The Spark

The Doherty Petri School of Irish has over 100 students that has danced in over 200 performances locally in Pennsylvania and as far as Ireland. The mission of the school is to help everyone reach their highest potential ass an Irish Dancer no matter what age, level of natural ability, or level of commitment.

Six Irish dancers who train at the Doherty Petri School of Irish in Lancaster will join the group Riverdance to perform at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 17-year-old Isaiah Pujol is one of those six students that will be seen in front of millions of people.

“My gosh. I'm so happy because I don't think I've ever been in anything as big as this. And to be able to get the opportunity to do something well as big as the Macy's Day Parade is just something fantastic to me, especially with Riverdance as well, “said Pujol.

Jase Lawrence has been performing since he was 3.5 years old. He will also be performing with Riverdance for the parade. He shares how he has been preparing for the parade.

“Basically, the parade is a show. It's not a competition you're not repeating for first place. So, you still are working very, very hard to lead up to it. But it's. It's not, it's not the same as you would do for a competition like in a show. You would like you would like to be practicing like your dancers, trying to keep your arms in and like, true your feet keeping that turn at all. And in competitions you would try to do like all of them. But in shows you're not doing like you're dancing; you're doing the dancing like they have for you. So, you're preparing differently, but the preparing going up to it is a little stressful. But once you get into the groove of things, you really just like go straight forward, attack it, right it, “said Lawrence.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Stephanie Williams was a nurse and stopped her employment when she had her daughter in 2015. In 2021, she had a persistent cough that turned out to be lung cancer.

Also on the program:

Girls on the Run is a national organization that empowers and strengthens the social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills for young girls in grades third through eighth. There’s more than 175 chapters in the United States and seven in Pennsylvania.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valley Forge National Historical Park encompasses much of the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of General George Washington. It is often called the “most celebrated encampment.” Adam Gresek, Director of Visitor and Community Engagement at the historical camp explained why this camp was so impactful.

“So, Valley Forge was the winter encampment of 1777 to 1778. Lasted for six months from December 19th of 77 to June 19th of 78. And actually, it was one of eight encampments throughout the winter. But it's probably the most memorable and the most legendary and which is the big reason for that is probably it was the most transformative encampment of the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army marches in as one army and marches out as almost as a completely different army in many ways.”

The Valley Forge Historical Park is currently preparing for a huge event on December 14.

“It commemorates the arrival of George Washington's army to Valley Forge. It's a nighttime event. You can see the soldiers, you know, wrapped up in four winters, starting to set up their shelters and everything. And you can learn about what it was like for the army when they arrived.”

Listen to the podcast to hear more about the people of the encampment and their impact for generations to come.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our journalist roundtable segment for Friday, November 15 included reporters Sydney Roach from WPSU in State College and Sarah Schinto of WVIA in Pittston to discuss stories of interest they've been working on, as well as stories they're working on now. Sydney shares about her most recent report about a Jersey Shore Area Elementary School to close at the end of the year. Sarah shares about her recent story on NEPA workers among beneficiaries as U.S. Labor Departments recovers one billion dollars n lost wages.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all felt the impact of rising prices, but you might be surprised to learn that one in nine people in Central Pennsylvania face food insecurity, including one in seven children. Plus, 58% of our neighbors who seek charitable food have a paying job. Joe Arthur Chief Executive Officer with the Central PA Food Bank says food insecurity is at an all time high in Central Pa.

"We thought that four years after the pandemic started that we would be in a better position with respect to hunger. And that's not really the case. We're actually serving as many people now, actually a bit more in terms of individuals coming for help than we were even in 2021 at the height of the pandemic. So unfortunately, with inflation and many of the other challenges, challenges hitting families, we're at this really high level of need and we're really just trying to make sure the public understands that."

WITF is proud to partner with Weis Markets, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and you for our Annual Day of Foodraising on November 14. For each dollar you contribute to WITF today through November 14, Weis Markets will match it – up to $35,000 – with a donation of food to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

CLICK HERE to donate.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Historic Haines Shoe House can now be rented as an Airbnb. The home is located at 197 Shoe House Road in Hellam Township. It was once a honeymoon suite, ice cream parlor, and tourist attraction. Originally, the home was built in 1948 as a way to promote a shoe business by Mahlon Haines. Naomi Brown purchased the property in 2021 and turned it into a short-term rental.

“I grew up driving past it many, many times as a lot of people did, who lived throughout this region. And it was just, you know, a really interesting kind of quirky property. And when the opportunity came about for us to purchase it, I just couldn't say no.”

The rental has three bedrooms, one bath, and a living room with a kitchen. Brown made sure to preserve as much history as possible during the renovation period.

“Well, it was really our desire to try and preserve as much of that history as possible. So, when we when we changed the use, we really tried not to change anything fundamental if we if we didn't need to. So, it still has the original kitchen cabinets from 1950s. It has a very custom arched bench in the dining room that was originally for that particular layout. It has a lot of original flooring, all the doors, a lot of features or just that's originally what was there, and we wanted to preserve that. One very unique aspect of the shoe is that it actually has stained glass windows that have shoes as part of the glass inset, and the front door has a stained-glass window with the face of Mellon Hanes, who's the gentleman who built the shoe house. So, a lot of very unique windows, which we did restore several of those to make sure they're here for the long term.”

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Girls on the Run is a national organization that empowers and strengthens the social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills for young girls in grades third through eighth. There’s more than 175 chapters in the United States and seven in Pennsylvania.

Jennifer West is the Executive Director of Girls on the Run Lancaster.  Each year, about 2,000 participants and 600 volunteer coaches come through the program. West brought the organization along with her friend Carrie Jonson to Lancaster in 20009.

“At the time, we both had girls in third and fifth grade. Carrie Googled girls’ self-esteem and running and thought, my gosh, this is something that Lancaster needs. This is something our girls could benefit from. Let's get it started. So, we went through the process of getting approved to be a council, which took about a year. And in the fall of 2009, we started with 25 girls. Then we grew to about 170 or 90, and then we grew to over 300. And it has just snowballed since. And it's been absolutely amazing how Lancaster and Lebanon have welcomed us.”

The overall goal of this program is to build confidence, so they develop vital life skills. During a ten-week season, the girls meet twice a week for about a hour and a half after school.

“We talk about healthy habits and teamwork and resilience and conflict resolution, how to be a good friend, because in third grade you're really figuring out what is it like to be a good friend? What qualities do I have that I can give to somebody else? And then what qualities am I looking for in a good friend? And we talk a lot about being unique and being individual because as girls get a little bit older, they tend to look at those around them and think, wow, I, I want to be like her. I want to look like her. I want to dress like her, whatever it is. And we say that you are uniquely you and you are just who you are supposed to be. And let's celebrate that and let's really figure out who that is.”

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maternity Care Coalition is a organization that began in Philadelphia to advocate for the wellbeing of pregnant people and infants. Samia Bristow is the  Vice President of Programs for MCC.

“We started in 1980 as a coalition. And we were really concerned about the high infant mortality rates in the Philadelphia community. And we learned a lot from that work early on. And what we found was that many families were having challenges with access to services. Barriers in terms of accessing services, lack of resources.”

MCC provides many services to those in need such as home visiting, childcare, behavioral health and so much more. They also bring services straight to their participants with their MOMObile® .

“So, there is a vehicle, and it is known as the mom mobile. And that really started because we really were like beating the pavement, right. As a grassroots organization, meeting people where they were in a community. So, popping up at street corners, engaging in conversation. And people started to recognize us in the community. And we developed our model bill because essentially at that time we were, you know, serving women and children. Right? Really focused on ensuring that people birthing people had healthy outcomes. So really wanting to target pregnant women.”

Those interested in becoming an advocate with Maternity Care Coalition can visit them on their website. There’s many opportunities with the non-profit for those wanting to lend a helping hand.

“There are a number of opportunities available if someone is interested in coming and, you know, becoming an advocate, be an employee by NCC. But there's also two volunteer opportunities. There's internship opportunities. You know, we encourage people, you know, to get involved where they see themselves, right? Like there could be an event, there could be, you know, sharing of information, right? So, advocacy and being an advocate looks different for each individual person. And we want to we want you to find where you find your avenue and we want you to be, you know, change agents of that. Right? So, sharing information is another way that someone can really advocate and support us and meeting our mission and also to build an awareness.”

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in February. The museum is famous for its one-of-a-kind candy, fudge, and pretzels. Nicole Bucher is the third-generation owner and chocolatier of the museum. Nicole and her husband Isaac purchased the shop in 2014.

“My grandfather started the business in 1975. He was kind of an unusual character. And I guess one of the fun things about our business is how much it has evolved over the years. When he first started, he had, you know, fun things from the 70s like cold creatures, like Pennsylvania, coal things, souvenirs and just unusual things that you would find at a tourism stop. So, but what he noticed is that Candy was really popular, and he also had this kind of wacky small elephant collection. He threw it in the store, and it got a lot of attention. So, he started focusing on the things that made money and got interest, “said Nicole Bucher.

In addition to the items sold in the stores, Nicole and Isaac give back to the community through various fundraisers.

“We have a fundraising program that allows local organizations to raise money through fudge pretzels and cinnamon glaze nuts. And we also did, we brought back a bunch of events. And so we have four large free community events throughout the year and one is our Easter egg hunt. Santa Claus comes to the store. We also have a pumpkin party and a s'mores event in our store, and those are all free to the public, “said Isaac Bucher.

For their 50th anniversary they’re working on a mural and are looking for the community’s support.

“I'm working with an artist right now. I am a big proponent of community arts, and we're working on a mural that our customers will be able to help us paint and we're going to install it on our property. And it's all going to be based on my grandfather and his dream he had. His mind was full of colorful notions, so it'll definitely be colorful and pay homage to what he's built, “said Nicole Bucher.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strasburg Railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States, charted back to 1832. Eric Conner, Vice President of Guest Experience and Stationmaster says in a few years the railroad will be celebrating bicentennial

“We are more than just a steam train ride through Amish country. We have a variety of dining events, food and beverage events, special events including civil war days, haunted rails and tales of Christmas and Easter events, and obviously the day off with Thomas. So we are a tourist attraction in the heart of Amish country, but we are more than just a steam train. We're also a family of family friendly attraction that has a a wide variety of different offerings, “Said Conner.

Around 1954 the railroad was struggling until the year 1960 when investors came together and decided to revive steam for passenger operations.

“So, in 1960, Labor Day of 1960, the Strasburg Railroad brings back steam for revenue generating passenger service. So, think of it is all the major railroads are getting rid of steam. Here's this small railroad in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, bringing steam back. Plus, they're located in the heart of the Amish country, which was the booming tourist attraction in the late 1950s and 1960s. And so here we have this dichotomy of Amish country. People are coming flocking in to see the Amish, and there's a steam locomotive running, which at that time a lot of the parents and the kids grew up with steam, “said Conner.

Today, staff at the Strasburg Railroad works to educate their guests about its history through festive events. Terron Quailes Director of Entertainment says they aim to do historical things will make them fun. Right now, they’re preparing for their Christmas season.

“I just want to announce that we will be having our very first Christmas piece of this season that will kick off Saturday, November 30th. And that comes with a 5 p.m. train ride followed by a family style dinner that will take place in Lefevre Hall, which will include a brass band that will play for the mayor as well as a meet and greet with Mrs. Claus, and then stay on the lookout for all of what we have for 2025, “said Quailes.

CLICK HERE to see upcoming events.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.