Pennsylvania

Serious about serving: Conrad Schlesinger marks end to term as Kiwanis’ Pennsylvania governor

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2024

Serious about serving: Conrad Schlesinger marks end to term as Kiwanis’ Pennsylvania governor

PHOTO PROVIDED
Conrad Schlesinger, far right, is presented the Home Club banner of Kiwanis International while Pennsylvania Governor. On hand are, from left, Pennsylvania Governor-Designate Tom Harp, who takes over Oct. 1; Karen Baker, who becomes president of the Allentown Kiwanis Club on Oct. 1, and Lock Haven Kiwanian Lisa Bangson, who, along with local Kiwanian Pete Smeltz, attended the recent convention with Conrad.

LOCK HAVEN — It has been one busy but very fulfilling year for Conrad Schlesinger.

And anyone who knows the Woolrich native and retired Woolrich Inc. executive knows that he likes to be busy.

They should also know that he has a dry, yet endearing sense of humor.

You know, when you’re just not sure if he’s serious or joking?

But make no mistake, Conrad is serious when it comes to Kiwanis.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Matt Wise, left, of the Kiwanis Club of the Bald Eagle and Nittany Valleys, poses with Conrad Schlesinger at the combined Pennsylvania-New Jersey District Kiwanis Convention in Reading in August.

He is about to end his term as Pennsylvania Governor of Kiwanis International, a volunteer job that has taken him to numerous communities and clubs across Pennsylvania to talk about the virtues of being a Kiwanian.

About serving others, especially kids.

The Kiwanis International motto is “Serving the Children of the World,” with its various clubs taking on hundreds of community service projects, primarily to benefit kids.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers that aims to improve the world by helping children and communities. Kiwanis clubs sponsor nearly 150,000 service projects each year and raise over $107 million.

Indeed, it was the idea of helping kids, Conrad said, that “lit a spark in me,” prompting him to take on leadership as Pennsylvania Governor.

BOB ROLLEY/Special to The Express
Outgoing Pennsylvania District Governor of Kiwanis International Conrad Schlesinger, of Woolrich, poses with the Home Club Governor banner at a recent Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven meeting.

Conrad has a story to tell. His biography includes serving as lieutenant governor of Divisions 12N and 14 during the 2021-22-year; serving as governor-elect at the District Convention in Erie in August 2022, and then elected governor at the District Convention in Scranton in August 2023.

“I have been district governor during the 2023-24 administrative year. To be a lieutenant governor, a Kiwanian must have served a term as a club president, secretary or treasurer. To be elected as district governor, a Kiwanis must have served a term as lieutenant governor,” he explained.

“When I became the Lock Haven Club secretary,” Conrad said, “I attended a regional council led by Trustee Matt Wise.” Wise served as Pennsylvania District membership coordinator during Conrad’s term as governor and has known Conrad for over 20 years.

“I met Emily Reed at the regional council meeting and she shared her commitment to Kiwanis as the chair of the Young Children Priority One Committee of the district,” Conrad related. “She is a reading specialist in the Dillsburg area, and I quickly learned how passionate she was about Kiwanis and especially about the opportunities for children to have access to books.

“That lit a spark in me. There were other individuals at that meeting as well who were very passionate about Kiwanis and its purpose. During my second year as a lieutenant governor, I received a call from two past district governors,” he said.

“We chatted about a few things and then I soon realized the real purpose of the call was to find out if I was interested in running for district governor. I indicated that I was interested. I was recently retired and felt I had the time and hopefully enough experience in Kiwanis to take on that responsibility. The rest is now history.”

Kiwanis has a proud history in Clinton County.

And Conrad, so far as records show, is only the third local Kiwanian to serve as Pennsylvania governor. The first was the late T. E. Teach, a Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven member, in 1955. The other was Dean Wetzler in the 1983-84 administrative year. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mill Hall.

This past Kiwanis year, Conrad spent a lot of time on the road and away from his wife, the former Rosemary Savrock, and their kids. They include son Michael and his wife, Stacie, and their two kids, and daughter Danielle Darwin, and her husband Christopher and their kids.

Conrad has five grandchildren, Evan, Mattison, Liam, Eloise, Crosby and Alistair.

Local club members are honoring Conrad for his service as Pennsylvania Governor today (Thursday) at the club’s regular meeting at noon at the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge.

Matt Wise, meanwhile, has a special relationship with Conrad.

In fact, it was Matt who seconded Conrad’s nomination for governor. (J. Michael Williamson, the Lock Haven Kiwanian with the most years (55) in the club, nominated Conrad for governor.)

“It really was an honor and a privilege,” Matt said. “I have known Conrad for over 20 years and first met him while I was in high school (I was good friends with his daughter, Danielle).” Matt offered an excerpt from his speech about Conrad:

“I’ve known Conrad for many years, longer than I have been a Kiwanian. There are certain words that come to mind when I think of him: Thorough, thoughtful, precise, caring, analytical, compassionate, strategic, intentional and family — just to name a few! Conrad and I have shared many valuable conversations during our journeys to clubs and events. Our families remain close to this day,” Matt said.

“His year as governor was not without its ups and downs. He helped our district to navigate a new leadership structure and the transition from an executive director model to something more volunteer-based. It could not have been easy for him, but we all got through it. The thing about volunteer-based organizations is that we become friends with those with which we work. As a result, Governor Conrad had to hold his own friends accountable. We owe him a lot for keeping us on the right track and for pushing us to do what was needed to see Kiwanis succeed in Pennsylvania. He was the right leader for the right time.”

“There is no doubt that Conrad cares about Kiwanis, and more importantly he cares about community — our children and our families. He has continued to encourage and support clubs. In the time that I’ve had working side-by-side with Conrad, I can tell he is a true servant-leader. I am proud to call him a fellow Kiwanian, but even more proud to call him a friend,” Matt concluded.

Kiwanis clubs in Clinton County remain active, though like all service clubs, they would love new members. From building beds for kids to supporting kids with special needs to donating money to numerous causes that help children — and even picking up litter along roads here — the Kiwanis clubs keep on keeping on at a time when service clubs in general are seeing membership declines, particularly a lack of new younger members.

So why are so few young people getting involved in service clubs in their communities?

“I believe the commitment of time is part of the issue,” Conrad said. “Some Kiwanis clubs meet weekly, like the Lock Haven Kiwanis, others like the Kiwanis Club of the Bald Eagle and Nittany Valleys meet twice a month, one week for their board meeting and one week for a member meeting or service project or social event.”

Why should more young people get involved in service clubs in their communities?

“Being a Kiwanian provides an opportunity for fellowship, networking and getting involved in the community,” Conrad said

Conrad was asked what else he would like people to know about Kiwanis and public service in general.

“During the combined New Jersey-Pennsylvania District Convention in Reading in August, Michael Mulhaul, Kiwanis International president-elect designate, talked about an interesting concept that I would like to share. It’s called, ‘Step in, Step up, Step out.’ The meaning of that statement is this: Step in to join a Kiwanis Club; Step up to take on responsibilities in the club, serve as an officer where you can in the club, if the timing is right; and finally Step out to take on additional responsibilities in the district and beyond. There are many opportunities for personal growth in Kiwanis, however, the time must be right for you as you take on additional responsibilities.”

Back to that dry sense of humor.

Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven President Joe Waltz knows all about that humor.

“Upon first meeting Conrad, I thought he was this serious, earnest and solemn individual. Boy was I wrong. Upon getting to know him over a short period of time, especially as club president, I realized he could not only take being kidded, but he could also dish it back … big time,” Joe said.

“An example is recently at the Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed build. He called me over to ask me to pick up a broom so he could take a picture of me to prove to people that I do actually work. Later at that same event, I walked over to tell him I was leaving to help deliver these beds. He looked me in the eye and, in all seriousness, said, ‘I have one piece of advice for you, when you put the beds together, the legs go down.’

“Sage advice, I thought.”

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Pennsylvania

Upside Down Trapezoid House Built by Renowned Loft Architect and His Students Hits the Market in Pennsylvania for $625K

Published

3 hours ago

June 6, 2026

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Upside Down Trapezoid House Built by Renowned Loft Architect and His Students Hits the Market in Pennsylvania for 5K

A stunning four-bedroom work of art designed by late Italian architect and loft pioneer Giuseppe “Beppe” Zambonini has just hit the market in Pennsylvania for $625,000—listing for the first time in more than two decades.

The upside-down 1987 trapezoid-style dwelling in Dingmans Ferry boasts a barrel vaulted ceiling supported by eight interior columns and is surrounded by expansive windows and decks to soak in the tranquil views of nature.

Each of the rooms was designed, not as a traditional rectangle, but as a trapezoid, a technique that was meant to maximize the amount of natural light inside the home, ensuring that each window has ample opportunity to let the sun shine through.

It was a design method that Beppe came up with while working in New York City, where he was renowned for his work creating stunning loft spaces with “theater set” walls. He then brought that technique to Pennsylvania, where he sought to design his own weekend retreat, using the hallmarks that had turned him into a legend of Big Apple architecture.

The result is a home that appears, from the outside, almost like a stack of unevenly placed shipping containers—but on the inside is a stunning, light-filled dwelling, with enormous windows that offer beautiful views of the surrounding area from every room.

A stunning four-bedroom work of art designed by late Italian architect and loft pioneer Giuseppe “Beppe” Zambonini has just hit the market in Pennsylvania for $625,000—listing for the first time in more than two decades.HomeTourVision

The upside-down 1987 trapezoid-style dwelling in Dingmans Ferry, PA, boasts a barrel vaulted ceiling supported by eight interior columns and is surrounded by expansive windows and decks to soak in the tranquil views of nature.HomeTourVision

The result is a home with enormous windows that offer beautiful views of the surrounding area from every room.HomeTourVision

“There are numerous instances in the construction where hallways, rooms, and decks are not perfectly rectangular but rather are all trapezoid in shape,” says listing agent Shaun Burger of Keller Williams Real Estate Milford.

Beppe purchased the 2.44-acre land on which the home now sits in the 1980s, before crafting a home that would be used full time by his wife and their daughter—but was close enough to New York City that he could join them on weekends.

The idyllic parcel is perched above Nyce Lake in a development that would later become known as Traces of Lattimore.

“It is only 90 minutes away from Manhattan but is a world away in terms of peacefulness and nature,” Burger noted. “There are a lot of properties here being used as second homes, but it could also be used as a primary residence.”

The unique home—which was constructed by Beppe and a team of his best students from his design school, Open Atelier of Design—drew immediate attention from design aficionados, even featuring in a play entitled “The Upside Down House” in New York and a feature film called “A Picture of You.”

In a nod to this heritage, the garage door features a design by one of Beppe’s students resembling a theater curtain that a local artist created using shades of Chinese red, gray, and white.

Burger says that with so much cultural and architectural history, the property feels as much like a piece of art as it does a residential dwelling, one that the current owner has taken great care to preserve and maintain.

“The seller is very much into the arts and feels more of a custodian of the home,” Burger shares. “He is looking to pass it along to the next steward.”

What makes the dwelling so unique is that only one column is exposed on each floor, which is highlighted by a different color in each room. In the home office, the column is red while the primary bedroom features a blue support, and a yellow column can be found in the dining room.

In the 40 years since the property was built, it has changed hands on only one occasion, in 2005—when it was sold by Beppe’s wife, Claudia, to the man who owns it now for $396,000.HomeTourVision

The property is located just 90 minutes from Manhattan.HomeTourVision

“There are a lot of windows and sitting areas, so when you are inside, you feel like you are outside,” the listing agent says.HomeTourVision

A third-floor loft boasts Zambonini’s signature theater set walls.

“The home itself is so unique, which is what originally attracted the seller,” he added. “There are so many Colonials, ranches, and cookie-cutter homes in the area, so it is infrequent to find a home like this where there has been so much thought put into it.”

In the 40 years since the property was built, it has changed hands on only one occasion, in 2005—when it was sold by Beppe’s wife, Claudia, to the man who owns it now for $396,000.

“I scrupulously maintained the original colors of the house, inside and out, and kept the kitchen and bathrooms as I found them,” the seller writes in the listing. “After 21 years, it is time for a new custodian to live in this significant work of art.”

According to Burger, the property would be the perfect retreat for someone who likes their privacy but also enjoys entertaining guests, offering ample room across its 2,850-square-foot design.

“It has four bedrooms and four bathrooms so it would be a nice home for someone who loves to entertain,” Burger adds. “There is plenty of space for guests.”

What’s more, the property offers the best of both worlds—surrounded by nature, but with all the convenience of proximity to nearby cities and towns.

“There are a lot of windows and sitting areas, so when you are inside, you feel like you are outside,” the listing agent says. “Dingmans Ferry is very quaint and has lots of lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails, and skiing. It’s a naturally beautiful area.

“I envision the next buyer to be an artist who will totally appreciate this work of art. The area has highly rated public schools for someone who has children. I think it will be someone who will want a getaway where they can reconnect and recharge with nature and will not want to change or renovate the home.”

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Pennsylvania

Sweet Summer: 59 creameries unite dairy lovers with Pennsylvania farms on Ice Cream Trail

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2026

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Sweet Summer: 59 creameries unite dairy lovers with Pennsylvania farms on Ice Cream Trail

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (WFMZ) — 59 creameries across the Commonwealth are serving up a sweet summer connecting dairy lovers with Pennsylvania farms.

June 4 kicked off the Ninth Annual Scooped Ice Cream Trail.

Ice cream lovers can register online and fill out a digital passport as they visit participating creameries. Each visit earns points towards various prizes.

The owners of Batch Microcreamery in Center Valley tell 69 News they’re excited to be part of the trail for the third year in a row, attracting visitors locally and out-of-state.

“This is the third location of the ice cream trail that I’ve been on,” said Kamden Acevedo.

Acevedo is originally from Staten Island and said he’s motivated to try other locations on the trail throughout the state.

“I love ice cream. I’m going to try, I’m going to try my hardest honestly,” Acevedo stated.

Dana Reibman and her daughter are just happy for the sweet treat.

“We’re all up for ice cream all the time. We come here probably about once a month because we like trying the different flavors. As you can see, she really enjoys the cookie monster flavor,” Reibman explained.

The ice cream trail continues through Sept. 7.

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Pennsylvania

PA law would restrict cellphones in schools. Pittsburgh already bans them

Published

23 hours ago

June 5, 2026

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PA law would restrict cellphones in schools. Pittsburgh already bans them

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives passed a bill requiring schools to create policies restricting student cellphone use.
Pittsburgh Public Schools already has a policy banning student cellphone use during the school day, which was approved in late 2025.
Under Pittsburgh’s policy, students must turn in their phones to school personnel for the duration of the school day.

If Pennsylvania sees statewide restrictions on cellphones in schools, would anything change in Pittsburgh?

It’s too early to say for sure.

On June 1, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation that would require school districts to adopt phone restrictions, leaving the details of the exact policy’s implementation up to individual districts, according to USA TODAY. Now, if cleared by the Senate — which already passed another version of the proposal with almost unanimous support — it will go to Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has repeatedly said he supports getting cellphones out of classrooms with a bell-to-bell ban.

“Here in Pennsylvania, Democrats and Republicans agree: We need to let our kids be kids again,” Shapiro said in a June 4 post to his X account.

But Pittsburgh’s already ahead of the curve when it comes to banning cellphones during school hours because of a school board policy approved in late 2025.

Here’s what to know.

Are cell phones banned in Pittsburgh schools?

Yes, cellphones are banned during the school day at Pittsburgh Public Schools.

In December 2025, Pittsburgh Public Schools Board voted to ban the use of phones by students during the school day, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.

Under the policy, the possession of phones by students is prohibited. While they may bring cellphones to school, the devices must be turned in to school personnel during the school day.

There are exceptions to the policy in cases where a student may need a phone for instructional activities, an Individualized Education Plan, a Section 504 Plan or for other reasons approved by a school administrator.

Why are schools banning cellphones?

Numerous states have already banned cellphones in schools, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and others, according to ABC News.

This year, Indiana and Kansas banned phones during the day, implementing policies that require students to keep their phones in inaccessible locations through the entire school day, USA TODAY reported.

Recently, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming passed or updated less restrictive legislation on phones in schools, according to an analysis by the Becca Schmill Foundation, the Institute for Families and Technology, Smartphone-Free Childhood US and Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation.

Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania may follow suit.

Do cellphone bans work?

Yes and no.

Cellphone bans keep kids off their devices, but they don’t appear to impact test scores, attendance, self-reported classroom attention or perceived online bullying, according to a study published in April by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Additionally, researchers found that during the first year of a cellphone ban, disciplinary incidents rose and students’ reported well-being fell, though the effects subsided as the years passed.

Still, there’s a push for bans nationally, with the U.S. surgeon general’s office warning on May 20 that “compulsive” screen use is linked to poor sleep, substance abuse, developmental disruptions and social, mental and behavioral issues. The office suggested that cellphone bans in schools are a way to help put excessive screen time in check.

Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.

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