The Spark

Theatergoers in Lancaster are in for a unique experience this October as Creative Works of Lancaster presents the world premiere of Dead Inside, a new play by local playwright Gwen Tulin. Known for its innovative approach to performance, Creative Works specializes in nomadic theater, bringing productions to unconventional spaces around the city.

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Visitors to Lititz may find themselves twisting their own pretzel while stepping back in time at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America’s oldest commercial pretzel bakery. Founded in 1861, the bakery’s origins are said to be a happy accident.

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As schools across Pennsylvania welcome students back to classrooms, mental health experts are using Suicide Awareness Month to highlight a growing concern: youth suicide and the importance of supporting students’ social-emotional well-being.

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For fans of classic comedy, the Three Stooges have long been a source of laughter, from their slapstick antics to their timeless humor. In Ambler, Pennsylvania, one man has turned that love into a museum experience unlike any other. Gary Lassin, founder and executive director of the Stoogeum, has curated the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to the Three Stooges.

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Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest forms of cancer, and Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s highest rates. For families like the Crosbys of Cumberland County, the disease has left a lasting mark — one they hope can spark more awareness, early detection, and support.

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time, but many children will fall behind academically, developmentally and socially because of undetected vision issues.  That is the concern of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, POA, and the reason state lawmakers are sponsoring the Children’s Vision Bill. It calls for optometrists and ophthalmologists to perform vision exams at milestone years for students: kindergarten, fourth and eighth grades.  The National Parent Teacher Association has reported that more than 10 million children in the U.S. suffer from undetected vision problems that can hamper learning success. Identifying those students who have vision-related deficiencies early on and getting them an effective diagnosis and treatment will make a significant impact on their overall quality of life and future. 

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For decades, WPSU has been a trusted public radio and television station for central and northern Pennsylvania. But now, the NPR and PBS affiliate based at Penn State University is facing a wind-down plan that would close its doors by June 30, 2026—a decision that has left staff and community members shocked.

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As students head back to school this fall, many families are celebrating new beginnings—but for some children, undiagnosed vision problems can create hidden barriers to learning, development, and social growth. That is the concern behind the Pennsylvania Children’s Vision Bill, which calls for mandatory eye exams at key educational milestones.

For Laura Koenig of Pennsylvania, the issue hit close to home. Her son, Nathan, struggled with reading from the time he entered kindergarten. Despite interventions and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) implemented in second grade, Nathan continued to lag behind his peers. Teachers and specialists initially attributed his difficulties to a learning disability.

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The Sheepford Road Bridge, a 19th-century engineering landmark connecting York and Cumberland Counties, is set for restoration after years of community advocacy and preservation efforts. Built in 1887 by the Phoenix Bridge Company, the bridge features innovative Phoenix Columns, a wrought-iron construction technique that also supported projects like the New York City subway, Independence Hall, and the Washington Monument.

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For decades, Dr. Bruce Levine has been at the forefront of cancer research, pioneering CAR T-cell therapy—a treatment that harnesses a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. On a recent conversation with Asia Tabb, Levine shared his journey and the promise of this innovative therapy.

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Every September, National Recovery Month shines a light on the millions of Americans working toward recovery from addiction. For Dr. Ken Martz, PsyD, MBA, a psychologist with three decades in the field, it’s a time to both celebrate progress and confront the barriers that remain.

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