Backyard Broadcasting

The West Branch Arts Consortium strives to enrich students in North Central PA schools.  President of the non-profit, Dr. David Morgan, says next month, area students will enjoy a vibrant and educational program featuring Colombia’s mostcelebrated musician and Latin Grammy nominee, Nidia Gongora. There will be 10 local school assembly performances and a public performance at St John Neumann on Mar...

The Annual Rose Sale in Beiter’s parking lot starts this Thursday the 12th through Saturday the 14th to raise funds for new equipment for the South Williamsport Fire Department.  Freddi Hammer talks with South Williamsport Fire Department member Grover Danley about how the Rose Sale started, how they have kept it going all these years and how they’d like to see you there!

Groundhog Day on Monday (2/2) is a quirky tradition, but not the only one you can experience in PA!  Freddi Hammer talks with Kaitie Burger, Executive Director of Visit PA about so many fun events planned in all 11 tourism regions of the Commonwealth this year.  Kaitie shares an outline of special events going on throughout 2026; like the annual Punxsutawney event, the America250PA celebration (in...

It's the first Backyard Business Spotlight of 2026 with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).   Jason previews the next PM Exchange.  Also, we send big congratulations out to Ozzie and May's 36th West Fourth on their 20th anniversary plus St. John's School of the Arts on their 30th anniversary!    We learn about applications that are now...

Meet Mark Yeager, the founder of “Crosshairs on a Cure”, a non-profit hunting tournament event coming up January 30th to February 1st. The proceeds for this family friendly hunt go toward a local resident Gary Dapp of Williamsport who is battling cancer. Learn about how Mark and the North Central Predator Circuit has worked hard to bring about the largest organized hunt in Pennsylvania.

In the first of two segments this week, we meet the new CEO of the Central PA Food Bank, Shila Ulrich who is workingyear-round with her team to eliminate food insecurity across 27 counties in the Commonwealth. Then we’ll hear from Vince Reeder and Echo Mitchell, founders of “Hats for Heat”, a non-profit that provides heating oil for free to those who are in need. Their upcoming annual Basket Raffl...

In the first of two segments this week, local teacher Kalyn Essick is replenishing the mobile library at the UPMC HillmanCancer Center and is looking for support and donations so cancer patients receiving treatment can have updated book titles for 2026.  Then, we learn about Mr. Paul Mills, a local man bringing awareness to Homeless Veterans in Williamsport by staying out in the cold outside the A...

STOA: A New Musical Journey is the story of a mother bear and her cub who overcome hardship and find a new understanding of themselves as they grow stronger together. Freddi Hammer speaks with the musical creator and co-producer Alivia Tagliaferri and co-producer Jared Whitford about their original songs, the stellar professional cast and the beauty of local theater.

Hope Enterprises in Williamsport serves Northcentral PA with a full range of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities from infancy through advanced age.  Mackenzie Howe, CEO of the non-profit, shares with Freddi Hammer how their special service helps to enhance the quality of life of each person they serve.

It's the final Backyard Business Spotlight of 2025 with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  Jason recaps the record-breaking Thanksgiving Pie Day 5K in downtown Williamsport.  Also, there's an update on the always popular Santa Express train excursions that are going into their final weekend on December 20th and 21st.  Head to williamspor...

Lodge Secretary and past Master, John DeWald and 2nd Warden, Skip Thompson, share with Freddi Hammer the background and mission of the Masons and explain the brotherhood they experience at the Masonic Lodge #299 in Muncy with fellow members.  They also invite the public to their homemade monthly breakfasts (1st Saturday of the Month) and spaghetti dinners(2nd Saturday of the month).

Find out about Dwell Orphan Care and the ways theywork to bless families in foster, adoptive, and kinship care with Executive Director Jennifer Lake.  She sharesinformation about the non-profit itself, as well as about upcoming programs and events like Holiday Pop-Ups and their Hope Chest program for Lycoming and Columbia Counties.

Jeffrey Dent shares information and history aboutAmerica’s oldest continuous community band in the heart of Williamsport, The Repasz Band.   He invites you to come enjoy their FREE holiday concert all about “Bells” on December 9th at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center. The Repasz Band welcomes donations and is always looking for new volunteermusicians to join them.  

It's the November 2025 Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  Jason recaps the recent state legislative update session in Williamsport. We preview the 9th annual Pie Day 5K in downtown Williamsport on Thanksgiving morning, with a record number of runners and walkers expected to take part! Also, learn more about t...

Jennifer Rempe, Director of Development and Community Engagement with the American Rescue Workers is on InTouch to remind us that November is Homelessness Awareness Month.  They provide programs, meals and assistance for those facing homelessness in Williamsport.  There will be a drive upThanksgiving dinner available for anyone 12pm til 3pm Thursday at 643 Elmira Street. 

Geisinger Registered Nurse Star Bixby joins Freddi Hammer to remind us how to stay healthy in winter weather, including how to avoid slips and falls, hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and heart strain, plus tips to beat the winter blues. Nurse Bixby will share some of the tools you need tostay as safe, healthy, and prepared as you can in the months ahead.

The South Williamsport Fire Department has brought back their Turkey Fair and the public is invited to come and win! Enjoy two evenings of Turkey Bingo and other games of chance to raise money for programs and equipment for the department . Freddi Hammer talks with long-time SWFD member and Co-Chair of Fundraising, Grover Danley, who shares how you can come and win turkeys, steaks, “baskets of che...

The Williamsport Civic Chorus is will perform “Sacred Voices: Divine Harmony from Martines ( Martinez ) to Mozart” Sunday, November 9th at St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Williamsport.  Freddi Hammer talks with three members of the chorus including Tina Swisher, the Publicity Chair for the WCC.  Find out about the chorus, when they practice and perform, and how they’re looking for new singers to join...

Ron Frick, President and CEO of the United Way of Central Pennsylvania, shares with Freddi Hammer the non-profit’s new branding as well as their line up of events including Socktober, going on now through October 31st, and Live United in Music 5, coming back to Williamsport in November!

It's the latest Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce). We discuss and admire the progress so far on the Lumber Yard project that will feature multiple baseball and softball fields in Williamsport that will be available in Spring 2026.   The Eastern Lycoming YMCA is launching a capital campaign and we highlight the...

Vince Reeder of Reeder Bros. Fuel Services, along with his partner Echo Mitchell, are working to make sure those who need it have heating oil this winter from Hats for Heat!  Find out the origin of this 501c3 organization and learn how you can join other community members by donating time, funds or basket raffle items for their big annual event in January. 

A Geisinger Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator, Rebecca Vanderveeken, joins Freddi Hammer this week to highlight October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  She will remind us that one out of 8 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer that is caught early have a 99% survival rating, and that the majority of cancers are not linked to genes.

Freddi looks back at some past episodes.

Marlin Angelo, President and Steve Baker Head Marshal for the South Williamsport Mummer’s Parade talk with Freddi Hammer about preparing for the 78th Annual event, and how they want everyone in the community to come out October 18th from 2pm ‘til 4pm, to either be in the parade or to observe the fun! 

KANSAS lead vocalist Ronnie Platt is set to perform at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center in Williamsport, PA on October 2, 2025. KANSAS will be touring their KANSAS Classics Series and Freddi Hammer caught up with Ronnie for a few minutes to talk about his career and the upcoming show in Williamsport.