The Spark

When Marilyn B. Fuller-Smith was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, her doctor’s insistence on a same-day mammogram saved her life. “From that moment until today, everything about my breast cancer journey has been a blessing, just an absolute blessing,” Fuller-Smith said. “I am the model of finding breast cancer early. Detection is the most important part. Find it early, don’t go without those mammograms.”

Her diagnosis not only changed her life but also connected her to fellow survivors Jayne Blake and Donna Slusser. Together, the women have walked thousands of miles in breast cancer awareness events and built a sisterhood rooted in resilience, joy, and advocacy.

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As Pennsylvania moves into September, cooler weather may be on the horizon—but gardeners are facing an ongoing dry spell that’s putting stress on trees, flowers, and vegetable beds.

Horticulturist Erica Jo joined The Spark to share advice on how to keep plants healthy during drought-like conditions. Her first piece of guidance: don’t forget about your trees.

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Central Pennsylvania is once again gathering for a day of food, fun, and giving back as the Alex W. Smith Foundation hosts its 6th annual “Chili Cook-Off for a Cause.” The event honors the life and legacy of Alex Smith, a 22-year-old chef apprentice whose passion for food and people continues to inspire.

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Pennsylvania is grappling with a workforce shortage in aging services, raising concerns about access to care for older adults across the state.

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Adams County’s barns are more than farm buildings — they’re living pieces of history. For the past two decades, the Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC) Barn Preservation Project has been working to keep them standing.

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With National Voter Registration Day being observed next week, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt is reminding residents how simple it is to get registered — and why it matters in every election, not just presidential years.

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After a stretch of cooler weather earlier this month, Central Pennsylvania is back to feeling more like summer. ABC27 meteorologist Dan Tommaso says the warmth will continue into late September — but the bigger story is the lack of rainfall.

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What began as one high school band director’s dream in 1975 has grown into a program that has sent thousands of young musicians across Europe. American Music Abroad (AMA), based in New Hope, Pennsylvania, is celebrating nearly five decades of blending music, travel, and cultural exchange.

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More than two months past Pennsylvania’s budget deadline, school districts across the state are grappling with uncertainty, borrowing costs, and the possibility of program cuts as they wait for billions in state funding.

Also, on The Spark Weekly:

At the heart of WITF’s mission to provide trusted news, cultural programming, and educational content lies a dedicated team working behind the scenes: the development department. Leading the charge is Elisa Balestra, Vice President of Philanthropy, who joined the station 11 months ago and has quickly immersed herself in connecting the community to the station’s mission.

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The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association may be best known for its long lines at the Farm Show milkshake stand, but Executive Director Dave Smith says the nonprofit’s mission goes far beyond a sweet treat.

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