The Spark

On the first day of the new year, many people around the country kick off a new start by heading outdoors. Dia Hitt, National Coordinator for First Day Hikes says this initiative began in 2012.

“The original idea was started in one state and the state was Massachusetts. And they said, “You know what? Everybody on the first days is always talking about the resolutions and what they're going to do. And so, they said, why don't we take advantage of that and get people to come back out to state parks in a time of year that most people don't think of visiting state parks. Don’t think of going in January because it's cold. So, they said, let's start an event called First Day Hikes and see how it goes. And from there it's grown.”

This yearly event takes place in all 50 states. Each state park system decides what that event looks like.

“So, it might be a hike, it might be snowshoeing, it might be horseback riding, it might be canoeing, it might be kayaking, it might be a lot of different things. We call it the first day hikes an umbrella. But there's little literally something for everybody. I'm not a hiker. I don't like getting called and just staring at trees in wintertime. But you give me a kayak and I'll go do anything you want me to. It is the first day hikes were intended to get people to come back to state parks at a time of year. They don't think of it. And it was also intended to really give people to go outside, enjoy the world that we live in.”

Around 171,000 people participated this year, which has had the highest number of participants since 2012.

“We're seeing families do this year after year after year. We're also seeing people who wouldn't think of going to a park. Maybe they're scared of bugs, maybe they don't like dirt. Or maybe they have an assessed ability issue where they don't really think that this is something they can do. And we're seeing people really realize that they can do it. And this is even if they don't ever do it any other time of the year, which, of course, we hope they do. This is a day that they are at least willing to try it.”

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The Hands-on-House in Lancaster offers a world of imagination and exploration for children of all ages.

This year is the 25th anniversary. The mission of the museum is to learn through play according to Megan Stoltzfus, Lead Educator and Camp Director at the museum.

“All of our exhibits are hands on. We have classes and with our classes, all of its hands on education. And we also have a special educational room called the Play Lab, where we have lots of hands-on activities, play based and some sensory things as well, “said Stolzfus.

For children, play based education is extremely important for children as they learn through discovering things for themselves. The museum also offers STEM courses for children to help them succeed in the future.

“The best way to develop skills is through that hands on that play based learning play, because learning is also important, because it helps kids to basically pretend to be what they're going to be as adults as well. So, it gives them a really good preparation for their future ahead, “said Stolzfus.

There are many exhibits that offer educational opportunities. A fan favorite at the museum is the heating and HVAC exhibit.  Patti Van Brederode, Art and Museum Director, the construction site exhibit is also popular among the visitors.

“It has to do with how air flows and the kids get to put in these giant tubes that we have on the wall with an H back system in them. They can put there clear these tubes and they can put colorful handkerchiefs in there and see which way they go. And they can change the direction and flow of the air and change the way the handkerchiefs fly around. And that is, I think, one of the most fun things, “said Brederode.

Patti also teaches art classes at the museum.

“So, my kiddos come in, I teach one week is one lesson, so and I teach on Tuesdays and Wednesdays twice each day and I get to do the fun stuff with kids. We get to make a mess, and their caregivers don't have to worry about cleaning it up too much. We only tidy in class and so I'm there for both the kids and the caregiver so the caregivers get a minute to relax and play with their kiddos that they bring along. We do things that you wouldn't necessarily do at home, but I also send and give information so that each family can also expand upon that play at home because, you know, play is actually children's work. And so we what I get to do is I get to show kids what they are capable of, “said Brederode.

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PEW Research Center conducted a study to explore if college was worth it in 2024. Richard Fry was the Senior researcher on that project. As costs are rising, the college debate is always a huge discussion.

“Given the debates about college, a little bit better opportunities for those who haven't gone to college, it seemed like a good time to sort of both look at the economic data we have on, you know, the value of college.”

PEW research began this survey about a year ago about the U.S. adult attitudes about going to college. They found that there is a disconnect between what the government data says about college educated versus non college educated.

“Outcomes have improved for young adult, particularly young adult men who finish their education at high school. The share of them that are able to land full time jobs, adjusting their pay for inflation, their earnings are up. And so, the past ten years sort of marks an upturn after a very dismal 40 years for less educated young men, where they're given the decline of manufacturing, their real earnings were declining. They were having a harder time finding full time, full work. So, yes, opportunities have improved recently for young men who finish their education at high school. Having said that. Opportunities have also improved for college educated young adults, both men and women. And so, when we compare the two. Yeah, things have gotten better for the less educated. But things have also gotten better for the college educated. And so using the most recent year, let's just throw a few numbers out there. You know, the typical and here I am combining both men and women. I have the numbers separately, but it's easier to digest if I just keep it together for both men and women. The typical college educated young adult ages 25 to 34, he or she makes about $70,000 a year recently, whereas their high school educated counterpart only makes about 40,000. So, I mean, you're looking at a 75% pay premium. You know, pay advancement. Typically, if a young adult has at least a bachelor's degree. And that sort of earnings gain hasn't shrunk over the past ten years or the past 20 years. Typically, this is a typical outcome, an average outcome. Young adults who finish at least a bachelor's degree tend to get paid quite a bit more than their high school educated counterparts.”

CLICK HERE to see more of the data.

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School safety is more important than ever, and empowering students to speak up can make all the difference.  Safe 2 Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Brittney Klein, Program Director of Safe 2 Say, says this program was created in 2019 and is mandatory that every school in the state participates.

“The primary mission of this program was actually developed to avert school violence. It was developed to prevent afterschool violence in that a student, if they see something or hear something, either in school or on social media or just in talking with friends, that they can actually report it to us anonymously without any judgment or any questions.”

The office soon realized after launching the program that the program did more than prevent school violence.

“It actually became a program that would take a lot of steps geared toward mental health concerns among students, whether it's actually for themselves or for others. So, a lot of our top tip types that we actually receive are actually geared towards mental health concerns of our students.

Since it’s launch in 2019, the program has had a huge impact on community and the schools in Pennsylvania.

“I can safely say that we have averted potential school shootings through intervention and collaboration with police in our schools, and that was based off of threats that were received by another student who reported it to us. I can also say that we have five students who actually were considering suicide, and we were able to intervene and get students’ help in their students who were obviously struggling. And somebody else reported that they had concerns. So, we were able to intervene in that way as well. Our program continues to be a national leader of school safety, said one. We've received over approximately 170,000 tips and so on for the program.”

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Coming up on The Spark Weekly.

Milton S. Hershey is a man who turned sweet dreams into a global legacy. Hershey was born in 1857 near Hershey according to Amy Zeigler, Senior Director of The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey Community Archives.

also, on the program.

For many, the new year means new fitness and wellness goals. Jesse Cracco is a certified personal trainer, functional nutrition coach, and behavior change specialist who works with women to naturally speed up their metabolisms so they can stop the dysfunctional yoyo diet cycle and learn to maintain fitness and health for the rest of their lives.

Jill Harbarcuk has been a high-level nutrition coach and personal trainer for over eight years. She is a functional nutrition coach, PN, Level 2 Master Health Coach, and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach but most importantly, she has a talent for understanding the deeper psychological needs of her clients, which has led to hundreds of success stories.

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Our Journalist Roundtable segment for January 10 included Spotlight PA reporters Ed Mahon and Stephen Caruso. Ed shared about his report on how easy it is to obtain a Medical Marijuana card in Pennsylvania, as well as the latest on proposals to legalize adult recreational marijuana. Stephen discussed his reporting on the number and cost of special elections in Pennsylvania in 2024.

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The 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show highlights Pennsylvania’s agriculture. It is also the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. The Spark Team traveled to the farm show to experience food vendors, live animal exhibits, farmers and more. On this episode of The Spark, you’ll hear from King View Mead, the Steinmetz Family Farm, Altmeyer’s Western Wear, The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Future Farmers of America. You will also hear commentary from Producers Emma Halsey and David Payne.

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The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers are pushing for new laws to better protect seniors from elder financial abuse. Kevin Shivers, President and CEO of PACB, and Christina Carden, VP of Marketing and Communication at Cross State Credit Union Association were guests on The Spark to shed light on this issue. Below is a op-ed from PACB that explains their partnership on this effort and what they would like to see happen in 2025.

Letter to Santa to Protect Older Pennsylvanians

Dear Santa,

Older Pennsylvanians deserve a new law to help protect them from financial exploitation.

Elder financial exploitation comes in many forms. Scammers are constantly targeting older adults through a variety of schemes, like romance scams and investment frauds.

Tech support scams were the most reported last year by older adults. Criminals pose over the phone as tech or customer service representatives, impersonating technology, banking, or government officials to convince victims that foreign hackers have infiltrated their bank account. They then instruct the victim that to “protect” their money, they should move it to a new account – one secretly controlled by the scammers.

Nameless, faceless scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal money from older adults. Sadly, even people known and trusted by an older adult can be the perpetrators of elder financial exploitation. In these situations, a family member, friend, or someone else known to the older adult exerts pressure on financial decisions, asks for sums of money, or convinces the older adult to sign over investments, real estate, or other assets through the use of manipulation, intimidation, or threats.

On a positive note, these scams often raise the suspicions of trained bank employees who are effective guards against financial abuse of older adults. Recognizing the warning signs of frauds and scams is a goal that is shared by many, including the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and AARP Pennsylvania.

That is why this holiday season, we are urging older Pennsylvanians to be on high alert for scammers, fraudsters, and manipulators who want to steal their money, their financial information, and even their identity. We believe if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. But this is where our wish list gets a bit longer. Currently, the state’s Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) does not mandate reporting of elder financial abuse. We believe this act also needs to be updated to allow banks and credit unions to place a temporary hold on transactions they suspect are fraudulent and report the matter to the local area agency on aging and law enforcement.

Providing this “safe harbor” will ensure banks play an even more active role in preventing elder financial abuse, while adding a needed device to the Commonwealth’s toolbox to detect and deter frauds and scams. While we’ll be good and working hard on this effort, we hope you can help make our wish for the Commonwealth to pass a law to better protect older Pennsylvanians from elder financial abuse can come true in the new year.

Kevin Shivers, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers

Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director, AARP Pennsylvania

Listen to the podcast to hear the interview.

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Central Pennsylvanians have been experiencing cold weather for the past week. ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso says it’s due to low pressure that has been keeping slightly below average temperatures.

“It's not extremely cold, but it's cold enough that we're seeing highs around freezing, maybe a little bit below nighttime. Temperatures in the 20s, nighttime temperatures in the teens and the coldest spots, but also the really persistent wind. And I think that's what people really get tired of this time of the year, that when we keep getting these drops of cold air coming in from the north, unfortunately, that means we keep getting rounds of cold air. Chances for some light snow.”

Temperatures from this month compared to last year’s are about five to ten degree below average.

“It seems like every passing snowstorm we get is maybe 1 or 2in. And so, heading into late Friday night, early Saturday morning, we do expect another kind of brush by of light snow, 1 to 2in, likely two inches might be really the high point at this at this stage. And then early next week, there's another type of clipper that usually means some light snow. Maybe it's Monday or Tuesday timeframe and then possibly another next Thursday into Friday.”

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The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg is inviting high school students in Central Pennsylvania to take part in their annual Martin Luther King Jr. International Poetry and Storytelling Festival on January 19. This year’s theme is “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”  Joyce Davis, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, says she hopes students stop and think about the ideals of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what it means to their life today.

“We must accept finite disappointment, meaning that that disappointment is now limited but infinite. We can never give up this infinite hope that this will be a better world. It is going to be. And it's only going to happen if we don't give up and don't suffer despair, “said Davis.

On Wednesday February 15 at 5:30 The 3rd annual Central Pennsylvania Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Commemorative banquet will take place at the Hershey Lodge. Dr. Wanda Knight, Professor of Art Education and African American studies at Penn State Harrisburg says this banquet is always held on Dr. Kings Birthday.

“I want to say that again, January 15th, we know we have a holiday, but that typically may not be his birthday. So, what people to make sure they recognize his birthday, which is January 15th, always. And this this case, January 15th, falls on a Wednesday. And the whole purpose of the banquet is to enhance community engagement among local organizations. And I'm thinking about our organizations, our businesses, our residents. Also, the banquet is designed to strengthen community ties and promote unity and collective responsibility, collective responsibility. And that's really key to what Dr. King's vision of a more just and equitable society, “said Knight.

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