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The Spark

WITF

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

Location:

Chambersburg, PA

Genres:

Talk

Networks:

WITF

Description:

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

Language:

English


Episodes
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The Spark Weekly 1.12.2025: Debunking Health Myths and The Legacy of Milton Hershey

1/12/2025
Coming up on The Spark Weekly. Milton S. Hershey is a man who turned sweet dreams into a global legacy. Hershey was born in 1857 near Hershey according to Amy Zeigler, Senior Director of The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey Community Archives. also, on the program. For many, the new year means new fitness and wellness goals. Jesse Cracco is a certified personal trainer, functional nutrition coach, and behavior change specialist who works with women to naturally speed up their metabolisms so they can stop the dysfunctional yoyo diet cycle and learn to maintain fitness and health for the rest of their lives. Jill Harbarcuk has been a high-level nutrition coach and personal trainer for over eight years. She is a functional nutrition coach, PN, Level 2 Master Health Coach, and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach but most importantly, she has a talent for understanding the deeper psychological needs of her clients, which has led to hundreds of success stories. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:42:22

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Journalist Roundtable: Costs of Special elections in PA and proposals to legalize recreational marijuana in PA

1/11/2025
Our Journalist Roundtable segment for January 10 included Spotlight PA reporters Ed Mahon and Stephen Caruso. Ed shared about his report on how easy it is to obtain a Medical Marijuana card in Pennsylvania, as well as the latest on proposals to legalize adult recreational marijuana. Stephen discussed his reporting on the number and cost of special elections in Pennsylvania in 2024. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:08

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The Spark Team travels to the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show

1/10/2025
The 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show highlights Pennsylvania’s agriculture. It is also the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. The Spark Team traveled to the farm show to experience food vendors, live animal exhibits, farmers and more. On this episode of The Spark, you’ll hear from King View Mead, the Steinmetz Family Farm, Altmeyer’s Western Wear, The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Future Farmers of America. You will also hear commentary from Producers Emma Halsey and David Payne. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:38

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PACB and CSCU lobby for new law to protect seniors from elder financial abuse

1/10/2025
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers are pushing for new laws to better protect seniors from elder financial abuse. Kevin Shivers, President and CEO of PACB, and Christina Carden, VP of Marketing and Communication at Cross State Credit Union Association were guests on The Spark to shed light on this issue. Below is a op-ed from PACB that explains their partnership on this effort and what they would like to see happen in 2025. Letter to Santa to Protect Older Pennsylvanians Dear Santa, Older Pennsylvanians deserve a new law to help protect them from financial exploitation. Elder financial exploitation comes in many forms. Scammers are constantly targeting older adults through a variety of schemes, like romance scams and investment frauds. Tech support scams were the most reported last year by older adults. Criminals pose over the phone as tech or customer service representatives, impersonating technology, banking, or government officials to convince victims that foreign hackers have infiltrated their bank account. They then instruct the victim that to “protect” their money, they should move it to a new account – one secretly controlled by the scammers. Nameless, faceless scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal money from older adults. Sadly, even people known and trusted by an older adult can be the perpetrators of elder financial exploitation. In these situations, a family member, friend, or someone else known to the older adult exerts pressure on financial decisions, asks for sums of money, or convinces the older adult to sign over investments, real estate, or other assets through the use of manipulation, intimidation, or threats. On a positive note, these scams often raise the suspicions of trained bank employees who are effective guards against financial abuse of older adults. Recognizing the warning signs of frauds and scams is a goal that is shared by many, including the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and AARP Pennsylvania. That is why this holiday season, we are urging older Pennsylvanians to be on high alert for scammers, fraudsters, and manipulators who want to steal their money, their financial information, and even their identity. We believe if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. But this is where our wish list gets a bit longer. Currently, the state’s Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) does not mandate reporting of elder financial abuse. We believe this act also needs to be updated to allow banks and credit unions to place a temporary hold on transactions they suspect are fraudulent and report the matter to the local area agency on aging and law enforcement. Providing this “safe harbor” will ensure banks play an even more active role in preventing elder financial abuse, while adding a needed device to the Commonwealth’s toolbox to detect and deter frauds and scams. While we’ll be good and working hard on this effort, we hope you can help make our wish for the Commonwealth to pass a law to better protect older Pennsylvanians from elder financial abuse can come true in the new year. Kevin Shivers, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director, AARP Pennsylvania Listen to the podcast to hear the interview. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:15:00

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Central Pa. might experience more snow this weekend

1/9/2025
Central Pennsylvanians have been experiencing cold weather for the past week. ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso says it’s due to low pressure that has been keeping slightly below average temperatures. “It's not extremely cold, but it's cold enough that we're seeing highs around freezing, maybe a little bit below nighttime. Temperatures in the 20s, nighttime temperatures in the teens and the coldest spots, but also the really persistent wind. And I think that's what people really get tired of this time of the year, that when we keep getting these drops of cold air coming in from the north, unfortunately, that means we keep getting rounds of cold air. Chances for some light snow.” Temperatures from this month compared to last year’s are about five to ten degree below average. “It seems like every passing snowstorm we get is maybe 1 or 2in. And so, heading into late Friday night, early Saturday morning, we do expect another kind of brush by of light snow, 1 to 2in, likely two inches might be really the high point at this at this stage. And then early next week, there's another type of clipper that usually means some light snow. Maybe it's Monday or Tuesday timeframe and then possibly another next Thursday into Friday.” Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:08:35

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High School students invited to participate in MLK Jr. International Poetry and Storytelling Festival

1/9/2025
The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg is inviting high school students in Central Pennsylvania to take part in their annual Martin Luther King Jr. International Poetry and Storytelling Festival on January 19. This year’s theme is “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Joyce Davis, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, says she hopes students stop and think about the ideals of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what it means to their life today. “We must accept finite disappointment, meaning that that disappointment is now limited but infinite. We can never give up this infinite hope that this will be a better world. It is going to be. And it's only going to happen if we don't give up and don't suffer despair, “said Davis. On Wednesday February 15 at 5:30 The 3rd annual Central Pennsylvania Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Commemorative banquet will take place at the Hershey Lodge. Dr. Wanda Knight, Professor of Art Education and African American studies at Penn State Harrisburg says this banquet is always held on Dr. Kings Birthday. “I want to say that again, January 15th, we know we have a holiday, but that typically may not be his birthday. So, what people to make sure they recognize his birthday, which is January 15th, always. And this this case, January 15th, falls on a Wednesday. And the whole purpose of the banquet is to enhance community engagement among local organizations. And I'm thinking about our organizations, our businesses, our residents. Also, the banquet is designed to strengthen community ties and promote unity and collective responsibility, collective responsibility. And that's really key to what Dr. King's vision of a more just and equitable society, “said Knight. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:21:08

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Pa. Farmer shares memories of friendship with Jimmy Cater

1/8/2025
Wayne Harpster, owner of Harpster Farms in Huntingdon County, developed a friendship with the late President Jimmy Carter through their love of fly fishing. Harpster met Cater in 1978 at a Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club member meet up. “I didn't know he was coming.” The former president arrived in his helicopter and landed on Harpster’s field. He offered to cut his fence so the president and first lady Rosalynn could get to the stream. However, the president did not allow him to do that. “I had barbed wire that separated the field that turned to the area where he was going to go fishing because wheat pasture cattle at that time. And I don't want them to cut their boots. So, I wanted to cut the barbed wire so they wouldn't cut our fishing boats. And they wouldn't let me do that. And they just crawled over the wall’.” When the day ended, Wayne was not sure that he’d see the president again, however his friendship lasted well over 40 years. “I didn't know if I'd ever see him again. But 12. For the next year. The time came again. And our friendship began.” Over the years, Harpster and Cater went on trips around the world that included Mexico and even China. “We had a lot in common. And so, we become more than just friends. We become buddies. And of course, we would do a lot of things together. We would shoot groundhogs in the summertime.” President Cater passed away at 100 years old died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:21:57

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Adams County Historical Society assumes ownership of Shriver House Museum

1/8/2025
The Adams County Historical Society has recently announced it has assumed ownership and management of the iconic Shriver House Museum, located in downtown Gettysburg. Abbie Hoffman is the new Director of the Shriver House Museum and believes that this will help to tell the story from a civilian perspective of life during the Civil War era. “The Shriver House Museum is dedicated to telling the civilian experience during the Battle of Gettysburg. And what the beauty of the museum is that we take visitors behind the scenes to take them into a home with the family behind the lines during the battle. And we help them view the battle from 1863 through the eyes of just one common family. So, it's kind of a chance for visitors to see things behind the scenes and walk as if a family would have walked. Del and Nancie Gudmestad were the previous owners of the museum. Their journey began in 1984 when they moved to Gettysburg and opened its first Bed-and-Breakfast, the Old Appleford Inn. Realizing the lack of focus on the town’s 2,400 civilians during the battle, they sold the inn and pursued their dream of telling these stories. In 1996, they purchased the long-abandoned Shriver House and painstakingly restored it to its Civil War appearance. According to Abbie, the Adams County Historical Society did not have much of a downtown Gettysburg presence. So, when they were approached by the Gudmestads about taking over, it was an opportunity they could not refuse. “Having a downtown location was of huge interest to us beyond the fact of having this museum which fit perfectly into our mission and things that we're trying to continue on with. So, it was honestly, it was a perfect fit into what we were looking forward to. We weren't really expecting it, but at the same time we were very, very interested and happy to kind of see how that might fit into our plans of expansion over the historical society.” The Shriver House Museum will reopen on March 1, 2025. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:04

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Milton S. Hershey: They story of a man who shaped the candy industry for generations to come

1/8/2025
Milton S. Hershey is a man who turned sweet dreams into a global legacy. Hershey was born in 1857 near Hershey according to Amy Zeigler, Senior Director of The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey Community Archives. “He had two parents who were very different from each other, but he really seemed to get the best of both of them. So, his mother was a pretty strict Mennonite. She was very hard working, family focused. He went to school until he was 14, but she really wanted him to have an apprenticeship and learn a trade. His father was a dreamer. He changed jobs a lot. He always had big ideas to earn money and move the family around a lot, which was a bit unsettling.” Hershey originally started making candy, years before he found success with milk chocolate. In 1876, he opened his own candy business in Philadelphia, however, his business would not last for long. “He eventually went bankrupt. He traveled around the United States to different locations Chicago, Denver, New Orleans. And then he ended up in New York. And he started another candy business there. And he just couldn't sell enough to pay his bills. And he rented an extra kitchen space when he was in New York. And the rent kept going up and up and he just couldn't afford it. So, he had to declare bankruptcy a second time. And I think this is where his mother's sort of drive to never, never give in kicks in. He moved back to Lancaster, borrowed some money and started focusing on one type of candy, which was caramels, and started the Lancaster Caramel Company and got a huge order from a man in England. And that's kind of where things started to take off. So, he started that company in around 1886. By 1893 or 4, he had over 1300 people working for him.” Listen to the podcast to hear more about the Milton S. Hershey story. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:11

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Brightside Opportunities Center offers fitness programs for the youth and seniors

1/7/2025
Brightside Opportunities Center in Lancaster is changing lives with its innovative programs from fitness and wellness to education and youth initiatives. Sally Winchell, Wellness Director at Brightside, has been at the center for ten years. Winchell helped to design the layout of the fitness center. “We have strength and conditioning. We have some Zumba classes. We have a senior pound class. I work with younger people with lifting weights, doing personal training all the way up through people that are in their 90s, “said Winchell. Isiah Perry, Program Director at Brightside says the center offers nutrition programs as well. “Through these nutrition programs that we're doing with seniors, but also for the kids. Sally came into Stem camp and did a whole day all about nutrition, how to read a food label. My kids, we call them food detectives. What to stay away from Red dye is terrible for you. Sugar in these sodas is three times your daily limit. We're uplifting them to make healthy choices so that they can live of, well, vibrant life, “said Perry. Sometimes, participants can be a little hesitant when joining due to fear or self-doubt. However, Perry and Winchell work hard to build confidence among people in their fitness programs. “Or some people believe, I want to do this by myself and get down to a certain level before I enter into a public space. And the educational programs, I see the same thing with the youth, where they are shy to explore educational activities outside of the classroom. And that can be with learning loss due to Covid, whether or not confidence in their abilities, whether that's math or reading. But really that self-doubt is something that we have to overcome by instilling a sense of community and giving them a purpose, “said Perry. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:08

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Author Andreja B. Gunjaric shares about her debut book, Where the Nile Meets the Sea

1/7/2025
Where the Nile Meets the Sea: Mystery of the Great Giza Sphinx is a fictional tale about two characters Geb and Luna. Local author, Andreja B. Gunjaric was a guest on The Spark to share more details about her debut book. “Where the Nile Meets the Sea is a fictional adventure tale about GEB and Luna, their prehistoric siblings in the late Stone Age. And they go on a long adventure along the Nile River, where the Nile meets the sea is the point. In the Nile River's meeting with the Mediterranean, where the river separates, and the ancient Egyptian gods once lived as humans in my story. And that is where the primary action takes place. But Gabert Luna follows the Northern Star. Their father has told them stories about the North Star and how he believes that ancestor souls pass through the spiraling stars into the heavens, and they hope to meet their ancestors there.” Gunjaric was inspired to write the book during the Covid lockdowns as she began researching her genealogy. She knew that her ancestors were originally from Switzerland and was traced back to the 1300’s. However, her husband didn’t know much about his genealogy. “My husband knew nothing about his other than they had come from a particular country that once was aligned along the Roman Empire, the Eastern and Western Roman Empire. And so we researched on 23 and me, we submitted DNA samples, and we also consulted cousins that were older than Andrew to learn more about our ancestors and discovered the village from which they came. And after that, I began to trace the migration of people and how they arrived at the country where they eventually ended up living and decided I wanted to write a story about the migrations of people over a series of time. And this is really the first of six books. This discusses a migration from ancient Africa up to Dagger Land, which is a part of the North Sea, submerged between the British Isles and the European continent. Ten percent of Where the Nile Meets the Sea royalties earned will be donated to Tree Aid, a international NGO supporting communities to tackle poverty and the climate crisis through the power of trees. Their project supports the Great Green Wall- an initiative to prevent the Sahara desert’s expansion by planting a wall of trees from Senegal to Sudan. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:45

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Debunking health myths for 2025

1/6/2025
For many, the new year means new fitness and wellness goals. Jesse Cracco is a certified personal trainer, functional nutrition coach, and behavior change specialist who works with women to naturally speed up their metabolisms so they can stop the dysfunctional yoyo diet cycle and learn to maintain fitness and health for the rest of their lives. “So my background in school is in psych psychology and wanting to help people. So I went to school to eventually do a clinical psychology path, and I totally diverted and went this direction because I see nutrition and fitness as a way to proactively prevent disease and help mental health and anxiety and depression and all those things. So yeah, that's kind of my, my background wanting to help people and being able to prevent disease rather than deal with it once it comes and deal, “said Cracco. Jill Harbarcuk has been a high-level nutrition coach and personal trainer for over eight years. She is a functional nutrition coach, PN, Level 2 Master Health Coach, and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach but most importantly, she has a talent for understanding the deeper psychological needs of her clients, which has led to hundreds of success stories. “Mine wasn't necessarily school related. When I was pregnant, I was on bed rest and gained a lot of weight. And one of the goals I set afterwards was to compete in a bodybuilding competition. And it just kind of spiraled into wanting to be a trainer and then coaching online. It's definitely evolved from a physique focus to now just to kind of add on to what Jesse said, just a health focus and being proactive about your health and just feeling good inside and out, really, “said Harbarcuk. In this podcast episode, Jill and Jesse spoke with The Spark Host Asia Tabb and fitness trackers, body image, weight loss drugs, pricing of healthy food, and more. Listen to the podcast to hear more from this conversation. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:23:49

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The Spark Weekly 1.05.2024: Dry January and Braver Angels

1/5/2025
Our Braver Angels segment for the Month of January was about managing strong emotions and important relationships at the start of a new presidential administration. David Lapp, Co-founder of Braver Angels and Director of Citizens Commission on Immigration, and Rhona Myers, Braver Angels member, spoke about separating feelings about political leaders and people in our lives. They also shared what happens when two opposing sides no longer interact with one another as they want to associate with those who agree with them also on the program; The holidays are usually a time for socializing, celebrations, and cocktails. However, some people decide to bring in the new year by not indulging in alcohol at all by participating in Dry January. Dry January is a month where one refrains from drinking any alcohol as a personal challenge. According to Dr. Melissa Brown, UPMC Clinical Psychologist, society has played a role in the challenge of becoming more popular. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:42:50

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The History of the NYE Strawberry Drop in Harrisburg

1/4/2025
The iconic strawberry drop in the City of Harrisburg was established in 1990 the same year that the Hilton opened. “When the Hilton was finally built, and downtown Harrisburg was really on the rebound and Market Square had been completely redesigned. And the newer buildings there and so forth. So, Market Square was a destination to really want to go to and to be proud of, “said David Morrison, Executive Director of the Historic Harrisburg Association. The late Mayor Reed decided this would be the perfect opportunity to promote the downtown area while bringing in the new year. “They felt that a celebration in Market Square would be a good thing to do and that a strawberry for Strawberry Alley, which is what Strawberry Square is named for. It goes right through Market Square, “said Morrison. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:04

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How the iconic NYE Red rose in Lancaster was created in 1993

1/3/2025
Residents in Lancaster were in for a treat on New Year’s Eve when the iconic red rose made its return after a small hiatus. The original rose made it’s debut in 1993 and its creator is Victor Capecce, Professor of Emeritus at Millersville University. The idea of the rose rising was born out of the Lancaster County Artists Association. “It was nearly eight feet in diameter. The base, the foundation based that I had created was actually two pieces of right inch plywood side by side.” Listen to the podcast to hear Capecce’s story. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:11:18

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Braver Angels: Managing strong emotions and relationships at the start of new presidential administration

1/3/2025
Our Braver Angels segment for the Month of January was about managing strong emotions and important relationships at the start of a new presidential administration. David Lapp, Co-founder of Braver Angels and Director of Citizens Commission on Immigration, and Rhona Myers, Braver Angels member, spoke about separating feelings about political leaders and people in our lives. They also shared what happens when two opposing sides no longer interact with one another as they want to associate with those who agree with them. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:29

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Dry January and its benefits

1/2/2025
The holidays are usually a time for socializing, celebrations, and cocktails. However, some people decide to bring in the new year by not indulging in alcohol at all by participating in Dry January. Dry January is a month where one refrains from drinking any alcohol as a personal challenge. According to Dr. Melissa Brown, UPMC Clinical Psychologist, society has played a role in the challenge of becoming more popular. “I think it's just as we it became popular, just as we, you know, as a society have started to become more conscious of our health and, and focused on how certain substances might not be as safe for us or as healthy for us as maybe we once thought about, “said Dr. Brown. Dr. Adam Barnathan, UPMC Addiction Medicine Specialist, says the benefits of participating are quite notable. “So, we do have medical data on the long-term effects of dry January. So, the benefits range from better sleep to weight loss to ongoing reduction even past one month extending out to six months. So, people who do participate tend to reduce their drinking long term, “said Dr. Barnathan. Dr. Brown suggests creating a goal when participating in dry January. “Once they set that intention, then they can certainly look at their lifestyle and then how can they follow through with that? So being very conscious of your goals and very specific with them is just one great way and great place to start, “said Dr. Brown. For those who drink alcohol excessively, it is important to reach out to a medical provider in case severe withdrawal take effect. “If you have what we call a diagnosable alcohol use disorder where you're at risk for detox or severe withdrawal effects, and that should be done under medical supervision. This is targeted more towards people who fall into the problematic or heavy drinking, which is a lot more people than you would believe. So, it's upwards of seven drinks per week for females and upwards of 14 drinks for males. And that's really who the target audience is, “said Dr. Barnathan. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:03

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The Spark Weekly 12.29.2024: The History Behind Kwanzaa and Hannukah

12/29/2024
The Jewish week-long festival will take place in just a few days. This year, Hanukkah falls on the night of December 25 and ends on January 2. Zach Benjamin, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Harrisburg and Marc Kline, Interim Rabbi of the Temp Ohev Shalom joined to the spark to share more information.The history of Hanukkah begins 2200 years ago.“The Syrian Greeks were in control of what we now call Israel Palestine, and they brought Greek culture, which was replacing the existing Jewish culture, and they trashed the temple and didn't destroy, but they trashed and were sacrificing pigs on the altar. And Jews said, we can't let this happen. And so Matthias and Judah Maccabee and their followers warred against the Syrian Greeks and they defeated the Greeks and rededicated the temple. The rest of the story becomes a matter of different versions of history. The story everybody seems to know is that when they went to light the lights on the altar, they had one cruise of oil that hadn't been destroyed. They thought it would last for one day and it lasted for eight. That story's first written about 500 years later. Many of the versions of the story, though, deal with the fact that we changed the practice from Pagan to to God at the altar, that people stopped the war to rededicate themselves to God. So whatever story you're looking at, we're looking at bringing the light of peace and faith over the ugliness of paganism and war, “said Kline.Zach Benjamin explained the significance of sundown and those eight days of Hanukkah.“Well, in at its most basic, the Hebrew calendar and the Gregorian calendar, what we think of as our typical calendar, they're different in a number of ways. The Hebrew calendar has 13 months. The our Western calendar has 12 months. And another way that they are different is that the Hebrew day begins at sundown and goes from sundown to sundown. And thus Hanukkah, like all other Jewish observances, begins at sundown on the first day. And Hanukkah lasts eight days. And so it goes until sundown.” Also on The Program: Kwanzaa honors unity, pride, and African traditions from December 26 to January 1. This celebration brings people together by sharing stories, lighting candles, and community. Naaja Rodgers, Professor of Africana studies at Dickinson College says Kwanzaa is a Kiswahili word.“So it's actually a Kiswahili word, which means maternal, your Kwanzaa, which means first fruits. So essentially Kwanzaa means first fruit. And these are typically celebrations that are held throughout Africa.”Kwanza was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga. He was a part of a cultural nationalist group that promoted African culture.“The Watts riots in Los Angeles and just the racial tensions going on during the Black Power movement inspired him to think about what we can do to kind of help African people as a collective Pan-African. Keep that theme intact. How can we ensure that black people are able to reason to remember and prepare for the new Year as opposed to just like the commercialization of Christmas where it's like a hustle and bustle, you're shopping and then you give a gift and then you go on to the new year.”There are seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity) Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) Nia (Purpose) Kuumba (Creativity) Imani (Faith) Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:43:27

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How Poinsettias became the official Christmas flower

12/25/2024
This week kicks off Christmas and there is no denying that poinsettias make for bright and festive decorations during the winter months. But have you ever wondered how they got to be the official Christmas flower? Shirley Halk, Master Gardener with the Penn State Agricultural Extension Service says they have a long history. “The flower or the poinsettia reminds people of the Star of Bethlehem. When the three wise men were coming to Jesus to bear their gifts. So that's one thing about the poinsettias. You have this Christian belief. You also have when you look at the Aztecs and the Mayans, they use the poinsettias for medicinal values. They believe sometimes in magical values of the plant. So, it's it's used in a variety of ways.” Poinsettias are grown in warm settings and are native to Mexico and Guatemala. “They are actually considered a perennial shrub and they can grow up to 15 foot high, which you won't see here usually in the States.”After Christmas, Poinsettias can be preserved. “They can be they can be made to bloom, believe it or not, year after year, if you so desire. And when I say year after year, the longevity on a poinsettia plant can be anywhere from 10 to 20 years.” Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:22

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Christmas stories from The Spark Team

12/25/2024
Since it’s the week of Christmas, The Spark Team at WITF decided to do a whole segment on Christmas Traditions. Listen to the podcast link to hear from David Payne, Researcher/ Producer, John Kinzer, Program Manager, Emma Halsey, Audio Engineer/ Producer, and Host Asia Tabb to hear some of their favorite Christmas stories growing up. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:11:13