Backyard Broadcasting

Cristina Maisel is the Regional Communication Manager for the American Red Cross for the Greater PA Region and she will join Freddi Hammer to detail the emergency blood shortage locally and across the US, with especially serious shortages of Platelets, and  O positive & B negative blood. 

Freddi Hammer talks with Emily Gorski, the founder of DIGFurniture Bank, an organization that provides gently used furniture for families in Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties who have experienced a housing crisis. DIG is holding an online fundraiser now and a live auction July24th, offering upcycled furniture pieces with an artistictwist.  Find out more at DIGFB.org 

Amy Swarthout, a Trauma Program Manager at Geisinger Jersey Shore, joins Freddi Hammer with a bunch of tips and hints to stay well and safe this summer.  She encourages us to take precautions when we’re swimming, biking and spending time in the sun.

It's the latest Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  We recognize the positive impacts two area residents made on our region that left us way too soon, Mark Murawski and Larry Winans.

Plus, a tip of the cap to Engle's Arts for the wonderful work they did on the Lycoming County America 250 bell that's on display in the Chamber building. We are wrapping up June with the next PM Exchange event at Dranktuary in Montgomery. 

We send congratulations to Cowden's Tactical Training, Reach Road, Williamsport, for becoming one of the newest Chamber members!      Then, Shawn and Jason close the podcast with invites and the latest updates on the America 250PA Lycoming County Celebration Concert as well as the 2026 Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday, August 18th!      

Chad Kamerer is a local fitness advocate and trainer and will ride a bike across Pennsylvania this August to raise awareness for human trafficking and sexual abuse in our area. All theproceeds Chad hopes to raise will be donated to the Tim Tebow Foundation. 
Chad and his wife, Brynn are passionate about calling out and stopping predators who abuse children. 

The Lycoming County Fire Police invite you to their 8th Annual Food Truck Picnic and Mascot Party June 20th at Nisbet Park.
Freddi Hammer talks with Nathan Shaffer, Vice President and training coordinator of the group, who shares info about more than a dozen food trucks, craft vendors and DJ music that will be featured that day.

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Keith talked with Riley Herbst, who will be driving in Sunday's, June 14, 2026 Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. They talked about the upcoming race, his beginnings in racing the possibility of him this fall ini the Baja 1000.

The Williamsport Chamber Choir & Orchestra is hosting “Voices in Bloom”, a fundraising event taking place June 14th in the Vallamont section of Williamsport. Guests can explore four separate home gardens with music being provided from both WCCO and the Williamsport Youth Choir. There will be drinks from local breweries to add to the relaxing atmosphere.

The founders of a new area non-profit called “Dementia Friendly Lycoming County” invite us to a bingo fundraiser on June 28th in Williamsport to raise funds for their first initiative:  Training for first responders on how to assist those they serve who are living with dementia.
Emily Anthony and Kristin Daugherty share their plans for the future of the organization with Freddi Hammer.

It's the latest Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  

We are wrapping up May with the next PM Exchange event at UPMC Williamsport.     

Sports ETA released its 2026 State Of The Industry Report, ranking Pennsylvania 4th in the nation for both participatory and spectator sports.  We discuss how crucial the impact sports tourism has on our local and statewide economy.  The chamber and the city of Williamsport have signed a contribution agreement, that goes toward security and safety expenses for the August Little League Classic game at Bowman Field.  We learn why it's an important investment toward such a benchmark event.

We look back on the May ribbon cuttings that featured Northeast Title and Tag, as well as Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak and Phoenix Physical Therapy.     

We wrap the podcast up with the final push for registrations to be in the 2026 Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday, August 18th plus information on the Jersey Shore Area Chamber of Commerce Summer picnic in July!