The Mainstreet Podcast

We'd like to thank all our listeners, guests, and those of you who supported either financially or by sharing episodes of Mainstreet with your friends. Most of all, thank you for listening!  Steve and I have enjoyed our conversations with the people of Harford County ... and beyond. What began, essentially, as a way to occupy ourselves during the early days of the pandemic gradually became a regular part of our lives for more than three years. Our original goal was to do 100 episodes. We finish with 125 -- not a bad run.  We might at some point resume the podcast. That possiblity always exists.  Even if that doesn't happen, however, we'd just like everyone to know how much we appreciate you taking the time listen to our conversations over the past three years! Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Crisfield native Scott Ward stops by Mainstreet to talk about growing up in a small town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the brotherhood of firefighters, and his enduring love for baseball.  Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

We begin 2024 with a conversation with local author, speaker, and workshop facilitator Lindsey Pope, who reveals, among other things, what special features about Havre de Grace begin with the letters "X" and "Z." Find out more about Lindsey hereSupport the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Social media algorithms thrive on anger, angst, and panic.  Throw in  a conspiracy theory here or there and it's hardly surprising that most of us feel anxious about our finances.  For some much-needed perspective, n this episode of Mainstreet, we welcome Adam Freeland,  owner, CEO, and Managing Principal  of Harford Financial Group, a Harford Magazine  "Best of Harford" award winner the past three years.  With his humble beginning and a record of achievement and success in fields that extend far beyond finance, Adam brings a unique and sound approach to financial management.  Learn more about Harford Financial Group hereSupport the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Local stand-up comedian and show producer Ryan Lina stops by Mainstreet to talk about all things comedy, including the growing comedy scene right here  in Harford County.  Find out moreComedy Night at the Abingdon Grill On social mediaXFacebookSupport the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Shipwrecks, priates, and beekeepers are subjects seldom mentioned in the same breath.  As we soon found out in our conversation with Dr. Langley, however, attempting to label her skills and areas of expertise is an expedition that leads to unexpected discoveries. Dr. Langley is the Maryland State Underwater Archeologist and in that capacity explores local shipwrecks.  Maryland, by the way, is one of only nine states to have this position.  She's also a Master Scuba Diver Instructer, a Master Spinner,  experienced in blacksmithing and wood turning and, yes, a beekeeper.  She also knows a lot of cool stuff about pirates! And, as a native of Sarnia, Ontario, Dr. Langley is the first Canadian guest on Mainstreet.  Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Local small business owners Nikki and Trey Wooton return to Mainstreet to update us on what's new at We Rock the Spectrum Forest Hill, including We Rock on Wheels.  Learn more about We Rock the Spectrum. Call them at 410-891-4600 or check them out online.  FacebookInstagramWebsiteWe Rock on WheelsCheck out our earlier episode with Nikki and Trey here. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and SARC (The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center) is partnering with local businesses and organizations to increase awareness through a series of events and promotions. SARC's Alison Imhoff and Beckie Chandler stop by to talk about these events and much more on this episode of Mainstreet. If you need help, call the SARC hotline at 410-836-8431.  Learn more about SARCsarc-maryland.org InstagramFacebookinfo@sarc-maryland.org410-836-8431Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Is there a crisis in male leadership in our communities?  If you believe that's the case, Fallston's Jeff Biedronski, our guest on this episode of Mainstreet, might have some good news.   Jeff stops by Mainstreet to talk about  F3, the nationwide boot camp that's invigorating male community leadership through fitness, fellowship, and faith.  Jeff is the local leader and contact person for F3 in Fallston.  A long-time health care professional, Jeff also fills us in on his thoughts about our national health-care system.  His thoughts may surprise you.  What probably won't surprise you is that Jeff, like many of our guests, is a huge sports' fan who continues to make athletics a key part of his life.  Learn more about F3 hereSupport the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

"DAMN THE VALLEY" was a phrase regulary uttered by the men that spent any amount of tme in the Arghandab River Valley during the deployment of 2 Fury to Afghanistan in 2009-2010." The above blurb comes from a press release for a new book, "Damn the Valley," by first-time author Will Yeske, an 11-year combat veteran who participated in the mission that received little attention from the media and remains largely unacknowledged by the US Government. Already receiving advanced praise from, among others, General David Patraeus, "Damn the Valley" will be available on October 31st.  Connecticut-born, Will now lives in Bel Air with his wife, an Air Force veteran and native of Harford County.  In search of a more stable life for this young famiy, Will decided to leave the military in 2018 and now runs No Limits Marketing Group (NLMG) and is finishing up a degree at Columbia University.  A self-professed "non-writer," Will's motivation for writing "Damn the Valley" was his desire to tell the authenic stories of the men with whom he served on a mission that suffered a 52% casualty rate.  Learn more about "Damn the Valley"damnthevalleybook.comdamnthevalleybook on FacebookInstagramdamnthevalley on Xdamnthevalleybook on YouTubedamn the valley on AmazonSupport the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

After a brief end-of-summer hiatus, we're back with a new episode featuring Mountain Christian Lead Pastor Ben Cachiaras.  We can now say that we've had a rabbi, priest, and a pastor on Mainstreet.  That's a set-up just waiting for a punchline.  After hearing our conversation with Pastor Ben, you'll realize that he could have succeeded in doing any number of things -- outdoor adventure guide, camp counselor, or maybe even a magician.  Instead, he answered the calling of his faith and continued the family tradition of preaching the Gospel.  Minnesota native and grandson of Greek immigrants, Pastor Ben Cachiaras shares his story on this episode of Mainstreet.  Find out more about Mountain Christian Church here. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

You know the name, have heard the ads, and have seen the trucks. Now learn the story behind Von Paris Moving and Storage, one of Maryland's oldest and most successful companies. President and CEO John Von Paris stops by Mainstreet to share the history behind the family name and the company his great-grandfather founded in the late 1800s.  John also brings us up to date on how the moving and storage industries have evolved over the years, and if you plan on moving any time soon, you'll benefit from John's tips on how to make moving less stressful and more efficient.  We like to reminisce on Mainstreet and John shares memories of growing up on the Von Paris family farm near Kingsville, volunteering for the Kingsvile Fire Company, and how the local community came to his family's aid after a devastating fire destroyed the historical Von Paris farmhouse in 2020.  This is the Von Paris story and we're happy to share it on Mainstreet. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Mainstreet welcomes Debbie Umbarger to fill us in on her duties as board member and fundraising director for Rally Against Parkinson's, the local non-profit that celebrated its fifth anniversary in March of this year.  This long-time Harford County resident and former teacher at Homestead-Wakefield also shares her lifelong commitment to fitness, something she regularly comments on in her healthy lifestyle columns for Harford's Heart magazine, and her role as an online boxing instructor for Rock Steady, a non-contact boxing program offered in Harford County through Forest Hill Health and Fitness. In this episode, you'll also find out why Debbie's innate ability to throw a party continues to pay off in her life, career, and commitment to serving others. Email Debbie at debbie@rallyagainstparkinson's.org or learn more about Rally Against Parkinson's (RAP) at their website. Read Harford's Heart online here.  Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Mainstreet is pleased to welcome back Brad Cox, author, podcaster, songwriter, and musician to discuss his latest book, These Things I've Said: A Book of Poetry, Musings, and Lyrics, available on Amazon, select local booksellers, and at  bradwilliamscox.com Local music fans may also know Brad from his performances with one of his bands around Harford County and from The MOG (Mouthful of Graffiti) podcast. Brad's still a young man, but as a relentless seeker of truth eaves the impression of someone who's lived many lives. He brings the same intensity to our conversation this time as he did on his first appearance on Mainstreet Episode 68. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Growing up in East Baltimore, Monkton resident Larry Dukes wanted nothing more than to be a professional athlete or sports play-by-play broadcaster.  Seeing violent collisions from field level during a stint as an intern for the Baltimore Colts made him reconsider his career aspirations. A brains over brawn mentality prevailed. .  Before computer science was even an established concentration, Larry found himself at the forefront of predictive analytics.  He soon found himself working for Baltimore Blue Cross Blue Shield and, later, traveling the world for Westinghouse as a systems engineer.  What sets Larry apart is his ability to use his expertise and experience to start his own companies. Presented with a great idea and sound business plan, he also has a knack for knowing when to invest in the expertise of others.  Great ideas still excite him. No wonder his wife says he's never met a deal he didn't like. Personal success aside, among Larry’s most satisfying endeavors for the past 20 years has been his active involvement at John Carroll High School, in Bel Air. With Larry Grant, Larry also co-authored Lifting The Rocks, Finding the Gold: Mastering the Six Imperatives of World Class Receivables Management.  No longer pursing professional sports as a career, Larry and his family enjoy their horse farm in Monkton and he's even found time to pursue of play-by-play dreams by broadcasting local sports. This is Larry Duke's story and we're pleased to share it on Mainstreet.  Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Yes, we're the Mainstreet podcast but that doesn't mean we ignore what's happening on nearby Bond Street, Bel Air's other "Main Street."  And one thing that's happening on Bond Street is the opening of U Brand Yourself, owned and operated by Bel Air native Wendy Nowakowski.  This is Wendy's story and we're happy to share it on Mainstreet. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

The year was 1962. Steve Murfin was a sports-crazed kid growing up in Hagerstown, Maryland.  Long before 24/7 news cycles and blanket sports coverage on the Internet, Steve gained his encyclopedic knowledge of local teams by  devouring box scores in the Hagerstown Daily News and Washington Post. Fall Sundays would find Steve glued to the radio listening to Chuck Thompson and Baily Goss call Colts games, while lazy summer nights meant Steve's transistor radio would be tuned in to the local Hagerstown station carrying O's games called by by Chuck and his on-air partner Bill O'Donnell.  Not merely content to be a passive fan, Steve could also be found on neighborhood sports fields trying his best to emulate the likes of Brooks Robinson, Johnny U., and his favorite Lenny Moore.  If other kids were available, teams were formed and games ensued. If not, Steve created his own "phantom games" where he alone would pitch, hit, throw, receive, and tackle.  A passion for playing and a vivid imagination were all Steve needed.  Join us on this episode of Mainstreet and revel in some great childhood memories from a local sports fan who to this day continues to make sports a central part of his life.  Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

How many people can say they played centerfield at Camden Yards and conducted at Carnegie Hall? Our guest this week can. Oh, and he's also an architect.  We'll talk to Bill Bratten about all these things, and so much more, on this episode of  Mainstreet. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

Author Richard Chizmar stops by Mainstreet to talk about his celebrated career as a prolific essayist and writer of horror and mysery short stories, novels, and screenplays.  He is  the founder of Cemetery Dance Publications and editor/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine.  Perhaps best-known in Harford County for his locally-inspired Chasing The Boogeyman, Richard also co-wrote with Stephen King the novella Gwendy's Button Box. Despite his international following and acclaim, Richard still calls Harford County home. Like his friend and sometimes collaborator, the actor Johnathon Schaech (episode 88), Richard credits the strong work ethic he learned from growing up and playing sports in working-class Edgewood for paving the way to his future success as a writer and publisher. This is Richard Chizmar's story and we're proud to share it on Mainstreet.Follow this link to learn more about Richard Chizmar. https://richardchizmar.com/?rc=1Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com

To his legions of local fans, Dennis Schocket is one the hardest working performers in the thriving Harford County music scene.  At any number of local venues, you can catch Dennis performing solo, with special guests such as Rob Fahey, or with one of his bands -- Starbelly, 1974, The Atomic Light Orchestra (AL0) and Fabtastic Four. Under appreciated, however,  is Dennis's talent for creating complex harmonies and lilting melodies in the service of intricate pop songs that bring to mind  the music of Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. Dennis makes a return visit to Mainstreet to talk about his new solo album "Weathervane," to be released in April on Tall Boy records, and an upcoming tour with his band Starbelly.  Will Dennis, or any of the gifted local musicians he's been associated with over the years, someday win a Grammy? Find out what Dennis thinks on this episode of Mainstreet. Support the showPlease consider supporting The Mainstreet PodcastPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeMainstreet on the web and social mediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInterested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at: info@themainstreetpodcast.com