The Mainstreet Podcast

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 showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

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 showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

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=1 Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

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 showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

We are pleased to welcome back to Mainstreet one of our favorite guests, Forest Hill's very own "Queen of Pie," Sandy Kempton, from the Kempton Cottage Bakery. Sandy talks about some new creations from her magical oven and muses about the possibility of someday opening a shared kitchen to Harford County. Investors, are you listening? Follow The Kempton Cottage Bakery on the web and social media. KCB Website KCB on Facebook KCB on Instagram Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Tony Lombardi stops by Mainstreet to chat about his decision to leave his highly-successful career in sales at Boeing Capital for what initially was, in his own words, "a hobby." That hobby ultimately became a new career as managing partner and journalist for the award-winning Russell Street Report (formerly Ravens247.com) https://russellstreetreport.com/ and the Eutaw Street Report https://eutawstreetreport.com/. With this mid-life career move, Tony lived up to his personal credo of, "Do what you love, love what you do." Given his new career choice, it's no surprise that this Baltimore native and Loyola grad is a local sports fanatic. What may surprise people, however, is his enduring love of the Beatles. And after you hear Tony describe his admiration for the way the Fab Four worked as a unit to create magic, you'll understand how the success of the Beatles reflect his own approach to work and creativity. In other words, the distance between Abbey Road and Russell Street is closer than we think. This is Tony Lombardi's story and we're pleased to share it on Mainstreet. Follow Tony on social media. Twitter @RSRLombardi @RussellSTReport Facebook Ravens247 Ravens 247 IG russellstreetreport tonylombardi247 Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Growing up near Baltimore, long-time radio voice of the Washington Wizards Dave Johnson developed a love of sports and broadcasting by listening to, among others, local play-by-play legends Chuck Thompson and Bill O'Donnell. After graduating from Towson University, Dave embarked on his own Emmy-award winning career in broadcasting, including his current posts with the NBA's Washington Wizards and D.C.'s 103.5 WTOP-FM, where he's the sports director and morning sports anchor. Find out why Dave calls sports a "cocoon of joy" and why he characterizes his career as a series of healthy obsessions. He also shares what it's like having the name "Dave Johnson" in a sports town known for "Dave Johnson's." Let's give a Harford County welcome to one of its newest and most prominent residents! Follow Dave on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook Download the Washington Wizards app for iOS and Android to hear play by play of all Wizards' games. Please visit our sponsor: https://www.belairaupair.com/ Mainstreet listeners receive a 10% discount on your first invoice! Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Former Baltimore Colt cheerleader Leslee Yoder stops by Mainstreet to chat about her years cheering on our once-beloved hometown team. It's hard to believe that nearly 40 years have passed since the Mayflower moving vans whisked away the team to Indianapolis on that fateful night in March 1983. Now the Head Cheer Coach at York Suburban High School, this York, Pa. native and former dance and gymnastics instructor is also one of the co-founders of the Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders Alumni Association. If you're a former Colt cheerleader or know someone who is, please email her at lyoder1111@aol.com. Some Marylanders old enough to remember that night in 1983 will never forgive the Irsay family. Even though most of us have long since moved on and embraced the Ravens, we continue to cherish our Baltimore Colts, and the cheerleaders were a huge part of the pageantry that played out on every gameday at Memorial Stadium. So many good memories remain and we are honored that Leslee has chosen to share them on Mainstreet. Note: During our conversation, Leslee mentions a country club in Ruxton, Md. and asks us for help to correctly pronounce its name. No help was forthcoming at that moment, but the country club to which Leslee referred is: https://www.lhirondelle.com/ Please visit our sponsor: https://www.belairaupair.com/ Bel Air's premier pet sitting and dog walking service. Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

We welcome to Mainstreet Brian Snyder, owner of BMORE Around Town, a local sports-themed tour and social gathering planner. Learn more about BMORE Around Town here: https://www.bmorearoundtown.com/ Visit our sponsor: https://www.belairaupair.com/ Bel Air's premier pet sitting and dog walking service. Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Please join on Mainstreet for a brief look back at episodes 76-100. Thank you to all our guests for coming on and sharing their stories. Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

We mark our 100th episode with another conversation with an up and coming Nasvhille singer songwriter with local roots. Fans of American Idol may remember Emma Klein from her appearance on the program during its 17th season. Long before that appearance, the Bel Air native and John Carroll grad was studying guitar with local luminary Dennis Schocket and performing in venues around Harford County. Emma is now quickly establishing herself in the competitive yet collaborative entertainment mecca that is Nashville. This is Emma Klein's story and we’re thrilled to share it on Mainstreet. Check out Emma’s website: emmaklein.org Follow Emma on social media: Instagram: @imemmaklein Twitter YouTube TikTok Facebook Please support our sponsors https://www.belairaupair.com/ https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Locals familiar with the Harford County music scene might remember seeing Piper Bateman perform at different establishments around town. Before she was even old enough to order a drink in such places , Piper could be seen on stage doing what she loves -entertaining with her music. Now in Nashville, this Fallston native is living her dream, writing music for herself and others and performing at Tootsies, near the legendary Ryman Auditorium on the city’s famed “Honky Tonk Highway.” An artist to the core, Piper, nevertheless, pursues her ambition with a wisdom that belies her youth. This is Piper Bateman’s story and we’re excited to share it on episode #99 of Mainstreet. In February, look for new music from Piper’s latest project, July Moon julymoonofficial.com Follow Piper on Instagram: @piperbateman And Facebook: July Moon featuring Piper Bateman Please support our sponsors https://www.belairaupair.com/ https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

January is the month for resolutions, many of which involve new commitments to fitness. If you're unsure which type of exercise or fitness program is right for you, tune in to this week's episode of Mainstreet and our conversation with Harford Community College Fitness Instructor Lauren Raygor. Interested in fitness classes at HCC? Click here for more information. https://www.harford.edu/about/get-to-know-harford/news/2023/01-january/fitness-classes.php Please support our sponsors https://www.belairaupair.com/ https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Have you ever wanted to play in a marching band for an NFL team? If so, Baltimore's Marching Ravens are having auditions on April 1st. This is not an early April Fool's joke. If you're a proud band nerd who's at least 18, love Maryland, and love the Ravens, this could be your chance to join a team that's been part of Baltimore sports history since 1947. The Baltimore Colts were one of the first NFL teams to have cheerleaders, a fight song, and a marching band. We all know what happened to the Baltimore Colts. What some people may not know is that the Colts Marching Band carried on even after the franchise under Robert Irsay deserted Baltimore. And when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996 and became the Ravens, the band was here waiting for them. Today, they're still going strong as Baltimore's Marching Ravens. Mainstreet is thrilled to have with us on this episode Harford County resident John Ziemann, Band Director for the Marching Ravens. In 1962, at the age of 14 (he lied about his age and said he was 15) John became a member of the Colts Marching Band and 61 years later he's yet to miss a beat. John fills us in on the storied history of marching bands on Baltimore's professional football teams. He also shares tales from his 35 years working at WMAR-TV and his days as Deputy Director at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Interested in auditioning for the Marching Ravens? https://www.baltimoreravens.com/fans/marching-ravens/ Please support our sponsors https://www.belairaupair.com/ https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Baltimore muralist Jaz Erenberg stops by Mainstreet to talk to Lee and Steve about her background and why community centered public art has the potential to transform a city, even one facing the challenges of Baltimore. Regardless of how you feel about our beloved but beleagured city, it's hard not to root for Jaz, who uses her talents to bring hope and beauty to the city she how calls home. https://jazerenberg.com/ Please support our sponsors https://www.belairaupair.com/ https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

We close out 2022 with one of our favorite episodes from that past -- a conversation with Amy Hopkins Daney from Elberton Hill Farm in Darlington. In case you missed the episode the first time around, Amy talks about growing up in one of Harford County's more prominent farming families and, of course, the business and passion of raising thoroughreds. Please support our sponsors Your Pet AuPair https://www.belairaupair.com/ Eternal Pawprints https://myeternalpawprints.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Please support our sponsors Your Pet AuPair https://www.belairaupair.com/ Eternal Pawprints https://myeternalpawprints.com/ We welcome to Mainstreet Forest Hill's Pam Purce, who with her husband runs Three Oaks Farmhttps://www.threeoaksfarmalpacas.com/ in Forest Hill. Family owned for more than 80 years, Three Oaks Farm has become the go-to farm in Harford County to see and learn about alpacas. On episode #94 of Mainstreet, Pam shares how she combined her passions for animals and teaching to create a unique and interactive farming experience for the public right here in Harford County. Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Growing up in an often abusive environment, Kelly Backert succumbed to the unhealthy allure of drugs and alcohol before developing an eating disorder. Counseling, spirituality, and a commitment to fitness turned her life around. Today, she enjoys a happy family life and two thriving businesses -- Kore Bootcamps and Kore Barre and Yoga -- right here in Bel Air, Maryland. This is Kelly's story and we're pleased to share it on this episode of Mainstreet. https://korebootcamps.com/ https://www.korebarreyoga.com/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Some initial reactions to Bel Air's Winter Wonderland, the tree lighting ceremony at St. Margaret, and a brief conversation about favorite Christmas movies. Merry Christmas from Mainstreet! Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast

Nothing says Americana quite like the Great American Roadtrip. And no American roadtrip in the past would have been complete without Stuckey's. What happened to that American staple of rest stop kitsch, candy, and convenience? In an idea that seemed sound at the time, the Stuckey family sold its stores. Eventually, the Stuckey brand suffered, stores gradually disappered, and their absence left a void. Now, Stuckey's is not only back but back in the Stuckey family. Stephanie Stuckey, the granddaughter of the original owner, is now running the company as its CEO. Stephanie's got big plans for Stuckey's and we're excited to share them with you on episode #91 of Mainstreet. Instagram: @stuckeystop Twitter: @StuckeyStop TicToc: @StuckeyStop Facebook: @E.Stephanie Stuckey Website: https://stuckeys.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniestuckey/ Support the showFacebook: @USAMainstreet Website: themainstreetpodcast.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/home?lang=en Email: info@themainstreetpodcast.com Please support The Mainstreet Podcast Buy Me A Coffee:Buy Me a Coffee Mainstreet Patreon: patreon.com/mainstreetpodcast