The Spark

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Syndey Roaches new feature series digging into a rising problem in the State College area: facility fees. They’re extra charges meant for hospital costs… but more and more patients are getting them at non‑hospital offices — with no warning. Sometimes adding hundreds of dollars to a bill. We’ll also look at the growing national debate around these fees, and what Pennsylvania lawmakers are doing as hospitals continue to consolidate. One local lawmaker shared a case where a patient was told to expect an eighteen‑hundred‑dollar bill… and instead was charged more than three‑thousand. 

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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we’re raising awareness in the media about endometriosis 

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Pennsylvania Regional Ballet (PRB) is a nonprofit pre-professional training school committed to providing high-quality dance education, performance opportunities, and artistic development for dancers of all ages. We offer a full range of classes — from creative movement and beginner ballet to pointe, modern, jazz, and our intensive pre-professional track — all designed to nurture strong technique, confidence, and creativity. The Spring Gala is one of the signature performances on our annual calendar, giving dancers a chance to shine onstage while bringing our community together to celebrate the art of dance.

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Across Pennsylvania, drivers pass them every day without a second thought. The blue and gold roadside signs shaped like a keystone are part of the state’s identity, but many people do not realize they carry nearly a century of history.

Public broadcasting and the legacy of Fred Rogers continue to shape generations, according to educator and broadcaster Ed Arke, who recently reflected on the children’s television icon during an interview.

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In this special episode of The Spark, we’re bringing together the heartbeat of Central Pennsylvania baseball. Join us as we dive into updates, standout players, community stories, and behind‑the‑scenes moments from the Reading Fightin Phils, Lancaster Stormers, York Revolution, and Harrisburg Senators.

From early‑season momentum to offseason shifts, fan traditions, and what’s ahead for each club, this episode delivers a full look at the region’s most iconic baseball teams — all in one place.

Whether you’re a loyal fan of one team or follow the entire PA baseball landscape, this episode gives you the insight and energy that make The Spark your go‑to source for local sports storytelling.

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The second year of the Witness Stones Project is underway, with students researching enslaved individuals connected to prominent Lancaster figures, including some tied to Franklin & Marshall College. They are preparing to place new Witness Stones honoring these individuals and would like to know if you’re interested in speaking with students about their work. 

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Falconry is an ancient hunting practice dating back around 4,000 years in Central Asia, originally used to put food on the table. It remains highly regulated and is practiced worldwide today.

Jack Hubley grew up fascinated with wildlife and spent his life educating others and practicing falconry. 

Jeff Aucker was introduced as a middle‑schooler by a neighbor and became hooked, eventually working his way through the formal falconry ranks.

Falconry persists because devoted practitioners serve as stewards of raptors and the natural world, preserving a highly specialized craft that teaches responsibility, conservation, and respect for wildlife. Aucker stresses the need for proper stewardship, realistic expectations, and mentorship to keep falconry healthy and ethical.

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Jack Graham—Executive Director with the Keystone Marker Trust—specializes in preserving Pennsylvania’s historic cast‑iron keystone markers, which once stood at entrances to towns and along bridges across the state. Beginning in the 1920s, the Pennsylvania Department of Highways installed these distinctive blue‑and‑gold markers at nearly every community large enough to have a post office. Although thousands once existed, only a small number remain today.

The Historical Society of Perry County is hosting Jack for a presentation on the markers’ history, significance, deterioration, and the ongoing work to restore and protect them.

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Gettysburg College has announced the addition of three new women’s varsity sports:

• Women’s Wrestling – launching Fall 2026 as the 25th varsity sport
• Women’s Acrobatics & Tumbling – debuting in 2027–28
• Women’s Flag Football – debuting in 2027–28

These are the first new varsity programs since women’s golf in 2000–01. The new additions strengthen Gettysburg’s nationally competitive Division III athletics program, which ranked 29th nationally in the Learfield Directors’ Cup last year.

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Local historian and Shippensburg University professor Chrissie Senecal explores the stories of influential Pennsylvania women of Irish descent, connecting Women’s History Month with the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Senecal examines three notable women, focusing on why each is historically significant, how their Irish identity shaped their paths, and what tied them to Pennsylvania’s evolving social landscape. She also places their achievements within the broader trends of their eras, offering rich historical context and a fresh look at the resilience, cultural pride, and impact of Irish‑American women in the Commonwealth.

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Communication professor Ed Arke reflects on the lasting impact and mission of Fred Rogers, whose gentle approach to children’s media shaped generations. With more than 25 years of teaching and a background in broadcast journalism - including years at a host with us at WITF - Arke now introduces his first‑year college students to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as part of a seminar exploring Rogers’ legacy. Arke’s research highlights Fred Rogers as an early pioneer of media literacy, long before the field was formally recognized. Through slow, thoughtful communication, emotional honesty, and unwavering respect for children, Rogers taught young viewers how to understand the world and their feelings, a mission that continues to influence educators, creators, and families today.

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We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage.

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Then, we shift gears as meteorologist Dan Tomaso dives into the latest weather patterns and what to expect as winter transitions toward warmer days.

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Finally, Erica Jo Shaffer helps us welcome spring with fresh insights, seasonal inspiration, and what this time of year means for our community.

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Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson’s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the “Significations” series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.

We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.

We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.

Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever

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

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We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.

We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.

Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever

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We sit down with Mark Rhodes, a Brooklyn native who made York, PA, his home and built a life dedicated to leadership, equity, and community impact. After a 33‑year career with Harley‑Davidson, Mark launched his own training and diversity consulting firm and went on to serve as chairman of the Confronting Racism Coalition and vice chair of York’s Human Relations Commission. Today, he continues his community work on the boards of the York County History Centers and Ophelia’s Making Agency.

Alongside his wife Val—who enjoyed a 36‑year career with M&T Bank—Mark is now co‑owner of Mark and Val Wines, an urban winery created to celebrate and elevate Black excellence in the wine industry. Their mission is to offer high‑quality, small‑batch wines crafted by Black winemakers and to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for all through their tasting room, wine club, and online shop.

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Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson’s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the “Significations” series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.

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Stacey C. Peeples, Curator and Lead Archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital, is helping guide the hospital’s celebration of its 275th anniversary by overseeing the transformation of its historic Pine Building into a public museum. As America’s first chartered hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital will use the new museum—opening in May—to showcase exhibits that connect its rich medical history with Penn Medicine’s ongoing innovations in science and healthcare.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.