It was an ordinary day. Reading an online article that lists the 30 most interesting, athletic, musical, historic, patriotic, influential, diplomatic and entertaining people who were either born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania or who lived in Lancaster for some of their life. As I went through the list I recognized just about everyone and thought of a few myself that weren't on the list or a few that maybe shouldn't have been placed on the list. Always going to be that way with any "best of" list. Can you name a few people from your town or city who deserve to be recognized for the contributions that gave to society? The following is my condensed list based on how I feel about the person mentioned in the online list. See if you recognize a few of those born or raised in the city of Lancaster, PA. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
#1 - Jonathan Groff. One of my cousin Sue's best friends is the mother of Jonathan Groff. Jon grew up in Ronks and graduated from Conestoga Valley High School in 2003. His list of accomplishments would be "Glee", voice-over role in Frozen as King George III, Broadway show "Hamilton" and lead role in Netflix drama "Mindhunter."
#2 - Thaddeus Stevens. Though he was born in Vermont in 1792, he moved to Lancaster in 1842 where he set up his law practice in a place that aligned with his anti-Mason and pro-Whig views. He was a member of Congress and a fierce abolitionist. He died in 1868 and is buried in Shreiner's Cemetery in downtown Lancaster. I have written quite a few stories that are centered on his life.
#3 - John Darrenkamp. John is a bass opera singer who was a leading artist with the New York Metropolitan Opera company. He was born in nearby Mount Joy and began his career in 1957. Today he serves as artistic director for Opera Lancaster and is also a member of St. James Episcopal church choir. Fun to sing with someone who is so famous.
#4 - Milton Hershey. Known as the Chocolate King, he was born in Derry Township in 1857 and apprenticed with a confectioner in Lancaster at the age of 14. He opened his first candy factory in Lancaster known as Lancaster Caramel Company in 1883. He sold that company in 1890 and began the town which bears his name.
#5 - Matt Nagy. Matt was named head coach of the Chicago Bears in January 2018. He was a star quarterback for Manheim Central High School as well as the University of Delaware where he was an All-American. After college he played six seasons in the Arena Football League before coming to the Philadelphia Eagles as a coach intern. He spent five seasons under head coach Andy Reid and finally got his chance last year. And, what a job he is doing in Chicago.
#6 - Taylor Kinney. Actor and model who was born in Neffsville, Pa. and graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School in 2000. He was in The Vampire Diaries and Chicago Fire but received his most attention for his 2015 engagement to singer Lady Gaga. The two were spotted several times in the nearby Lititz area.
#7 - Barney Ewell. Graduated from Lancaster McCaskey High School in 1936. He is the only Lancastrian to ever win an Olympic gold medal when he was part of he 1949 400 meter relay. He also won two silver medals for the 100 and 200 meter dash.
#8 - Bruce Sutter. Bruce went to high school at Donegal H.S. He was born in 1953 and was known for his split-finger fastball. Spent most of his professional baseball career with the Chicago Cubs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
#9 - Jennifer Gareis. Jennifer was a 1988 graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School and a 1993 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. She is best known for her roles on "The Bold and the Beautiful and "Young & the Restless. She placed in the top 6 in the 1994 Miss USA pageant and appeared in "Miss Congeniality", "Veronica Mars", "Private Parts", and "Comedy Bang! Bang!"
#10 - James Buchanan. The 15th President of the United States. His longtime home, Wheatland, is now part of the Lancaster County Historical Society at 1120 Marietta Ave. in Lancaster, PA
#11 - Tom Herr. Tom graduated from Hempfield High School and played 13 seasons in the majors, 10 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was in three World Series and won the 1982 series agains the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1985 he was an All-Star and finished fifth in the National League Most Valuable Player. He more recently was the first manager for the newly formed Lancaster Barnstormers in 2006 where he led the team to the Atlantic League Championship.
#12 - Eveyln Ay Sempier. Evelyn was crowned Miss America in 1954. She was born in nearby Ephrata and won the Miss Pennsylvania title in 1953.
#13 - Kristen Wiig. Her family moved to Lancaster when she was three and she attended Nitrauer Elementary in Manheim Township where I taught school. Kristen is an actress, comedian, writer and producer who is best remembered for her time on "Saturday Night Live".
#14 - Charles Demuth. Charles was one of five Lancaster artists represented in an exhibit at the State Museum celebrating Pennsylvania artists. He was born in 1883 on Lime Street in downtown Lancaster. His work is celebrated at the Demuth Museum in Lancaster.
#15 - Don Wert. Another professional baseball player from Lancaster County who played on the World Series championship 1968 Detroit Tigers. It is said his career ended the same year when he was hit in the head by a pitch and he spent two nights in the hospital. He wasn't the same player after that time.
#16 - Johnny Weir. He grew up in nearby Quarryville, PA. He was an Olympic figure skater who was a three-time national champion in men's figure skating. He was a skating commentator for NBC at the 2014 Olympics and 2018 Winter Games in South Korea.
#17 - Richard "Dick"Winters. Dick rose to worldwide fame as leader of the Band of Brothers during WWII. His courageous leadership through combat was the focus of a best selling book and an HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers". He was a born in Lancaster on January 21, 1918. He eventually moved to nearby Ephrata, PA.
#18 - Dan Kreider. Dan graduated from Manheim Central High School and went on to play fullback for 10 seasons in the NFL. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers that won Super Bowl XL.
#19 - Doug Dennison. Doug graduated from Lancaster McCaskey High School and starred for them in football. He graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College where he played football and then played for the Dallas Cowboys where he went to two Super Bowls, winning one.
#20 - Robert Fulton. Robert was born in 1765 in nearby Little Britain Township. He is most famous for developing and marketing the steamboat, but he was also a well-known artist as well as designer of the submarine.
#21 - Wally Walker. Wally played basketball for Penn Manor High School and went on to play for the University of Virginia and then the Cleveland Cavaliers. He led Virginia to their first ACC basketball championship in 1976 and was named the tournament MVP.
#22 - Gene Garber. Gene was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. He was the Braves all time leader in saves with 141.
#23 - Jim Furyk. I had Jim when he was a student at Manheim Township High School in Lancaster County, PA. He was a great baseball player who caught for my oldest son, Derek, when they played Little League Baseball. After graduating from MTHS and college, he began a career in professional golf. To date he has earned 28 professional victories, 18 of which have been on he PGA Tour. In 2010 he was the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
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