Ellen and Bill Wismer: Making Homeland their home

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Ellen and Bill Wismer smiling at each other at HomelandEllen and Bill Wismer are lifelong gardeners whose passion followed them to Homeland, where the grounds are lush and welcoming.

“The garden out front is just gorgeous,” said Ellen. “When it’s not hot, we go out there and enjoy it immensely. When you go to dinner, there are always fresh flowers on the table, and you feel like you’re in a big bed and breakfast.”

The Wismers made their way to Homeland from Lititz, their longtime home. Over the years, Lititz has grown from a small town into a hub for renowned musical artists and vendors, thanks to Rock Lititz, a venue that supports touring productions.

A Wismer son, now a rigging provider for major events, got his start at Rock Lititz, and all the Wismer children grew up with the family of the founders of Rock Lititz.

“Our town has always been appreciative of them because they’ve never forgotten the town,” she said. “They’ve always supported the town. Always when there’s an event, they’re there.”

The Wismers’ other son is a gastroenterologist in Erie, married to a professor at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Wismers’ daughter passed away in 2023.

Their accomplished grandchildren include a granddaughter who lives nearby. She filled their bright, spacious corner suite in Homeland Personal Care with family photos, favorite furniture, and serendipitous thrift-store finds, including a drop-leaf table snugged perfectly outside the kitchen.

“Our granddaughter made sure that we took these things along so it would look like our home,” Ellen said.

Ellen graduated from Manheim Township. High School. She had transferred there as a junior because their commercial course would prepare her for a career in business, and her parents agreed.

Bill graduated from Hershey High School, where he studied to become an electrician. They met when she broke up with a friend of his, and he began calling her.

“I figured she was beautiful, and I had nothing to lose,” he says.

They married a year later, at age 18, and have been married for 69 years, since March 1956.

“If there was any big secret to our marriage, he always had my back, and I always had his trust,” Ellen says.

Bill worked as an electrician, starting in institutional projects such as schools before progressing to heavy construction in nuclear power plants and bridges.

“It was fun,” he says. He jokes that he could climb atop bridges because he had wings, but when it came to following safety protocol, “There was no doubt about it.”

He used his handyman skills in their Lititz home, building a rec room and sunroom. Their backyard blossomed with impatiens, lobelia, and vines every summer – a space so serene that it featured on a Lititz garden tour.

Ellen loved her years at home, raising the kids, with “the PTAs, the sub sales, the Brownies and Boy Scouts.” However, she had worked for Armstrong World Industries before having children, and in 1977, she returned to her former employer.

She worked for 12 years in human resources and was then promoted to sales at Armstrong Insulation, where she stayed for 13 years.

“I was very pleased with it, and I felt very good about it,” she says. “We met a lot of wonderful people.”

The Wismers have traveled over the years, including a trip to Tahiti for their 30th anniversary.

“That was exceptional,” said Bill.

“I was amazed at the lush green in the trees, the bushes, the grass,” she said. “They had to mow the pastures because the cattle couldn’t eat it fast enough.”

Annual vacations took the family to Ocean City, MD, where the kids built wonderful memories of the boardwalk and jumping into the waves.

“They don’t remember the big things you bought them,” Ellen said. “It didn’t matter whether you lived in a great, big home. To them, the time we had as a family was the most important thing.”

The Wismers came to Homeland in February 2025. It is, said Ellen, “one of the nicest places you could be.”

“They really care about you,” she said. “Plus, this place is immaculate. Their housekeeping is unbelievable. The laundry is fabulous. They take good care of everything, and the food is good. The nurses really try to see that you get taken care of.”

They enjoy the activities, including music presentations, a Mother’s Day “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and Father’s Day “Bratwursts and Brews.” The Board of Managers’ springtime high tea was fabulous.”

“The place is extraordinary,” said Bill.

“There are so many little things that make it home,” added Ellen. “You’re in a family setting. You get to know people, and they’re really friends.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.

Homeland med tech Anna Hicks: Adding a personal touch

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Homeland med tech Anna Leeland smiling in an armchairAnna Hicks is a medication technician whose compassionate approach enhances the lives of residents far beyond dispensing medications.

For example, one Homeland resident wakes up achy every morning, so Hicks massages her knees with pain cream and makes her coffee, which the resident deeply appreciates.

“She loves me,” says Hicks. “She’ll tell everybody that I’m her ‘daughter.’ She tells anybody that. I have to have coffee every morning, so I feel her pain on that.”

To Hicks, these small, thoughtful gestures form the heart of her work: enhancing residents’ quality of life through genuine care, not seeking recognition.

“I go the extra mile for the residents who need that motivation to get up and get going,” she says. “I like to keep them motivated, so they don’t have things to worry about.”

Hicks also represents Homeland’s home-grown talent and opportunities. In 2014, while working at a restaurant in the Harrisburg area, a cousin-in-law working at Homeland told her about a kitchen opening.

After two years in dietary, she advanced to personal care assistant. Although she hadn’t expected to provide hands-on care, a past part-time home care job showed her how much she enjoyed ensuring people had what they needed.

“I walked into it super-nervous, thinking, ‘This thing’s not bad. I can actually do this,’” she said.

In 2017, she began studying to become a certified nurse assistant. Throughout this role, she focused on small details like keeping residents’ laundry organized, rooms tidy, and supplies stocked.

After earning her CNA certification, Hicks sought a new challenge and transitioned to a medical technician position around 2020.

As a medical technician, Hicks administers medications, visits rooms in the morning, and checks on residents in the dining room at lunch. She monitors vital signs, blood sugar, and keeps her cart fully stocked. Some days, she steps in for the assistant director of nursing, handling management tasks as part of their team.

Hicks strikes a balance in interacting with residents.

“The best way to talk to them isn’t like they’re a kid or you’re their parent,” she said. “You have to get on a relatable level with them. I don’t baby them, but I’m not bossy with them, either.”

She is the one ensuring that residents are taking their medications as prescribed. If they want to take some sort of supplement on their own, she checks with their physician for approval.

“It feels rewarding if residents come to me with a problem and I can solve it,” she said. “Then they’re happy.”

Outside of work, Hicks enjoys relaxing and playing with her three cats, a 2-year-old girl named Stormy, a 1-year-old boy named Dallas, and the newest addition is a girl named Lola.

Continuing the tradition of Homeland’s family connections, Hicks’ mother, Sherri Chanchlani, works for the Activities Department on weekends.

Hicks arrives each day fully put together, with coordinated makeup, nails, and scrubs that don’t look like uniforms.

“I’m big on presentation,” she says. “I have to look coordinated. I try to make it look as much like regular clothes as possible, because I don’t like it when it looks too much like an institution for the residents.”

Hicks also hopes to advance her career by becoming an LPN, which will enable her to acquire more skills and the necessary licensing to perform additional tasks in her med-tech work, such as administering injections.

Her experience at Homeland taught her about the importance of choices, teamwork, and professionalism. She leads by example—remaining calm in stressful situations, not just telling others to do so.

“If you get all worked up, you can’t do your work straight,” she says. “I always ask myself if this was me in this situation, how would I want a nurse reacting?”

Spring fling: High tea makes residents feel special

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homeland staff gathered together for spring teaBygone days of elegance and refinement made a return at Homeland Center, as residents filled the main dining room for a spring tea.

Kettle-shaped cards printed with flowers invited residents, and a pianist playing “Tea for Two” and other standards set the right tone, as did the tables adorned in white linens, flowers, and embroidered handkerchiefs.

Residents embraced the mood, with the ladies wearing cheerful fascinators or headpieces and the gents boasting boutonnieres.

The tea was one of the quarterly events hosted by Homeland’s Board of Managers, the unique, all-women volunteer board is responsible for maintaining Homeland’s renowned home-like feel. Always presented with flair and creativity, events have included a casino night, a “Sound of Music” party, and a sock hop featuring an Elvis Presley impersonator.

Residents Ellen and Bill Wismer eagerly anticipated the tea.

“For our 45th anniversary, we had the good fortune to have high tea at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and I was really looking forward to this because I said it’s going to be just as nice,” said Ellen Wismer. “And it is. Everything’s to perfection.”

“[The Board of Managers] really put a lot of work into this,” she said. “Everything the board does is absolutely to perfection. They make you feel so special.”

Bill Wismer agreed: “It’s wonderful to be here with my beautiful wife.”

Board of Managers members freely devote their time and talents to plan and stage their events, said Chair Nancy Hull. For the tea, they organized a party of their own to create the boutonnieres and flower-bedecked fascinators, which gave the residents a sophisticated air.

Board members often have creative ideas about their future events, she said.

“That’s the neat thing about the women on our board,” Hull said. “Everybody has ideas. Everybody is willing to express their opinions.”

On the afternoon of the tea, Board of Managers members circulated, serving cookies, a choice of finger sandwiches – cucumber, egg salad, and pimento – and scones with jam and clotted cream. Wearing white shirts and black pants, just like restaurant servers, they carried colorful teapots they had brought from their own collections. One depicted – what else? – the Mad Hatter’s tea party from “Alice in Wonderland.”

Offered a choice of Earl Grey or raspberry tea, resident Joyce Muniz chose the raspberry.

“They make everything lovely,’’ Muniz said of the Board of Manager-planned events. “They go over the top for the residents.”

Resident Shirley Winfield is one of several Winfield family members living in or working at Homeland, including Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas, who upholds Homeland’s standards of excellence in health care; Jennifer’s daughter Malani Tate-DeFreitas; and Kristen Tate, one of Homeland’s cheerful receptionists.

“They do an excellent job here,” Winfield said. “I love the many, many activities. It’s wonderful. It really is.”

Among all the activities – from musicians to bingo — the spring tea stood out, she said.

Residents Robert Zimmerman and Lynda Vinton, agreed the spring tea was a particular treat.

“It’s fun,” Vinton said. “It’s a nice thing to be out and about.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.

Transportation CNA Antonia Gomez: Making the trip a delight

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Transportation CNA Antonia Gomez smiling in an armchairAntonia Gomez chose a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant because she loves helping people.

“That’s my biggest thing,” she said. “Even outside of Homeland, I’m always helping friends, family, everybody.”

In her 14 years at Homeland Center, Gomez formed friendships with residents and colleagues and experienced the many ways a CNA can help residents live their best lives — and give family members confidence in the care their loved ones receive.

As a transportation CNA, Gomez plays a vital role in ensuring that residents can attend medical appointments, family gatherings, and their favorite restaurants – all the things that matter to the quality of life.

Gomez contacted four nursing facilities after passing her CNA exam, and Homeland was the first to respond.

“God knew what he was doing,” she said of the offer to work at Homeland. “It was a blessing.”

She started on the second floor in skilled care before being promoted to lead CNA. A couple of years later, Gomez began working as a restorative aide, helping residents maintain their mobility. Like her fellow Homeland colleagues, she found opportunities to grow and develop.

When she was offered the transportation CNA role in December, she learned to drive the Homeland van. Her work combines outside transport with her familiar CNA duties, such as helping residents use the bathroom or transferring out of a wheelchair while they’re in a doctor’s office.

Along with Transportation Coordinator Michael Quinones, Gomez ensures that residents participate in activities important to them, such as family birthday parties. When a resident was upset because a last-minute glitch prevented her son from taking his mom to a planned dinner, Gomez called on her Homeland colleagues for help finding alternative transportation.

“She was so happy,” she said. “She was so appreciative. That made her day.”

Even before taking on her new role, Gomez would help the Homeland Activities Department transport residents on fun excursions to restaurants and events. On one trip, she took a resident to Towson, MD.

“We went to the Cheesecake Factory,” she said. “We had such a ball. It was just me and her. She’d never been to a Cheesecake Factory, so we went together. We built a good relationship, and I’m really close to her family.”

When she’s not transporting residents, she will help CNAs with their floor work.

“Everybody at Homeland is family-oriented,” she said. “We all get along and joke around. Mike Quinones always gives me an encouraging word. He lets me know I’m doing a good job.”

Gomez has two children: a 12-year-old boy – “He kind of grew up at Homeland” – and a 17-year-old daughter who is considering a career in nursing.

When Gomez is not busy with kids and work, she enjoys day trips, even if it means driving a few hours for a meal or to shop along a seashore boardwalk.

She loves getting to know Homeland residents and asking about their stories. With one resident who never talks, she communicates with pictures and expressions.

“I recently went to go see him, and I gave him a hug, and he said ‘hi’ back,” she said. “That made me cry. I get chills just thinking about that.”

Building relationships helps make a difference for the residents. “You treat them like your family.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.

1867 Society reception toasts a renowned “fan club”

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Beneath the glowing chandeliers and soaring ceilings of the Mediterranean-style King Mansion, more than 65 members of the 1867 Society gathered together, forming a life-sized tableau of the values that inspired the formation of the precursor to Homeland Center 158 years ago: compassion and trust.

As guests dined on fine hors d’oeuvres from JDK Catering, sipped chilled drinks, admired the Mansion’s elegant architectural handiwork, and conversed with friends, the larger message of the gathering soon became evident: Homeland could never have thrived for 158 years without the members of the Society and their generous support.

After an hour of mingling, with the soft sounds of Aaron Gainer, Homeland Hospice’s music therapist, playing softly in the background, the gathering moved to the expansive ballroom for brief remarks from five speakers who all echoed common themes.

Much like the 18 women from nine churches who founded the “Home for the Friendless” 158 years ago in post-Civil War Harrisburg, these guests took action to show the true heart of Harrisburg.

Barry Ramper II, Homeland’s CEO, noted, “Trust and care are the hallmarks of our history. We cannot maintain this goal without you.”

Director of Development Troy Beaver noted that he joined Homeland’s leadership team last summer, and Homeland instantly felt like home, just as it rapidly does for its residents. He also mentioned Homeland’s national recognition of excellence from U.S. News and World Report.

Bob Light of Securewire Technologies, the sponsor of the appreciation reception, said his company and Homeland are built upon and operate on a “foundation of trust.”

“It’s a huge honor to be part of this,” Light affirmed. “Customer service is what we do.”

Rev. Karin Pejack of Zion Lutheran Church noted that local historic icons, Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Dock, rented a pew in her church decades ago. Her 19th-century church had included a box for contributions for the Home for the Friendless when Zion was located at 4th and Market Streets.

Rev. Pejack applauded the four chaplains now serving at Homeland and the church cooperation that allowed the Home for the Friendless to “serve neighbors in the city with love and compassion.”

“Many of our supporters have had a friend or relative who was cared for either by the staff at Homeland Center or by someone who worked for one of the Homeland at Home service lines,” Beaver said. “These people have experienced firsthand the caring and passion that each staff member brings to the job every day, and this is what makes Homeland the top provider of quality care.”

Dr. Charlie Fetterhoff, Chair of Homeland’s Board of Trustees, said he was a charter member of the Society thanks to the outstanding leadership of Betty Hungerford, Homeland’s well-known retired Director of Development, and now a Homeland resident and member of the Board of Managers.

“For those who had never heard of Homeland, I would ask them, ‘How many institutions have lasted 158 years and excelled at the highest level that long?’ There is a total commitment to the residents,’’ Fetterhoff said. “You can feel what sets Homeland apart as soon as you walk through the doors.”

He recalled how his mom spent her last three years at Homeland, first in Personal Care and then Skilled Care. His sister also spent her last seven years in Skilled Care.

Fetterhoff and the other members of the 1867 Society at the gathering reflected on quality care and compassion the organization’s efforts help make possible.

“In my hundreds of visits there over those years, I only encountered staff rendering loving care of the highest quality.” Fetterhoff said. “They are all great and caring people.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.

From pot pie to Homeland comforts: Shirley Jones reflects on a life of care and community

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As Shirley Jones wheels through the Homeland corridors, she greets the many friends she made in only four months.

“I do have friendships here,” she said. “I like all the activities. Everything they have, I go to.”

Shirley’s outgoing nature comes from growing up as the second child and eldest girl of 15 siblings. In the summer, the boys – 10 of them – slept on the porch. In the colder months, there were three kids to a bunk.

By the time Shirley was 11, she was helping care for the younger kids.

“Back in those days, when you were 11 years old, you worked,” she recalls. “I changed diapers. I did housework.”

With that many kids in the house, she learned to put everything away so that things wouldn’t get lost or clutter the place.

“I’m like that today,” she said. “If I get something out today, it doesn’t lay there until tomorrow.”

Shirley grew up in the countryside outside of Mt. Holly Springs, where her father worked in construction.

“There were many times we didn’t have bread,’’ she said, “but my mother made a lot of pot pie.”

Following a move, Shirley attended high school in Boiling Springs, where she met her first husband, who worked at the Frog, Switch, & Manufacturing Co. in Carlisle. Together, they had a boy and a girl, but he died suddenly from a heart attack at age 45.

People helped her through that time, and she went to work to support her family. Family friends owned Pennsylvania Dutch Candies in Mt. Holly Springs, and Shirley started as a candymaker before rising to an office job.

One day, one of her brothers mentioned Tom Jones, a friend and coworker at Milton Hershey School. He thought Shirley should meet him. His name?

Shirley’s kids loved Tom, and they were soon married.

She laughs at both of them sharing names with famous celebrities: “I wasn’t even familiar with her as an actress until I married Tom and people started telling me about her.”

The kids at Milton Hershey school also loved Tom. He was an alumnus who enrolled at age 5 after his father died. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Marines. One day, he stopped by his alma mater, which led to the job he held for 30 years as a plumber.

“He was a jokester,” Shirley said of her late husband. “That’s why he was so well-loved at the school. He made people laugh. After we got married, he came to my church, and he started making people there laugh as well.’’

Through Tom, Shirley got a job in the Milton Hershey School office. She loved getting involved in the students’ activities, including music and games. She worked there for five years before retiring.

Shirley was also active in her church, singing soprano in the choir. Ask what her favorite hymn is, and she immediately said, “How Great Thou Art.”

She receives phone calls and cards from friends and family, and she attends family birthday parties. She loves being free from paying bills.

“Everything’s paid for,” she said. “You don’t have to worry.”

She gets her beautiful white hair done in the Homeland beauty shop every two weeks. Homeland staff provide manicures – a regular offering every Friday for residents.

“There’s lots to like,’’ Shirley said of Homeland. “They take very good care of us.”

And one more thing, she adds.

“They do feed you well,” she said. “They give you plenty here to eat.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.