Special Features
Beyond the Bio
Excellence can be found in many fields, from business and politics, to medicine, science and the arts. Who are the people of excellence in Central Pennsylvania, and what makes them tick?
Go Beyond the Bio in witf’s monthly radio series, a Q&A with central Pennsylvanians who’ve made an important contribution to our region, the nation or beyond. You’ll hear from philanthropists, artists, politicians, judges, activists, CEOs, inventors and physicians who will share their insights and the ingredients of their success.
Beyond the Bio—monthly on witf.
(Hershey) -- Michael Leader's family name is well known in Pennsylvania. His father, George Leader, served as governor for one term from 1955 to 1959. "My dad is a great role model, not only for me, but for a lot of seniors. Even at 94, he goes to the office every day, drives to the office, and loves what he's doing. He's never retired," Leader says. Michael Leader, himself, is the chariman and CEO of his family's company, Country Meadows Retirement Communities. He's also been involved with several community groups, having served on the boards of the United Way of the Captial Region and the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. As a note of disclosure, Leader also served on witf's board for nine years, including a stint as chairman. As part of our monthly Beyond the Bio series, Leader sat down with witf's Craig Layne in his Hershey office to explain how his father's actions outside politics molded his eventual career path...
Girl Scouting celebrates its centennial this month. Doris Boswell got involved with the group in Harrisburg in the 1930s, rising to its highest rank. As part of our Beyond the Bio series, witf's Craig Layne talks with Boswell, who is 91, about her work with the group that included founding a new troop of scouts and mentoring generations of girls.
(Orrtanna) -- Ed Gotwalt is the "Mr. Ed" in Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum. The Adams County candy and gift shop known for its thousands of elephant figurines has been his passion for nearly four decades. As part of our Beyond the Bio series, witf's Craig Layne talked with Gotwalt about his adventures - and about his impact on the people who've come through his doors.
(Reading) -- The Berks County seat's immediate former mayor, Tom McMahon, sees his role as a champion for Pennsylvania's cities - even though he decided not to seek a third term in office. "My way to look at this is as a series of adventures. The adventure I had for eight years as the mayor was great fun," McMahon says. He talks about his adventures with in the latest installment of our Beyond the Bio series. witf's Craig Layne caught up with the former mayor at the cafe in Reading's GoggleWorks - an old factory that's been turned into an arts center.
(Paradise) -- It's hard to wrap up a description of the National Christmas Center in one neat little package. The attraction in Paradise, Lancaster County, is the result of decades of work by its curator and historian, Jim Morrison. "I think the appeal for this is there's no other day in our lives like Christmas," Morrison says. In the latest installment of our "Beyond the Bio" series, Morrison talks with witf's Craig Layne about why he started a place where it's December 25th all year long.
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