Journalist Roundtable

Zach King

Erica Jo Shaffer

(00:00:00)

Gabriel Martinez and Manada Fries of Spotlight PA, discuss an Ice detention facility planned for Berks County.

(00:23:14)

When Perry County musician Zachariah King wanted to record a cover of the 1844 song “Blue Juniata”, it led him down a rabbit hole of discovery about the song’s writer, Marion Dix Sullivan. Sullivan was from a town near Boston but had once travelled through Perry County around the time of its founding. She was inspired to write Blue Juniata while there. WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich sat down with King to hear about his research on the song and his trip up to find Sullivan’s gravestone.

(00:34:17)

And Erica Jo Shaffer is back to tell us how to prep for the spring season.

(00:00:00)
Gabriel Martinez and Manada Fries of Spotlight PA, discuss an Ice detention facility planned for Berks County.
(00:23:14)
When Perry County musician Zachariah King wanted to record a cover of the 1844 song &ldquo;Blue Juniata&rdquo;, it led him down a rabbit hole of discovery about the song&rsquo;s writer, Marion Dix Sullivan. Sullivan was from a town near Boston but had once travelled through Perry County around the time of its founding. She was inspired to write Blue Juniata while there. WITF Music&rsquo;s Joe Ulrich sat down with King to hear about his research on the song and his trip up to find Sullivan&rsquo;s gravestone.
(00:34:17)
And Erica Jo Shaffer is back to tell us how to prep for the spring season.

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.

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&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

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 start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

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 start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Berks County ICE Controversy, Spring Prep Tips, and a New Take on ‘Blue Juniata'

West Shore Farmers Market

Hemp Fiber

(00:00:00)

Greg Katshir is part of the third generation of family leadership at the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. After the market’s founder, Ray Garver Sr., passed away in 1959, and later his son Ray Garver Jr. took over, the family tradition continued when Tracy (Garver) Katshir joined the business in 1990. Today, the Market is managed jointly by Tracy and her husband, Greg Katshir.

(00:23:06)

Pennsylvania has been actively rebuilding its industrial hemp sector—especially fiber hemp—thanks to strong agricultural roots, state support, and increasing demand for sustainable materials.

(00:00:00)
Greg Katshir is part of the third generation of family leadership at the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. After the market&rsquo;s founder, Ray Garver Sr., passed away in 1959, and later his son Ray Garver Jr. took over, the family tradition continued when Tracy (Garver) Katshir joined the business in 1990. Today, the Market is managed jointly by Tracy and her husband, Greg Katshir.
(00:23:06)
Pennsylvania has been actively rebuilding its industrial hemp sector&mdash;especially fiber hemp&mdash;thanks to strong agricultural roots, state support, and increasing demand for sustainable materials.

From Generational Market Leadership to Industrial Innovation: How the West Shore Farmers Market and Pennsylvania’s Hemp Revival Reflect a Growing Sustainable Future

Match Madness

Women Judges

(00:00:00)

We’re joined by Carol Thornton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Better Health, along with leaders from two participating nonprofits:
Ericka Anderson, Landisburg EMS
Jeanna Som, Supportive Partnerships for Youth

Together, they break down Match Madness, a unique annual fundraising campaign now celebrating its 10th year. Modeled after the excitement of March Madness, this initiative brings together 64 local nonprofits—all committed to advancing health equity and serving communities throughout the region. Since 2016, Match Madness has raised more than $6.1 million to support small and mid‑sized organizations making a direct impact.

(00:22:31)

In recognition of National Women’s History Month, we also feature Judge Lori A. Dumas, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge (term 2022–2031). Judge Dumas reflects on her extensive career—from her decades on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to her role as a nationally recognized trainer on human trafficking issues.

We explore the broader landscape of women in the Pennsylvania judiciary, where women now make up 34% of active judges statewide. Women hold major leadership roles across Pennsylvania’s appellate courts, including the historic appointment of Chief Justice Debra Todd, the first woman to lead the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Judge Dumas brings firsthand insight into this progress, the importance of representation, and the ongoing evolution of the judiciary.

(00:00:00)
We&rsquo;re joined by Carol Thornton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Better Health, along with leaders from two participating nonprofits:
<ul>
<li>Ericka Anderson, Landisburg EMS</li>
<li>Jeanna Som, Supportive Partnerships for Youth</li>
</ul>
Together, they break down Match Madness, a unique annual fundraising campaign now celebrating its 10th year. Modeled after the excitement of March Madness, this initiative brings together 64 local nonprofits&mdash;all committed to advancing health equity and serving communities throughout the region. Since 2016, Match Madness has raised more than $6.1 million to support small and mid‑sized organizations making a direct impact.
(00:22:31)
In recognition of National Women&rsquo;s History Month, we also feature Judge Lori A. Dumas, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge (term 2022&ndash;2031). Judge Dumas reflects on her extensive career&mdash;from her decades on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to her role as a nationally recognized trainer on human trafficking issues.
We explore the broader landscape of women in the Pennsylvania judiciary, where women now make up 34% of active judges statewide. Women hold major leadership roles across Pennsylvania&rsquo;s appellate courts, including the historic appointment of Chief Justice Debra Todd, the first woman to lead the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Judge Dumas brings firsthand insight into this progress, the importance of representation, and the ongoing evolution of the judiciary.

Match Madness & Women in the Judiciary: Championing Community Health and Judicial Leadership in PA

Stephanie Kwolek

Wildfire Safety

(00:00:00)

Stephanie Kwolek (July 31, 1923 – June 18, 2014), born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was an American chemist whose groundbreaking work in polymer science led to the invention of Kevlar — the exceptionally strong, lightweight fiber widely used in bullet‑resistant vests.

(00:22:09)

Then we speak with Mike Kern: Chief, Division of Forest Fire Protection and Matt Reed: Chief of Wildfire Operations and Planning both with Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry about wildfire season and safety protocols we should follow.

(00:00:00)
Stephanie Kwolek (July 31, 1923 &ndash; June 18, 2014), born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was an American chemist whose groundbreaking work in polymer science led to the invention of Kevlar &mdash; the exceptionally strong, lightweight fiber widely used in bullet‑resistant vests.
(00:22:09)
Then we speak with Mike Kern: Chief, Division of Forest Fire Protection and Matt Reed: Chief of Wildfire Operations and Planning&nbsp;both with Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry about wildfire season and safety protocols we should follow.

Berks County ICE Controversy, Spring Prep Tips, and a New Take on ‘Blue Juniata'

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