The Wandering Pen: A Podcast of Resilience, History, and the Power of Storytelling.

Launching a Beauty Brand with Purpose: Darci Henry’s Journey

 
 In this episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, Christine Musser chats with Darci Henry,   founder of Darcy Henry Beauty, about how beauty, confidence, and authenticity come together through her brand. Darci shares her inspiring journey of launching her cosmetic line, the importance of clean ingredients and U.S.-based manufacturing, and why beauty should always enhance—not mask—who you are.
They also discuss product formulation, industry trends, simplifying your skincare routine, and finding the proper foundation for your skin tone. Whether a beauty enthusiast or an entrepreneur, you’ll walk away with fresh insight and practical takeaways.
In a fun personal twist, Christine and Darci discovered they share a connection through the Cumberland Valley School District, where Darci’s father was Christine’s 7th-grade science teacher. It’s a full-circle moment rooted in community, with a conversation that’s all heart.
🌐 Explore Darci’s products: darcyhenrybeauty.com
📲 Follow @darcyhenrybeauty on Instagram and Facebook
               
 

Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania

 
5uof3PfVJ7DpNjHb2Ecm
Exploring Pine Grove Furnace State Park: Its History, Industry, and Natural Beauty with Andre Weltman
What hidden history lies beneath Pine Grove Furnace State Park’s trails and lakes? In this episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, I sit down with Andre Weltman, local historian, and chair of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, to uncover the park’s fascinating past and vibrant present.
Once a bustling iron-making site, this South Mountain treasure has become a valued destination for hikers, campers, anglers, aqua adventurers, and history enthusiasts. Andre provides insights into the park’s iron industry origins, its role as the Appalachian Trail midpoint, and the rich cultural heritage preserved within its museums and historic sites. We also discuss the vital work of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace in maintaining and improving the park through facility upkeep, fundraising, volunteer efforts, and community events such as the Fall Furnace Fest.
Andre shares information on his living history presentations, where he dons period attire to bring the past to life! If you’re curious about Pennsylvania’s industrial heritage, the intersection of history and nature, or just looking for your next outdoor adventure, this episode is a valuable source of information and enlightenment for you.
📍 Pine Grove Furnace State Park Contact Info:🌐 Friends of Pine Grove Furnace📧 Email: pinegrovefriends@gmail.com📍 Visit the park office for more details!
ilZKJNIxj1gmRvgmzpHu
🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow history buffs and nature lovers!
      

South Mountain Appalachian Trail: State of the Region

Did you know the Appalachian Trail’s halfway point lies within Pennsylvania’s
South Mountain Region part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range? 
                                 Julia & Katie
 
This ecologically and culturally rich area faces opportunities and challenges—from conservation successes and rare species preservation to increasing land development pressures.
In this episode, Katie Hess and Julia Chain from the South Mountain Partnership discuss key findings from their State of the Region Report, revealing insights on wildlife
corridors, historic preservation, outdoor recreation, and sustainable land use. We’ll explore how changes in the region affect hikers, communities, and the iconic Appalachian Trail and what’s being done to ensure a balance between growth and preservation.
Tune in to discover what’s happening at the heart of the Appalachian Trail and how you can be part of shaping the future of this vital landscape.
                  

Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania

In Episode 10, host Christine Musser welcomes historian and author Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward to discuss his latest book, Cradle of Conservation, published by Temple University. They explore Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the conservation movement, highlighting influential figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Rothrock, and Myra Lloyd Dock.
During the episode, DW explains the significance of the Meadowcroft Rock Shelter. This archaeological site reshaped the understanding of early human habitation in the Americas. He also discusses why he included Native American creation stories in his book, emphasizing their importance in providing a more balanced and inclusive historical perspective.
Pennsylvania’s environmental movement, from the early conservation efforts aimed at sustainable resource management to the broader environmental movement, emerged in response to industrial expansion. He highlights the role of transportation, particularly railroads, in shaping Pennsylvania’s landscapes and contributing to widespread deforestation.
The conversation shifts to the post-industrial period, during which DW shares the ongoing challenge of balancing economic development with environmental protection in present-day Pennsylvania. He also emphasizes the ecological consequences of industrial activity, including the infamous Denora smog disaster and the lasting impact of the Centralia mine fire.
For those interested in Pennsylvania’s environmental history, Cradle of Conservation offers a compelling and accessible narrative. Listeners can learn more about the book, find information on upcoming author events, and explore Pennsylvania’s conservation heritage at PA Conservation Heritage

The Art and Craft of Writing

Join Christine Musser and Cliff Brackett for a thoughtful, honest discussion on The Art and Craft of Writing. Cliff will share details of why he is on a mission to complete his book, The Garden Collection of Short Stories. This conversation is for every writer, no matter what stage they are at in the writing process. 
Writers and those considering writing will find practical insights in Cliff’s journey as he learns about the writing process, finding a voice, crafting a piece of good writing, and the challenges of writing. He will share his thoughts from books about writing, Francine Prose, Reading Like a Writer, Strunk and White, Elements of Style, Leon Surmelian, Techniques of Fiction Writing, and compare the writing styles of well-known authors Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O’Connor, and John Steinbeck.

Creating a Legacy Beyond the Bucket List

Join Christine Musser in episode eight of the Wandering Pen Podcast as she welcomes the inspirational speaker and thought leader Noralee Cole. With over 25 years of experience, Noralee shares her mission to guide individuals toward becoming the stars of their own lives through intentional actions and creating a meaningful legacy.
In this engaging conversation, discover the transformative power of the DASH concept, an acronym for Discover, Appreciate, Share, and Harness. Explore how shifting from a bucket list to a DASH list can revolutionize your perspective on life, focusing on what truly matters right now.
Delve into Noralee’s moving personal stories and practical advice on integrating these principles into daily life, highlighting the transformative impact of mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness. Noralee’s advice is not just theoretical, but practical and applicable to everyday life. Learn how simple acts can lead to significant changes in mindset and fulfillment.
Embark on a self-reflection and intentional living journey that resonates through every moment. This episode offers enlightening insights for those ready to embrace their DASH and leave a lasting legacy, inviting you to be introspective and contemplative.

Finding Identity: A Journey of Adoption and Belonging

In this captivating episode, host Christine Musser welcomes Melanie Stark, a remarkable writer and educator, to delve into the profound and personal narrative of an adoptee’s experiences. Melanie, acclaimed author of "Leadership with Love," opens her heart to share her intimate journey navigating the complex dynamics of adoption.
With wisdom and vulnerability, Melanie recounts her childhood in a strictly religious environment, growing up feeling different and searching for her true identity. As she reflects on life within her adoptive family and the Mormon community, listeners are taken on a heartfelt exploration of genetic mirroring, family complexities, and the journey to self-acceptance.
The conversation weaves through Melanie’s unique perspective, illustrating the raw and often misunderstood realities of being an adoptee. She narrates her journey of spiritual evolution, her courage to love authentically, and her mission to foster genuine understanding through her upcoming fantasy novel—a tale of a lion raised among sheep, exploring themes of identity and belonging.
Join Christine and Melanie for an emotional and enlightening discussion about the layers of an adoptee’s identity and the universal quest for belonging and unconditional love. Melanie’s story invites us to look beyond appearances and nurture the pure, authentic connections that bind us.

Independence Lost: Lives on the Edge of the American Revolution

On Monday, January 27, 2025, I sat down with Kathleen DuVal to discuss her book Independence Lost: Lives on the Edge of the American Revolution. Dr. DuVal, a North Carolina Chapel Hill professor, highlighted her book about the American Revolution in the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River Valley, the little-known story that students and adults know little about. It involved Spain and France’s support of the American Patriots. Without their support, we may not have won our independence from Great Britain. She will also share about the 18th-century hurricane season and how it affected those fighting the war.
Dr. DuVal uncovers the story of enslaved Petit Jean. He spied and carried messages for the Spanish around Mobile (in present-day Alabama) and who achieved his freedom in the new United States. 
Oliver Pollock, who designed the dollar sign, drew me to her book and to have this discussion with her. This merchant worked for Robert Morris, a signer of the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. 
Pollock, who arrived in 1760 from Northern Ireland, settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. In 1763, he traveled to Philadelphia, where he began his work with Morris as a merchant. Through his work as a supply and enslaved person merchant, he accumulated what would be, by today’s standards, a million dollars. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress made him a war agent, as did Thomas Jefferson, the Virginia governor. With his close relationship with Louisiana’s governor, Bernardo de Gálvez, he used his funds to support the war. 
Afterward, in the 1780s, he moved back to Cumberland County and lived in the houses that remain today behind Best Buy in Silver Spring Township. The tavern he owned sits near the REI store in Hampden Township, where a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker recognizes his essential support for the American Revolution. 
This is an amazing book that details the lesser-known story of the American Revolution that every American should know about.
**Correction - Host Christine Musser misspoke when she said Robert Morris signed the Declaration of Independence. She should have said the "Articles of Confederation."

Etched in Granite Series: How an author gave a voice. a presence & a history to those buried in a pauper's cemetery

Mj Pettengill is an author and social historian with a focus on cultural narrative and traditions, historical and intergenerational trauma integration, ancestral healing, and social welfare development. She has a background in Civil War Musicology and trumpet performance. Before transitioning to the world of writing, she performed as a soloist with various musical organizations and featured in numerous Living Histories, Reenactments, and Historical Events throughout the Northeast.Aligned with her passion for nature and the ancient healing customs of her ancestors, MJ practices the art of gathering and preparing wild food and plant medicine. She creates in her woodland studio on a farm nestled deep in the wilds of New Hampshire.Mj completed undergraduate studies in social history, theology, music, and psychology. She has an MFA in creative writing. 
Website: https://www.mjpettengill.com/
 
     
   
 
   
 
Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the views of the host or The Wandering Pen unless explicitly stated during the interview.
**Pastorale by PeriTune | http://peritune.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Billiards for Benefits where every game is a gift

If you liked the movies Cool Hand Luke or The Color of Money, you would enjoy participating in Billiards for Benefits. Listen to the podcast and learn that it’s not just about playing pool . . .
This podcast took place on Sunday, January 26, 2025.   My guest is Tracee Clepper.
Tracee and co-founder Lisa Kochenauer started Billiards for Benefits in 2001 to raise funds and awareness for local charities in Central Pennsylvania. Some charities they helped are Juvenile Diabetes, Hospice of Central PA, Nicholas Ryan Over Foundation, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Since 2001, they’ve raised approximately $100,000.
Website - Billiards for Benefits Facebook - Billiards for Benefits - Playing Pool to Make a Difference