HanoverLand: The Podcast

By way of York, now Hanover-headquartered and now serving (Yay!) York and Adams Counties, Rainbow Rose Center is now led by its steady, reliable, accessible and delightful Executive Director Christina Walter Wingert. In perhaps the podcast series’ most searching and challenging conversation, introducing guest star ⭐️ and HanoverLand newcomer Dashiell Sears, featured guest Christina and usual suspects SupaK, CC and Jackie explore what it means to be human and have human rights and dignity, as well as human constructs of sexual orientation, gender identity and “spectrums.” Rainbow Rose Center fosters an environment of inclusion, equity, and health where all LGBTQIA+ individuals of York and Adams counties feel safe and welcome in their everyday lives. More: https://www.rainbowrosecenter.org/

In the first podcast in the legendary second-floor brewery, Hanover’s first modern-day brewpub, enjoy a wide ranging conversation with three-star General Ulysses S. Grant, also known as “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, masterfully portrayed by Kenneth Serfass of Gettysburg by way of the U.S. Marine Corps, by way of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Grant conveys his early years in the Midwest; his love of family, horses, cigars and carriage races; his friendship with President Abraham Lincoln; his first encounter with Robert E. Lee during the Mexican American War; Gen. Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox; and lessons on life, leadership, duty, honor and pragmatism along the way.

Markets can be the social, even cultural epicenters -- First Rate Third Places on Steroids -- of Burgs like HanoverLand. In this Part II. of HL’s exclusive interview with Market Manager Curtis Oviatt, after the Funtabulosas say hello and pay tribute to Borough Manager Margie Lewis, Mr. Oviatt explains the coloring book tipping point moment of the new, popular cafe-style seating area and putting quality puzzle pieces of vendors together so the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. While Curtis finishes his impressive "Rain Man-esque" litany of almost all vendors from memory!, Jackie breaks down to express his admiration for HanoverLand legend Tiffany Morgan Peri of This is A Farmhouse fame. And learn about the legendary Dieters Country Kitchen and so much more. There’s a traditional and new feel synergy at Hanover Market that beckons you, every Saturday morning until noon. See all y'all at Market, Hon! For even more: www.hanover-market.com

On its 13th total and second-ever on-location episode, the HanoverLand Crew sits down in the birthday party room with "The COB51 ‘Yes Lisa,’” one of two Lisas (Yes, there is a ‘No’ Lisa who must be reckoned with!) who own and manage COB51, signifying “Create Outside the Box” on “51” Carlisle Street. Get it? In a very historic building in an Uber historic downtown, The Yes and No Lisas and Bob & Woss Wabbits 🐇 🐰 have seen and felt a rainbow 🌈 of colorful hues and experiences. While sharing kindness, laughter, empathy, active listening chats, 3-d art creations, and more with customers (rates are very reasonable btw), The COB Lisas and Bob & Woss Wabbits of Carlisle St. help their diverse visitors take a break from life’s hustle and bustle to breathe a little lighter, smile a little brighter, laugh a little longer, and make little works of joy and love.

On location at Hanover's premier comedy club and intimate laugh laboratory, Church of Satire, what starts as a conversation about comedy and business evolves into an exploration of leadership principles, community, confidence and finding one's voice. Meet Jim Bryan, the fascinating, multi-talented proprietor and visionary of The Church of Satire, a charming stage, with inviting church pews, that hosts all kinds of laugh-out-loud hijinks, shenanigans, frivolities and tomfoolery in the first block of historic downtown Hanover. Some call it the tiniest, little house of laughs in the Mid Atlantic. For more: churchofsatairecomedyclub.com. Featured pic by stevesqrd.com

Matt Purkins, veteran public servant and Director of Hanover Borough Parks and Recreation and Interim Director of the Guthrie Memorial Library, stops in the Walk-in Sound Studio for a lively conversation about recreation, resources, reservoir properties, and wonderful opportunities in the parks, library and wild areas of Hanover. While discussing the bright future of the HanoverLand History, Ghosts, and Folklore tours, Matt also reveals the endangered status of the mysterious Dickcissel, a mythical bird with a haunting mating call known to roam rural HanoverLand.Bio: Matt Purkins has been the Parks and Recreation Director for Hanover Borough since January 2024. He is also the interim director of the Guthrie Memorial Library. Matt started his career in the recreation and parks field in 2004 as the Manager of the Carroll County Sports Complex in Westminster, MD, a position he held until 2018. From there he moved onto Baltimore County Recreation and Parks as a Community Supervisor II for the Hereford Zone. In 2022 he accepted the position of Fiscal Manager for Dauphin County Parks and Recreation. Matt gladly accepted the position as Hanover’s first full time Parks and Recreation Director in 2024. Matt has served as president of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) from 2012-2014 and is a two-time chair of the Recreation and Leisure Services Branch of MRPA. He is a member of both MRPA and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society. He currently serves on the Fairview Township Recreation Board and is the umpire assigner/assistant umpire in chief for the Carroll County Umpire’s Association.

Sharing laughter, joy and insights in the Walk-In Studio, Brian Shea explains how he creates and explains things with words and pictures. These skills manifest themselves in many different ways, but his favorite moments take place in front of an audience or teaching a class. Brian never performed on stage until 2008 when he filled a small part on Miracle on 34th Street at Hanover High School. That experienced turned him into a theater guy at the age of 41. Brian began performing and volunteering at Hanover Little Theatre in 2010, eventually serving seven years on the Board of Directors, including three as president. He took his first improv class in 2015 and hasn't look back, He has performed and taught in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 2020, Brian founded Highwire Improv with three friends to create new opportunities for performers and teachers. Brian's open to teaching folks about the power of improv both as a performing art and as a tool to grow confidence and communication skills.

Mentor, educator, citizen-about-town, multi-platform artist, curator, musician, and photographer Andy Smith, "The Maker of Midway," shares his joy of seizing opportunities, painting with clay slip, his editorship of Culture on the Line, and curating of the Gallery at the Old Post Office. Veering into traffic matters, we also discuss what is an extension versus a bypass in HanoverLand! Fun Fact: In addition to being an arts navigator and non-profit board member, Andy is one of only a few professional clay monoprint artists. For art, essays and more, check out Mr. Smith's website at Visualrealia.com and cultureontheline.com.

Moriah Tyler, Executive Director for Main Street Hanover, Inc. sits down with the group to discuss exciting new ideas and developments with downtown Hanover. Moriah Tyler, an accomplished artist and curator from Sabillasville, Maryland, grew up in the Catoctin Mountains immersed in her parents’ small business, Kingdom Landscaping, alongside her four siblings. This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for small businesses and the unique stories behind each storefront. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University, Moriah honed her skills in arts management and creative problem-solving, which she applied during her tenure as Education & Visual Arts Coordinator at the Carroll County Arts Council. Now the Executive Director at Main Street Hanover, Moriah is dedicated to revitalizing downtown Hanover, fostering community connections, and supporting local businesses. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in nature through hiking, gardening, and exploring new art techniques.

Keith and Melinda Stambaugh from Warehouse Gourmet Bistro and Brewpub sit down with the "Gang of Four" for the premier episode of HanoverLand: The Podcast.