Culture, Community, and Craftsmanship: Pennsylvania Stories That Matter

(00:00:00) We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today. We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community. Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever (00:22:40) We sit down with Mark Rhodes, a Brooklyn native who made York, PA, his home and built a life dedicated to leadership, equity, and community impact. After a 33‑year career with Harley‑Davidson, Mark launched his own training and diversity consulting firm and went on to serve as chairman of the Confronting Racism Coalition and vice chair of York’s Human Relations Commission. Today, he continues his community work on the boards of the York County History Centers and Ophelia’s Making Agency. Alongside his wife Val—who enjoyed a 36‑year career with M&T Bank—Mark is now co‑owner of Mark and Val Wines, an urban winery created to celebrate and elevate Black excellence in the wine industry. Their mission is to offer high‑quality, small‑batch wines crafted by Black winemakers and to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for all through their tasting room, wine club, and online shop.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.