Backyard Broadcasting

It's the August 2025 Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).    We recap the Grand Slam Parade, Little League World Series as well as the "Williamsport Welcomes The World" street festival as our area saw a boom in event attendance and economic activity that resonated in record numbers!  Also, we wrap up t...

The “National Guard Experience Community Event” is coming up Saturday, September 13th at the National Guard Armory on Grove Street in Williamsport.  Members of the National Guard, Bravo Company, are preparing for their 3rd annual event and invite you to join them as a new vendor or as a guest. Plan to enjoy LIVE music, food trucks, and activities for families, plus military vehicles and equipment...

River Valley YMCA Williamsport invites you to their Back to School Block Party August 7th from 4pm til 6pm in their gymnasium! Megan Swarthout, Wellness Director at the Williamsport Y says families can register for a free backpack full of school supplies then come play games, do fun activities and enjoy local food trucks on site! 

Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce) joins Shawn Carey for the July Backyard Business Spotlight.  One of baseball's greatest second basemen of all time, Ryne Sandberg, appeared in Williamsport as Grand Marshall of the 2023 Grand Slam Parade.  Sadly, Ryne recently passed away from cancer at age 65.  Jason shares his thoughts on Ryne's time in the city.    Ja...

Maggie Merk is a speech, language pathologist at Geisinger and treats adult and pediatric patients who need help for physical and neurological speech disorders using an integrated team-based approach. Find out more about tools and techniques that are available as an inpatient or outpatient and find out more about managing speech, language, cognitive-communication disorders and more

“The Dominican Plate” is an annual fundraising dinner that is a partnership between the Williamsport Crosscutters and ACES North America, to support impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic.  Lynell Stabler, a founding member of ACES, tells Freddi Hammer about the projects that are completed and maintained through the generous fundraising done here in Williamsport, and about the deliciou...

Kids Safety Day is a fun event for families coming up this Saturday, July 19th from 11 til 1 at Hidden Creek Campground in Allenwood featuring big trucks and the PA State Police helicopter to see and touch.  Melissa Magargle talks with Freddi Hammer about the event that seeks to support Transitions PA and bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking in our state.  Come out for food on site an...

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lycoming County works with area families to mentor and encourage children to thrive in their school and community beginning at age 6 until 15.  Big Brother/Big Sister Supervisor Joe Weber, and Advisory Board Member Deanna Cowells join Freddi Hammer this week to invite members of the community to investigate what it takes to mentor one of over 30 “Littles” who are waitin...

“Blue Star Mothers of North Central PA-12” and the 327th Quartermaster Battalion Family Readiness group invite the public to their 4th Patriot 5k Color Run/Walk on September 6th with the early registration deadline June 30th!  Freddi Hammer talks with Blue Star Mother, Brenda Everett, who invites all to donate, volunteer, or participate in activities that support our active military members in all...

Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce) joins Shawn Carey for the June Backyard Business Spotlight.  Bass Pro Shops Outpost is coming to The District at Lycoming Valley!  Jason tells us how the process went, well over a year in the making, to bring one of North America's premiere outdoor and conservation companies, to Lycoming County! The America 250 PA Commission...

As Prostate Cancer becomes more of a household word recently (after Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed), some families are curious about the risks and symptoms of the disease. Geisinger Urologist, Dr. Matthew Meissner, addresses common questions about how to navigate a Prostate Cancerdiagnosis as well as how to plan for a urology appointment at Geisinger Medical Center Muncy and Geisinger Je...

The Lycoming County Fire Police Association is holding their 7th Annual Food Truck Picnic and Vendor Show in Nisbet on June 21st from 11am to 6pm and you’re invited! Freddi Hammer talks with the Association’s Vice President and fundraising chair, Nathan Shaffer, about all the fun activities, retail vendors, and food trucks that helps raise money for the LYCO Fire Police officer’s training andequip...

WILQ’s Ted Bennett recently caught up with NASCAR star Ross Chastain while he was in the Poconos gearing up for the Great American Getaway 400. Ross opens up about his journey from working on his family’s watermelon farm to racing on short tracks, and eventually making it to NASCAR’s biggest stage. He also reflects on his unforgettable "Hail Melon" move during the 2022 Martinsville playo...

South Williamsport Area School District recently installed a security system called “ZeroEyes” that uses A.I. technology to identify threats on campus.  Freddi Hammer talks with South Williamsport Area School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs, who shares the discovery installation and funding of the program.

Jason Fink, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, joins Shawn Carey for our May edition of the Backyard Business Spotlight. We discuss the impact on better living as Williamsport City Council has approved a resolution for a $250,000 grant application to get a plan in motion for park improvements plus a new bike lane in the city.   As Penn State University announced the closure o...

May is Stroke Awareness Month and Geisinger trauma nurse, Star Bixby, RN, will share with Freddi Hammer the types, warning signs, risk factors and recovery options of stroke symptoms, so that we’re empowered with life-saving knowledge for ourselves and loved ones who may be at risk of a stroke. 

The Lycoming County United Way is planning a “Day of Action” in July where neighbors will help neighbors withservice projects, and they are looking for volunteers and non-profits who need the help. President of the Lycoming County United Way, Ron Frick, and Director of Community Impact, Amber Newell, share with Freddi Hammer their plans for the summer, upcoming programs and the ways they work to s...

The 2nd Annual “Rock for Rescues” is coming up June 28th at the Rt 61 Pin Bar in Sunbury, and is a fundraiser to support “Mommy & Me Rescue” and “Rescue Pets Serving Vets”.  Freddi Hammer talks with event coordinators Mary and Dennis Marquette who invite you to the full day of events including lots of vendors, bingo, food trucks, a doggy kissing booth and much more, with an acoustic concert to...

After Heidi’s Furry Friends Rescue, Inc. rescued “Ravioli”, the kitten who was injured in Muncy, a spotlight was directed toward her non-profit and the efforts she and her family make so our furry friends are cared for and find forever homes.  Freddi Hammer talks with Heidi McCarty about her Furry Friends Rescue.  Heidi shares how they operate, how they hope to be supported and what we need to kno...

“Williamsport Bicycle Recycle, Inc”, located at the Pajama Factory, is a non-profit group that serves the community by focusing on the needs of riders through bike recyclingservices, the sale of refurbished bikes, and training for those who want to repair their own bikes. Freddi Hammer talks with founder Louisa Stone who shares the history of Bicycle Recycle and encourages us all to get outside an...

Shawn Carey is joined by Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce) for our 4th Backyard Business Spotlight of 2025. We discuss the announcement of Williamsport Regional Airport's new Executive Director, upcoming PM Exchanges, ribbon cuttings as well as a look ahead to the 2025 Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday, August 12th. 

The 11th annual Bone Hunt, an Easter egg hunt for dogs , is coming up Saturday, April 26th in Watsontown - with dog treats from Mad’s Doggo Bistro - and proceeds from the fundraiser to benefit Arthur’s Pet Pantry, a food pantry for dogs. Freddi Hammer talks with Grace Knapp from Arthur’s Pet Pantry about how the Bone Hunt has grown and how the activities, raffles and dog friendly vendors make the...

State Representative Jamie Flick of the 83rd Legislative District is holding his 3rd Annual Health and Human Services Expo at Penn College on Friday, April 25th. The free event starts with a Speaker Series at 1pm, featuring talks from professionals about protecting youth from opioid use and other addiction risks by strengthening mental health. Then a Vendor Expo will start at 3pm with over 60 part...

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lycoming County works with area families to mentor and encourage children to thrive in their school and community beginning at age 6 until 15.  Big Brother/Big Sister Supervisor Joe Weber, and Advisory Board Member Deanna Cowells join Freddi Hammer this week to invite members of the community to support their program by investigating what it takes to mentor one of over...

Few names in the music industry command as much respect as David Foster—a 16-time Grammy Award winner, including three for Producer of the Year. With a career spanning over five decades, Foster has shaped the sound of modern pop, R&B, and film scores, working with legends like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, and Andrea Bocelli. His talent for crafting timeless hi...