Good Morning, Pennsylvania: Memorial Day weekend; more ice cream; senior joke

Hello, Pennsylvania.

It’s time to remember

Of course, this holiday weekend means a lot of different things: time off from work or school, a chance to travel with friends or stay home and do yard work, to cross the line between spring and summer activities.

It’s also meant to be a time to remember those who have sacrificed so that the rest of us can do these things. Held on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day honors American service members who have died in service.

In central Pennsylvania and elsewhere, there are parades and ceremonies, often at cemeteries and with veterans’ organizations, to honor these sacrifices. Maybe you want to take some time off this weekend to do the same.

Now, let’s look at this morning’s headlines.

Memorial Day Programs: Several locations in central Pennsylvania will hold Memorial Day-themed parades, ceremonies and other events honoring service members who have died in service. Many schools are closed on Mondays and some businesses have alternate hours.

A country to save: The brave fought for this country to be built on tolerance. What happened to that? asks our Nancy Eshelman.

Vacation trip: Record numbers of people are expected to fly this holiday weekend, and everyone is expected to spend more money on travel than in previous years. Gas prices, however, are down from a year ago.

Weekend activities: If you’re looking for things to do on Memorial Day weekend in and around central Pennsylvania, options include festivals, concerts, and amusement parks. Artsfest will be open in Harrisburg.

Arts Festival Food: About 25 food trucks and vendors will be selling festival favorites at Harrisburg’s Artsfest this weekend. They will include wok fried noodles, artisan hot dogs, stuffed soft pretzels, dumplings and funnel cakes.

To the beach: New to the Jersey Shore this season are a new water park, the return of Lucy the elephant, and more. On a beach and boardwalk in NJ, you won’t be able to drink alcohol. On the beaches of Delaware, vacationers will find new places to stay and eat.

• See also: Airbnb implements party prevention system

Best meals (drink): A colorful mermaid drink from Quinn’s Coffee Bar, a food truck in central Pennsylvania, makes our Best Eats list. It tastes like a “tropical paradise”, says its creator.

More ice cream: Urban Churn, an ice cream company with roots in downtown Harrisburg, recently opened its third store, this one in Carlisle.

• See also: Brewery with Tasting Room Opening in Cumberland County

Chocolate Petition: Consumer Reports delivered a petition to Hershey Co. calling on it to reduce levels of dangerous heavy metals in dark chocolates. About 75,000 people have signed the petition.

Milkshakes on the go: The PA Dairymen’s Association is hitting the road with “Milkshakes on the Moo-ve,” serving free Farm Show milkshakes at various locations in June, National Milk Month.

Prank shut down school: Susquehanna Township High School was closed for in-person classes yesterday due to a mess caused by a high-profile prank, district officials said. The pranksters were not charged but were made to help clean up.

Ball Court Changes: Harrisburg received a $13 million federal grant to upgrade some parks, and a field where a ballplayer was killed during bleacher removal is one of them.

Public boxing: With over 100 spectators, commentators providing play-by-play and a $500 purse, a “knockout” event at a Harrisburg park looked like a prize fight. However, it hasn’t been approved by the city or state athletic commission — not that it means a fee for anyone involved.

Announcement Mastriano: Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost the state gubernatorial race to Josh Shapiro, said he will not run for the U.S. Senate against Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in 2024.

Sentenced cousin: A Dauphin County jury needed just 20 minutes yesterday to find Jerome Kasey, 42, guilty of first degree murder for killing his cousin in 2021.

Dad stays in jail: A Cumberland County man accused of killing his 13-month-old son on New Year’s Day has been tried for murder and more. He remains in the county jail.

Nurse charged with 2 deaths Homicide and other charges have been brought against a Pennsylvania nurse who authorities say gave unnecessary medication to at least three patients at a skilled nursing facility. Two of them died.

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High school achievements: From swimmers with more medals than they can count to football players who paved the way for state titles to wrestlers dominating on the mat, the Mid-Penn Conference has had a great year. Last night we honored athletes of the year in all sports.

AHL playoffs: The Hershey Bears won Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Rochester, tying the best-of-7 series.

OTHER STORIES NOT TO BE MISSED

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