Backyard Broadcasting

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...

Rosa Yoo, a Forest Health Manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), gives an update on the Spongy Moth population in Pennsylvania and what they are doing, in coordination with other agencies, tosuppress the Spongy Moth caterpillars that are expected to emerge this spring.  The goal of the DCNR Spongy Moth suppression program, through ground crew analyzation and aeria...

Shawn Carey is joined by Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce) for our 3rd Backyard Business Spotlight of 2025. We re-cap the 2025 West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association Home Show, get an inside look at the Business PA program, how Leadership Lycoming makes such a great impact on the area and a look ahead to the April PM Exchanges.

The staff at Lycoming County Veteran’s Affairs works hard helping Veterans and their families, providing information about VA Health Care, compensation and benefits, GI Bill Information, widows’ benefits, prescription enrollment and more.  Freddi Hammer talks with the Deputy Director of Veteran’s Affairs, Natalie Steppey and VSO Jeff Hamilton, about the Early Bird Special when sponsoring the Homet...

Supporting Special Olympics helps children and adults with intellectual disabilities develop physical fitness skills, demonstrate courage and experience joy with their peers through wholesome competition. Freddi meets regional Special Olympics administrators and interviews local athlete, Jacob Carey, about how important being a Special Olympics Representative is to him.

The River Valley Film Festival committee is accepting submissions of independent films for their event coming up July 17th through 20th and invites the public to save the date! Festival Director, Corey Baney, and Lycoming Arts Film Chair, Noah Beiter, share with Freddi Hammer how their event can inspire local residents to watch independent films AND show film makers around the world that Lycoming...

Raise the Region is a 30 hour online giving campaign that serves non-profits in a 7-County area in North Central PA. The donation window opens March 12th at 6pm.     Erin Ruhl Director of Community Engagement from the First Community Foundation Partnership explains how they, along with Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, will use their online platform and stretch funds to elevate local non-profit...

It's the February 2025 Backyard Business Spotlight with Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  Jason, along with Shawn Carey, recap the chamber's 139th annual meeting plus salute the award winners.  We also discuss the second Lycoming County Wawa to be built later this year, the City Hall building downtown with a possible option on the table that offices co...

Colorectal Cancer Awareness month is coming up inMarch! Dr. Nancy Fitch from MedExpress talks about a newstudy reveals that one in five people under the age of 55 are being diagnosed with colon cancers.  However, more peopleare surviving colon cancer than ever before, too!  Find out how a healthy lifestyle really can help prevent  this life-threatening disease, what the risk factors are and what s...

The American Rescue Workers of Williamsport has partnered with the “Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser” coming up Saturday, February 22nd.  Freddi Hammer talks with Jen Remkey, Director of Development and Community Engagement about the community effort that supports their people and programs. Start your own team or support someone who is walking the 2k or 5k in Williamsport next Saturday support...

The Annual Rose sale in Beiter’s parking lot starts this Wednesday the 12th through Friday 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 yearsand how they’d like to see you there this week!

WILQ’s Ted Bennett catches up with country star Lee Brice to talk life, love, and lyrics! From stories about his wife to the songs that hit home, and of course, his big night at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport for the You, Me & My Guitar Tour —don’t miss this fun and candid conversation!

Author and Veteran Travis Hartman, offers a chance for those who serve to tell their story and create peace for themselves by using creative writing and music instruction through “JokersPromise.com” Freddi Hammer speaks with Travis Hartman, author of “Remote Outpost: Fighting with the US Army in Afghanistan”, who started the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to empower veterans and first responders by providing...

It's the first Backyard Business Spotlight of 2025 with Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  Wawa has finally opened in Williamsport and we recap their huge Grand Opening! 2024 was a big year in downtown Williamsport as more people are returning there for food, entertainment, shopping and many other options!  We continue to be impressed on the outstanding sta...

Starting the new year at your healthiest might mean making sure you’re protected from illnesses like the Flu, RSV, and COVID. Dr. Theresa Metanchuk, is a Pennsylvania doctor who says it’s not too late to get your immunizations.  She recommends the latest vaccines for these respiratory illnesses and shares tips about the CDC education campaign;  “Risk Less, Do More”

Step Americorp, other partners including Central PA Food Bank and the Lycoming County United Way invite you to participate in the MLK Day of Service and Williamsport’s DREAM WEEK January 17th through the 25th! Rochelle Abbott and Carrie Bruning of STEP AmeriCorps and Pastor Brad Walmer, of the New Covenant United Church of Christ describe the activities scheduled all week that promote service, inc...

Thinking about going from Couch to 5k in 2025?  “ParkRun” is a great way to get started! Event Director Jeff Newman shares information about how all are invited to the Susquehanna Riverwalk ParkRun every Saturday at 9am to walk, run, or jog a 5k at a free event that is organized by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. 

It's the final Backyard Business Spotlight of 2024 with Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  We give credit to the Williamsport Regional Airport as they were brought into action to accept private flights from SMU fans that couldn't fly straight into University Park for the College Football Playoff game.   Plus, we reflect on the life of one of the greatest baseba...

Doug Lane is the coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and talks with Freddi Hammer about the completion of 2024’s campaign and what’s ahead for the new coordinator next year.  As always, we’re grateful for the donations from the community, who help the Toys for Tots Foundation collect thousands of toys that stay here in the region and give Christmas joy to financially dis...