Picking a wedding photographer is half the battle.

For the months of planning that the perfect wedding entails, the day itself seems to fly by.  But if you want to create lasting memories of your special occasion that you’ll be proud to display on your mantle for years and years to come, these three wedding photographers in Harrisburg, PA have all racked up some impressive reviews:

SJH Photography:  This husband and wife team has two decades of combined experience in wedding photography.  They also specialize in maternity and portraits. 1418 Appletree Rd - Harrisburg, PA

Brideday:  Kenyan-born photographer Kalim A. Bhatti has experience in medical, commercial, and special event photography. 302 Care Street - Harrisburg, PA - (717) 580-0941

Jason Martin Photography:  Jason Martin has a stunning portfolio of both environmental lifestyle portraits and weddings. 1521 Green Street - Harrisburg, PA - (717) 805-9592

Have you used another wedding photographer in Harrisburg?  Comment and share your experiences!

photo via Flickr

Enjoy some of Pennsylvania's best hiking at these trails near Harrisburg.

Allergy season is winding down, but summer hasn’t quite heated up.  For fitness enthusiasts, this is the perfect time of year to lace up those boots and head out to some of the more challenging hiking trails near Harrisburg.

Not only does hiking offer a reprieve from repetitive gym workouts, but it’s also a great excuse to explore some of Pennsylvania’s beautiful natural terrain.

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area:  This 959 acre state park is a sanctuary for mature trees and an environment education study area.  Hikers can choose from 8 different designated trails, ranging from easy to difficult terrain.

Capital Area Greenbelt:  This recreational trail loops around Harrisburg and offers20 miles of walkable terrain for hikers, cyclers, joggers, dog walkers and nature lovers.  You can check out a map of the Capital Area Greenbelt for access points.

Got any other favorite Harrisburg, PA hiking trails?  Comment and share your suggestions!

photo via Flickr

Are you constantly looking for new restaurants near Sunpointe Townhomes?  Each month, we’ll highlight a few dining establishments around town serving up delicious meals with a ton of local flavor.  This week, we’re featuring some of the best delis near Harrisburg.

Take a look at a few of our favorite spots to grab tasty sandwiches, fresh bread and baked goods near Supointe, and let us know if you’ve got any other suggestions!

Source: Yelp
Name: Jackson House
Location: 1004 N 6th St Harrisburg, PA 17102
Reviews: 30

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
The best cheesesteaks in Harrisburg!!!!!!

The rolls are so fresh (from Philly), the steak tastes great and I usually get cheese wiz or provolone on my…Read More…

If you like the chargrilled burger flavor and don’t mind waiting for an excellent lunch, this is hands down the best burger I’ve ever had (one of the few…Read More…

The Mrs. A’s Old Italian (with roasted reds) is the best cold sandwich I’ve ever put in my mouth.Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Mr Deli & Mrs Too
Location: 2023 Linglestown Rd Harrisburg, PA 17110
Reviews: 11

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
This is one of my favorite lunch spots for several reasons: wide selection on the menu, service is good, staff is friendly, food comes out very quickly,…Read More…

This place never disappoints, maybe because I know the menu by heart. Nice to see them doing a good business. Food consistently good, service is friendly…Read More…

Great atmosphere and fantastic food. I got the New Yorker panini and it was delicious!Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Downtown Deli & Eatery
Location: 225 Market St Harrisburg, PA 17101
Reviews: 3

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Great quick service, friendly, very clean and good food. A little pricey but considering it’s downtown and decent it’s well worth it.Read More…

The breakfast specials are quick and filling. The cost is around $4 if I remember right. The hash browns may sit under the heat lamp for a bit before they…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Pronios Market
Location: 236 W Caracas Ave Hershey, PA 17033
Reviews: 3

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Pronio’s is the kind of market you wouldn’t think existed any longer — the kind of neighborhood store that all right-thinking people appreciate. The…Read More…

A long-time (nearly a century) Hershey institution, Pronio’s offers a surprisingly large (Italian- and Pennsylvania Dutch-oriented) selection for such a…Read More…

If you’re staying at the Days Inn a block away (which I don’t recommend) you’ll want to avail yourself of Pronio’s great, inexpensive take-out homemade…Read More…

Save money on utilities with a few easy steps.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve posted about some of our favorite ways to simplify life here at Sunpointe Townhomes.

Whether you’ve got a closet that desperately needs organizing or a desire to reduce your power bill, check out some of our favorite Harrisburg apartment living posts for inspiration:

Tips for Cutting Costs on Apartment Utilities:  One of the easiest ways to pocket a few extra bucks this month is by implementing a couple of energy-saving steps around your apartment.  Take a look at 5 easy ways to save money on apartment utilities.

Sunpointe Townhomes Closet Organization Tips: For those of you looking to get your Harrisburg townhome closet organized this year, check out these 4 easy tips for maximizing space and saving time each morning

4 Tips for Working from Your Harrisburg Townhome:  Working from home is great, but if you’re trying to maintain motivation levels when it comes to telecommuting, take a look at these simple tips.

Got any other favorite ways to simplify life at Sunpointe Townhomes?  Comment and share your suggestions!

photo via morguefile

Celebrate National Bike Month in Harrisburg!

May is National Bike Month.  In addition to being an excellent way to take in the natural beauty of Pennsylvania, cycling is also a viable commuting option for people looking to spend less on gas or reduce their carbon footprint.

If your bicycle still has sparklers attached to the handlebars or is busy rusting away in your parents’ garage, there are two Harrisburg bike shops that are perfect places to stock up on a new ride:

Pedal Pusher Bike Shop:  This shop serves clients throughout Central PA, and stocks bikes from major brands like Fuji, Santa Cruz, Raleigh, Surly, Lynskey Performance and more.   They also have a wide variety of parts to fit nearly any model.

3798 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 652-7760

Recycle Bicycle:  This non-profit shop takes old bicycles, fixes them up and returns them to people in need through different local and national programs.    If you take a bike in for a repair, they’ll also teach you how to do simple work yourself.

821 Elder Street
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 732-0910 ‎

Got any other favorite bike repair shops or bike vendors in Harrisburg, PA?  Comment and share your suggestions!

Ice cream season has arrived.  For those of you who prefer locally made treats to store-bought, there are 4 shops near Sunpointe Townhomes serving up fresh ice cream in Harrisburg with a ton of original flavors and intriguing twists on the classics.

Got any other favorite dessert shops around town?  Comment and share you suggestions!

Source: Yelp
Name: 3 B Ice Cream
Location: 2199 Colonial Rd Harrisburg, PA 17112
Reviews: 9

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
On the way home from dinner I felt like a milkshake and remember hearing good things about this location. Luckily they were open later in the evening which…Read More…

Best Peanut Butter Ripple I’ve ever had! (listed as just “peanut butter”)
Also, they do take credit cards.Read More…

Ridiculously delicious ice cream sums it up well. All their ice cream is homemade and I got the strawberry ice cream with huge frozen strawberries in them…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Ice Cream Heaven
Location: 5890 Derry St Harrisburg, PA 17111
Reviews: 5

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
My wife and I come here all the time… good ice cream and it’s a great place to just relax and eat on the deck during the summer. They also have very good…Read More…

Their ice cream is very tasty, with generous portions. We came in 5 minutes before close (after searching for a dessert place for half an hour) and were…Read More…

In a time when most companies focus on their profit and not their customers it is nice when you find one cares more about the customer than money.

I…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Kristys Whistle Stop
Location: 600 S Enola Rd Enola, PA 17025
Reviews: 4

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Great food awesome service well worth the wait!Read More…

BBQ sandwiches are very good. Fries are fantastic (think boardwalk fries style). Soft serve is worth the trip alone, and the long wait. I can’t stay away…Read More…

Good ice cream. Great service. Great prices. Good food too. Can’t beat the value any where!Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Reesers Soft Ice Cream
Location: 880 Old Rossville Rd Lewisberry, PA 17339
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Best soft serve in the area. The berry flavors (blueberry, rasberry, and black cherry) are my favorites. Peanut butter is the flavor of the week every…Read More…

Run by Donny Reeser for the past 20 years and his Father before that. This soft ice cream shop/food shop has been a staple of my families eating rituals for…Read More…

For those of you seeking a bit of motivation when it comes to actually getting work done in your Harrisburg apartment, though, there are a few easy ways to stay on task when TiVo temptation comes calling.

Set expectations.  It’s important to ensure that you know exactly what your employer expects of you.  While employees who go to the office each day demonstrate their reliability by showing up on time, telecommuters have to go above and beyond to exhibit a willingness to remain completely on task.

Stay on task.  The dishes can wait.  Try setting aside the time you would be commuting to and from work for chores and errands.  That way you’ll still reap the benefits of working from home without risking the half-hour distraction.

Use your resources.  Sunpointe Townhomes offers on-site postal and shipping services and free fax and copying services.  Plus, don’t forget to stop by the clubhouse for complementary refreshments when you need a recharge.

Check out a few of the highest-rated pet-friendly public spaces near Sunpointe Townhomes, and comment to let us know if you’ve got any other favorite dog parks in the area!

Source: Yelp
Name: Derry Township Community Park
Location: 1 Derry Park Rd Lewistown, PA 17044
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
This is a dog friendly community park. It features a nice walking trail, a very small seasonal mini golf course, a batting cage, several athletic fields,…Read More…

On the one hand, the park isn’t what it used to be. On the other, it still provides valuable services to the community. Plus, there are a lot of ducks and…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: West Manheim Township Park
Location: 245 St Bartholomew Rd Hanover, PA 17331
Reviews: 1

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Stunning new park in PA! The views are incredible, there are 6+ miles of trails to bike or hike. Trails in the woods, trails that go around and through…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Buchanan Park
Location: Buchanan St & Race St Lancaster, PA 17603
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I also think this is a 3-star park. It is mostly grass with scattered trees, but it does have a lot of random things in it.

The main notable features are…Read More…

This city park which is located behind F&M college is a nice little area to mill around. They have a misting pool for kids, a rose garden, a really large…Read More…

1.  ‘A home for everything and everything in its home’ may not be convenient when you’re running 5 minutes late for work and don’t have time to hang up that t-shirt, but making sure that you tidy up clothes piles on the same day can prevent a massive sea of garments from taking over your closet floor.

2.  Cycle clothing.  There are few things quite as frustrating as misplacing a tank top in between sweaters that you won’t even wear for another five months.  By folding and storing your unused gear, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.

3.  Leave room for new purchases.  Trying to find the perfect pair of jeans at one of your favorite Harrisburg department stores can be frustrating enough without worrying about where to store them when you get home.

4  Make storage easier with over-the-door hooks.  You can use them to store frequently-worn sweaters or other things that may be a pain to hang up every single time you wear them.

For more helpful tips, check out this article on saving closet space from Apartment Therapy.

If you’re on the lookout for pet-friendly Harrisburg apartments but don’t want to sacrifice on all of your must-have people amenities, Sunpointe Townhomes is the answer to your housing conundrum.

In addition to our pet-friendly policy, each unit at Sunpointe is equipped with an 18-cubic foot refrigerator, modern Hollywood-style bathroom lighting, private entrances, a full-sized washer and dryer, walk-in bedroom closets and linen closets, and finished basements in select homes.

Not yet a pet owner?  If you’re considering taking the leap into adoption, there are plenty of animal shelters in Harrisburg that need loving homes for their residents.  You can also check out national sites like petfinder.com to find the perfect match.

You can read more about our pet policy specifics online, or call 717.327.0988 for more information.

photo via Flickr