The Spark

Long before founding Pennsylvania, William Penn Jr. was just “a guy in England,” according to historian Daniel K. Richter. But his story—and the colony he helped establish—was anything but ordinary. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spotlight is once again shining bright in Hershey as the 17th season of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards kicks off—an annual celebration of high school theater talent from across Central Pennsylvania. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of Pennsylvania providers is urging lawmakers to include a $13 million funding increase in the upcoming state budget to support residential rehabilitation services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. If approved, the state investment would unlock an additional $17 million in federal Medicaid matching funds, bringing the total to $30 million. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Van Wagner talks about trees, it’s more than just classroom chatter — it’s a personal mission. The Danville Area High School agriculture teacher and certified forester recently completed a unique and physically demanding journey: climbing a tree at the highest point in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Dr. Eric Selvey, President of the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania, Pride is personal — and political. After first joining the board in 1993, serving as president for three of those years, and then returning in 2021 after the pandemic hiatus, Selvey has seen the LGBTQ+ movement in Central Pennsylvania evolve into something both resilient and radiant. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tucked away in the wooded hills of Lititz, Pennsylvania, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA offers a permanent home to over 50 gray wolves and wolf dogs—animals too wild for domestic life and too misunderstood for most traditional shelters. Since its founding in 1980 by the Darlington family, the sanctuary has grown into both a rescue haven and a powerful educational resource, helping the public understand the complex nature of these majestic canines. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the unique challenges men face in seeking mental health support. Dr. Luke Piper, a psychiatrist at UPMC Lititz, joined The Spark to share both professional insights and a deeply personal story. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than six decades, Long’s Park Amphitheater has echoed with the sounds of live music every summer Sunday night — a tradition that continues in 2025 with a vibrant lineup of 12 free concerts from June 1 through August 17. “The summer music series at Longs Park Amphitheater is a tradition in Lancaster that’s spanned over 63 years,” said Kristin Chronister, president of the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation and chair of music. “We host free music concerts every Sunday evening starting at 7:30 p.m.” Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly. Anne Danahy of WPSU and Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA will discuss the closure of 7 Penn State campuses, agreed to by the Board of Trustees in a 25 to 8 vote. Also on the program: As the nation observes Memorial Day, many Americans pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service. For Patricia Bowers of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, that solemn remembrance is a year-round mission. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Spark this week, we explored the fascinating intersection of art, memory, and environmental legacy with two leaders from the Susquehanna Art Museum. Executive Director Alice Anne Schwab and Rachel O’Connor, the museum’s new Director of Exhibitions, joined us in the studio to talk about Future Fossils, their latest exhibition that’s sparking big questions—and imaginations. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Spark’s Journalist Roundtable, we tackle a major shakeup in Pennsylvania higher education: the closure of seven Penn State campuses, a decision formally approved by the university’s Board of Trustees in a 25 to 8 vote. Joining us to unpack the story are Anne Danahy, reporter for WPSU, and Wyatt Massey, education reporter with Spotlight PA. The closures, announced as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and restructuring effort, have stunned students, staff, and communities that have long relied on Penn State’s commonwealth campus system to provide accessible and affordable education across the state. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly half of Americans are now breathing unhealthy air — and much of Pennsylvania is among the hardest-hit, according to the American Lung Association’s newly released 2025 State of the Air report. The annual analysis, now in its 26th year, found significant declines in air quality across the state, with Lancaster, Pittsburgh, and Dauphin counties receiving failing grades for both ozone and fine particle pollution. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever marveled at the massive Greyhounds that crisscrossed the country or wondered what public transit looked like decades ago, the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a destination worth pulling over for. And there’s no better time to visit than during its signature event: Spring Fling, happening this June. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kaushal Kapadia’s path to opening his own dental practice in York, Pennsylvania, began with a self-conscious middle schooler’s smile and a compassionate orthodontist in a small town in India. Today, as the owner of White Rose Family Dental, he brings a lifetime of experience, empathy, and global perspective to his patients—thanks to a journey filled with determination, hardship, and heart. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Alvernia University launched its engineering program in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more than an academic initiative — it was a bet on the future of Reading, Pennsylvania. Today, that gamble is paying off with a powerful partnership between the university and local industry, most notably Brentwood Industries. Peter Rye, CEO of Brentwood Industries, brought a global mindset to his leadership — shaped by life in Denmark, Canada, and now Reading — that emphasizes outward-looking innovation. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you walk into the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum in Harrisburg, you’ll find more than old fire trucks and helmets. You’ll step into a story of service, family tradition, and decades of dedication to preserving local history—thanks in large part to one man: Dave Houseal. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, Project SHARE marks a major milestone: 40 years of nourishing the Carlisle community and awakening hope for those experiencing food insecurity. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has grown from a centralized food distribution initiative into a multifaceted support network addressing both immediate needs and long-term stability. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to balancing love, duty, and family, retired military couple Dale and Jan Hamby have lived what many might consider the impossible dream. Both dedicated to decades of service in the U.S. Armed Forces—Dale in the Army, Jan in the Navy—their journey has spanned continents, deployments, and deep personal sacrifice. But their bond only grew stronger through it all. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the nation observes Memorial Day, many Americans pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service. For Patricia Bowers of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, that solemn remembrance is a year-round mission. Bowers has made it her life’s work to honor the veterans of World War II, particularly those of the 17th Airborne Division—where her late father, Thomas Miller, served. What began as a personal tribute has become a powerful example of living patriotism, community service, and intergenerational memory Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly; Since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the cannabis industry has grown quickly—but not without growing pains. In a recent interview on WITF's The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Judith D. Cassel, a leading attorney and advisor for cannabis companies, to explore how the legal landscape has evolved and what misconceptions still cloud this rapidly expanding market. Also, on the program Chrissie Senecal rejoins Asia on the Spark to talk all about the history of Birth Control Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.