When the Hard Conversations Matter

You built your business with a team. Your book should be no different.

Author.Inc helps founders and executives turn their ideas into world-class books that build revenue, reputation, and reach.

Their team – the same people behind projects with Tim Ferriss and Codie Sanchez – knows how to turn your expertise into something that moves markets.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call with Author.Inc’s co-founder to map out your Book Blueprint to identify your audience, angles, and ROI.

Do this before you commit a cent, or sentence. If it’s a go, they’ll show you how to write and publish it at a world-class level. 

If it’s a wait, you just avoided wasting time and money.

Get Your Free Book Blueprint.

I apologize for the late delivery this week. I didn’t plan my week out properly and had to decide between attending the Halloween parade and writing my newsletter, and I think you can guess which one I chose!

As it turns out, that choice gave me a lot to think about. I’m not entirely sure how this issue will be received, but I trust that the people meant to be here will keep reading, and those who aren’t will quietly move on.

If there’s one thing this week reminded me, it’s that Hanover’s beauty shows up in moments big and small. And sometimes in the hard conversations too.

A big thank-you to this week’s sponsors, Author.inc and 1440 Media. Clicking their links directly supports this newsletter and helps keep local stories alive.

Last night’s Halloween parade should have been one of those “this is why I love this town” moments. The lights, the laughter, the kids tossing candy, that small-town magic that warms your chest.

But this year, something broke that spell.

A float from St. Joseph’s Catholic School included a structure with the words “Arbeit macht frei” across the top. That phrase hung above Nazi concentration camps where millions were murdered.

There’s no version of this that’s okay. It is a globally recognized symbol of genocide and psychological cruelty. Seeing it at a family parade in Hanover is painful, confusing, and deeply wrong.

Since Thursday night, the story has sparked difficult but important conversations across town.

Earlier this Halloween season, a similar controversy unfolded in Mechanicsburg when “Women of the KKK” appeared in their Halloween parade. Many of us, myself included, reached out to Hanover’s parade organizers to ask what precautions were being taken.

We were told only approved materials could be distributed. No one, apparently, considered a school float referencing a concentration camp.

This is not about intent; it is about impact. Whether someone meant harm or not, “Arbeit macht frei” carries the weight of unspeakable suffering.

Some have claimed the phrase refers to John 8:31–32, where Jesus says:

That verse is about spiritual truth, not work. The Nazis were not quoting Scripture. They twisted language itself, posting “Work makes you free” over death camps as a cruel psychological weapon.

Even if someone mistakenly believed the phrase had biblical roots, intent does not erase impact. If the goal was to reference Scripture, “The truth will set you free” would have been the correct choice. They did not choose that, and that matters.

Hanover deserves better.

We need the Hanover Area Jaycees and all local event organizers to take this seriously.

We need schools to teach not only history, but how symbols shape our collective memory.

And we need to create a culture where someone feels safe enough to say, “Hey, this doesn’t feel right,” before a float ever hits the street.

If you felt angry, sick, or disappointed after seeing that float, you’re not alone.

If you didn’t notice it until later, that’s okay too. The point now is to stay awake, to learn, to listen, and to insist on accountability without losing our humanity.

I’ll be reaching out to both the Hanover Area Jaycees and St. Joseph’s to request statements. I hope others will too, respectfully but firmly.

If you want to help move this conversation forward:

Nearly two million Pennsylvanians will not receive their November SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This is the first time in history that the program has been halted.

To protect families, children, and seniors from going hungry, Governor Josh Shapiro has declared a disaster emergency and made $5 million in state funding immediately available to food banks across the Commonwealth. The funds are being distributed through Feeding Pennsylvania, which supports a network of nine food banks serving all 67 counties.

The Governor also launched the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, raising over $1 million in private donations from Pennsylvania leaders including Mark Cuban, Thomas Tull, and David and Hallee Adelman.

“Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month, and they shouldn’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of the dysfunction in Washington,” Shapiro said.

For context, most SNAP recipients already work. Some juggle multiple jobs that still don’t cover basic needs, and others can’t work due to age, disability, or caregiving responsibilities. SNAP isn’t a handout; it’s a bridge that helps families survive.

When people who barely qualify for help blame those who do, it divides communities instead of strengthening them. The real issue isn’t who deserves help. It’s why so many hardworking people need it in the first place.

If you want to support our neighbors through this difficult time, consider donating directly to local food banks or volunteering your time. Hanover’s generosity has always been its strength.

In moments like this, when the headlines feel heavy, it helps to remember that small acts of kindness can still make a huge difference.

One TikTok creator, @dollartreedinners, came up with a simple and brilliant way to help feed local families — Meals in a Bag.

Each bag includes all the ingredients for one complete meal, along with a printed recipe card. You can assemble the kits at home and drop them off at your local food pantry, where they’ll go directly to families who need them most.

It’s a creative way to stretch your giving dollars while sharing something homemade, heartfelt, and practical.

If you’d like to join in, I’ve uploaded a set of printable recipe cards here:

👉 Download the recipes and start your own Meal in a Bag.

Whether you make one bag or ten, every single meal is a reminder that no one in Hanover is alone.

Because community care isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about neighbors who quietly show up with what they have and make sure others are fed.

Every Halloween, Main Street in McSherrystown transforms into something magical. Kids in costumes zigzag from porch to porch, parents mingle on the sidewalks, and neighbors outdo each other with creative displays. It’s small-town joy at its finest.

This year, cold trick-or-treaters got a few extra treats to warm up along the way. There was hot chocolate at one stop, hot dogs at another, popcorn and a live performance from Life Discovery Church, and of course, free Halloween photos from AMP (Academy for Media Production & Production Studio).

I’ve been benefiting from those photos for years, but this time I finally met the man behind the camera, Bill Chenaille, owner of AMP.

Bill started offering free Halloween photos back in 2014, and he’s kept the tradition going strong ever since. His students, who enroll in his photography academy just a month before Halloween, get real-world experience capturing portraits and interacting with families. It’s a win-win for everyone: the community gets keepsake photos, and his students get to learn by doing.

“One year we didn’t do it,” Bill told me, “and people all over town said how much they missed it.”

That kind of community feedback speaks volumes. AMP’s Halloween photo event isn’t just a fun stop along the trick-or-treat route. It’s a McSherrystown tradition that embodies everything I love about this area: creativity, connection, and neighbors who keep showing up for each other.

I’m including an old photo of my family from a few years back as a reminder of just how special these moments are. Thank you, Bill and the AMP team, for helping us hold on to them.

Hanover, we’ve got something to celebrate. One of our own is shining bright on national TV!

Aubrey Nicole, a Delone Catholic alum and Littlestown native, sang her way onto this season of NBC’s The Voice on #TeamReba.

This week Aubrey performed Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" during The Voice Knockouts, and it was spectacular.

Want to cheer her on? Watch The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 PM on NBC (or stream anytime on Peacock).

Let’s show her some hometown love!

Fat Bat Brewing | Nate Myers & The Aces| 12 PM – 3 PM
Fat Bat Brewing | Oysterfest | 12 PM – 6 PM
Fat Bat Brewing | Oysterfest .5k Run | 1 PM – 1:30 PM
Eichelberger Performing Arts Center | Yacht Rock Gold Experience | 7 PM
The Circle | Mother Dimension | 8 PM – 11 PM
The Bourbon Mill | Making Waves & Halloween Party | 8 PM – 12 AM

The Bourbon Mill | Double Barrel | 1 PM – 4 PM
Eichelberger Performing Arts Center | Hanover Symphony Orchestra – Fall Concert | 3 PM

Church of Satire Comedy Club | Open Mic Night | 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

The Avalon Ale House | Dual FX Trivia | 6 PM – 9 PM
Fat Bat Brewing | Trivia Night | 7 PM – 9 PM

Bair’s Den | Music Bingo | 6 PM – 9 PM
Divino Pizzeria | Trivia Night | 6 PM – 9 PM
Fat Bat Brewing | Bends & Brews With Jenn | 7 PM – 8 PM
The Circle | Open Mic & Jam with the Walnut Street Band | 8 PM – 11 PM

Dolphin & Anchor Brew Pub | Music Trivia | 7 PM – 9 PM
Fat Bat Brewing | Open Mic Comedy |8 PM – 10 PM

Here are this week’s featured events in and around Hanover.

🎃 Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat @ Lincoln Speedway
🕑 2 PM – 6 PM | 📍 Lincoln Speedway, 800 Race Track Rd, Abbottstown
💵 Free Admission

Get ready for an afternoon of small-town fun at the 4th Annual Berwick Township Fall Fest, hosted at Lincoln Speedway and featuring a community Trunk-or-Treat by Summer’s Army. Families can enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, raffles, food trucks, music, and even a police helicopter landing. Bring the kids for Big Wheel races, candy galore, and a whole lot of fall cheer.

🔮 Oracle Readings @ The Serpent’s Key
🕚 11 AM – 4 PM | 📍 28 Carlisle St, Hanover
💵 Pay What You Can (Suggested: $13+)

Spend your Sunday surrounded by magic at The Serpent’s Key Shoppe and Sanctuary. Local astrologer, author, and oracle reader K.L. Leadingham will be offering walk-in readings every Sunday in November. Whether you’re curious about astrology, seeking guidance, or just want to experience something new, this cozy, inclusive space is the perfect place to explore.

🥖 Neighbors in Knead: Bread Baking & Community Fellowship
🕕 6 PM – 8 PM | 📍 Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 124 Broadway, Hanover
🔗 Sign up online

Join Emmanuel United Church of Christ and The Serpent’s Key for Neighbors in Knead, a new community outreach mission dedicated to supporting Hanover neighbors facing homelessness and food insecurity. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen to bake fresh bread, share conversation, and prepare meals with love and intention.

If you can’t make it in person, you can still participate by donating pantry items or supplies for future bagged lunches. Together, these two spiritual communities are creating something beautiful — food, fellowship, and a reminder that no one in Hanover should go hungry.

🩺 Health & Wellness Workshops for Seniors @ Guthrie Memorial Library
🕥 10:15 AM – 2 PM | 📍 2 Library Place, Hanover
💵 Free | ☎️ Register at the Adult Desk or call 717-632-5183

If you’re 65 or older, join Guthrie Memorial Library for a weekly series of health and wellness workshops designed to inform, inspire, and connect. Each session covers a new topic related to senior health and well-being, followed by a free hot lunch for registered participants.

🎨 Arts & Crafts Night @ Little Fox Coffee & Books
🕕 6 PM – 8 PM | 📍 125 Broadway, Hanover
💵 Free

Calling all creative cats. Bring your painting, knitting, crochet, coloring, or whatever you are making to Little Fox Coffee & Books for a relaxed midweek craft night. Meet new friends, work on your project, sip coffee or tea, and enjoy a cozy community vibe.

💪 Feel-Good Fall Fest @ Compel Fitness
🕙 10 AM – 6 PM | 📍 503 Meade Ave, Hanover
💵 Free Admission

Get ready for a full day of movement, connection, and community at Compel Fitness’ Feel-Good Fall Fest. Explore local vendors, join free workouts, and meet the trainers who make wellness fun. There will be giveaways, prizes, fall treats, and plenty of good vibes to go around.

Whether you’re a current client or just curious about the studio, everyone’s welcome. Bring a friend and spend the day celebrating health, happiness, and Hanover community spirit.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

Sponsors keep this little newsletter alive and growing. Your support of them means the world to me.