President Grant was here

During this first ever episode on the second floor of Warehouse Gourmet, Jackie Matson engages special guests Ken Weiler and Zachary Zawisa of the Hanover Area Historical Society, with the Mission "To preserve, protect and promote the historical story of the Hanover Area." Ken and Zach fill HanoverLanders in on the many goings-on with the Society and its beautiful properties, including the Warehime-Myers Mansion, the Neas House and perhaps the best kept secret in all of HanoverLand -- the Carriage House Museum. There, you are guaranteed to learn something new each time you visit, and the gift shop/bookstore is extraordinary. Making possible, on Jun 26, the first-ever screening of the acclaimed documentary, "A History of the Underground Railroad and Abolitionists in South Central Pennsylvania" at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, the Society is a presenting sponsor of the upcoming Heart of HanoverLand Festival of that weekend. From its famous Christmas tree exhibits and tours of the mansion to summer lawn concerts, from Civil War soldier encampments on grounds of the Neas House to its most excellent Martin-Leese Lecture series and so much more, you can explore roots while finding fellowship and friendships with the Hanover Area Historical Society. Making history and community since 1965, the Society is keen on matching you with volunteer opportunities. Check out hanoverpahistory.org for membership, events, newsletters, opportunities and more.

If there's a heart of the Heart of HanoverLand, the Hanover Market arguably would take up a couple chambers. And as someone who's survived open heart surgery to thrive anew, I know a thing or two about a sluggish heart finding vital new life! Humming and ticking since the 1930s at its present location on Chestnut St., the Hanover Market is undergoing a nascent renaissance. A new management style, overseen by leaders of the Borough of Hanover and the Parks & Rec Department, and manifested in the wonderful yeoman's work of Market Manager and featured HanoverLand guest Curtis Oviatt, has yielded harvests of goodness and sustenance, in addition to fresh cuts and delicacies, with all the fixings, of community. From seasoned vendors like Hughes' and Moon's Cafe (btw, catch Moon's episode here in the HanoverLand: The Podcast files) to zesty new additions, you're sure to find something to satisfy at Hanover Market. And in this episode of HanoverLand: The Podcast, you'll also find many selections of fresh knowledge, nutrition, fellowship, and servant leadership, love for all folks. See all y'all at Market real soon, Buttercup!

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.

Brian Colgan, HanoverLand’s Pied Piper, shares secret herbs and spices of inspiration in making music for the love of art, the joy of his audiences, and the growth of his students. The seasoned troubadour extraordinaire reveals some of his bakers’ dozen instruments, Baked into Brian’s many delicious gifts are goodwill, authenticity, faith, precision and wisdom.

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

Sandy is a lifetime learner who loves beer and adventure. After raising three kids then taking on the corporate world, Sandy decided to pursue her lifelong dream of founding a small business. It came to be in Fat Bat Brewing Company. Building community is at the heart of Sandy's mission. She believes in the power of beer to encourage social interaction. Her aim is to promote engagement by creating the best atmosphere for sharing great beer with friends, neighbors, and visitors, while supporting revitalization of Hanover. At the same time, she is building relationships with local vendors for brewery supplies and merchandise, working with local charities to raise funds, and providing space for local craftsmen to sell their wares. Sandy plans to grow the business through expansion to neighboring towns. When she's not at the brewery, you can find her spending time with her family, brewery hopping with her husband, or reading on the beach.

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.