Stories

A Spotlight on Homeland Hospice Volunteers

In every aspect of its work, Homeland Hospice brings a team approach to care. Volunteers are an essential part of this group. Through their unique talents and open hearts, Homeland Hospice volunteers bring friendship and kindness to patients during their

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music therapist Melanie Isaac playing for residents

Music therapy sparks memories, fosters communication

Melanie Isaac is handing out musical instruments, of a sort – hand chimes, turkey calls, paper towel rolls wrapped in fuchsia and green duct tape. Preparing to sing “Jimmy Crack Corn,” she faces the eight Homeland Center residents who are gathered in a semi-circle and pulls out a plastic ear

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Homeland resident Mary Peterson, assisted by caregiver Chris Fulton, getting ready to dunk Barry Ramper

Homeland’s CEO makes a big splash at Summertime Fair

Homeland resident Mary Peterson, assisted by caregiver Chris Fulton, gets ready to dunk center President and CEO Barry Ramper II. Barry S. Ramper II begged Mary Peterson not to hit the button that would send him into the dunk tank. The center’s president and CEO playfully wagged a finger and

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pen laying on top of an emergency prep checklist

Emergency preparedness keeps Homeland Center’s residents safe

It’s an unfortunate reality in today’s world that organizations of all types must imagine – and prepare and train for – the worst emergency scenarios. Detailed disaster and emergency planning is at the heart of Homeland Center’s commitment to the safety and security of our residents and staff. Preparation begins

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Herm Minkoff talking to residents Dick Simons, Edwin Kingston, Stanley Fabiano and Verna Tarasi

Sports talk at Homeland with Herm Minkoff covers all the bases

Herm Minkoff asks the group: Should colleges pay their athletes? After all, schools make millions. Coaches make millions, plus bonuses for steering their teams toward championship games. Dick Simons believes in a “reasonable reimbursement,” after accounting for scholarships and such. Verna Tarasi isn’t sure. Stanley Fabiano agrees with Simons that

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Speech therapist Shayla Oaks-Rester looks on as activities coordinator Anita Payne sets out ingredients for residents Doris Gingrich and Harold Hixon

Homeland Center’s cooking club spice up residents’ lives

Dorothy Bettinger enjoys coming to Homeland Center cooking club sessions. “I can play with food,” she said. “Anything that’s good, I’ll eat.” Every other Monday, Homeland’s cooking club brings residents together around a table to cook, chat, learn about new foods and, of course, eat their creations. The club meets

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Joe Merlina and his mother, Frances

Celebrating 105 years ‘young’!

Homeland’s oldest resident Frances Merlina going strong as she celebrates her 105th birthday Living on her own at the time, Frances Merlina had fallen and broken her ankle. On the way to the hospital, the EMTs asked when she had last been in the hospital. She turned to her son, David,

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Events

'view from behind of two people sitting and holding hands'

Bereavement Six Week Support Group

March 3, 2026 - April 7, 2026
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Homeland Hospice Office, Suite 265B, 2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg

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'set of pots sitting together with young plants in them'

Grief Art

April 18, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Giant Foods Community Room, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill

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