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PODCAST

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

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All Episodes

46:00

Igniting PA Baseball with the Fightin Phils,...

The Spark ·

2026/03/27

In this special episode of The Spark, we’re bringing together the heartbeat of Central Pennsylvania baseball. Join us as we dive into updates, standout players, community stories, and behind‑the‑scenes moments from the Reading Fightin Phils, Lancaster Stormers, York Revolution, and Harrisburg Senators. From early‑season momentum to offseason shifts, fan traditions, and what’s ahead for each club, this episode delivers a full look at the region’s most iconic baseball teams —

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44:39

Honoring Enslaved Lives in Lancaster & Preserving...

The Spark ·

2026/03/26

(00:00:00) The second year of the Witness Stones Project is underway, with students researching enslaved individuals connected to prominent Lancaster figures, including some tied to Franklin & Marshall College. They are preparing to place new Witness Stones honoring these individuals and would like to know if you’re interested in speaking with students about their work. (00:22:30) Falconry is an ancient hunting practice dating back around4,000 years in Central Asia, originally used to put

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43:26

Preserving Pennsylvania’s Past While Building Its...

The Spark ·

2026/03/25

(00:00:00) Jack Graham—Executive Director with the Keystone Marker Trust—specializes in preserving Pennsylvania’s historic cast‑iron keystone markers, which once stood at entrances to towns and along bridges across the state. Beginning in the 1920s, the Pennsylvania Department of Highways installed these distinctive blue‑and‑gold markers at nearly every community large enough to have a post office. Although thousands once existed, only a small number remain today. The Historical

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44:24

Honoring Heritage and Heart: Irish‑American...

The Spark ·

2026/03/24

(00:00:00) Local historian and Shippensburg University professor Chrissie Senecal explores the stories of influential Pennsylvania women of Irish descent, connecting Women’s History Month with the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Senecal examines three notable women, focusing on why each is historically significant, how their Irish identity shaped their paths, and what tied them to Pennsylvania’s evolving social landscape. She also places their achievements within the broader trends of

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45:10

York Students Lead Anti‑ICE Walkouts as Spring...

The Spark ·

2026/03/23

(00:00:00) We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage. (00:11:48) Then, we

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44:55

The Spark Weekly | March 22 | Marian Anderson and The...

The Spark ·

2026/03/21

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic forThe New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tommasini recently wrote

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44:52

Culture, Community, and Craftsmanship: Pennsylvania...

The Spark ·

2026/03/20

(00:00:00) We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today. We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of

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44:23

From Music Icons to Medical Milestones: Marian...

The Spark ·

2026/03/19

(00:00:00) Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic forThe New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tommasini recently

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44:31

AACA Museum Honors Auto History as The Peace Corps...

The Spark ·

2026/03/18

(00:00:00) The AACA Museum in Hershey began with a passionate group of automobile enthusiasts whose idea evolved into a broader mission to preserve and share America’s automotive history. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1993, the museum launched a $12 million campaign to create a world‑class facility. Their vision became reality in 2003 with the opening of a 71,000‑square‑foot museum featuring interactive exhibits, rare vehicles, and educational programs. Today, visitors can explore eight

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44:11

PA Farm Roots and New Poll Reveal 2026 Voter Mood

The Spark ·

2026/03/17

(00:00:00) We visit Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market in Hellam, PA, where four generations have grown a family farm into a community hub. Co‑owner Julie Keene shares how the orchard began in 1951, why conservation is at the heart of their work, and how the family continues to preserve land, nurture local partnerships, and keep “Grandma Louise’s” welcoming spirit alive. (00:22:00) We break down the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll with director Berwood Yost

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45:36

PA Stories of Conflict, Community, and a Slice of...

The Spark ·

2026/03/16

(00:00:00) In today’s episode, we go inside Pennsylvania’s pivotal 10th Congressional District to hear how voters are processing the recent U.S. attack on Iran. Reporter Frank Langfitt brings us voices from Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton, where Trump supporters and swing voters alike are weighing the president’s promise to end “forever wars” against yet another military strike abroad. What are people saying on the ground? And how might these views shape one of the

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44:24

The Spark Weekly | March 15th | Johnny Appleseed and...

The Spark ·

2026/03/14

John Chapman (1774–1845), better known asJohnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer nurseryman who traveled across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ontario, and parts of West Virginia planting apple trees grown from seed rather than grafts. His roaming orchards helped shape early American settlement and agriculture. Celebrated in his own lifetime, Chapman became known for his kindness, generosity, and early conservation ethic, turning apples into a symbol of frontier resilience. His

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44:56

Music Milestones, Tax Guidance & Historic Discovery

The Spark ·

2026/03/13

(00:00:00) 17 years is a long time for any relationship. Local Celtic rock band Kilmaine Saints has not only survived that long but thrived during their time together. They describe themselves as equal parts Irish swagger, Scottish pride and whiskey. The band is celebrating its enduring power this Saturday with a show at XL Live in Harrisburg, which is going to be recorded for a future album. WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich sat down with piper Bill Brown and drummer John Kramer to hear about some

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44:48

PA’s Language Gap and Johnny Appleseed’s Impact.

The Spark ·

2026/03/12

(00:00:00) Without professional interpreters, families can be shut out of essential moments—students unable to take required PSSAs, parents unable to understand a diagnosis, patients unable to follow a treatment plan.Language access is access, and too many Pennsylvanians are going without it. Global Wordsmiths, a Pittsburgh-based, women- and disability‑owned company led by CEO Mary Jayne McCullough, is expanding its language access services into Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg. To meet this

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44:28

Thrive Housing and Operation Warm Hearts Expand...

The Spark ·

2026/03/11

(00:00:00) Emily Gochenaur founded Central PA Operation Warm Hearts while studying at Messiah College and continues to lead the organization while working full‑time. A dedicated volunteer, she’s often found organizing donations, attending events, or dreaming up new community challenges. In 2024, Operation Warm Hearts expanded its impact, donating 3,548 handmade and essential items—including hats, blankets, socks, mats, and hygiene kits—to 17 local organizations serving neighbors

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44:31

Downtown Harrisburg’s Future and Pennsylvania’s...

The Spark ·

2026/03/10

(00:00:00) We begin withJuly Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and Ryan Unger, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. They break down ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Harrisburg, why the city’s growth matters for the entire region, and how the new Downtown Harrisburg Perception Survey will guide future planning, investment, and community priorities. (00:22:51) Then we turn to cultural heritage with Dr. Michael A. Di

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44:34

The Spark Weekly | March 8th | Cursive Reemerges in...

The Spark ·

2026/03/07

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Fischer, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, and Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing, about Pennsylvania’s new law requiring cursive handwriting instruction in schools. The conversation explored how cursive connects students to historical documents and deepens their ability to read and interpret primary texts, while also encouraging slower, more reflective thinking in a

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44:24

Women of Excellence & The Work of Bridging Divides

The Spark ·

2026/03/06

(00:00:00) The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their37thAnnual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.Over the last 37 years, the YWCA has honored more than 800 extraordinary women for their contributions to our region, both professionally and philanthropically. This year, they honor 28 women who dedicate time and talent to making a difference in

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44:12

From Home Design Trends to Housing Recovery...

The Spark ·

2026/03/05

(00:00:00) M28 Ministry has acquired a four‑unit apartment complex that will becomeEsther’s House, a new affordable, recovery‑focused housing resource for men and women rebuilding their lives after addiction. The purchase was finalized on February 13 and made possible through $416,098 in Cumberland County HOME funding, a critical investment that allowed the project to move forward. (00:22:04) The 2026 Pennsylvania Home + Garden Show brings more than 200 home and garden professionals, expansive

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44:42

Care, Cultivation, and Changing Industries: Two Paths...

The Spark ·

2026/03/04

(00:00:00) First,Penny Lenig‑Zerby, director of the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing in Harrisburg, and Joye Gingrich, UPMC in Central Pa.’s Chief Nursing Officer, share their personal journeys into nursing and what drives them to train the next generation. They discuss the realities of today’s nursing workforce, the many career paths available to new graduates, and how UPMC supports nurses as they enter the field and continue their education. They also outline practical steps for

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1,108 results

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