Apology

I apologize for the delay in posting about Hanover. Bear with me as I get my health back on track. Darn allergy season is draining me of energy! 

Thank you for your interest in Hanover!

Chip Trip

York County is often referred to as the Snack Food Capital of the World and Hanover's contributions to that name are not to be dismissed easily.

Rated as number 1 attraction on TripAdvisor's* website, the Utz Factory Tour is a spotlight on the factory's history and chip production. Utz has 3 Hanover locations and the tour is located in their High Street location on the side toward shipping/receiving open Monday-Thursday, 8-4. The tour took me about 35 minutes to enjoy.

The tour introduces you to the chip's founders and history in Hanover like the fact that Bill and Salie Utz starting making these chips in their home in 1921 on McAllister St and the first Utz factory was built there (unknown if building still stands today). As you continue on the tour, it takes you down a hallway overlooking their chip production and push buttons on the wall that starts audio explanations of what you are seeing. You view actual workers making the chips and some of them acknowledged me in a friendly manner by waving and smiling to me as I watched them work. It made my presence feel welcomed. 

The best thing that I learned that increase my appreciation for Utz chips was knowing that they recycle their waste by giving local farms the potato peels for feed and cleaning their water supply. The thing that annoyed me the most? As a local Hanoverian, I grew up pronouncing Utz as uhh-tz with a strong 'U' and the audio clearly calls it ahh-tz - the 'outsiders' pronunciation.

Needless to say, there isn't much to be disappointed in. On your way out, don't forget to stop by a touchscreen monitor to the right of the counter to leave comments regarding the tour and pick up your complimentary bag of chips - quite tasty and fresh.

Don't forget to travel the two blocks to their outlet store too located at their Carlisle St. location. For resident Hanover citizens, if you haven't been there, it's worth the trip in itself as it holds a variety of Utz products. For more information, check out their website.


*Don't be fooled by TripAdvisor's mere 7 attraction in Hanover; there's obviously way more to do and see as this blogger can attest to.

Are you being watched?

Walking down Broadway, you might run into these two fellows. Just another Hanover eccentricity that can make one smile if you choose to pay attention. But you can be sure that they are paying attention to you :)

Hanover Shoe Farms

Going almost as though out of town from Hanover to Littlestown, there is Hanover Shoe Farms on rt 194 on the right hand side. You'll probably notice the pastures but look for their turn in and you'll be able to visit 4 of their barns open to the public 7 days out of the week. If you are lucky, which I was not, they say someone might be there between the hours of 8-4 to answer any questions.

 

As their website states, 2 of the barns are stallions and 2 are mares and fouls. This is the perfect time of year to see the fouls with their mothers as they are sleeping and standing and growing. Perfect for any little ones as my nephew fully enjoyed it - just be sure to have strong arms to lift them up to see them in their stalls and lead them around any puddles and, of course, manure.

Hanover Shoe Farms has been a staple in Hanover since approximately 1922 thanks to Lawrence Sheppard  who aimed to have the best racing horses in the country. And it seems he succeeded with a legacy that is still the best around today thanks to the attention to the breeding that seems to still be on top of it's game.






It's well worth the short ride out there and doesn't seem to be all that busy though that might be different on a sunny weekend day.

Guthrie Memorial Library

For those who have lived in Hanover for over 10 years remember the remodeling of the public library. The current library moved over in April 2006. However, the history of the library is nothing short of interesting as the helpful staff produce pamphlets explaining how the library came into existence in 1911 - 102 years ago. But it wasn't always named Guthrie. And who is this Guthrie anyway?

The original donors of the location of the library were Howard and Martha Young who wanted to memorialize their son Edward. Earlier bequests were made to Hanover Borough Council by George Metzger and Jacob P. Smith whose money along with many Hanover organizations donated their libraries to the greater good of a larger public library. The original library was for many years known as the Young Memorial Library until about 1930. 

Original Entrance to the Hanover Public Library

What I remember most from my childhood experiences at the Hanover Library is the Wolcott Children's Wing - a name I didn't know until now. But the pictures and memories quickly come back as I see a picture of the painted dragon named Longfellow leading down the hallway from the original section to the children's room. 

So who is Guthrie? Guthrie is an attorney who made a donation in 2000 and with that money and additional bequests, the library was going to be renovated causing the relocation to the basement of the Hanover Shoe Apartments in 2002 until 2006.

The original library is still part of the bigger, current library. In fact, you can see the different sections as you are walking through the magnificent building - though Longfellow is no longer there but their prized stained glass window has remained.

Current Entrance to Guthrie Memorial Library

*Information provided from the Guthrie Memorial Library pamphlet 'Celebrating a Century of Community Service'

Fire Dept. Museum

Just a short walk away from Wirt Park, sits the Hanover Shoe Apartments and to the right of the building/parking lot, you will see the sign below that went up about a year ago:

The Hanover Fire Department Museum used to be stationed at the Wirt Park Station (Caty-corner to Wirt Park) but moved to it's new location recently. If you think it's going to be all about fire departments and engines, it isn't!. Well, okay, most of it is. But the museum also has some historical pieces of Hanover dating back to the Civil War and possibly before (okay, I'm really bad with history, give me a break). Ask the staff about the Mary Ann Furnaces and the imprint of the name George Ross on the side of the furnace piece they have - founder of the Mary Ann Furnaces in Hanover, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and uncle by marriage to Betsy Ross.

I think the most interesting piece of apparatus they have is a steam engine... or maybe the working Gamewell board... or the hand pumper that was bought in 1856 from Maryland that was at the laying of the first stone of the Washington Monument. Either way, make sure you plan for at least an hour because one of the staff will give you a tour and lots of interesting information. I know I'm going back b/c I'm sure this place has more to offer than I even got the first time around.

They are open every Tuesday 9-3 and every 1st & 3rd Saturday. So head on over and you might even be allowed to pull the fire alarm.

For more information, check out the section on the borough's website.

YWCA

 

If you do go down to Wirt Park and are walking around, you just might see this sign across the street. I saw it and wondered what this Rutter's Hall was so I set out on a short walk to find out. 

Turns out that Rutter's Hall is part of the YWCA and is where the Kinder Kare and some of their other day care programs are held. I didn't even know they had daycare there! They take infants all the way up to 12 years old and have before and after school programs as well (Monday-Thursday until 6pm). 

The YWCA on Chestnut St. also has a Safe Home for those who have suffered domestic abuse. I'm thankful that there are places such as this in Hanover for women to go to if they need it and I especially felt connected to the abstract annex and it's quote below:

But that isn't all about the YWCA. The Hispanic American Center of Hanover is part of and works with the YWCA and provides ESL classes to Hanover residents and helps with the C.O.S.M.I.C program to teach diversity to our children.

Inside the YWCA, as their friendly staff showed me after I was asking all these questions, is a display of their history, including their founder and first members.

Her last name is Gitt and I wonder if she's connected in any way to the Gitt-Moul Historical Properties that now owns the 10 Commandments Monument in Wirt Park. Unfortunately, the staff were unable to answer that question for me but maybe you know or maybe you know someone who knows. But let me know!

For more information regarding the YWCA including the child care hours and rates, check out their website. They are also hosting a Kid's Day on April 27th for the kids of Hanover in Wirt Park so register now!

Wirt Park

Wirt Park has been in existence since 1890 when donated by Mr. Henry Wirt. He specifically donated the land for a park and has been such since that time. 

On a breezy spring morning, there are few children playing in the enclosed park you can see beyond the gazebo but it becomes busier as the evening goes on. Closer residents, such as those in the Hanover Shoe apartments and surrounding streets no doubt may use the park more often as parking can be an issue downtown.

However, the park sees it's share of festivals as it holds functions from the Hanover Jaycee's and YWCA. And for those that weren't aware, the park as 3 tables for playing chess or checkers outdoors (bring your own pieces & chairs), hopscotch, and two slats for shuffleboard, though again you must bring your own equipment. There is also 1/2 a basket ball court and many open grassy spaces for throwing a football or laying and reading outdoors or even having a picnic with family and friends.

Controversy in Hanover

In 2004, a controversy pretty much put Hanover on the map over the 10 Commandments Monument in Wirt Park. The United Americans for the Seperation of State and Church sent a notification to the Borough that they were going to file a lawsuit unless the monument was removed from public lands (want more information? Click here).

The Borough sold 15' x 15' land plot around the monument to Gitt-Moul Historic Properties (click here for article in the Gettysburg Times). A slab located behind the monument states it's ownership.

The monument was originally donated to the Hanover Borough in 1954 by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

Remember K-mart?

Can you believe that this sign is still posted in Hanover? It's one of those things that every time I pass not only the sign but the parking lot on Eisenhower Dr which is its home, I can't help but smile. Which is exactly why I wanted to share it with you. 

According to Cedar Valley Business Monthly Online, K-mart in Hanover closed in August of 2004. But almost 9 years later, this sign has still survived as the only physical reminder of the store that once occupied a building in this parking lot.

Now, because it does make me smile, I hope that it doesn't get taken down b/c I brought attention to it. But I do hope you search the parking lot for it if you haven't seen it these past 9 years :) 

Which Way Does the Wind Blow?

If you lived in Hanover even for a month, you probably have passed this site at least 8 times. This wind marker sits on top of one of the buildings in the square. 

This is probably my favorite sight in Hanover because almost no one looks on top of the building. We all sit there at the light complaining about it not turning green for us.

Next time you are in the square sitting at a red light, look up and smile. This wind marker has been there for as long as I can remember. And then you might just know which way the wind blows... 

Intro

I've been born and raised in Hanover, PA, only leaving for college and a short time lived in York. Some of us love Hanover; some of us can't wait to leave. But one thing I think we all have to agree on is that Hanover is growing. With that growth, the good and bad come. The good is that more businesses are coming to town and this provides our residents and surrounding areas with more jobs and increases the town's economy. The bad is that the sprawling farmland and green pastures that we once had are diminishing quickly.

With that being said, Hanover has a lot to offer for a small town. I've noticed so many little things about the town and its businesses and I love sharing them with people as I drive around the town. I'm not just talking about the new library or the constant additions to Eisenhower. I'm talking about the stores in the square and the landmarks found in Hanover. I'm talking about what makes the town special - some of the things that we've blinded ourselves to because we've just passed them too often or never took the time to pay attention b/c - after all - it's just Hanover. 

I plan to re-explore this town that I grew up in and hopefully come to appreciate it more than I did before. I'd like to take you on this journey with me and I hope you come to appreciate Hanover a little more too.