This Week in Hanover: Important Conversations, Art, and Summer’s Last Hurrah

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This week, I’m taking a closer look at something that’s been weighing on my mind. It’s a topic shaped by both national headlines and our own hometown reality – the growing visibility of Hanover’s unhoused community.

I know this subject stirs strong emotions. That’s one reason many people avoid talking about it. But, as with any important conversation, it’s worth having.

Please know this: Heart of Hanover is nonpartisan. I work hard to write in a way that’s fair, balanced, and free from political agendas. Still, some issues can’t be separated entirely from policy or politics. If something is important to me, I won’t ignore it.

My promise is to approach these topics with care, empathy, and honesty, writing from the heart about what matters most to our community.

You’ll also find a look back at a colorful (and very sunny) 2nd Saturday, some great local events to wrap up summer, and a Good Neighbor story that proves a simple act of kindness can save the day.

A quick thank you to our sponsors, Attio and 1440, whose support helps keep Heart of Hanover free for readers like you.

Thanks for being here!

-Megan

Last week, the National Guard rolled into D.C. to “crack down on crime.” Headlines painted the picture of a city under siege, but the data tells a more complicated story.

Crime in the capital peaked in 2023 – not at historic highs, but the highest since the 1990s. Today, violent crime is at a 30-year low, with 2025 on track to continue that trend. Still, D.C.’s violent crime rate remains higher than in many states, and homicides are unusually frequent.

America deserves a safe capital. The question is: safe for who?

When the primary response is more boots on the ground and more arrests, those struggling with housing insecurity often bear the brunt. D.C. has just over 5,000 unhoused residents but only 1,100 shelter beds. If encampments are cleared, where are people meant to go? And if they’re found sleeping outside, will they be arrested?

It’s easy to think of these issues as “big city problems,” but the truth is, they hit much closer to home.

I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to go from having a home to living out of a car.

My dad worked for years as an LPN in Hanover Hospital’s operating room. After a back injury put him on short-term disability, his reduced income couldn’t cover rent. He lost his apartment and rotated between motels, friends’ couches, and even his van. He chose to stay in Hanover so he could be close to my sister and me.

In my early twenties, when my husband Greg and I were struggling with opioid use disorder, we often had nowhere to sleep. We spent nights in baseball dugouts, under pavilions, and in the back of my mom’s Ford Escape (literally the only place we didn’t get the cops called on us).

Hanover has always had an unhoused population, and we’ve always had shelters. But since 2016, rates of homelessness have consistently risen here, just as they have across the country. The causes are layered, but the biggest factors include the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic, the cost of living outpacing wages, and housing market shifts post-COVID.

Since 2020, the average cost of a home nationwide has jumped 50%, and rents have risen by 20%. Shelters haven’t kept pace with the growing need either.

As a result, homelessness in Hanover is more visible. People gather near the New Hope food bank, they stand outside PAL Lunch, and they commune in public spaces like the benches downtown. Some residents don’t like it, particularly if someone is drinking a beer on the sidewalk. But Hanover is an open-container town, and that won’t be changing anytime soon. This very law is what allows Oktoberfest and other local events to thrive.

When unhoused individuals are simply sitting together, not causing trouble, they’re not breaking the law. They’re using public space, just like anyone else.

The problem is not their presence. It’s our unwillingness to create spaces and solutions that meet their needs.

Local Facebook groups light up whenever someone posts about the unhoused population (I’m looking at you, HAWG 😝). Opinions fly, but solutions rarely follow.

It’s easy to get upset about what you see. It’s harder to do something meaningful. If seeing people gathered in public spaces bothers you, imagine what it’s like to have no private place to gather at all.

There are so many ways to help. You can volunteer at or donate to shelters, advocate for more affordable housing, or support organizations working on job training, addiction recovery, and mental health care. Small, consistent actions do more to address the situation than online outrage ever could.

And that brings us back to the bigger picture – because the resources we have to work with come down to what we decide is worth funding.

This isn’t just a Hanover issue, it’s a reflection of our national priorities. While money is going toward short-term, high-visibility measures like deploying federal troops, we’re cutting funding for things that improve safety long-term (e.g., cancer research, harm-reduction programs, mental health services).

We know what works. Cities that have reduced crime most successfully have invested in communities: better infrastructure, youth programs, rental assistance, and targeted enforcement paired with intervention.

Short-term measures can help in the moment, but they don’t solve root problems. You can’t end poverty through arrests, improve public health without prevention, or address homelessness without affordable housing and rental aid.

What if we chose differently? What if safe housing, healthcare, and scientific research were treated as essential infrastructure – as non-negotiable as roads and bridges?

Because what we choose to fund says everything about the future we believe in.

🗓 Tuesday, August 26 | 🕘 9 AM - 11 AM
📍 Main Street Hanover, 40 York Street, Hanover
🔗 Sign up online

Join Main Street Hanover to help keep downtown clean, welcoming, and beautiful. Gloves, safety vests, and trash bags will be provided (or bring your own). Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. Tasks may include picking up litter, weeding, and sweeping. Great for individuals, families, school groups, and teams. Community service hours available.

Last weekend, Main Street Hanover hosted their monthly 2nd Saturday. Each month has a new theme, and August’s was Chalk Art Showcase. The goal? To bring joy, creativity, and color to the heart of downtown – and I think we nailed it!

I arrived right on time with my husband, Gregory, and our son, Emerson. I was surprised to see plenty of art already in progress at 11 AM. It was a beautifully sunny, very hot day – almost 90 degrees! Normally I avoid being out in the midday sun (my fair skin can’t handle it), but there was no way I could miss this one.

As soon as I read the event's description, I knew what I was going to draw: a Heart of Hanover logo. I don't have an "official" logo. I am constantly changing the design, but one thing that never changes is the pretzel. 🥨 I mean, what’s more Hanoverian than pretzels? Maybe a glizzy...maybe. (If you're wondering, “glizzy” = hot dog. 🌭 Don't ask me why - it's an internet thing.)

There was shaded sidewalk available, but the texture was rough. I chose a smooth square in direct sunlight instead (yes, I got sunburned 😡). Worth it, though – my Heart of Hanover logo turned out great.

I even included my website, and got 5 new subscribers on Saturday. If you signed up because of my chalk art, let me know! 😆

Greg drew a Tree of Life, Emerson created a Fire Safety PSA (love him!) and designed a new version of hopscotch. His version had you jumping forwards, backwards, and sideways. I love his imagination. 💙

To my left was the amazing artist George Maurer and his wife. I knew he was a pro the moment I saw him roll up with a wheeled seat and vibrant chalk pastels.

George’s piece? A blue dog from Pups United named Roger… with a glizzy in his mouth. 😂🌭 He even let me photograph his work:

Toni and Gee Freed came with their kids, and their square was bright, colorful, and full of doodles. You could tell they were having a blast. ⭐

The next 2nd Saturday is on September 13, and the theme is Oktoberfest – A Taste of Germany! Stroll downtown, sample German-inspired dishes from local eateries, pair your bites with seasonal brews, and enjoy an afternoon of food, history, and festivity celebrating Hanover’s roots.

It’s that time of year again! Summer is wrapping up, and the new school year is right around the corner.

Are you ready? I’m not. No matter how organized I try to be, I somehow end up getting less sleep the week before school starts. I think it’s because I’m terrified of oversleeping and making my son late… which has happened before.

Thankfully, Emerson doesn’t start until September 3rd so I still have some time. And his classroom is right in our family room now that he attends a virtual charter school. CCA even sent us a huge box of 4th grade supplies — no shopping trip required. Yay!

If you’re not in the same boat, there are plenty of local events this weekend to make the back-to-school transition a little more fun.

🗓 Friday, August 15 | 🕛 12 PM – 5 PM
🗓 Saturday, August 16 | 🕘 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 The Cabbage Patch, 1108 Baltimore St, Hanover

Educators, this one’s for you! Show your district ID and get 20% off your purchase both days. This discount is good for any district employee. Not an educator? The shop is still open to the public — stop by to browse, try things on in their roomy fitting area, and maybe snag a back-to-school outfit or two.

🗓 Friday, August 15 | 🕓 4 PM – 7 PM
📍 Grandview Plaza Shopping Center, 1451 Wanda Dr, Hanover
🔗 Learn more

Pick up free backpacks (courtesy of Allison’s Plumbing Heating & Air) and school supplies for teachers while enjoying hayrides, an obstacle course, food vendors, face painting, a fire truck, reptiles, and more.

🗓 Friday, August 15 | 🕕 6 PM – 7 PM
📍 The Curious Little Playhouse, 1000 Carlisle Street, Suite 1225, Hanover

Say goodbye to summer with snacks, drinks, games, giveaways, and a very special guest! Bring your camera and your best dance moves — all included with regular admission.

🗓 Sunday, August 17 | 🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Hanover YMCA, 500 George Street, Hanover
🔗 Learn more

Enjoy a free day of family fun with food trucks, face painting, water slides, bounce houses, giveaways, and a chance to soak Dr. Ross at the splash tower. Plus, you could win a go-kart!

🗓 Sunday, August 17 | 🕦 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Freedom Valley Church, 3185 York Rd, Gettysburg
🔗 Learn more

Check out big rigs, fire trucks, police cars, and more! Kids can also pick up free school supplies and clothes. Plus you can get a free haircut to start the year off right.

🗓 Sunday, August 17 | 🕔 5 PM – 7 PM
📍 Pretzel Pizza Cafe & Creamery, 711 W. Elm Ave, Hanover
🔗 Learn more

You’ve done the school prep for the kids… now it’s your turn, Mom! Enjoy food, drinks, a “make & take” table for lunchbox notes, prizes, giveaways, and a little pampering. Grab your mom friends and treat yourself.

🗓 Sunday, August 17 | 🕕 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 Hickory Falls FEC, 110 Hickory Lane, Hanover

Washington Elementary students and siblings are invited to celebrate the end of summer at Rita’s Italian Ice. Meet in the grass area for a sweet send-off before the first day.

🗓 Offer valid through August 25, 2025
📍 The Nails Lounge, 1039 Carlisle Street #2, Hanover
🔗 MUST SHOW THIS FB AD AT FRONT DESK!!

Students and teachers, get a fresh set for the school year with 10% off nail services. Show the ad at the front desk to redeem. Offer can’t be combined with others.

Here are this week’s featured events in and around Hanover. If you’d like to have your event spotlighted here, reach out to Megan at [email protected] for details.

📌 ICYMI: 🔗 Hanover’s Top 5 Weekend Events (August 15–17)

🧘🏼‍♀️ Pilates/Yoga Fusion Pop-Up
🕠 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 📍 Life In Balance Yoga, 129 Broadway, Hanover

Enjoy the perfect blend of pilates strength and yoga stretch with instructor Elizabeth Spicer. $20 single class or $75 monthly membership.

🔗 Sign up online

⚡ Tattoo Flash Day with Modern Dagger
🕙 10 AM – 6 PM | 📍 The Serpent’s Key, 28 Carlisle St, Hanover

Missed their grand opening? Beth and Wes Morris of Modern Dagger Tattoo are bringing their machines to The Serpent’s Key for a day of first-come, first-served tattoos. Cash only, ages 18+ with ID, black & grey or color, arms and legs only.

🎵 Lyric Band in Concert
🕡 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 📍 Codorus State Park Bandshell, 2600 Smith Station Rd, Hanover

Enjoy an evening of live music with the Lyric Band, directed by Associate Conductor Jim Kain. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Admission is free!

👄 DRO PA Mouth Guard Night
🕓 4 PM – 6 PM | 📍 David Ross Orthodontics, 135 E Elm Ave, Hanover

Local athletes can get a free, professionally fitted custom mouthguard designed for comfort, durability, and protection in any contact sport. Open to athletes of all ages. Quick fittings — perfect for football, field hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more.

🔗 Sign up online | Reservations required

🦇 Fat Bat Trivia Night
🕖 7 PM – 9 PM | 📍 Fat Bat Brewing, 10 N Railroad St, Hanover

Test your knowledge with Showtime Trivia and compete for gift card prizes for the top three teams. Play regularly to work your way up to seasonal cash prizes every six weeks.

🌑 Witchcraft Wednesdays: New Moon in Virgo
🕕 6 PM – 7 PM | 📍 The Serpent’s Key, 28 Carlisle St, Hanover

Learn about lunar correspondences, new moon astrology, herbs and crystals, and ritual ideas for celebrating the New Moon in Virgo. Free to attend, no ticket required, and open to all ages and experience levels.

🔥 Delone Catholic Annual Bonfire
🕠 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 📍 J.T. Flaherty Field, Delone Catholic High School

Enjoy food trucks, games for Little and Future Squires, performances by the Marching Squires and cheerleaders, a Rosary rally, and the blessing of fall teams — all capped off with a roaring bonfire. The Squire Store will be open (cash, check, PayPal accepted). Gates open at 5:30 PM, program starts at 7 PM. Parents and community members welcome.

This week’s newsletter only highlights a few picks, but there’s plenty more happening in and around Hanover. Visit the Heart of Hanover Google Calendar to see the full list of events this week.

Submitted by Ryan H.

While Ryan H. was on vacation, his package pickup plans fell through. With no one available to help, he figured the auto-ship orders from Amazon and Chewy might just disappear — and he’d file a claim when he got home.

Instead, he found his recycling bin flipped upside down over three packages, safe and dry. The next day, his mailman — a former high school classmate — admitted he’d seen Ryan’s beach photos and decided to do him a solid.

That simple act saved $120 and a big headache. Here’s to neighbors (and mail carriers) who go the extra mile.

Too often the first person we give up on is ourselves. But not today!

I want you to make a commitment right now. What is the something you can do today that will move you one step closer toward your big dreams? Ideally you want it to be something small and actionable.

Got it? Okay good.
Now go do it.

Those small acts add up into big results. We can all commit to doing at least one small thing a day, right? It might take a long time, but I promise it’s a heck of a lot better than having a big dream and never actually taking action on it.

Want to send a Little Letter for someone’s birthday or big news?
Email [email protected] for details.

Thanks for spending part of your week with me. My hope is that this issue sparks conversation. Not just about what we want to see funded in our community, but also about how each of us can be part of the solution, no matter how small the action.

If I ruffled your feathers a little, I’m sorry. Send me an email. I want to hear what you have to say.

If you take anything away from this week’s newsletter, I hope it’s this: our choices, big and small, tell the story of the future we’re building. Let’s make sure it’s one we’re proud to call home.

Thank you again to our sponsors Attio and 1440 for helping bring these stories to your inbox. And, thank you, dear reader for clicking those links! You’ve really been showing me your loyalty lately!

See you around town, Megan 💜

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