. Happy holidays! Curated by Janet Pickel PHOTO OF THE DAY: The Lambert farmhouse on McCormick Road in Upper Allen Twp. is readied for relocation across the street. (Photo by Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com) Holidays Now he can cook: A 62-year-old Harrisburg man who has vision loss from a rare eye disease wasn't able to use his kitchen. A Habitat for Humanity program brought volunteers into his home and brightened it so he can get around safer — and cook a turkey for Christmas.   Will your Christmases be white?: Yesterday was the first day of winter, but there's no snow in the immediate forecast. The high temperature this Christmas is supposed to be twice what last year's was.   Business hours: If you need to get groceries ahead of the holiday, be aware that most stores will close early on Sunday and remain closed on Monday. If you need a quick bite to eat, a snack or just want to get out of the house on Christmas, a few restaurants will be open. Not much else is open on Monday.   Reindeer cleared to fly: Santa's team of nine reindeer has a clean bill of health to deliver toys to all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, it was announced during a news conference at Hersheypark's reindeer stables. See also: The perfect gift won't cost a cent, just time | Nancy Eshelman   New Year's Eve: Events to mark the beginning of 2024 are planned for all ages across central Pa. They include countdowns to noon as well as traditional midnight drops. See also: Harrisburg's New Year's Eve celebration  Read more Today's talkers Tight rental market: The Harrisburg region's rental market is the third-tightest in the country. That's hard for would-be renters, and can lead to homelessness, but good for landlords, who keep places full at top dollar.   Keeping on: Despite ethics concerns, Gov. Josh Shapiro plans to continue accepting perks like tickets to sporting events from a nonprofit that receives state money.   DUI dangers: Early one weekday this month, the trauma staff at Hershey Medical Center saw four injured people from four alcohol-related crashes. That inspired a plea for people not to drink and drive this season. Read more Food & drink Holiday sweet: Massimo's Italian Bakery in Mechanicsburg makes a Nutella panettone for the holidays. The sweet brioche, filled with raisins and orange peel, is among central Pa.'s Best Eats.   No more coffee: A Starbucks near the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township has closed. The building in which the coffee shop operated is being taken by eminent domain by PennDOT for the I-83 Capital Beltway expansion.   Under cover: Flinchy's in Lower Allen Township recently enclosed its famous Train Wreck Deck. The all-weather space gives the restaurant more seating and flexibility.   Chicken's on the way: Dave's Hot Chicken's opening in Cumberland County is supposed to happen in mid-January. It will be the first Dave's Hot Chicken in the immediate Harrisburg area. Read more Advertisement Cops & courts Fugitive dies: A longtime Dauphin County field hockey coach wanted since 2021 on charges of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl was killed in a lawnmower crash in September while hiding in Colorado, police announced yesterday.   Fatal crash after chase: A 16-year-old boy was driving the vehicle that evaded troopers in Franklin County this week before crashing into a body of water, killing him and a 20-year-old passenger, police said.   Gang-killing arrest: A man who was shot and killed at a York County car wash in 2022 had a $30,000 bounty placed on him by a rival gang, according to officials announcing an arrest in the case yesterday.    Victim ID'd: An 18-year-old was identified as the man shot and killed this week in a Harrisburg alley, authorities said. Read more Sports Starting young: Youth football, for kids as young as 5, can teach the basics of the game along with things like teamwork and sportsmanship. But there are also concerns about long-term effects and injuries on kids who play.   Soccer stars: High school soccer in the Mid-Penn is filled with talent. Here's our girls all-star team and our boys all-star team. Read more OTHER DON'T-MISS STORIES Longtime WITF radio producer, host announces retirement Harrisburg council passes budget amid concerns on jobs, raises Pa. news helicopter crew filmed Christmas lights before fatal crash Harrisburg Mall stores remain open, but for how long? Pa. borough manager accused of killing neighbor's dog with crossbow You're caught up. Thanks for joining us in Good Morning, Pennsylvania. You can always find the latest Pennsylvania news by visiting PennLive.com. If you value the hard work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber.   See you next issue. 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