The Spark

A sure sign of spring is when daffodils shoot up and bring some color to the landscape that has been brown and gray for the last five months. Daffodils are common – so common that many probably take them for granted. They are easy to grow and inexpensive, but there are between 40 and 200 different daffodil species and not all have that bright yellow bloom at the end of green stems.

The National Daffodil Show of the American Daffodil Society is in Gettysburg (at the Wyndham Hotel) Friday and Saturday. Daffodil enthusiasts from around the country will be there.

Joining us on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to discuss daffodils are Janet Hickman, from Lynchburg, Virginia, newly elected President of the American Daffodil Society, Anne Wood, author of the new biography of Dr. William Bender — “Yes Daffodils do have seeds.” of Chambersburg, former President of the ADS and Robert Darling, Photography Division Show Chair for the ADS 2022 Convention.

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Imagine a whole community gathering together to sing their favorite songs. Any large-scale event that brings people together after the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic is noteworthy, but one that includes many friends and neighbors meeting to create music is what headlines are made of.

CHOIR!CHOIR!CHOIR! is a free community sing-in sponsored by the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York this Saturday where anyone can show up to sing with one another.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we’re joined by CHOIR!CHOIR!CHOIR! co-founders and directors Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman and Todd Fogdall, President & CEO, Appell Center for Performing Arts.

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The average number of daily case counts of COVID-19 increased 82% over the past two weeks in Pennsylvania. There were more than a thousand cases a day and the numbers were rising. However, hospitalizations went up 12% during the same period.

It means while the BA.2 subvariant of the virus is still infecting people, they aren’t getting as sick.

An 80% increase in cases over the past two years would be cause for alarm. Today, most experts don’t foresee a new wave of COVID infections because most people are vaccinated or have had COVID.

On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, we examine the current status of COVID in the midstate and what the future holds.

Appearing on the program is Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease speciallist at UPMC.

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More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic – mask wearing is still a contentious topic.

The federal court decision last week -- that is being appealed by the Biden Administration -- that the CDC didn’t have the authority to mandate mask wearing on public transportation started the latest debate. The city of Philadelphia reinstated its mask mandate last week with covid cases rising somewhat only to remove it a few days later.

Most people say they don’t like wearing a mask but followed the guidelines set forth by medical professionals and scientists who said masks protect against the spread of the virus.

Researchers have been studying how much protection masks provide.

We’re joined by one of them on Monday's Smart Talk – Dr. Seema Lakdawala, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Lakdawala studies the airborne transmission of viruses.

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The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” 2022 report finds that despite decades of progress on cleaning up sources of air pollution, more than 40% of Americans—over 137 million people—are living in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of particle pollution or ozone.

Lancaster and Dauphin Counties got F grades in particle pollution while Cumberland County was graded with a D. York and Adams Counties did well in the report – earning A grades.

Monday’s Smart Talk has more details about the region’s air. Our guest is Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health, American Lung Association.

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Dauphin County’s Wildwood Park is always bustling with outdoor activities – especially when the weather gets warmer.

But Earth Day -- which is tomorrow – and the Earth Day weekend is special at the park.

Saturday there’s a Wetlands Festival, Sunday a Flower Walk and the Art in the Wild exhibit continues.

Dauphin County Commissioner Chad Saylor is on Thursday’s Smart Talk with details.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Pennsylvania is not on track to meet its pollution reduction targets for the Chesapeake Bay restoration.

EPA says the state needs to develop manure runoff controls and provide money to farmers so they can start using more environmentally safe practices.

Strategies to control manure runoff from farms include better fencing to keep animals off stream and cover crops, to keep soils healthy without the need to add manure.

The EPA also says Pennsylvania lacks details on how it will update or develop new programs or fully fund existing state programs.

Pennsylvania has 90 days to submit an improved plan.

Starting this week, the EPA says it will step up inspection of farms and municipal stormwater, increase permit oversight and redirect federal funds to other state agencies that could use them more efficiently.

Adam Ortiz, EPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator is on Thursday's Smart Talk to discuss Pennsylvania clean-up efforts.

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Almost 60 years after his death, President John F. Kennedy continues to fascinate and be looked upon with admiration and even reverence.

Kennedy’s personal traits have to be one reason – his youth, oratory skills, ability to inspire and family all contribute to how he is remembered. Myths about Kennedy have grown throughout the last six decades as well.

A new book – Incomparable Grace – JFK in the Presidency by presidential historian Mark Updegrove takes a deeper look into Kennedy as president.

It describes a president who may not have been ready for the White House into one who grew into the job.

Mark Updegrove, who has authored five books on the presidency, is president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and the presidential historian for ABC News, is with us on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.

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Substitute teachers are in short supply in school districts throughout the country. A recent national survey of schools found 75% of them say it’s become a challenge to find substitutes.

It’s gotten to a point where teachers in some schools are teaching two classes at once in two different subjects.

The COVID pandemic is one factor but there was a teachers’ shortage beforehand.

To give us a sense of how dire the situation is and what can be done about it is JR Godwin, Vice President of Business Affairs with Substitute Teacher Services, who is appearing on Wednesday's Smart Talk.

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If test scores are an indicator, math can be a challenge for many students. Meanwhile, most students aren’t educated in the basics of financial literacy – something they will need to manage their finances later in life.

Conrad Siegel, an employee benefit and investment advisory firm in Harrisburg, is partnering with The Actuarial Foundation to bring the national Math Motivators Tutoring Program to Harrisburg-based schools.

It will provide math education and financial literacy programs to underserved youth in Central PA.

On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, we’re joined by Abby Fortino, Partner and Consulting Actuary at Conrad Siegel and with the The Actuarial Foundation.

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