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
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
Volunteers come in many forms, and Homeland loves them all. They bring a helping hand to activities. They lend a listening ear. Then there are those like Susan Stillman, behind
Rita Van Meter of Lewistown was known as the “miracle lady” by staff at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital after she survived a medical episode in August of 2022. During her hospitalization, Rita suffered a heart attack and received last rites from her
From her earliest years, Marilyn LaDieu had relatives who were artists and who always encouraged her in her artistic pursuits. “I have memories of people saying, ‘Oh, Marilyn’s an artist. She can draw that,’” said LaDieu. “I’ve run into many
Joyce Zandieh is a new resident at Homeland, but since moving into her personal care suite, people can see a difference. “My friends say they can feel a change in me since I came here,” she said. “I always had
Dr. Suzanne Sheaffer of Harrisburg has held many titles in her life. She is a Gold Star mother, nurse, volunteer and tireless advocate for victim’s rights. She is a steadfast fighter for those who need a champion, and believes every experience
Residents, staff, and family often say the same thing about Homeland Center: “Everyone here is like family.” Homeland cultivates that atmosphere through its comfortable environment, high standards, and respect for every individual. But there’s one thing more: Homeland welcomes actual family relationships on staff. Generations of mothers, fathers, children, aunts,
Matt Evans of Duncannon lived his life with passion and purpose. He enjoyed rooting for the Tennessee Volunteers football team, making his famous chili for family and friends, and playing golf and video games. Undeniably, his greatest love was his wife Kathy, son Brady, age 12, and daughter Taryn, age
At her first Homeland Board of Managers meeting, Sherry Stout was in awe. “The thing I most remember was the emphasis on excellence,” she recalls. “Homeland doesn’t accept anything but hard work. We expect the best, and we are going to be the best.” Sherry and her husband Bill Stout,
It’s a sunny Wednesday and Homeland residents are enjoying a lunch of salmon patty or country-fried chicken in the Main Dining room as a pleasant string of tunes floats from the piano in the corner. The songs are familiar standards and Broadway classics – “Misty,” “People,” “Maria,” a medley from
Cheers from around the slot machines. Intense concentration at the poker table. Groans from the blackjack table. If Homeland Center residents can’t go to Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo can come to them. The Homeland Board of Managers worked its magic to make it happen, creating the fun, color, and din
There are moments in one’s life when the right people emerge to offer comfort and strength when it’s needed most. For Kathy Page of Camp Hill, this support came from the team at Homeland Hospice. Kathy’s husband, Charlie, died last summer after battling cancer for four years. During the final
Domingo Mancuello fingers flew across the keyboard as he entertained residents in Homeland Center’s Personal Care Dining Room with a mixture of ragtime and Dixieland jazz. Joining Domingo on Monday were Michael Winstanley on percussion and Tex Wyndham on the cornet. This was Domingo’s second performance at Homeland – he
Beef tenderloin. Crab cakes. Poached salmon. When it’s time for a special meal, Isaac Strausser and the rest of the Homeland dietary staff roll out the residents’ favorites. That includes delicacies like crab cakes, served for such holidays as New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Isaac is dietary/purchasing supervisor, a
Helen Dietz’s friend, a co-worker at Bell Telephone, was seeing several GIs and one night she asked Helen to become acquainted with one of her beaux by chatting on the phone. Helen pretended to be the man’s sister. Before the call ended, Harry Dietz managed to get Helen’s number. He
Head nurse. American Legion Auxiliary president. Hospital volunteer. Tavernkeeper. Traveler. Church leader. Mother of five. How did Gladys Patrick fit it all into one life? “I was a great delegator,” she says today. Gladys was born in Minersville, in Pennsylvania’s anthracite region where her father was a miner. The oldest
