The Spark

Inside Chester County lies Kennett Square, a town known for its mushroom farms. But hidden beneath its surface is a powerful history—one that reveals the courage, solidarity, and risk that defined the Underground Railroad. Today, that legacy lives on through the work of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC), where volunteers are striving to preserve a story too long overlooked.

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During a recent public hearing hosted by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, lawmakers, mental health professionals, and advocates came together to examine the escalating mental health crisis in the Commonwealth’s rural communities. The hearing, which featured testimony from experts and those with lived experience, laid bare the complex web of challenges facing rural Pennsylvanians—from a lack of providers to geographic isolation and the heavy toll of stigma.

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Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly.

Saving money is one of the most important habits a young person can develop—but for students and families alike, navigating the many savings options can be overwhelming. From traditional savings accounts to 529 college plans, understanding which tools to use and when can make all the difference in building a solid financial future.

also, on the program

A study from the Penn State Center for Evaluation and Education and Policy Analysis (CEEPA) shows that fully one third of school districts in Pennsylvania had teacher vacancies, with Special Education faculty especially hard to find. We talk with Dr. Edward Fuller, Associate Professor of Education and co-author of the study.  

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Last weekend saw the largest wave of nationwide demonstrations since the start of the Trump Administration, as protesters rallied under the banner of “Hands Off” to push back against a range of federal policy changes. The protests, which spanned cities across the United States, focused on opposition to the administration’s stances on the economy, immigration, foreign relations, and sweeping efforts to cut federal jobs and programs.

To understand the scope of the protests and their local impact, we spoke with three reporters who were on the ground: Jaxson White of LNP | LancasterOnline, Scott Fisher of the York Daily Record, and Anne Danahy of WPSU.

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As spring kicks into gear, many homeowners are turning their attention to lawn care. But on a recent episode of The Spark, horticulturist Erica Jo Schaeffer encouraged listeners to look beyond traditional approaches—and question what a “perfect lawn” really means.

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Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park is one of Pennsylvania’s unique attractions. It’s the country’s only all-water cavern and farm-nature-wildlife attraction. Recently, Mark Watson, Executive General Director, and Jeanine Watson, Executive Business Director, joined Asia Tabb on The Spark to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to manage the cavern and wildlife.

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If you’re looking for a new favorite watering hole—or twenty—look no further than the Lebanon Valley Libations Trail. Spearheaded by Visit Lebanon Valley, the official Destination Marketing Organization of Lebanon County, this digital trail features 20 breweries, taprooms, and restaurants that proudly pour locally crafted beer. The initiative is more than a toast to tasty brews—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the small businesses that define the heart of the region.

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The Gettysburg Film Festival is returning for its third year, running May 8–11, 2025, and bringing with it an extraordinary lineup of films, speakers, and historical insights. On The Spark, host Asia Tabb spoke with festival producer Andrew Dalton, director Jake Boritt, and Brett Messenger of the Majestic Theater about what attendees can expect at this year’s event.

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As the United States Army prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2025, the Army Heritage Center Foundation is leading the charge in preserving and sharing the stories that have shaped the Army—and, by extension, the nation—for two and a half centuries.

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As school districts across Pennsylvania continue to grapple with teacher shortages—especially in special education—researchers and educators alike are digging into the data to understand the full scope of the problem and what’s driving it. Dr. Edward Fuller, Associate Professor at Penn State and an expert in education policy, has been examining teacher vacancy trends across the state.

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