
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

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

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

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,

Sue Zaccano toured three retirement facilities looking for the right place for her mom. She specifically wanted a nonprofit that would continue caring for her mom after she expended her resources. At the second place she visited, the guide suggested

Miniatures of bright copper kettles, white dresses with blue satin, warm woolen mittens, and wild geese flying with the moon on their wings hung from the chandeliers of Homeland’s Main Dining Room. Edelweiss and Austrian flag centerpieces decorated the tables.

Ory Bower’s experience with Homeland Hospice has come full circle. He began as a volunteer in 2018, and was quickly inspired by Homeland’s mission to make a difference in the lives of others. Ory joined Homeland’s staff in an administrative position in

Homeland residents bring their cherished furnishings, heirlooms, and art to their bright, comfortable rooms. Robert Zimmerman brings an extra-special touch to his walls – extraordinary watercolors and one oil – painted by him. “Patty on the Porch” shows Zimmerman’s wife

Mike Conte came to Homeland in April. Since then, he has made friends — “lots of them.” “They’re really nice here,” he said. “I like the people. I like how the staff caters to you.” Mike and his wife, Betty, share a bright, corner-room personal care suite. His roots are

Homeland unveiled its Tribute Medallions at a special ceremony held in May at Homeland Center in Uptown Harrisburg. The Tribute Medallions along with a special plaque about Homeland are displayed on the iron fence that surrounds the facility. The zinc metal medallions are a tribute to loved ones who received

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: National honor distinguishes Homeland for quality care for patients and caregivers. Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania, has been named a 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a national provider of services for hospice and home health agencies. The

Maggie Kirsch can’t name a single incident that exemplifies her beautiful experiences at Homeland. “All the little ones make up for one big one,” she said. “Everybody is so kind, considerate, and caring here that I can’t honestly say there’s one big thing. It’s the little things that make this

Shelly Lipscomb Echevarria has a gift for seeing the spectrum of colors in a blue sky. The skies in her paintings shimmer in blue, green, gold, red, and orange. “I like painting the skies,” she said as she hangs her artwork at Homeland. “They always change. They’re never the same.”

Carl Barna is looking over the Homeland vegetable garden when he spots a tomato, ripe and red. “Oh, my gosh,” he said. “Did you see that? Look at that. Holy cow.” Carl is a lifelong gardener who never ceases to delight in his creations, and now, he gets to share

Titles of skill are not given. They are earned from hard work and perseverance. For Sharon Clark of Harrisburg, the title “Queen of the Camper” was bestowed upon her by her sister as Sharon found inner-strength during her yearlong journey of grief following the death of her husband. Along the

Katherine Harrity calls herself a smart aleck, but in reality, she is a satisfied Homeland resident with a quick, self-deprecating wit. “I’ve been here for a while, and they haven’t put me out on the street with a sign that said, ‘Take me,’” she said with a laugh. In her

When Kristen Tate accepted a part-time job as a Homeland receptionist in August 2022, she loved it so much that she wished it could be full-time. Two months later, a full-time position opened. Now, Kristen is the friendly voice and smiling face greeting family, staff, and visitors from 6 a.m.

Just back from living in Germany and Japan, where her father was stationed, 16-year-old Marjorie Welby and her family in the late 1950s moved to her dad’s new posting: Fort Dix in New Jersey. One day when Margie was working in the post-exchange men’s department, a young soldier asked for