(00:00:00)

Winter may still have its grip, but we’re already dreaming of green. In this episode, we finally dig into the houseplant care we didn’t get to last time. From keeping indoor plants thriving to refreshing bird feeders and bird baths during the coldest stretch of the year. We’ll talk about what’s blooming right now, the seeds you can start early, and the small rituals that help us look toward spring.

(00:22:30)
Then we shift to a very different kind of ecosystem: the early internet. Our guest reflects on the moment he proposed the very first emoticons :-) and :-( and how those simple keystrokes reshaped digital communication.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00)

First, we meet Matthew Wolff, Curator at the Railroaders Memorial Museum, whose passion for railroad history fuels his work preserving the legacy of the people who built Altoona into a powerhouse of American industry. Matthew guides us through the astonishing story of the Horseshoe Curve, an engineering marvel blasted, dug, and carved through the Allegheny Mountains in the 1850s by Irish immigrant laborers. The Curve became a vital artery for the nation, a target of wartime espionage, and a symbol of the grit that defined Railroad City. We explore how the museum keeps that legacy alive and why the story of Altoona’s workers still resonates today.

(00:22:34)

Then we travel to York, where Roth J. Preap, Executive Director of the York Art Association, is leading a new chapter for one of Pennsylvania’s oldest arts organizations. Founded in 1905, the Association has weathered cultural shifts, urban flight, and technological change, and now, under Roth’s leadership, it’s preparing to move into a new permanent home known as the Little Green Church. With a $2 million capital campaign underway, Roth shares how the organization is expanding arts education, strengthening community access, and honoring more than a century of creative history.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00)

We begin with the Art Association of Harrisburg, founded in 1926 by visionary civic leader Gertrude Olmsted McCormick. What began during the Coolidge presidency in a world shaped by world wars, the Great Depression, and seismic cultural change has grown into a 100‑year artistic anchor for the region. Through shifting art movements, evolving technology, and nearly twenty presidential administrations, the Association has remained a beacon for artists, students, teachers, and patrons.

We explore the legacy of its founding mothers, the decades‑long leadership of Carrie, the creation of the beloved Gallery Walk, and the storied history of the Bal Masque, which has traveled from the old Penn Harris Hotel to Strawberry Square, the Hilton, and now for its 100th anniversary celebration the King Mansion on April 26, 2026.

(00:22:29)

Then we shift to the present with Jemar Sweets, a travel photographer and Millworks artist whose business, LensWorthy Imagery, captures culture, color, and connection across the globe. From Harrisburg and Hershey to Colombia, Greece, Jamaica, and beyond, Jemar’s work blends adventure with artistry. When he’s not behind the camera, he’s exploring new foods, performing improv, and immersing himself in the stories of the places he visits.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode includes all of our segments from Wednesday and Thursday this week from the 2026 Farm Show. All you need to know all in one place!

Featured this year is:

Dairymen's Executive Director Dave Smith

Committee Member of The Mushroom Farmers of PA, managing the Farm Show booth Gale Ferranto

President of PA alpaca owners and breeders' association- owner Crimson Skye Farm Karen Nace

Northwest Maple Association Member Laura Dengler

Bradford County Dairy Princess Sophia Tice

and finally

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00)

First, Mi Xian and Mark Fazollah of Spotlight PA join us to discuss their reporting on undercounted and misreported rapes in the State College area. Their investigation reveals how gaps in data, institutional practices, and reporting systems can obscure the reality of sexual violence. They walk us through what they uncovered, why these discrepancies matter, and how communities are affected when the numbers meant to protect them fall short.

(00:22:21)

Then, we shift from modern reporting failures to the deep past with Chrissie Senecal, historian at Shippensburg University, for a journey into the origins and evolution of nursery rhymes. Chrissie explores how many familiar rhymes trace back to medieval Europe, shaped by the politics, fears, humor, and social tensions of their time. We dig into the “dark” or hidden meanings encoded in rhyme and rhythm, how these verses transformed from adult commentary to children’s entertainment, and why they’ve endured for centuries.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00)

That uncertainty became real last fall, when cases of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) were confirmed in horses across Northumberland, Columbia, and Lancaster counties. With the virus spreading easily through direct contact, airborne droplets, and contaminated equipment, officials made the difficult call to cancel all equine‑related events at this year’s show. While EHM is serious, the Equine Disease Communication Center notes that 60–70% of affected horses recover with intensive veterinary care, offering hope amid concern.

(00:22:15)

The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show arrives with its signature mix of tradition, agriculture, and community pride, but also with unprecedented challenges. In this episode, we sit down with Bradford County Dairy Princess Sophia Tice, whose passion for dairy education and advocacy brings a fresh, youthful voice to the state’s largest agricultural event. Sophia shares her journey, her mission to connect consumers with farmers, and what it means to represent Pennsylvania’s dairy industry on such a big stage.

(00:30:36)

We also speak with Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who offers insight into the decisions, pressures, and priorities shaping this year’s Farm Show. From supporting producers to navigating public health concerns, Secretary Redding reflects on the resilience of Pennsylvania agriculture and the responsibility of leading through uncertainty.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Spark went on a field trip to the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show!

In this episode, you will hear the first half of interviews from our time at the farm show, with more to come tomorrow.

Featured in today's episode is:

(00:00:00)

Dairymen's Executive Director Dave Smith

(00:13:18)

Committee Member of The Mushroom Farmers of PA Gale Ferranto

(00:23:11)

President of PA Alpaca Owners and Breeders' Association and Owner Crimson Skye Farm Karen Nace

(00:32:37)

and Northwest Maple Association Member Laura Dengler

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00)

In honor of Public Radio Broadcasting Day, this episode opens with a special “actors‑on‑actors” style conversation between Scott LaMar, former host of The Spark, and Asia Tabb, the show’s current host. In a rare dual‑interview format, Scott and Asia turn the microphones toward each other to explore their shared legacy, their different approaches to storytelling, the surprises of hosting live radio, and the moments that shaped their time behind the mic. It’s a warm, insightful exchange that celebrates the craft of public broadcasting and the people who keep its spirit alive.

(00:25:08)

Then, we shift from the studio to the bridal boutique for a timely and eye‑opening conversation about how current tariffs are affecting the wedding dress industry. With insight from Taylor of Taylored for You Bridal Boutique and expertise from Unveiled Bridal and Formal, we break down what brides rarely see: rising material costs, designer challenges, supply‑chain pressures, and where tariffs show up in the final price of a gown. We explore how shops and designers are navigating these changes, whether absorbing costs, sharing them, or helping brides make informed decisions.

This episode brings together two very different worlds, public radio and bridal fashion. Revealing the passion, craftsmanship, and behind‑the‑scenes realities that shape both.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.