Forever imortalized on 35#, 80 bright newspaper stock...

     Only days ago, the cover was to be the feature editorial about the GSA. But, as I often do, I had an idea and everything changed just days ago. I scrambled my staff, calling prospective participants and brainstorming phrases. The end result is more than any of us imagined.

     We at the new MODE would like to thank all these wonderful people who volunteered their time and smiles to be on the new MODE "We're Back!" cover:

     In order of appearance we have :

1. Matt Gruber. Matt is the do-all staff photographer and most certainly indespensable.

2. Greg Rothman. One of Harrisburg's most recognized realtors and long time friend.

3. Beth Darlington. MODE's unstoppable sales manager. If she calls on you, just buy the ad.

4. Una Martone. President of Leadership Harrisburg and impressive creator of at least five of the cover phrases.

5. Mayor Stephen R. Reed. What can I say, I've taken a thousand pictures of the guy; it's only fitting that he grace our revival cover as well.

6. Alex Hartzler. Alex appeared on the infamous HYP cover, with Greg Rothman, and is also a dear friend.

7. Ellen Hughes. Long-time host of WITF's Desert Island Discs and certainly one of the people I admire most.

8. Chris James. HA! Who doesn't love WTPA's Chris James. Shots anyone?

9. David Gould. David is one of my two contributing editors, an award-wining newspaper man, and one of the managing editors of the original MODE. He is top-shelf.

10. Tony May. Tony has one of the best senses of humor known to man.

11. Randy King. Randy has a secret life as a reggae DJ and performs in his bare feet. Really.

12. Brad Krow. Brad is the VP and art director of Harrisburg Magazine and interestingly, IMHO, made a big mistake by actually saying to me, "Am I going to be on the cover?"

13. Corky Goldstein. Corky is one of the most giving people I have ever met. He deserves to be on the cover of LIFE.

14. Nancy and Newman. Ah, the BOB morning duo. Nancy and I go waaaaay back, and Newman. Well, let's just say I usually catch them before I take the picture and make them spit their gum out.

15. Scot Giambalvo. That's me. Notice I'm not actually holding my sign, and no tricks were used. It's just floating there. Really.

16. Julia Gottlieb. Julia is our  administrative assistant, staff writer, reporter and possibly one of the quickest learners I've ever had on staff. Thus she earns all three titles in the masthead.

17. Stuart Malina. Stuart is so cool. He makes classical music cool. We never met before last week, but he made me feel like we were old friends.

18. Julie Schreiber. Julie has a very long tongue. She can also wail and is one of my favorite singers to photograph.

19. Eric Waters. Eric lives life. Dangerously? Maybe. But he too cruised across a previous cover of MODE and I've missed him terribly.

20. Billy Kaldes. If you don't know Billy, owner of the now famous SPOT, shame on you.

21. Dennis Owens. Dennis always smiles. He's one of the most genuine people I've ever met. That's saying a lot for a "news" guy.

22. Sara Bozich. Sara will, someday, write a piece so prolific that she blazes out of Harrisburg and never looks back.

23. Mike Blum. Again, if you don't know who "Mike the flower guy" is, he's been selling  flowers on the same spot downtown for so long he's worn the concrete down to bare stone.

24. Lisa Paige. Lisa and I have soap opera history. I'm glad she's back and would not have been able to put this "phoenix" issue together without her help and encouragement.

25. Melanie Wagner. Melanie is MODE's NightLIFE Insider. If you want your band in MODE, she's your go-to girl.

26. Robert Stadnycki. I owe a lot to Robert. More than he knows.

27. U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (D). I respect this man. That's a lot to say for a politician. Keep up the good work. And finally, number

28. T.R. "Mac" McIntosh. I know so little about this man; only that he's facinating and I'd like to know him well. This cover belongs to each and every one of you. You are my stories. You are the new MODE.