Southern York County Podcast

 I liked hearing about John's experience while he was in the military.  This episode is a good example of how you can get into a conversation with someone about one thing, get on to a different subject and it makes the show even more interesting.   This has been the case since our first episode with Mary Swann.   As much as I like to play chess, I could see how some may think this show sounds boring without listening to it.  They would be making a big mistake.  John was one of our most interesting guests so far.  So whether you're a big chess fan or not, give it a listen.
 
Now a little about the state of the podcast.  We are definately in transition.  The question is transition to what?  Certainly at this time we don't have the resources we require to put out new shows in 2010.  We never really became part of the fabric of the community in southern York County as we needed to be to get information and our brand out.  
 
I am disappointed with the lack of response to our capital campaign.  I really believe we helped certain businesses and organizations within the community.  That is what we are here for but without those folks and even listeners helping out, there is very little we could do to help the community any longer.  Our hands are tied.  Every episode I put in a spot asking for volunteers, and underwriting.  Unfortunately the local business community and other community organizations have not found enough value in our service to help out. 
 
I believe this is a symptom of a larger problem of lack of community in southern York County.  I recently was speaking to a someone about the lack of local high school sports coverage on television in this area indicating that it was more or less normal where I was raised.  Anyway, one thing led to another and he asked if I was raised 'downtown'.  I was a little confused at first, then since I lived in Fawn Twp, I sort of consider the square in Fawn Grove 'downtown'.  Then after a few seconds and I'm sure a confused, dumb, look on my face, it dawned on me that he meant Baltimore.  After verifying this is what he meant, I realized just how much trouble our community is really in; or should I say lack of community.  Sorry if many of you out there disagree but our 'downtown' should not be Baltimore.    From the very beginning this is the main reason I started SYCP.  Now we have come full circle back to where we began and even most of my neighbors still have not listened to a single episode of the podcast and apparently some of them even consider Baltimore as their 'downtown'.
 
As far as the podcasting media goes, we've done all we can do to do our little part to help strengthen the community.  It's just one of those you could lead a horse to water . . . things.  It is always fascinating to me though when I speak to people about local issues and hear some of the  the misinformation or misunderstanding of the information they have.  I then refer them to the podcast episode we did on the subject and the guests we have discussing that topic.  I am usually met with surprise, suspicion, and/or disbelief.  I could tell from our stats none of these folks ever really followed up and listened.
 
So, though it was worth a try, perhaps podcasting is not the way to get information out to folks locally.  The problem is that so many of our shows are still very relevant so we are trying other ways than the internet to get them out to folks in Southern York County.  If we are not successful, I hope in our small way we did some good.