Gettysburg Connection Podcast

Kristin Rice, Adams County's Chief Public Defender for the past 11 years, will retire on Dec. 31 to return to her private law practice. Rice has been working at Adams County since 2003. Her office includes three assistants who together handle about 1,000 new cases every year. The team provides legal representation to people, including juveniles, who are facing potential jail time, who are incarcerated, or who are being involuntarily committed due to mental health issues. In this podcast I talk with Rice about how she got into law and criminal justice, the types of cases she normally handles, the joys she has experienced when she made a difference in someone's life, and the important role that mental health services play in the process. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

A new non-profit is focused on helping sexual assault victims in Adams County. Pennsylvania Coalition of Rape hired Atle Walter in September to open Adams County Sexual Assault Services. Walter and her colleague, Emily Uleau, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for victims at any stage of their trauma. “We try to meet the client where they are at and provide the needs they want to be provided with,” Walter said. “We never force anything on anyone because everyone is always at different stages.” Walter and Uleau will accompany victims to the hospital or police station. They can also connect them with free legal information, counseling, food, and shelter. Services are available at any point in a victim's recovery process, even a decade later. All services are free and confidential, Walter said. “We work with them and follow up with them to make sure they are getting everything they need,” Walter said. Walter encourages everyone to call her, even if they are unsure they want to report their assault to the police. “We are there to be a helping hand,” she said. Friends or family members of victims can also call Atle for advice. “The best thing you can do is just support them as much as possible,” she said. “Encourage them to talk to somebody, encourage them to seek professional help whether through us or a counselor. Just being a friend they can rely on day-to-day is super important.” PCAR is also working with local school districts to provide sexual assault prevention education. Walter said she was drawn to work with victims since she learned such a career existed and has been in the field since 2014. “I really like helping people. Every time I get to talk to somebody and help them with what they are going through, that really keeps me going,” she said. Anyone seeking help for themselves, a friend or a family member who is a victim of sexual assault can call PCAR's 24/7 hotline at 1-888-772-7227. Learn more about Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape by listening to the entire 20-minute interview with Walter. Featured image caption: Atle Walter is the direct services supervisor for Adams County Sexual Assault Services.

Robert W. Iuliano was appointed the 15th president of Gettysburg College in 2019, coming from a position as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Harvard University. Iuliano came to Gettysburg at almost the same time as COVID and he has spent his first three years dealing with the pandemic. In this interview Iuliano talks about the stresses of the pandemic on students, faculty, parents, and administrators. He acknowledges there have been long-term effects on learning that the college is working to alleviate, but also says that new and effective methods of instruction have come out of the challenges COVID presented. Iuliano also talks about the financial health of the college and the way forward given declining college enrollments across the country. Iuliano outlines some of the ways the college interacts with the community. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Only eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Cogliano Sr. accepted a challenging leadership position in our community as president of Gettysburg WellSpan Hospital. Cogliano is a community man who can be spotted frying Oreos at Biglerville High School football games and who will strut his stuff on the Majestic Theater stage in January during the Dancing with the Local Stars show which supports the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and the Adams County Arts Council. He has held several positions throughout his 24-year WellSpan career, including vice president of operations, administer of clinical operations, administrative director of surgical and emergency services, supervisor of cardiac catheterization lab, and invasive cardiovascular technologist. Cogliano recently sat down with the Connection to discuss COVID-19, monkeypox, telehealth and other relevant topics for this month's Connection Podcast. “The past winter and spring were very challenging for everyone here,” Cogliano said. “I think we recovered well from the surge; however, the hospital has remained busy throughout the summer just with fewer COVID-19 patients.” Cogliano and his staff are excited to return to community activities. The hospital president recently chaired the American Heart Association Heart Walk, which raised about $100,000. Cogliano warns residents that even though the severity of COVID cases has lessened, the virus is still a concern. “I would encourage us all to continue the same precautions we are accustomed to,” he said.  Cogliano stressed COVID-19 and flu vaccines and the latest boosters are the best methods to prevent infection and illness. The hospital president said other health concerns, including mental health, are a big focus for WellSpan. He encouraged patients to use My Wellspan at www.wellspan.org to keep track of health records and make appointments. Cogliano is a user himself and trusts the site is a safe way to store sensitive information. Learn more about WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital by listening to the entire 17-minute interview with Cogliano.

PLEASE SPONSOR THIS PAGE This week's podcast is a reposting of an interview I did during the Fall of 2019.  It's relevant now as the summer rains fall. Warmer weather brings more mosquitoes and more West Nile Virus. Please stay safe and please enjoy the podcast. In this episode I talk with Stephanie Summers who is Adams County's Mosquito Borne Disease Control & Conservation Technician. Her job is to keep an eye on disease-causing insects in the county, including mosquitoes and ticks. Stephanie talks about how to the county helps keep these insects under control and how you can stay safe from Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Here are some web links you may find useful: Adams County Conservation District PA Department of Environmental Protection U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on Lyme Disease U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on West Nile Virus  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information on Choosing an Appropriate Insect Repellent

Today Gettysburg Connection spotlights itself as we share a presentation given by owner and publisher Charles Stangor at a YWCA “Mission Moment” meeting on May 10, 2022. Stangor considers the state of news in the county and asks people to become more involved in being part of the local news community. How can local news further your personal mission?  You may find some answers in this podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Adams County government has many programs with many different responsibilities, many of which we, as taxpayers, know little about. This week we focus on one of these county programs, the Adams County Victim Witness Assistance Program.  The program, which provides support services to over 1,000 victims every year, has the goal of providing U.S. and Pennsylvania mandated rights to people who are victims of crime. Our conversation is with Program Director Cindy Keeney who explains the many facets of the program, the difficulties crime victims experience, and the support services the county offers to them. The program is a huge benefit to many people. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

As the Connection continues to publish weekly “behind the scenes” articles from the Adams County Library System, I had a chance this week to talk with the Library's Development Director Erica Duffy. In the interview she talks about some of the operations of the library and her job as a fundraiser. Duffy points out the many programs the library offers and explains how people can get involved in the library system. You can find the library website here. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

The four full-time employees at the Adams County Elections Office have their hands full all year long keeping the elections process running smoothly, but activities switch into high gear between now and May 17 when the 2022 primary election will be held. The list of contested offices this year includes state senator, governor, and lieutenant governor, as well as state representatives and local party committees. The situation became a bit clearer this week as the state supreme court selected a redistricting map. That decision allows candidates to submit their petitions and the election process to move forward. I got a chance to talk with elections office director Angie Crouse about the issues facing the preparations and the upcoming ballot counting.  I learned a lot about this important process, and the uncertainties that come with it in this election, and I hope you'll enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Gettysburg Connection recently awarded long-time Gettysburg Resident Jan Powers with our Outstanding Community Contribution Award for her work with the Mediation Services of Adams County and other organizations. In this episode I talk with Jan about her career at Gettysburg College and the many contributions she has made to our community. In her work with mediation alone, hundreds of people have been trained and even more people have been helped.  And that is just the beginning of her contributions. I was amazed by her productivity and generosity at so many levels and I think you will be too. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

For over 100 years Big Brothers Big Sisters has been making meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages 6 through 18 in communities across the country. In each partnership an adult is carefully and safely matched with a child in an ongoing relationship. Across the country there are currently thousands of partnerships. There are currently 10 active matches in in Adams County with another 20 children hoping for a match. In this episode I talk with Linda Gorter, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties, who talks about the history of the program and its many benefits for local children. Because the organization was forced to temporarily close its Gettysburg Office during 2020 it was not able to participate in this year's Giving Spree. You can sign up to be a big brother or big sister or donate by clicking here. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

The annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival will be held over the next two weekends. There will be dozens of activities and hundreds of people to enjoy them. The festival is sponsored by Main Street Gettysburg and created by dozens of local volunteers with the cooperation of local businesses. In this episode I talk with Main Street's President and Chief Executive Officer Jill Sellers about the Christmas Festival as well as about the many other projects her organization is involved in. The conversation about the Christmas Festival begins at about the 12 minute mark of the podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local cofee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Gettysburg Connection is committed to providing as much information as we can about the candidates for Tuesday's municipal election. You can find information about the election and the candidates on our elections page. We got a chance today to talk to Gettysburg Mayoral candidates Tom Carr and Rita Frealing about why they want to be the mayor, what the mayor does, and some of the challenges they expect to face if they are elected. I think you'll find the interview informative in learning about the different perspectives they bring to the job and I think it might help you make your decision next week. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

It's our pleasure to share with you this podcast with one of Adams County's most popular and thoughtful figures, Joyce Shutt. Joyce has been a positive influence on the community for many years with her subtle sense of humor and her words of advice. Joyce is perhaps best known as having been called to be the pastor at the Fairfield Mennonite Church, but she is also a prolific writer and blogger. If you don't know her, I think you're in for a pleasant surprise. In this episode, Joyce talks about her personal experiences, her relationships with people, her role as a pastor, her work with the 12-step program, and how she asks the most important questions in life about emotions, tolerance, gratitude, and compassion. You can find Joyce at StepsToHope.net. Our podcasts are always free, but we could use your support to keep them coming. Our memberships start at just $4.99 per month, about the price of a cup of coffee at one of our local coffee shops.  It takes 5 minutes to become a Gettysburg Connection member.  Would you help out? Yes, I will support this podcast Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

After a year in which the pandemic shut it down and amid concerns about its ability to continue, the Gettysburg Halloween Parade will be back on October 19. The parade will be organized by Businesswomen Supporting Gettysburg, with support from local businesses and individual donors. In this episode, we talk with parade organizer Sarah Dull, General Manager of Comfort Inns and Suites of Gettysburg, and a member of Businesswomen influencing Gettysburg, about the festivities. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

  Editor's Note: This podcast was recorded two years ago when the stormwater fee was collected for the first time. We're now getting our third annual bills. I thought you might still find the information interesting and important. If you have an average home in the borough, your storm water fee will be $100. If that seems a lot, you might feel a bit better knowing that Gettysburg College is going to receive a bill for about $100,000. Malewicki The fee is the end result of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 and the Clean Water Act, which was signed by President Nixon in 1972, and will allow the borough to manage the rainwater that falls in the borough as required by those regulations. In this podcast I speak with Mike Malewicki, chair of the Gettysburg Borough Stormwater Authority. Malewicki describes the origins of the fee and the many benefits of containing storm water runoff. He also explains how your fee is calculated and now you may be able to reduce it in the future. There is also a lot of information available on the Gettysburg Borough Stormwater Authority webpage. Malewicki mentions a video that was produced by the storm water authority, and you can see that here.

World-renowned historical fiction author Jeff Shaara has moved to Gettysburg with his family, relocating into a restored historical house on W. Confederate Ave. In his remarkable career, Shaara has already published 18 books, almost all of them best-sellers, and is hard at work on number 19:  Its topic? - Teddy Roosevelt. Jeff Shaara: Photo by Stephanie Shaara Shaara is the author of “Gods and Generals” and “The Last Full Measure,” both stories about the battle of Gettysburg. In this podcast interview Shaara talks about how a phone call from the media entrepreneur Ted Turner changed his life, how he crafts and writes his books, his new book project, and his restoration of the historical "Red Patch" house. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

El podcast de esta semana es especial porque está en español. [La publicación se vuelve a publicar desde el pasado mes de agosto.] La entrevista es con Yeimi Gagliardi, educadora de salud comunitaria de WellSpan Health y copresidenta del Grupo de Trabajo de Servicios Latinos. Gagliardi Parte del trabajo de Gagliari es garantizar que los latinos conozcan los riesgos para la salud del COVID-19 y los servicios disponibles para ayudarlos. Gagliard dice que hay una separación, una especie de "muro invisible" entre los grupos latinos y no latinos, y explica la brecha y las formas de cerrarla. Si disfruta del podcast, tómese unos segundos para apoyarnos registrándose en nuestra lista de correo semanal.El sitio es completamente gratuito, pero le pedimos su ayuda para compartir nuestro contenido con otras personas de la comunidad. Por favor, danos Me gusta en Facebook y comparte con tus amigos que habla español. (Introducción musical de Daddy Long Legs.)

Beth Peart, 3rd grade teacher at Littlestown Area School District's Alloway Elementary, has won this year's Rotary District 7390/WITF 2021 Teacher Impact Award. In this interview, Peart “remembers the world through a 3rd grader's eyes,” as she talks with Gettysburg Connection Media Editor Peter Byhouwer about her teaching styles and what it means to be a great teacher. Peart also talk frankly about the losses but also the many gains that children have made during the stress of the pandemic and says she wants to share the award with every teacher in Adams County. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Founded in 1993, The Adams County Arts Council is now in its eleventh year in its spacious 10,000 square foot building on South Washington St. and it continues to grow with new users and new programs. The center includes spaces for arts and culinary classes, artist studios, a gallery for local art, pottery and glass workshops, and a reception hall with a full kitchen. The facility breaks down barriers of cost by providing scholarships for low income youth and senior citizens. I this podcast, Executive Director Leona Rega, who has been at the helm of the organization since November, talks about the history and the future of the organization. I was amazed to find how many different offerings there were for learning and creating art of all types. I'm so thankful that Leona took the time to talk with me and I think you'll enjoy the conversation. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

In a small building on N. Washington St. on the Gettysburg College Campus, Editor Mark Drew and his staff quietly and diligently work to select content for the college's quarterly literary magazine The Gettysburg Review. The Review, which was founded in 1988 and recognized as one of the country's premier literary journals, publishes poetry, essays, fiction, and paintings for an international audience of readers. In this episode Drew discusses the challenge of reading through the “slush pile” of over 6,000 submitted manuscripts every year, the dedication of the magazine to nurturing new writers, and the many awards that have been won by the authors who make it in. On this page we've also published Drew's poem, “My Father as Houdini,” that was accepted into the magazine in 1995. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman. My Father as Houdini Mark Drew 1. The Car Wreck ChallengePinioned and fluttering,I breathe gasoline and antifreeze.I leak blood. My teeth are lostamong the cubes of safety glassspangling the dash. A crowd gathers.Where are my assistants? Slender vapor wispsfrom the buckled hood, accumulatesabout the car and Poof!I'm gone.2. The Death TrickI'm not supposed to die. No one is.Everyone wants me to come back;you want me to come back.I'm not promising anything,but think of my body full of preservatives,think of the shelf life of the soul.With the right audience, anything is possibleif you just know the trick.Watch me pull these words from your mouthlike a knotted skein of parti-colored hankiesmy mother, your mother, and her mother weep intoat my death.3. MetamorphosisLarval, straight-jacketed,my ankles bound and slung from a hook,I dangle over you like a nightmare and writhe.Encased in a coffin of water and glass, I squirm,mouthing secrets so you won't turn away.I'm a ghost shackled in your mouth,I'm a face hung in a hallway.I insinuate myself into you.I've always known how to keep an audience.4. The Show Must Go OnKid, we livefrom deception to deception.You keep me on stage.My final trick?Look at me and I'll live forever;turn away and we'll both disappear. Mark Drew received his MFA from the University of Alabama, where he edited the Black Warrior Review from 1993-95. Currently, he works as the assistant editor of the Gettysburg Review. This was his first publication. “My Father as Houdini” appears in The Gettysburg Review's Summer 1995 issue.

This week's podcast is a reposting of an interview I did during the Fall of 2019.  It's relevant now as the spring begins.  Warmer weather brings more mosquitoes and more West Nile Virus. Please stay safe and please enjoy the podcast. Summers In this episode I talk with Stephanie Summers who is Adams County's Mosquito Borne Disease Control & Conservation Technician. Her job is to keep an eye on disease-causing insects in the county, including mosquitoes and ticks. Stephanie talks about how to the county helps keep these insects under control and how you can stay safe from Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Here are some web links you may find useful: Adams County Conservation District PA Department of Environmental Protection U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on Lyme Disease U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on West Nile Virus  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information on Choosing an Appropriate Insect Repellent

If you have lived or visited Gettysburg or Adams County over the past 15 or so years I’m sure you’ve noticed some major changes. These developments, which have enriched the lives of thousands of people in the county, include the establishment of the Wills House, the remodeling and reopening of the Gettysburg Majestic Theater, revitalizations of Baltimore and Steinwehr Avenues, a successful 150th remembrance of the Civil War battle, and the establishment of the annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival. Although hundreds of people have been involved in making these things happen, a common voice in all of these projects has been Deb Adamik, who has been president and chief executive officer, of Main Street Gettysburg since 2007. Adamik is retiring in the next few weeks and it seemed an appropriate time to ask her to reflect on her 14 years making positive changes for the borough and the county. I learned many new things about the development of our area in the podcast and I expect you will too. Will you please leave a comment on this page to thank Deb for all she has done? If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

[THIS IS A REPOST OF A PODCAST 27 FROM MAY, 2020] With spring coming and the COVID-19 crisis leading us toward outdoor activities, it may never be a better time to ride a bicycle in Adams County. Eric Meyer The local cycling experience has become even more pleasant with the addition of new bicycle trails that have been built in the past years with the support of the local nonprofit Healthy Adams Bicycle Pedestrian Inc (HABPI). In this episode HABPI president Eric Meyer talks about his organization's past projects and future plans and about the many individual and community benefits of bicycling. During the interview, Meyer mentions two local cycling clubs in the area: Franklin County Cyclists and Hanover Cyclers. More information about Adams County area cycling groups can be found at Gettysburg Bicycle.

With the pandemic closing schools around the county and forcing teachers to adapt to new methods of teaching, at least some are finding the challenges can have some positive outcomes. In this episode we talk with veteran 5th grade teacher Nicole King from the Upper Adams School District. King talks about how she refined her teaching style to cope with the constraints of the pandemic, becoming more focused on individual students and more aware of her own approaches. I think you’ll find the podcast a refreshing and rewarding take from a front line worker. The interview is conducted by our media editor Peter Byhouwer. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. And please, please like us on Facebook! Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

As co-owner of GettysBike Tours and the producer of the Addressing Gettysburg Podcast, Matt Callery is one of the many Gettysburg residents who love sharing their knowledge, thoughts, and ideas about our community with others. In this episode Callery explains how he ended up in Gettysburg and why he loves the borough. I very much enjoyed our conversation and I think you will too. Callery shared many thoughts ranging from how to best experience the Gettysburg battlefield, the personalities of New Jersey residents, the sound quality in Ken Burns films, and how so many young people are starting businesses in Gettysburg. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Meals delivered to senior citizens, tax preparation help, seminars on death and bereavement, and how to navigate Social Security and Medicare.  These are only a few of the many offerings from the Adams County Office for Aging that are making a difference for local seniors. And the office has just rolled out a new Shared Housing And Resource Exchange (SHARE) program in which seniors who need housing are matched with people who have space to share in their homes. Valery Adams The cooperative arrangements benefit both the seniors who are renting and the homeowner who receives rental income and helps a senior in need.. Anyone over 18 years of age can offer a share to someone over 60 years old, after backgrounds are checked on both sides. In this episode SHARE Housing Counselor Valery Adams explains the program and how you can get involved. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman

For the past 73 years, the United Way of Adams County has helped thousands of residents deal with challenges related to education, income, and food security, through its programs, collaborative projects, and community partnerships. Laura Mcmahon The organization’s new director, Laura Mcmahon, is continuing the mission with a focus on expanding programs and reaching out to new audiences. In this podcast Mcmahon talks about her work at the United Way.  She reminds listeners that the organization offers free tax preparation for families with incomes of less than $57,000 and talks about plans to hold the annual “Give it up for good” sale at Gettysburg College. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Thane Pittman.

Although many students struggle with online learning, it very much suits others. Eighth Grader Ellen Cadigan found it so beneficial she wrote a letter to the Gettysburg Area School Board asking them to keep it in place even after the pandemic ends. You can read her letter here. Ellen Cadigan In this podcast I talk with Ellen about her views and how she has thrived in a hybrid environment. She has some important and interesting ideas about student learning. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

After over a year of discussions, the Gettysburg Borough Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. Although the document bans discrimination based many social categories, the document significantly expands the definition of sex discrimination. In addition to sex as defined at birth, the ordinance also protects people on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and gender transition and/or transgender. In this podcast I talk with Gettysburg resident Chad-Alan Carr, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress Jason Landau Goodman, Borough Council Vice President Wesley Heyser, and council member Patricia Lawson, all of whom were instrumental in developing the ordinance. The podcast answers many questions about the importance of the legislation and its meaning for LGBTQ residents in the borough. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

The annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival has been reconceptualized in this time of COVID-19 as a six-week long “Season of Wishes,” running from now until January 1, 2020. The online calendar for the event describes a smorgasbord of online and in-person opportunities for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the “Hallmark Card” feel of Gettysburg at Christmas. In this episode I talk with Deb Adamik and Dru Neil from the local nonprofit Main Street Gettysburg about the Season of Wishes. “We are going to invite people to Gettysburg to celebrate a quiet family-memories type experience. You can drive through town and take pictures, with your family.  There will be memory stops and wishing wells.  The idea is to inspire people,” said Adamik. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

Second and third grade Girl Scout Brownies, working together under the leadership of Troop Leader Siri Phelps, began their project of beautifying the Gettysburg Rec Park with a focus on earth and animals last month. The bird feeders the girls constructed out of recyclable bottles will be hung in the rec park in the spring, as the Brownies will also create a pollinator garden to develop bird and animal habitats. Phelps In this podcast Phelps discusses her role as a scout leader and the many ways that scouting contributes to building skills and character. For more information about scouting, please visit the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Girl Scout council. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

Please see our 2020 Elections Page Please see our Candidate Profile Page Adams County is hosting contested races for U.S. Congressional Representative in the 13th district between Republican incumbent Dr. John Joyce and Democratic candidate Todd Rowley, as well as between incumbent state senator Doug Mastriano and his challenger Rich Sterner in the 33rd district. In this episode I talk with Sterner about this campaign, his platform, his hopes for a positive impact on the county, and the ways his political outlook and approach differs from that of his opponent. In comparison to the bluster of many politicians, Sterner is a thoughtful, soft-spoken, and empathic politician who is determined to help us improve our own lives. Sterner paints an encouraging picture of the state of the county and proposes a number of paths to improve our schools. Contact Sterner: website: https://sternerforpa.com/ email: sternerforpa@gmail.com email on website: richsterner@sternerforpa.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sterner2020/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnOli32491851 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterner_for_pennsylvania/ ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sterner33 If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

(Please click on the arrow in the bar above to play the interview) I had the great pleasure this week of talking with Todd Rowley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress from the 13th District. I caught up with Rowley from his home in the very western part of his district in Westmoreland County where he resides with his family. Before becoming a candidate for office, Rowley had distinguished careers as an EMT, a Maryland state trooper, a life-flight paramedic, and a special agent in the FBI where he traveled on Air Force One guarding the U.S. Attorney General. Rowley is a humble and personable candidate who truly appreciates the responsibility of the position. He eloquently and empathically describes his desires to make a difference for us. Rowley is transparent about himself, his concerns, and his hopes for our country.  He’s a true politician and I’m sure you will enjoy and learn from this interview. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

(Please click on the arrow in the bar above to play the interview) I had the great pleasure this week of talking with Todd Rowley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress from the 13th District. I caught up with Rowley from his home in the very western part of his district in Westmoreland County where he resides with his family. Before becoming a candidate for office, Rowley had distinguished careers as an EMT, a Maryland state trooper, a life-flight paramedic, and a special agent in the FBI where he traveled on Air Force One guarding the U.S. Attorney General. Rowley is a humble and personable candidate who truly appreciates the responsibility of the position. He eloquently and empathically describes his desires to make a difference for us. Rowley is transparent about himself, his concerns, and his hopes for our country.  He’s a true politician and I’m sure you will enjoy and learn from this interview. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

Please see our 2020 Elections Page Please see our Candidate Profile Page Adams County is hosting contested races for U.S. Congressional Representative in the 13th district between Republican incumbent Dr. John Joyce and Democratic candidate Todd Rowley, as well as between incumbent state senator Doug Mastriano and his challenger Rich Sterner in the 33rd district. In this episode I talk with Sterner about this campaign, his platform, his hopes for a positive impact on the county, and the ways his political outlook and approach differs from that of his opponent. In comparison to the bluster of many politicians, Sterner is a thoughtful, soft-spoken, and empathic politician who is determined to help us improve our own lives. Sterner paints an encouraging picture of the state of the county and proposes a number of paths to improve our schools. Contact Sterner: website: https://sternerforpa.com/ email: sternerforpa@gmail.com email on website: richsterner@sternerforpa.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sterner2020/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnOli32491851 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterner_for_pennsylvania/ ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sterner33 If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

Nan Hatzes died this week after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. I am taking the opportunity this week to repost a podcast I did with her back in May. I thought it was a remarkable interview. She recently published the book she describes in the interview, "The Brooke Books, Volume 1." It's an intimate memoir of Nan's drawings, paintings and writings in the mid-1970s, focusing in large part on the birth of her daughter, Brooke, in 1974. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please check Nan's Facebook page. To put it simply, Nan made a lot of art.  She also raised a daughter and worked at Shippensburg University, as well as presenting her paintings, drawings and photographs at numerous exhibitions. In 1980 photographer Annie Leibovitz awarded one of her photos first prize in Rolling Stone Magazine’s photography competition. Leibovitz described her photography as “intimate, seductive, and highly personal.” Did I mention that Nan has made a lot of art?  She made so much gave a lot of it away to the community through her regular “Art Attacks.” Nan was also the creator of the very successful “Goddess Project,” a collection of commissioned portraits of local women. Nan was kind enough to share some of her pieces with us. I thank her for that and I thank Max Bramel for his assistance.

I am taking the opportunity this week to repost a podcast I did with Adams County visual artist Nanette Hatzes back in May. I thought is was a remarkable interview. Since then there have been some changes to all of our lives, and also, particularly, to Nan's. Among so many other things, she's published the book she describes in the interview, "The Brooke Books, Volume 1." It's an intimate memoir of Nan's drawings, paintings and writings in the mid-1970s, focusing in large part on the birth of her daughter, Brooke, in 1974. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please check Nan's Facebook page. To put it simply, Nan has made a lot of art.  She’s also raised a daughter and worked at Shippensburg University, as well as presenting her paintings, drawings and photographs at numerous exhibitions. In 1980 photographer Annie Leibovitz awarded one of her photos first prize in Rolling Stone Magazine’s photography competition. Leibovitz described her photography as “intimate, seductive, and highly personal.” Did I mention that Nan has made a lot of art?  She’s made so much she’s taken to giving it away to the community through her regular “Art Attacks.” Nan was also the creator of the very successful “Goddess Project,” a collection of commissioned portraits of local women. Nan was kind enough to share some of her pieces with us. I thank her for that and I thank Max Bramel for his assistance.

This week I talk with Lynn James, who is Adams County Penn State Extension Office Senior Educator. Lynn’s job is to do research and provide education to the local community about nutritious foods. Lynn James In this episode James talks about how to find nutritious food and safely preserve the foods you grown or hunt. She also talks about how you can avoid getting diabetes or help control it if you already have it. Here are the web links that are mentioned in the recording: Nutrition, Diet & Health programs, webinars, articles, newsNutrition Links- programs and resources for resource-stressed familiesHome food safety and food preservation- includes our live and recorded home canning webinar seriesFood Service & Retail training If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

El podcast de esta semana es especial porque está en español. La entrevista es con Yeimi Gagliardi, educadora de salud comunitaria de WellSpan Health y copresidenta del Grupo de Trabajo de Servicios Latinos. Gagliardi Parte del trabajo de Gagliari es garantizar que los latinos conozcan los riesgos para la salud del COVID-19 y los servicios disponibles para ayudarlos. Gagliard dice que hay una separación, una especie de "muro invisible" entre los grupos latinos y no latinos, y explica la brecha y las formas de cerrarla. Si disfruta del podcast, tómese unos segundos para apoyarnos registrándose en nuestra lista de correo semanal.El sitio es completamente gratuito, pero le pedimos su ayuda para compartir nuestro contenido con otras personas de la comunidad. Por favor, danos Me gusta en Facebook y comparte con tus amigos que habla español. (Introducción musical de Daddy Long Legs.)

This week's podcast is a reposting of an interview I did over the winter.  It's relevant now because with the current rains we are getting there are going to be a lot of mosquitoes. Summers In this episode I talk with Stephanie Summers who is Adams County’s Mosquito Borne Disease Control & Conservation Technician. Her job is to keep an eye on disease-causing insects in the county, including mosquitoes and ticks. Stephanie talks about how to the county helps keep these insects under control and how you can stay safe from Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Here are some web links you may find useful: Adams County Conservation District PA Department of Environmental Protection U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on Lyme Disease U.S. Center for Disease Control Information on West Nile Virus  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information on Choosing an Appropriate Insect Repellent

Over the July 4 weekend there was a lot of excitement in Gettysburg as hundreds of armed visitors surrounded monuments on the Gettysburg Battlefield. This week I had a chance to talk with an expert on the Civil War and the Gettysburg monuments, Dr. Scott Hancock, Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College. Dr. Hancock studies the African American experience from the mid-seventeenth century to just before the Civil War and has recently spoken about the history and meaning of the Gettysburg monuments and how education can help us better understand them. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower Historical Site Superintendent Steven D. Sims has been in his position since January and has learned a lot about the park, mostly during a time of pandemic. In this episode Sims praises the staff, the park, and the borough, and explains many of the current projects the park is working on, including the renovation of the Warfield House, home to an African American blacksmith during the battle. Sims Sims also talks about the park’s finances and staffing and the relevancy of the park to the public. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

This Podcast was originally published last summer. But the Farmers Market is now in full swing with enhanced hygiene in place so it seemed like a good to time to present it again. Please wear a mask and social distance when you are at the Farmers Market. The Adams County Farmers Market is at its best during the harvest season, and the vendors’ tables are now overflowing with produce. But in addition to hosting the Saturday morning market, the Adams County Farmers Market Association also sponsors many community and educational activities in the county. In this podcast I talk with Reza Djalal who has been the market manager since May 2018. Djalal is an Adams County native who grew up in Biglerville. He graduated from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM in 2015 with a BA in Philosophy and the History of Science and Mathematics. Djalal You can learn more about the farmers market at its website or Facebook page. Gettysburg Connection brings news, events, and opinions to Adams County residents. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. A transcription of the podcast follows: GC: Hi Reza, and welcome to the podcast. So you've been in your position as market manager of the Adams County Farmers Market Association for about a year now, and so I thought it might be a good time for you to share your thoughts about it. Can you talk a little bit about the Farmers Market Association? When did it start? Who founded it? And what's its mission? RD: Sure, So the Adams County Farmers Market Association is a 501c(6) nonprofit. It has a twofold mission, sort of.  One side of that mission is to help support businesses, especially small businesses. We want to help small farmers and ranchers and dairies thrive in the area in Adams County. On the other side of that mission is to increase food access and wellness for all residents and all community members. So we do a lot of programming that helps support both ends of that, namely, by operating a farmers’ market that offers a high reward, low risk environment for small businesses to kind of get their start as a platform to launch off into economic success. GC: Right.  So I want to come back and talk about all the many different programs that you have. But maybe you can tell us where the farmers’ market is located and when it's open and how late it's going to be open this year. RD: Sure. So we operate every Saturday morning between May through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. And we're set behind the Gettysburg Transit Center. We’re a couple yards away from the Majestic Theater down Carlisle Street. So, yeah, we're behind the transit center every Saturday morning. GC: Yeah, and what actually is sold at the market? I mean, I know there would be fruits and vegetables and fresh produce like that, but what else is there? RD: Uh, well, you know, we have a lot of the typical array of farmers’ market niche items. We have Ragged Edge Roasting Company with us, and they're pretty well known and have a great coffee product that people might know. We also have some baked-goods vendors. Robin's Nest does the vendor circuit in different locations. And we have a cool vendor called Sweet Rollers. They only sell cinnamon rolls. That's it. And it's kind of like a fundraising organization, and they try to raise money for a lot of different causes. But mainly they raise money to help low income families be able to afford after-school sports programs for their kids in elementary and middle school. But I think that that's really, really cool. So it's like we're helping them, and they're also nonprofit…a really nice symbiotic relationship where nonprofits were helping each other.

 When patients are transported from an accident site to a hospital or from one hospital to another, a helicopter “air ambulance” may be required to keep them alive during the journey. In Pennsylvania many companies provide air ambulance flights, and one of them is Penn State Health’s Life Lion system. Perez (left) and Depatto (right) In this podcast I talk with Life Lion pilot Phil Perez and Life Lion paramedic Joe Depatto about their work and how they help save lives. Perez and Depatto talk about their work, their experiences, and the importance of their jobs. Many thanks to Barbara Schindo for arranging the interview. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a few seconds to support us by signing up for our weekly mailing list or subscribing. The site is completely free of charge, but we do ask your help in sharing our content with other people in the community. Please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Musical Introduction by Daddy Long Legs.

I recently spent a very pleasant morning chatting with long-time Adams County visual artist Nanette Hatzes. Hatzes: Self Portrait To put it simply, Nan has made a lot of art.  She’s also raised a daughter and worked at Shippensburg University, as well as presenting her paintings, drawings and photographs at numerous exhibitions. In 1980 photographer Annie Leibovitz awarded one of her photos first prize in Rolling Stone Magazine’s photography competition. Leibovitz described her photography as “intimate, seductive, and highly personal.” Did I mention that Nan has made a lot of art?  She’s made so much she’s taken to giving it away to the community through her regular “Art Attacks.” Nan was also the creator of the very successful “Goddess Project,” a collection of commissioned portraits of local women. Nan was kind enough to share some of her pieces with us. I thank her for that and I thank Max Bramel for his assistance. This was my 28th podcast and it was one of the most enjoyable for me.  I hope you’ll like it too.

With spring coming and the COVID-19 crisis leading us toward outdoor activities, it may never be a better time to ride a bicycle in Adams County. Eric Meyer The local cycling experience has become even more pleasant with the addition of new bicycle trails that have been built in the past years with the support of the local nonprofit Healthy Adams Bicycle Pedestrian Inc (HABPI). In this episode HABPI president Eric Meyer talks about his organization's past projects and future plans and about the many individual and community benefits of bicycling. During the interview, Meyer mentions two local cycling clubs in the area: Franklin County Cyclists and Hanover Cyclers. More information about Adams County area cycling groups can be found at Gettysburg Bicycle.

Every evening many of the residents of my neighborhood go into the streets at 8:00 p.m. to ring bells and bang on pots to support our essential workers. In this podcast I got a chance to talk with two of those workers who are on the very front lines, charged with saving the lives of people with COVID. Gettysburg Hospital Outdoor Admissions Tent Dr. Stefan Rosenbach is Medical Director of WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital's Emergency Department and Christina Johnston is an Emergency Department RN at Gettysburg hospital. Stefan and Christy talk candidly about the difficulties they face every day on the COVID floor of the hospital and how they are coping with the workload. I hope you'll enjoy the podcast. If you do I hope you will subscribe to our podcast series. My many thanks to Bob Anderson for his help on this recording.

It's been a bit longer than usual since I've recorded a podcast, and I'm happy to be back to you amid this time of difficulty. Along with all of the county's public schools, churches, businesses, and other agencies that have been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, most Gettysburg college students were also sent home. This was a particular blow for graduating seniors as they missed their prom, their commencement, and their last chances to say goodbye to their friends and faculty members. In this podcast I talk with three Gettysburg students, Phoebe Doescher, Luke Seyfert, and Marana Tso, about how COVID has affected them over the past weeks. I think you'll find the discussion to be realistic, frank, informative, and moving.  

Dear Neighbors, I have taken the opportunity to use this episode of the Gettysburg Connection podcast to share with you my thoughts during this time of stress and uncertainty. I you have time, perhaps you will also be interested in listening to some of the prior podcasts I have recorded with Adams County residents. Please take care and keep safe.

Keeping Adams County residents safe is a big job, and it takes a big team to do it. The work is handled in part by the staff at the Adams County Emergency Services Center, located on Greenamyer Lane East of Gettysburg. The center coordinates police, fire, and EMS services for the entire county. In addition to the 911 center the team also monitors hazardous wastes, and is the home of the county's disaster preparation team. Bladen In this episode I talk with the Directory of Emergency Services, Warren P. Bladen, who explains how the 911 center works and all of the other missions of the emergency services center provides.