With gyms closed this spring, and summer activities canceled, we've had more time in and around our homes. If you're like me, you've walked/run/biked your neighborhood streets like crazy. Sunday mornings, Friday nights, sometimes in the middle of the night, I've been up and down the streets of  Hershey. I've gotten to know where the sidewalks dip, where hedges bulge and where you better look twice for cars. As a realtor, I love looking at the styles of the homes, the yards, the small touches that make a house a home.

I have my definite favorites in the neighborhood; "charm" being the number one criterion.

One of these favorites is 20 Maple Avenue, owned by Dennis and Betsy Phillippy. I've never had the guts to walk up to their door, knock and say, "I just love your house. Please tell me about it." But the other day I happened upon Mr. Philliipy tending his rose bushes. We spoke for almost an hour there in his yard. Here's what I learned.

This home was built in 1932 by the Hershey Lumber Company and served as the model home for part of the developing neighborhood, which, of course, became Downtown Hershey. The home was soon bought by Russell Aungst, Dennis' father-in-law, a lifetime employee of The Hershey Company.

"They called these homes the 'birth control' homes," says Dennis, "because they were built as two bedroom, one bath homes with no finished attic space or finished basements."

Despite the limited space — or maybe because of it — Betsy and her older sister were born in the late 30s and mid- 40s. Soon grandma and an aunt moved in.

"Even though it was built basically for a couple, this home, almost since day one, has housed our extended family and multiple generations," Dennis said.

When Mr. Aungst passed and her mom was alone, Betsy and Dennis returned to Maple Avenue to be with mom. They've remained ever since. They raised their three children   in the home and now savor visits from their six grandchildren. Dennis ran the  planetarium program for the Central Dauphin School District for 30 years and says he's never worked a day in his life.

Dennis and Betsy have deliberately maintained the original footprint of the home. In 2012, 20 Maple Avenue received the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society's Preservation Award, an award given each year to honor a well maintained structure of historical significance. The home oozes quaintness. According to a 2012 article in the H-DTHS newsletter, this home is an archetype of a much different era in Hershey and adheres to the design principle that bigger is not always better.

The rose bushes I found Dennis tending to flank the east yard. This rose garden was   part of the original landscaping for the model home. A small sign rests under each bush, stating its official name. One is the Dick Clark rose (shiny leaves), another the Julia    Child rose (yellow, of course… for butter). They have over 20 bushes and spend hours each week cultivating and caring for them and the rest of the yard.

"If it weren't for our yard, we'd go crazy. We love working out here and it's a big part of our lives."

During our visit, Dennis pointed to the home's mammoth maple tree, the focal point of the backyard. "See this big maple tree?" he said. "My father-in-law planted that in the 1950s when he was well up in years. Mom asked him, 'Why are you planting that now? We are so old.' "'Well,' Dad said, 'I just think someday a young family will live here and they will enjoy the shade.'"

Here's to preserving the past while looking to the future.

I'm sure your neighborhood strolls have turned up some cool insights, too. While you're out, don't forget to give your neighbors a big smile and a friendly hello and maybe strike up a conversation. You never know what stories you'll discover behind the real estate.

Eileen S. Voyles is a REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty. She can be reached at 717- 508-4610, evoyles@homesale.com.

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