The Spark

A class of Harrisburg third grade students created a social justice quilt last year with hopes to bring awareness and make a change.

This year the quilt, which was created by St. Stephen’s Episcopal School students, has been displayed at the MLK City Government Center in Harrisburg.

The quilt consists of fabric squares, where each child depicted themes around identity and social justice.

JoAnn Baldwin, a third grade teacher at the Episcopal school, called the class who participated in this project, the “change makers” which set the tone before they were put to the task.

JoAnn, thank you so much for joining us today to discuss this topic.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in the middle of a heat wave and high temperatures could be in the 90s for the next week or so. The grass is brown, leaves are falling off the trees, flowers are wilting and gardens are dry. So, how do you take care of what’s growing in the ground during the middle of summer? Erica Shafer is

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Bead Fest is back and will be held in person this year for the first time in Lancaster.

August 17th through the 20th , Bead Fest will celebrate 20 years of existence at the Lancaster Marriot in Penn Square, 25 South Queen St., and plans to bring shopping, educational workshops, vendors, and more.

With an expectation of about 4,000 attendees for this year's Bead Fest, Katie Hacker, content manager for Interweave said she knows it will be special because of Lancaster's vibrant community and the opportunity to bring people together through jewelry making.

"I think it's a really powerful therapy for the instructors who are there, for the people who are coming to visit, shop, play, and learn," said Hacker. "And for us working there, it's really important for us to be able to get together and share the significance of these objects that are so small, but they really do carry a lot of weight."

To buy tickets visit beadfest.com.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a hero? The definition of the word is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. As we’re growing up, there are people we look at as heroes. Who are they? Do we hold those people as heroes as adults – maybe changing our views about old heroes and adopting new ones? Dennis Denenberg and Lorraine Roscoe have updated a book they wrote years ago 50 American Heroes every kid should meet is now 60 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet. Dennis Denenberg is with us today.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has become almost a Monday morning ritual in Central Pennsylvania – the reports of the murders and shootings from over the weekend. The gun violence doesn’t just happen on weekends but it seems to be more prevalent on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It used to be that most shootings occurred late at night or in the early morning hours, but now it’s not unusual to hear gunfire in broad daylight or an innocent person being hit in the crossfire or by a stray bullet. Most of the shootings are in the region’s cities and most often the victims are young Black men. Dr. Dale Dangleben is the Trauma Medical Director at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Hospital in Cumberland County and he has treated many of these gunshot victims or worked to save their lives before they died.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From time to time on Smart Talk, we form a panel to recommend books to read on summer vacations or books to give as gifts during the holiday season.

Now during the height of summer, we wanted to check in to see what books are most popular right now or the titles that people are talking about.

With us is on Tuesday's Smart Talk was Alex Brubaker, the Book Buyer and Program Coordinator at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg as well as the director of the Harrisburg Book Festival.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Pennsylvania and the nation.

It’s estimated more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 and almost 6,000 will die of the disease.

However, a new nationwide survey finds that only 40% of Americans are concerned they may get lung cancer and even fewer have talked to their doctor about their risk for the disease.

Deborah Brown, the Chief Mission Officer at the American Lung Association appeared on Tuesday's Smart Talk.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Child care was already unaffordable for 63% of parents. Half of families live in child care deserts. One in 3 working families struggle to find child care. Only 10% of the supply of child care is quality. That’s from a recent article in Forbes Magazine quoting several sources and were from before the COVID Pandemic.

The situation has only gotten more dire as many child care facilities closed and some didn’t re-open.

Quality child care is expensive where it exist, there aren’t enough child care workers and many of them aren’t paid well.

So, what’s the answer?

The Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, housed at Shippensburg University provides training for child care workers and employers at little cost.

Liz Knouse, Director of Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization for PSSHE, Autumn Alleman, Assistant Director of ECEPDO@PSSHE, and Melissa Ocker, Director, Carlisle Early Education Center, Carlisle, were on Tuesday's Smart Talk.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

[box] Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.” [/box]

Middletown Public Library has partnered with Caring Hearts Pet Therapy to present a program that encourages the love for reading and provides therapy from a furry friend.

Tales with T.A.I.L.S., which stands for Therapy Animals Increase Literacy Skills, is a program that allows kids from Kindergarten to 5th grade to engage with therapy dogs and cats while reading to them individually or in small groups.

With the guidance of  literacy mentors from Caring Hearts Pet Therapy, children read books to the animals, which act as non judgmental and attentive listeners to support the development of their reading and communication skills.

According to the Caring Hearts Pet Therapy website, this program helps to increase relaxation and lower blood pressure.

John Grayshaw, Director of the Middletown Public Library, said this program becomes more important during the school year because it provides an opportunity for kids to destress and apply skills that are learned in school.

"I hope that this finds the kids that are struggling the most and helps to improve their reading skills because it's one of the necessary skills for life," said Grayshaw.

To participate in this program visit the Middletown Public Library at 20 N Catherine St. on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.