The Stroud Water Research Center has been focused on the science of rivers and streams since 1967. Scientists at the center conduct studies on these systems and how to protect them. They work hard to advance our knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration. In this episode of The Spark, we spoke with Jessica Provinski, Director of Development, Lisa Blazure, Soil Health Coordinator, and David Bressler, Community Science Facilitator,...
Mar 11, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Located in State College, Pennsylvania is Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania . Discovery Space is a non-profit science center designed to provide engaging experiences with the experience of technology that sparks curiosity and creativity. Michele Crowl Executive Director of Discovery Space and The Rivet, says the center opened back in 2011 and has grown ever since. “We've since moved to a larger facility. We've been able to expand the programs that we offer. So, we started out with a ...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up on this week's edition of the spark weekly. Avian Flu has been impacting Pennsylvania’s farms for nearly two years now. The virus has had a major impact on poultry farmers across the state. Our Braver Angels segment for the month of March was about the Braver Angels National Community Debate – National Debate Series: Trump’s First 100 days. This free national debate offers participants from across the ideological spectrum will have an opportunity to...
Mar 09, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our Braver Angels segment for the month of March was about the Braver Angels National Community Debate – National Debate Series: Trump’s First 100 days. This free national debate offers participants from across the ideological spectrum will have an opportunity to speak and ask their questions. There will also be opportunities for participants to share their experiences in the past 100 days as well. John Wood Jr, National Ambassador for Braver Angels provided insight into the ne...
Mar 08, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our journalist roundtable segment for March 7 included Diane McCormick of The Burg, and Sue Gleiter of Pennlive. During the segment, we discussed a recent town hall meeting where Harrisburg residents voiced their concerns and heard plans about the restoration of the historic Broad Street Market. Listen to the podcast to hear the conversation. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 07, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two local filmmakers set out to tell stories about Harrisburg that transcend boundaries of race, class, gender and geography. The result is the film River City Stories, which is screening this week at the West Shore Theater in New Cumberland. WITF's Rachel McDevitt spoke with the film's creators Paul Hood and Wallace McKelvey. According to McKelvey, he loved the City of Harrisburg, and wanted to portray that in a film. “I just feel like there's so much more to the city that...
Mar 07, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast The documentary The Philadelphia Eleven tells the powerful story of eleven women who in 1974 shattered barriers by becoming the first female priests ordained in the Episcopal Church – challenging tradition, defying expectations, and paving the way for future generations. Margo Guernsey, Director and Producer of the Philadelphia Eleven, felt it was important to tell their story. “I felt like a little bit like I'd been punched in my gut and been told a story that having been an avid st...
Mar 06, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Homelessness is a complex issue with many causes from economic hardship, housing shortages, and unexpected crisis. The Stronger Together Impact Project brings together officials from various governmental agencies to the issue of homelessness, seeking new solutions to an issue with a variety of causes. The Stronger Together Impact Project was created by Sonia Pitzi, Director of Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Lincoln Area Intermediate Unite #12, and Chris Kapp, Coor...
Mar 06, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Avian Flu has been impacting Pennsylvania’s farms for nearly two years now. The virus has had a major impact on poultry farmers across the state. According to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, it is very devastating to farmers after their farm has been hit by the virus. “Nobody wants to do what these farms are required to do. You have to put flocks down. But you have to contain and suppress the virus as quickly as you can. It's the first principle of eliminat...
Mar 05, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Keystone Indoor Drill Association (KIDA) is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country, serving the region since its inception in 1981. The organization sponsors competitive events for Indoor Color Guard, Percussion, Dance, and Winds. “Back in the day, we used to also have a competition with majorettes and drill teams. We don't have any of those anymore, but we're, you know. very, very strong with our members for Color Guard and Indoor Drumline, “said Matt Carrahe...
Mar 05, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast March 4th is National Marching Band Day, a day to march forth and celebrate the vibrant tradition of marching bands across the nation. To celebrate, we spoke with Directors of two of Pennsylvania’s premiere marching ensembles-Dr. Matthew Brunner from the Temple University Diamond Band and Dr. Brad Towsend, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band. For Brad, he knew early on he wanted to pursue a career in music as a high school band director. But that changed when he ...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Civic Club of Harrisburg is a service organization that supports and initiates community projects, provides scholarships and offers services to instill civility and create civil engagement within Harrisburg. To celebrate Women’s History Month, the civic club has a special event on March 24th to honor the past and present women shaping the City of Harrisburg. “ So, we are going to be having at the Civic Club of Harrisburg, the Historic Harrisburg Association come and really enligh...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Pennsylvania has graced the world with an inordinate number of influential women throughout its history but looking with a sharper lens at four women in particular highlights not just their achievements, but also key trends in the U.S. and Pennsylvania in the 1800’s. Dr. Christine Senecal, Medieval Historian, shared some of the most important women from Pennsylvania whose lives made a positive impact on the world today. Mary Cassatt was the only American to exhibit alongside the French Imp...
Mar 03, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly. Winter road treatments help to keep us safe on the roads, however there are some hidden dangers of road salt and our freshwater ecosystem. Dr. John Jackson, Senior Research Scientist of Stroud Research Center , shared how the road salt makes its way into our fresh water. Also, on the program: Lisa Zoll is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Grief Relief in Harrisburg. Grief Relief specializes in grief and trauma therapy for adults and first ...
Mar 02, 2025•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our journalist roundtable for February 28 included WPSU’s Sydney Roach and WITF’s Jordan Wilkie. Jordan recently covered a protest where more than 300 people marched to the capitol to protest the Donald Trump administration. Sydney discussed her report on the protest in Centre County where people protested the Trump administration’s recent actions, which included pauses on federal funding and Eldon Musk’s involvement in the government. Listen to the podcast to hear the di...
Mar 01, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Winter road treatments help to keep us safe on the roads, however there are some hidden dangers of road salt and our freshwater ecosystem. Dr. John Jackson, Senior Research Scientist of Stroud Research Center , shared how the road salt makes its way into our fresh water. “a portion, maybe half, maybe a little more, maybe less, immediately goes into our waterway by way of the snow melt and runoff. So, we'll see a spike in salt in the stream within hours of snow, or especially an ice event. ...
Mar 01, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Much has been written about the Amish in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, but little of that comes from the Amish themselves. Author Brad Igou seeks to change that with his compilation, Amish: In their own words . The book is compiled from the first 25 years of Family Life Magazine. Igou says his inspiration to write this book was born out of an experience living with an Amish family. “I'd read a lot about the Amish, but I found a publication they had called Family Life, which was written by Am...
Feb 28, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lisa Zoll is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Grief Relief in Harrisburg. Grief Relief specializes in grief and trauma therapy for adults and first responders within Pennsylvania. Grief is described as the loss of something significant loss and trauma is an event that causes some significant level of distress and anguish for someone. Asia Tabb, host of The Spark asked Lisa how grief and trauma intertwine following a tragic event. “There is a term, traumatic grief, which is ba...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Public transportation plays a critical role in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania’s lives whether they’re trying to get to work, run errands, or get to their medical appointments. The mass transit is changing, pitting traditional methods against things like rideshare services. According to Richard Farr, Executive Director of Rabbit Transit , technology has been a game changer in services they provide the public. “Now we're paying by cell phones. We used to have to print hundreds ...
Feb 27, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Franklin County played an important role in the Underground Railroad . It’s location on the Mason-Dixon Line signaled escaping slaves entry through the north, and the mountainous terrain afforded numerous hiding places in caves and wooded areas. “Over the years I've heard research historians refer to South Central Pennsylvania as ground zero of the Underground Railroad. Over the years I've heard research historians refer to South Central Pennsylvania as ground zero of the Underground...
Feb 26, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Perry Historians were incorporated in 1976 and is dedicated to preserving history whether it i's researching genealogy or documenting historic sites. Local Author and Historian, Jerry A. Clouse was one of the founding members of the non-profit. "There was not a library, a research library where we could do research instead of going to the state library at Harrisburg. So we felt it would be good to have one closer by in Perry County." The organization began with just 30 members, but grew by a...
Feb 26, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The movie Brave the Dark is an account between the relationship of Stan Deen and his adopted son Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Deen’. This past January, The New Holland Area Historical Society opened an exhibit so people could learn more about the story behind the movie. For Nate, Mr. Deen provided him with hope and stability. “For me growing up was a really hard and tragic time. I experienced a lot of childhood trauma and so when I was 16, I ran away and ended up meeting a teacher, M...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan D. Baxter Fund for African American Studies 2025 Forum is set to take place February 27. Reverand Dr. Catherine Williams, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Chapel Worship at Lancaster Theological Seminary says it’s part of their Black History Month commemoration. This forum will honor the legacy of Biship Nathan D. Baxter. “Even as a lecturer here, his lectures, because he was around and active in the civil rights movement himself, h...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on an issue that affects far too many young people. Sobeida Rosa, Community Educator with Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County , works to educate the public about Domestic Violence and resources available at DVS Lancaster. “Teens can also be involved or experience these types of things within their dating. And it's super important to raise awareness because we want to make sure we can try to do s...
Feb 24, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly... Theatre Harrisburg , Central Pennsylvania’s oldest performing arts organization, is celebrating its 100th season. also on the program... The world is facing a chocolate shortage due to climate change, supply chain issues, and rising production costs. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 23, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Breaking news never stops, and staying informed is more important than ever. Jenna Wise, breaking news reporter for PennLive, has covered some of the biggest stories unfolding across our region. From developing events to in-depth reporting, Jenna is on the front lines bringing the latest news to Central Pennsylvania. Jenna was a guest on the Spark Feb 21, and shared some of her latest reporters from this past week. Her reports included a District Attorneys decision on a fatal crash, Harrisburg P...
Feb 22, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast National Bird Feeding month is a month to help birds survive the winter by providing food, water, and shelter. February is one of the most difficult months for birds to survive because of limited food and cold temperatures. This month is meant to educate people about wild bird feeding and watching. Dan Brauning and Brian Byrns made an appearance on The Spark to share more information about Bird watching. Dan Bruaning is a leading Ornithologist who has dedicated his life to studying and protectin...
Feb 21, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Theatre Harrisburg , Central Pennsylvania’s oldest performing arts organization, is celebrating its 100th season. It was originally founded as Harrisburg Community Theatre in 1926 during the “little theatre” movement. “And really what that was where groups of amateurs or community members wanting to theater into their communities. So primarily theater was happening, you know, on Broadway and in the big cities, “said Executive Director, Lorien Reese-Mahay. In 1952 th...
Feb 21, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gretna Music is celebrating 50 seasons this fall. Executive Director, Suzanne Stewart, reflects on his milestone. “ Wow, so this is my 13th summer as executive to Greta executive director of Gretna music and I've seen so many different things in the in the 13 years, but even before that I was involved back in 2000, “said Stewart Mika Cook is the Director of Operations and Patron Services at Gretna Music. She began at the theatre as a intern. “I mean I haven't I think this is my...
Feb 20, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Fulton Theatre isn’t just one of the most historic and iconic theatres in Pennsylvania – it’s also a place where community engagement plays a huge role in creating an unforgettable experience for audiences. A key part of that effort is the Ambassador Program, which helps connect volunteers with the theater in a meaningful way. The Ambassador Program is a volunteer program at the Fulton Theatre. According to Donna Lascoskie, Hose Manager at the Fulton, there’s currentl...
Feb 20, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
