Lancaster-based genealogist, historian and researcher Eric Schubert guides us through a fascinating story weaving together Pennsylvania history, early industries such as lumber, and Susquehanna River towns that sprung up as a result. Against this backdrop, many community leaders’ careers were made – and that included a fascinating figure named Barr Spangler. 

Spangler, 1822 – 1922, was a prominent resident of a river town, Marietta, Lancaster County, who ran a dry goods store and became the oldest-serving bank president of his time – and quite possibly in American history. 

Schubert, of ES Genealogy, explains how listeners can begin similar research and genealogy projects of their own. And he explains why he believes there are many additional stories such as Barr Spangler’s waiting to be discovered along the Susquehanna. 

Schubert’s Master’s thesis from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, “Barr Spangler (1822–1922) and the Prohibition Party of Pennsylvania,” was recognized by the Pennsylvania Historical Association. 

And in today's Final Four: Cassie Farrelly of Hershey shares her memories of growing up along the Susquehanna River in Lock Haven and how the Susquehanna compares to other rivers she's seen in her world travels.

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

If Pennsylvania had an “eel whisperer” or “eel ambassador” it might be Aaron Henning, an aquatic biologist with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.  

In this podcast, he demystifies this snake-like fish to explain why this native species is so unique, and why it was historically vital to Pennsylvania’s Native American populations. 

Henning also explains why American Eels virtually disappeared from Susquehanna River waterways over the years – and how they’re now making a comeback. 

We also learn how, ten years ago, Henning created the program “Eels in the Classroom,” now flourishing in 81 school districts across the Susquehanna River watershed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. And on a personal note, he explains why “Eels in the Classroom” honors the memory of his mother. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

An excited crowd of 100 people filled a small Hummelstown park in May to plant the ceremonial 10 millionth tree as part of the Keystone 10 Million Trees initiative. This endeavor was spearheaded by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in partnership with more than 300 organizations across Pennsylvania and accomplished over eight years. 

Susquehanna Scout went on the road to capture the ceremonial highlights and explore the connection between those 10 million trees and the Susquehanna River. Not only do trees absorb and filter polluted runoff from stormwater before it enters waterways, but tree roots stabilize stream and riverbanks. 

Today’s podcast features:  

Listen to Susquehanna Scout’s previous episodes for more background on today’s guests: 

How the Susquehanna Shapes PA with Cindy Adams Dunn 

How does the Susquehanna impact the Chesapeake Bay? with Julia Krall 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

How could data centers affect the Susquehanna River and its water supply?  

Andrew Dehoff, executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), addresses that question and explains how the SRBC is charged with regulating water usage from the river. 

He explains how many data center projects are approved for water use and how many applications are in review through the SRBC. He also talks about alternative methods data centers could use, rather than those that use water. 

Additionally, we dive into Dehoff’s background, history with the SRBC, and additional projects the SRBC is currently tackling across Pennsylvania as well as Maryland and New York. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

It’s where the waterway meets the greenway: Think of the Susquehanna River as a continuous connector of parks, trails, and towns across Pennsylvania. That’s the focus of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) and its executive director, Alana Jajko. 

Jajko explains the mission behind the SGP and how people can explore the Susquehanna River using the organization’s many resources, including trail maps for both land and water. 

Recent SGP projects include helping Williamsport connect and brand several trails, including the Susquehanna River Walk and Timber Trail, into one continuous river trail. The SGP is also working to improve ADA accessibility at river access points along the river. 

Jajko also explains how the SGP’s River Towns Program has helped 16 communities along the Susquehanna River tell their stories and achieve River Town designation. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast from WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Nearly every morning, for almost 10 years, Harrisburg-area photographer Michael Yatsko has started his day on City Island, in the middle of the Susquehanna River. He captures sunrises illuminating the city skyline, the Susquehanna River and its many bridges. 

Susquehanna Scout tags along with Michael Yatsko to find out what propels him out of bed well before sunrise and draws him back to the river, time and time again. 

Find out what City Island wildlife shot is on his wish list and learn how the Susquehanna River played a pivotal role in his family history. 

This special edition of the Scout includes two versions:  

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

One of the Susquehanna River’s tributaries, the Conestoga, is Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year. 

Conestoga River Club (CRC) founder Todd Roy and current executive director Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck explain what the designation means: not that the Conestoga is a shining example of a perfect river, but that the long-polluted waterway is now a river in transition. There’s growing momentum, including the efforts of the CRC, to improve, respect, and enjoy the Conestoga. And it’s essential to Lancaster because the Conestoga supplies 40% of the city’s drinking water. 

Roy shares how a grassroots movement led to the CRC’s formation about five years ago. And Harnish Clatterbuck explains how the public can join CRC’s River of the Year events -- including a photo contest – to continue to raise awareness of this vital tributary of the Susquehanna River through 2026 and beyond. 

Submit your Final 4 comments by emailing us at: [email protected]. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

Erin Frederick had the idea to launch a statewide program for watershed stewards more than a dozen years ago. But even she admits, she never could have envisioned today’s thriving network of more than 1,000 volunteers across 55 Pennsylvania counties. The Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program is modeled after its popular Master Gardener Program. 

Frederick explains what watershed volunteers do, as caretakers and citizen scientists for waterways of all sizes, ranging from vernal ponds, streams and creeks to major waterways including the Susquehanna River – and how there’s still a need for more volunteers, statewide. 

One of the program’s county coordinators, Jodi Sulpizio explains how York County’s program has grown to nearly 100 volunteers, encompassing high school classrooms and river clean-ups. She even tells the story of how one volunteer was inspired to create and launch a successful tree nursery to support riparian (streamside or riverside) plantings. 

Learn more about the Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Program, here. 

Submit your Final 4 comments by emailing us at: [email protected]. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

Mark Platts, executive director of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, explains how this nationally recognized region is sparking new awareness of the rich history along the Susquehanna River in both York and Lancaster counties.  

SNHA is collecting and sharing stories based upon the Susquehanna’s role as “the lifeblood” of Central Pennsylvania’s communities. 

Platts explains how visitors can enjoy the nonprofit SNHA’s historical sites as well as an historic riverboat that it operates. 

And Platts even shares a story about his own unique history with riverboats, relating a story about a time in his own life when he lived on a boat. 

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.  

Saying “Good morning” to the Susquehanna River became a ritual that Central PA mom Alyssa Maddalena shared with her young daughter. But she now shares this tradition with a bigger audience through her children’s book “Good Morning, Susquehanna.” 

Maddalena, from the Danville area, shares the serendipitous story explaining how she connected with the book’s illustrator, Lisa Madenspacher of Columbia, and why she’s donating partial proceeds from the book to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. 

We also touch on how the river, through her book, is connecting new generations to the concepts of river conservation and nature. 

For more information, see https://alyssamaddalena.com

The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.