The Spark

The Penguin Project is a 20 year old program that promotes theater for everyone by putting students who have disabilities at center stage in a shortened Broadway musical. The Penguin Project was conceived by Dr. Andrew Morgan to give children with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the performing arts. “Dr. Andy” is a developmental pediatrician and the former Head of the Division of Child Development at the University of Illinois in Peoria.

"So Dr. Andy Morgan is the founder of the program. And his belief was that penguins, while they can't fly, they can still soar. And that is true with our performers. While they may not be able to do some of the everyday tasks that you or I may be able to do, they can still soar in other ways. And one of the ways is on stage. And these kiddos, let me tell you, are incredible, "said Director Matt Spencer.

He created The Penguin Project recognizing that theater not only provides children with a valuable recreational experience and an opportunity to display their creative talents, but also enhances social interaction, communication skills, assertiveness, and self-esteem. The Penguin Project strives to demonstrate that individuals with disabilities are fully capable of participating in community activities with the same dedication and enthusiasm as others, if given opportunity and support.

Listen to the podcast to hear how Theatre Harrisburg is preparing their penguins for their performance, Madagascar:  A Musical Adventure Jr.

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It's been a little after a year since the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg caught on fire. Half of the building was destroyed and the other half sustained huge damage.  On the half of the building that was destroyed, the roof was gone and only the walls remained standing. Recently, a big tent was added to help vendors, as the Broad Street Market Alliance works to rebuild the Broad Street Market. Eric Hagarty is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Broad Street Market Alliance. Hagarty joined The Spark to speak with host Asia Tabb on the podcast for recovery efforts.

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On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly:

WITF’s Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard, and LNP’s Managing Editor of Content Stephanie Zeigler, spoke with The Spark’s Asia Tabb about their commitment to staying accurate when covering breaking news. Zeigler also spoke with Asia about language around reporting breaking news and why that matters and building trust with the community when reporting. 

Lesa Brackbill is a wife, mother, advocate, and author raising awareness about Krabbe Disease.

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WITF’s Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard, and LNP’s Managing Editor of Content Stephanie Zeigler, spoke with The Spark’s Asia Tabb about their commitment to staying accurate when covering breaking news. Zeigler also spoke with Asia about language around reporting breaking news and why that matters and building trust with the community when reporting. Listen to the podcast to hear more from the roundtable discussion.

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Saturday July 20th Chambersburg will host two historically events that took place in Harrisburg 160 years ago. The Old Market Day will bring over 100 different vendors, and the 1864 Ransoming, Burning, and Rebirth of Chambersburg commemorates the 160th anniversary of a historical event. Janet Pollard the Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau joined Asia Tabb on the Spark to share all the details of the two fun events on Saturday.

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Philadelphia has mandated all city employees to return to their offices if employed full-time, as of July 15. Mayor Cherelle Parker made the announcement, saying she wants to create a more visible and accessible government. The decision ends the city’s virtual work policy that was put in place in 2021 and essentially returns employees to pre-pandemic scheduling. Ryan Unger the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC President and CEO, stopped by The Spark to speak with host Asia Tabb about how the City of Harrisburg is looking from a hybrid, remote, and return to office setting overall.

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Kim Bailor is the owner of Terrarium Therapy which was established in 2017. Terrarium Therapy offers workshops, team building functions, fundraising events, and virtual events. In the podcast, Kim speaks with Asia about the connection between plants, soil, and happiness.

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The York County SPCA is without power due to Tuesday night's storms, and will not have power until this weekend. The current canine population is large, and the shelter is in dire need of emergency foster homes for the dogs until the power is restored. The York County SPCA will provide all resources for the foster parents including food, toys, crates, medication, and more.

Last week, the shelter had to cancel their Splish Splash Adoption bash over the weekend due to two canine's testing positive for canine parvovirus. Most of the dogs are fully vaccinated and not at risk for the virus.

In the podcast, Kristen Dempwolf explains what parvovirus is and what the shelter is doing in place of the adoption event.

CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the York County SPCA.

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The 5th annual Susquehanna Folk Festival returns August 9 and will run until August 11. The festival will take place at the Appell Center in downtown York, Pa for a weekend of music, dancing, family activities and more.

Peter Winter Lee is the Executive Director of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. He says the music society is South Central Pennsylvania’s grassroots for home and traditional folk music. For Lee, folk music has always been a part of his life.

“I play in a Celtic Scottish Americana band with my siblings called seasons, and that’s how I really became a part of the folk music scene in central Pennsylvania, playing in that band for close to two decades now.”

The artists at the festival will include Cape Breton fiddle, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Texas swing alchemists Hot Club of Cowtown and so many more. This year, the Susquehanna Folk Music Society will be in downtown York, offering programming in both The Studio and The Capitol Theatre of the Appell Center for Performing Arts.

“I would encourage anyone to try the festival just to experience different forms of music and, you know, find that you might absolutely love Brazilian drumming or something like that. And just it’s an amazing weekend of just an utterly electric musical experience.

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Carlisle Events returns for another season, while celebrating 50 years of bringing vintage car lovers together.

More than 400 cars will be on display at the auction while featuring vehicles from more than a century of auto history. For the big anniversary, the fairgrounds will have a wall of events that were held in Carlisle.

Bill Miller Jr. the Co-Owner of Carlisle Events, and Main Street Manager Stacey Gould with the Downtown Carlisle Association joined the Spark to talk about the impact Carlisle events bring to Cumberland County.

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