Homeland Honors its Veterans at Annual Event
December 1, 2025
“Should old acquaintance be forgotten, keep your eye on the grand old flag.” The refrain of the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” reminds us of the enduring spirit of
“Should old acquaintance be forgotten, keep your eye on the grand old flag.” The refrain of the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” reminds us of the enduring spirit of
For Maryann, a registered nurse, and Jules Canete, a doctor of physical therapy, Homeland is a family affair. The Mechanicsburg couple share their talents and passion for helping others as
Felicia Foster’s reason for working at Homeland Center for 25 years is simple: The residents. “I love the residents,” she said. “You feel so close to them.” Foster is a
Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit outreach program of Homeland Center in Harrisburg, will host its 11th annual 5K and Memory Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m. at the Rossmoyne Business Center at 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg. The event serves to
In the height of the lunch rush, Registered Dietitian Meghan Sechler popped into the Homeland kitchen to ask the cook to make a special sandwich for a new resident. “And she did it,” Sechler said. “She actually did it for
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
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,
Even as her job gets busier and she takes on more responsibilities, Latashia Simmons makes sure to spend time with Homeland Center’s residents. “When I’m going around and seeing who needs vaccinations, that’s one way I can socialize,” she said. “I talk with the residents about movies or what they’re
John Scunziano spent the first two decades of his career cooking for celebrities and high-end restaurants. Now that he’s cooking in health care, he says the work feels more meaningful. “You’re going to have these residents three times a day, every day, no matter what,” he said. “They’re your biggest
As a young woman, Tamara Jaroszewski of Harrisburg experienced the profound impact of hospice services when her sister died of breast cancer at age 40. For Tamara, hospice work became a beacon of hope and inspiration. She felt called to help patients during their end-of-life journey. Her call was recently
Nicole Simmons was hanging her artwork in Homeland’s sunny Florida Room Gallery when a resident came by. “Ooh, look at the pretty pictures,” the resident said. “They are so beautiful.” That was music to Simmons’ ear. As a self-taught artist who recently discovered her love for painting, she loves connecting
By Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care. Kristine has been providing compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse for more than 25 years and provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to those she is leading as the director. Kristine is an Army Veteran
Art Wiand grew up in a family-oriented atmosphere, which is why he felt at home the first time he set foot in Homeland. “It’s one big happy family,” he said. “The majority of us socialize a lot.” Art is a central Pennsylvania native who grew up around Sunbury and Northumberland.
Look closely at Evelyn Dunbar’s paintings, and you might find “a little gift” – a tiny fairy worked into the scene or a little light. “That’s for my mom,” said Evelyn, also known as Evo. “She was my biggest fan. She always encouraged me and was so devoted.” Evo is
Two cards sat on the green felt in front of Geoffrey Davenport, a seven and a nine. The next card could put him over 21, for a losing hand, but he took a chance. Geoffrey declined another card when the blackjack dealer put down a three, bringing his hand to
“You, my brown eyed girl.” The lyrics of “Brown Eyed Girl,” Van Morrison’s nostalgic and catchy song from 1967, is familiar to many and a portal to another time for others. For anyone growing up in the 1960s, this song and others from this era evoke memories of times with
World War II came directly to Pino Filardo’s childhood hometown of Catanzaro, Italy. The beautiful capital of Calabria, known as “the City of the Two Seas,” was under siege from bombings. Even his school was bombed, but young Pino wasn’t there that day because he was home sick. Most of
