Ned Hector

Groundhog Day

(00:00:00)

First, we speak with Elizabeth Zucker of the Dauphin County Historical Society and Noah Lewis, the living historian who portrays Edward “Ned” Hector, a Black Revolutionary War soldier whose bravery at the Battle of Brandywine challenges the incomplete narratives many Americans learned in school. We explore why the John Harris–Simon Cameron Mansion is an essential site for telling stories of underrepresented patriots, how living history deepens public understanding, and what audiences can expect at the February 22 event Forgotten Patriot: The Story of Ned Hector.

(00:26:00)

Then, we shift to Punxsutawney, where **Butch Philliber—better known as Iceman—**offers a rare look inside the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle. As caretakers of Punxsutawney Phil and stewards of a tradition dating back to 1886, the Inner Circle keeps alive a ritual that blends folklore, community pride, and a moment of national anticipation each February 2. We explore why Groundhog Day remains such a powerful cultural touchstone and how it continues to evolve as the country approaches its 250th year.

(00:00:00)
First, we speak with&nbsp;Elizabeth Zucker of the Dauphin County Historical Society and Noah Lewis, the living historian who portrays Edward &ldquo;Ned&rdquo; Hector, a Black Revolutionary War soldier whose bravery at the Battle of Brandywine challenges the incomplete narratives many Americans learned in school. We explore why the John Harris&ndash;Simon Cameron Mansion is an essential site for telling stories of underrepresented patriots, how living history deepens public understanding, and what audiences can expect at the February 22 event Forgotten Patriot: The Story of Ned Hector.
(00:26:00)
Then, we shift to Punxsutawney, where **Butch Philliber&mdash;better known as Iceman&mdash;**offers a rare look inside the Groundhog Club&rsquo;s Inner Circle. As caretakers of Punxsutawney Phil and stewards of a tradition dating back to 1886, the Inner Circle keeps alive a ritual that blends folklore, community pride, and a moment of national anticipation each February 2. We explore why Groundhog Day remains such a powerful cultural touchstone and how it continues to evolve as the country approaches its 250th year.

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>.

Forgotten Patriots & Weather Prophets: Pennsylvania Stories That Endure

Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America’s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report — a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups — including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities — are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.

We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, esteemed psychologist, scholar, and higher-education leader, about her upcoming visit to Dickinson College for Black History Month. Dr. Tatum will join Tony Boston, Dickinson’s chief diversity officer, and Jacquie Forbes, assistant professor of educational studies, for a conversation titled “The Psychology of Belonging: Navigating Identity on a College Campus.” Inspired by her New York Times bestselling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race, Tatum discussed how social identities are formed, the importance of fostering inclusion and psychological safety, and the ongoing challenges facing higher-education leaders.

Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America&rsquo;s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report &mdash; a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups &mdash; including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities &mdash; are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.
We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, esteemed psychologist, scholar, and higher-education leader, about her upcoming visit to Dickinson College for Black History Month. Dr. Tatum will join Tony Boston, Dickinson&rsquo;s chief diversity officer, and Jacquie Forbes, assistant professor of educational studies, for a conversation titled &ldquo;The Psychology of Belonging: Navigating Identity on a College Campus.&rdquo; Inspired by her New York Times bestselling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race, Tatum discussed how social identities are formed, the importance of fostering inclusion and psychological safety, and the ongoing challenges facing higher-education leaders.

The Spark Weekly | 2.1.26: Social Isolation and Conversations About Race

J Roundtable

Author Jon Brandow

(00:00:00)

On today’s The Spark, we start with the news shaping communities across Pennsylvania.
Carmen Russell-Sluchansky of WHYY brings us the latest on Philadelphia’s cleanup efforts after last weekend’s snowstorm and explains the growing controversy over the removal of a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park.
Then Sydney Roach of WPSU joins us with an update on the ongoing debate over Pennsylvania’s rifle deer season, where proposed changes to the start date continue to divide hunters across the state.

(00:22:37)

From there, we turn to a sweeping story of labor, race, and resilience. Author Jon Brandow talks with us about Goliath at Sunset, his new novel inspired by nine years as a welder and union activist in a Boston-area shipyard during the 1970s.

Brandow’s protagonist, Mike Shea, arrives fresh from Vietnam and the housing projects into a workplace defined by explosive racial tension, fading union militancy, and the pressures of a collapsing industry. As Shea reaches across entrenched color lines to build solidarity, he confronts ruthless management, a union leadership that has lost its fire, and a moral dilemma that forces workers to choose between risking their lives and losing their jobs.

 

(00:00:00)
On today&rsquo;s The Spark, we start with the news shaping communities across Pennsylvania. Carmen Russell-Sluchansky of WHYY brings us the latest on Philadelphia&rsquo;s cleanup efforts after last weekend&rsquo;s snowstorm and explains the growing controversy over the removal of a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park. Then Sydney Roach of WPSU joins us with an update on the ongoing debate over Pennsylvania&rsquo;s rifle deer season, where proposed changes to the start date continue to divide hunters across the state.
(00:22:37)
From there, we turn to a sweeping story of labor, race, and resilience. Author Jon Brandow talks with us about Goliath at Sunset, his new novel inspired by nine years as a welder and union activist in a Boston-area shipyard during the 1970s.
Brandow&rsquo;s protagonist, Mike Shea, arrives fresh from Vietnam and the housing projects into a workplace defined by explosive racial tension, fading union militancy, and the pressures of a collapsing industry. As Shea reaches across entrenched color lines to build solidarity, he confronts ruthless management, a union leadership that has lost its fire, and a moral dilemma that forces workers to choose between risking their lives and losing their jobs.
&nbsp;

News from the Commonwealth, Stories from the Yard

Dollar General Settlement

Social Connection in America

(00:00:00)

We begin with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s recent settlement with Dollar General, following allegations that prices listed on shelves didn’t match what customers were charged at checkout. We break down what the settlement means for shoppers across the Commonwealth, why price‑accuracy violations matter, and what consumers can do to protect themselves from overcharges in an era of rising costs and shrinking margins.

(00:22:11)

Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America’s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report — a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups — including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities — are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.

(00:00:00)
We begin with the&nbsp;Pennsylvania Attorney General&rsquo;s recent settlement with Dollar General, following allegations that prices listed on shelves didn&rsquo;t match what customers were charged at checkout. We break down what the settlement means for shoppers across the Commonwealth, why price‑accuracy violations matter, and what consumers can do to protect themselves from overcharges in an era of rising costs and shrinking margins.
(00:22:11)
Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America&rsquo;s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report &mdash; a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups &mdash; including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities &mdash; are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.

Forgotten Patriots & Weather Prophets: Pennsylvania Stories That Endure

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