The Spark

WITF
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When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

  1. 6h ago

    The Spark Weekly | May 31 | Broadband Access and Union Canal Tunnel

    Hidden in Lebanon County is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique pieces of transportation history—the Union Canal Tunnel, recognized as the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the United States. We also bring together three leading experts to explore the state of broadband access in rural Pennsylvania and why it matters now more than ever. Featuring Zachary Adams (Center for Rural Pennsylvania), Jim Ladlee (Penn State), and Dr. Christopher Ali (Penn State), the conversation dives into how internet connectivity has evolved from a luxury to an essential service that underpins education, healthcare, business, and everyday life.

    44 min

  2. 1d ago

    Connectivity and Communication in Rural PA

    We bring together three leading experts to explore the state of broadband access in rural Pennsylvania and why it matters now more than ever. Featuring Zachary Adams (Center for Rural Pennsylvania), Jim Ladlee (Penn State), and Dr. Christopher Ali (Penn State), the conversation dives into how internet connectivity has evolved from a luxury to an essential service that underpins education, healthcare, business, and everyday life. In recognition of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, this episode highlights the vital role of speech-language pathology and the life-changing impact of communication sciences and disorders. Guests from Marywood University—including students Bethany Burns and Cassandra “Cassie” Juliano, along with Associate Professor Andrea Novak—share insights into the field and the next generation of clinicians.

    44 min

  3. 2d ago

    Barns & Blueprints: PA’s Past Meets Future Minds

    In this episode, we talk with Danielle Keperling of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County about an important local preservation effort—saving the historic Hoober Eby Barn. Built in 1860, this remarkable timber-frame structure is a rare surviving example of Lancaster County’s agricultural heritage, showcasing original craftsmanship, traditional joinery, and distinctive rural architecture. also, on the program, we’re joined by Amyra Weiss—Chief Communications Visionary, storyteller, and organizer of Architecture Week 2026 with AIA Pennsylvania—alongside Board President Elysia Mikkelsen. They discuss how Architecture Week earned a statewide proclamation (April 12–18, 2026) and mobilized an incredible grassroots effort: over 60 volunteers hosting 45 library story hours across 23 counties. The initiative reached communities statewide with thoughtfully prepared kits—featuring the book Iggy Peck, Architect, hands-on design activities, certificates for future architects, and themed materials for young learners.

    44 min

  4. 3d ago

    Memorial Day episode shares veterans’ stories of service and sacrifice

    This special Memorial Day edition of The Spark featured excerpts from WITF’s podcast Cloth of the Nation, highlighting personal stories from veterans as a way to reflect on service, sacrifice, and the human cost of war. Listeners heard conversations with Army veteran Joe Yurick, Navy veteran Lisa Carrie, James Ulinksi, and Charles Lafferty, each sharing deeply personal experiences connected to military service, life after war, and the lasting impact those experiences can have on veterans and their families. Through these stories, the program honored the meaning of Memorial Day while exploring themes of resilience, loss, healing, and remembrance.

    44 min

  5. 3d ago

    From Canal Tunnels to Navy Weeks: Stories of Service

    In this episode, we sit down with Rear Admiral Eric Ver Hage, a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native whose Navy career began with an enlisted role in 1984 and led to his rise as a senior leader in the United States Navy. From his time as an electronics technician to graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and earning a master’s degree in national security, RDML Ver Hage shares insights from decades of service. We also explore the impact of Navy Week in Harrisburg—why the city was chosen, how the Navy connects with inland communities, and the powerful outreach happening in schools, businesses, and local organizations. The conversation highlights community engagement, the economic and cultural benefits of the event, and the significance of USS Harrisburg in strengthening ties between the Navy and the region. Discover the history and hidden gem that is Union Canal Tunnel Park in Lebanon, Pennsylvania—home to the oldest existing water transportation tunnel in the United States. Operated entirely by dedicated volunteers, this 110-acre park preserves a remarkable piece of American infrastructure history dating back to 1827, when the Union Canal connected Harrisburg, Reading, and the port of Philadelphia. In this episode, we explore the canal’s legacy, the engineering feat of its 729-foot tunnel, and the park’s role today as both a historical site and a recreational destination. Learn about public tours, summer kayak experiences, and the passionate people—like local expert Ed Martel Jr.—who keep this history alive.

    44 min

  6. 5d ago

    Early American Education and Memorial Day Roots

    We’re joined by Dr. Robert Reynolds, Associate Professor of History at Kutztown University, to explore the fascinating history of one-room schoolhouses in Pennsylvania and across the United States. Dr. Reynolds sheds light on how these small, rural schools operated, the unique challenges and opportunities they presented for both students and teachers, and their lasting impact on American education. Drawing from historical research and recent scholarship, we’ll uncover what daily life was like inside a one-room schoolhouse and why these institutions remain an important part of our educational heritage. We’re also joined by Cathy Horner, former board member and author of Three Women, a War, and a Tradition, to uncover the powerful story behind the origins of Memorial Day in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Known as the birthplace of the holiday, Boalsburg’s history is rooted in a heartfelt act of remembrance during the Civil War, when three local women were inspired to honor fallen soldiers by decorating their graves.

    44 min

  7. May 23

    The Spark Weekly | May 24th | A Changing Climate in Gardens and Newsrooms

    From longer growing seasons to stronger storms and increasing pest pressure, climate change is reshaping the way plants grow and how gardeners and growers respond. We also spotlight photojournalist Ann Hermes and her powerful visual project documenting the slow disappearance of local newsrooms. Drawing on her years of experience covering major global events, Hermes turns her lens closer to home—capturing the quiet, often overlooked spaces where local journalism once thrived. Her photographs preserve the people, routines, and environments that are fading as community news outlets shut down.

    44 min

  8. May 22

    Saving History: Gutelius House & Ragamuffin Hall

    Frank Stroik, Board President of Preservation Mifflinburg, shares the remarkable rescue story of the Gutelius House Museum. When the historic 1803 log home faced demolition in a 1997 auction, a small group of community members came together in an unforgettable moment of urgency and purpose. With help from nearby neighbors and a local Justice of the Peace—honoring Frederick Gutelius himself, Union County’s first Justice—they secured the property and sparked a preservation movement. Conrad Fisher shares the story behind Ragamuffin Hall—its deep roots, remarkable transformation, and growing cultural impact. Once the historic McCoysville Presbyterian Church, founded in 1777 by circuit preacher William Logan, the building has witnessed centuries of change, from open-air sermons to its 19th-century brick structure completed in 1871. After serving its congregation for over 150 years, the church closed its doors in November 2022—only to begin a new chapter the very next day when Conrad took ownership and reimagined the space as Ragamuffin Hall.

    44 min
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4.5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

Information

  • Creator
    WITF
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Spark

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