The Spark

(00:00:00) Cloth of the Nation is a podcast hosted by veterans Dale and Jan Hamby, sharing the voices and experiences of military veterans across our region. The podcast will feature honest conversations about military service, life after the uniform and continued service to the community. Through stories of challenge, resilience and purpose, Cloth of the Nation will offer insight and understandin...

A new student-led podcast is bringing Pennsylvania history to life in a whole new way. High school and elementary students are teaming up to research, write and produce original audio stories that explore the people, places, and events that shaped the Commonwealth. The project blends classroom learning with real world media experience, giving students the chance to step into the role of storytelle...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jasmine Rivera , Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition , and Andrew Brananoksi , Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center , with additional insight from Lize Miller of PIRC’s Removal Defense Team . Together, they break down how Pennsylvania’s immigrant advocacy and legal defense organizations support individuals and...

The Spark , hosted by Asia Tabb, will feature a 40‑minute conversation presented in two informal, discussion‑focused segments centered on the theme of learning how to disagree more constructively. In the first half, Asia is joined by Nita Landis, moderator of the Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop, and Dr. Jonathan Woodall, Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication at Penn State Harrisburg...

As wildfire season ramps up across the state,  The Spark spoke with Mike Kern, Chief of the Division of Forest Fire Protection, and Matt Reed, Chief of Wildfire Operations and Planning with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, about what residents need to know. They explained that most wildfires in Pennsylvania are human-caused—often the result of debris burning, unattended campfires, or discarded...

(00:00:00) Greg Katshir is part of the third generation of family leadership at the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. After the market’s founder, Ray Garver Sr., passed away in 1959, and later his son Ray Garver Jr. took over, the family tradition continued when Tracy (Garver) Katshir joined the business in 1990. Today, the Market is managed jointly by Tracy and her husband, Greg...

(00:00:00) We’re joined by Carol Thornton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Better Health, along with leaders from two participating nonprofits: Ericka Anderson, Landisburg EMS Jeanna Som, Supportive Partnerships for Youth Together, they break down Match Madness , a unique annual fundraising campaign now celebrating its 10th year. Modeled after the excitement of March Madness, this initia...

(00:00:00) Stephanie Kwolek (July 31, 1923 – June 18, 2014), born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was an American chemist whose groundbreaking work in polymer science led to the invention of Kevlar — the exceptionally strong, lightweight fiber widely used in bullet‑resistant vests. (00:22:09) Then we speak with Mike Kern: Chief, Division of Forest Fire Protection and Matt Reed: Chief of Wildfire...

(00:00:00) Syndey Roaches new feature series digging into a rising problem in the State College area: facility fees. They’re extra charges meant for hospital costs… but more and more patients are getting them at non‑hospital offices — with no warning. Sometimes adding hundreds of dollars to a bill. We’ll also look at the growing national debate around these fees, and what Pennsylvania lawmakers ar...

Across Pennsylvania, drivers pass them every day without a second thought. The blue and gold roadside signs shaped like a keystone are part of the state’s identity, but many people do not realize they carry nearly a century of history. Public broadcasting and the legacy of Fred Rogers continue to shape generations, according to educator and broadcaster Ed Arke, who recently reflected on the childr...

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,...

(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...

(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...

(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 evol...

(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 stud...

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for  The 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 Virgi...

(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” an...

(00:00:00) Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for  The 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 albu...

(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 inte...

(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 d...

(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 ar...

John Chapman (1774–1845), better known as Johnny 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, gener...

(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...

(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 McCul...

(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,...