Above is a shot of Chuck Pennacchio at Central Market in Lancaster City during the first stop of the day long trip to Lancaster. Chuck spent two windy hours around the Market greeting people from all over PA who had come to the historic Market. I was told that this is the oldest running market in the US and the building it currently occupies is a 109-year-old red brick building. Pennacchio is speaking with a local organizer Matt Smucker of Lancaster Peace and Justice Coalition who helped organize the anti-war march and the town hall meeting afterwards. Hilariously, we ran into Matt about five times throughout the day all over town. Matt and his crew were handing out flyers for the anti-war march with some of his fellow organizers around the high traffic Market.
The group of about eight or ten volunteers and Chuck handed out hundreds of campaign brochures and buttons to Market patrons. Chuck spoke with committeepeople, residents, out of towners and also ran into the Mayor and his wife who were out picking up some local wares.
I learned that Lancaster County is one of the reddest in the state, but Lancaster City is a growing Progressive community. The people of Lancaster City are tired of the Christian right and want change as noted in this note sent into the campaign apologizing for rushing by Chuck at the Market becasue she didn't understand his message until later on in the day:
As I was waiting in line for my coffee, I picked up your pamphlet and was surprised and excited by it's contents. A candidate with a Ph.D. for Senate is something I never thought possible, never mind one that shares my beliefs. Know that I returned to my parents' home, brochures in hand and told them that there is a candidate out there worth voting for. They were equally as excited and will support you in May.Now that's what I'm talking about.
A shot of Central Market being bathed by the morning sun.
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