Stories

homeland residents bill and ellen wismer smiling together

Ellen and Bill Wismer: Making Homeland their home

Bill Wismer, a cherished resident of Homeland Center, passed away on November 7, 2025. We remember him with deep affection and gratitude for the passionate spirit he shared with our community. Ellen and Bill Wismer are lifelong gardeners whose passion

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Anna Hicks, medication technician, smiling in Homeland Center

Homeland med tech Anna Hicks: Adding a personal touch

Anna 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,

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a group of smiling women serving tea at the spring fling

Spring fling: High tea makes residents feel special

Bygone 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

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barb and phil talarico smiling together

Barbara and Phil Talarico’s Carpool Love Story

A love connection often begins at the most unexpected time. An ordinary day can be the start of an extraordinary relationship. Call it destiny or luck, 40 years ago on a cold and wintry day, Phil Talarico saw his now wife Barbara waiting for the bus to go to work.

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loretta colestock excited for football

Homeland resident Loretta Colestock: A life of love and service

After 65 years of marriage, Loretta Colestock lost her husband to Alzheimer’s in 2015. It was a challenging time. In the years after his death, she got tired of rambling around alone in the house, but she also wanted to retain her independence. Loretta had heard about Homeland Center’s stellar

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queen and king at homeland senior prom 2024

Homeland senior prom brings sparkle to a winter’s day

“Time to crown the king and queen!” Every prom needs a king and queen, and Carl Barna and Loretta Colestock entered like royalty – which they were! The first Homeland Masquerade Senior Prom was underway. Created by the Homeland Activities Department to brighten up a late January day, the prom

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painting of boats by Artist Margo Konetski

Artist Margo Konetski: Tapping into creativity

Margo Konetski didn’t initially think of herself as an artist, but as a child, “everything had doodles on it.” Teachers would chide her for being inattentive, but now, she knows doodlers absorb learning better. “The creativity part of our brains,” she said, “is not used enough.” Margo is the latest

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resident browsing items at the Homeland Holiday Bazaar

Homeland Holiday Bazaar: Holly-jolly fun with shopping

Baubles, bangles, and beads. Plus, an Avengers puzzle and candy. Who doesn’t want a cheery gift for the holidays? Even better, it was all packaged into one-stop shopping, with the Homeland Center Board of Managers’ annual holiday bazaar. Held before Thanksgiving, it’s a chance for residents and staff to experience

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Events

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Bereavement Six Week Support Group

October 13, 2026 - November 17, 2026
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Homeland Hospice Office, Suite 265B, 2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg

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'closeup of pine tree branches lit up by string lights'

Coping with the Holidays Workshop

October 31, 2026
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Giant Foods Community Room, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill

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