Our Journalist Roundtable segment for Friday November 8 was recorded Thursday November 7 around 4:30 p.m. In this episode, we spoke with WITF's Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie, and LancasterOnline/ LNP Statehouse Reporter Jaxon White about their election coverage. They spoke about what surprised them, where the election stands, and how this years election will impact their reporting moving forward.

Our Journalist Roundtable segment for Friday November 8 was recorded Thursday November 7 around 4:30 p.m. In this episode, we spoke with <a href="https://www.witf.org/author/jwilkie/">WITF's Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie</a>, and LancasterOnline/ LNP Statehouse Reporter <a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/jaxonwhite/">Jaxon White</a> about their election coverage. They spoke about what surprised them, where the election stands, and how this years election will impact their reporting moving forward.

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, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon 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 <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Journalist Roundtable:  2024 Election Night Coverage

Girls on the Run is a national organization that empowers and strengthens the social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills for young girls in grades third through eighth. There’s more than 175 chapters in the United States and seven in Pennsylvania.

Jennifer West is the Executive Director of Girls on the Run Lancaster.  Each year, about 2,000 participants and 600 volunteer coaches come through the program. West brought the organization along with her friend Carrie Jonson to Lancaster in 20009.

“At the time, we both had girls in third and fifth grade. Carrie Googled girls’ self-esteem and running and thought, my gosh, this is something that Lancaster needs. This is something our girls could benefit from. Let's get it started. So, we went through the process of getting approved to be a council, which took about a year. And in the fall of 2009, we started with 25 girls. Then we grew to about 170 or 90, and then we grew to over 300. And it has just snowballed since. And it's been absolutely amazing how Lancaster and Lebanon have welcomed us.”

The overall goal of this program is to build confidence, so they develop vital life skills. During a ten-week season, the girls meet twice a week for about a hour and a half after school.

“We talk about healthy habits and teamwork and resilience and conflict resolution, how to be a good friend, because in third grade you're really figuring out what is it like to be a good friend? What qualities do I have that I can give to somebody else? And then what qualities am I looking for in a good friend? And we talk a lot about being unique and being individual because as girls get a little bit older, they tend to look at those around them and think, wow, I, I want to be like her. I want to look like her. I want to dress like her, whatever it is. And we say that you are uniquely you and you are just who you are supposed to be. And let's celebrate that and let's really figure out who that is.”

Girls on the Run is a national organization that empowers and strengthens the social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills for young girls in grades third through eighth. There’s more than 175 chapters in the United States and seven in Pennsylvania.
Jennifer West is the Executive Director of <a href="https://www.gotrlancaster.org/organization">Girls on the Run Lancaster</a>.  Each year, about 2,000 participants and 600 volunteer coaches come through the program. West brought the organization along with her friend Carrie Jonson to Lancaster in 20009.
“At the time, we both had girls in third and fifth grade. Carrie Googled girls’ self-esteem and running and thought, my gosh, this is something that Lancaster needs. This is something our girls could benefit from. Let's get it started. So, we went through the process of getting approved to be a council, which took about a year. And in the fall of 2009, we started with 25 girls. Then we grew to about 170 or 90, and then we grew to over 300. And it has just snowballed since. And it's been absolutely amazing how Lancaster and Lebanon have welcomed us.”
The overall goal of this program is to build confidence, so they develop vital life skills. During a ten-week season, the girls meet twice a week for about a hour and a half after school.
“We talk about healthy habits and teamwork and resilience and conflict resolution, how to be a good friend, because in third grade you're really figuring out what is it like to be a good friend? What qualities do I have that I can give to somebody else? And then what qualities am I looking for in a good friend? And we talk a lot about being unique and being individual because as girls get a little bit older, they tend to look at those around them and think, wow, I, I want to be like her. I want to look like her. I want to dress like her, whatever it is. And we say that you are uniquely you and you are just who you are supposed to be. And let's celebrate that and let's really figure out who that is.”

Girls on the Run Lancaster aims to empower young girls

The Maternity Care Coalition is a organization that began in Philadelphia to advocate for the wellbeing of pregnant people and infants. Samina Bristow is the Associate Vice President of Programs for MCC.

“We started in 1980 as a coalition. And we were really concerned about the high infant mortality rates in the Philadelphia community. And we learned a lot from that work early on. And what we found was that many families were having challenges with access to services. Barriers in terms of accessing services, lack of resources.”

MCC provides many services to those in need such as home visiting, childcare, behavioral health and so much more. They also bring services straight to their participants with their mom mobile.

“So, there is a vehicle, and it is known as the mom mobile. And that really started because we really were like beating the pavement, right. As a grassroots organization, meeting people where they were in a community. So, popping up at street corners, engaging in conversation. And people started to recognize us in the community. And we developed our model bill because essentially at that time we were, you know, serving women and children. Right? Really focused on ensuring that people birthing people had healthy outcomes. So really wanting to target pregnant women.”

Those interested in becoming an advocate with the Maternity Care Coalition can visit them on their website. There’s many opportunities with the non-profit for those wanting to lend a helping hand.

“There are a number of opportunities available if someone is interested in coming and, you know, becoming an advocate, be an employee by NCC. But there's also two volunteer opportunities. There's internship opportunities. You know, we encourage people, you know, to get involved where they see themselves, right? Like there could be an event, there could be, you know, sharing of information, right? So, advocacy and being an advocate looks different for each individual person. And we want to we want you to find where you find your avenue and we want you to be, you know, change agents of that. Right? So, sharing information is another way that someone can really advocate and support us and meeting our mission and also to build an awareness.”

The <a href="https://maternitycarecoalition.org/who-we-are">Maternity Care Coalition</a> is a organization that began in Philadelphia to advocate for the wellbeing of pregnant people and infants. Samina Bristow is the Associate Vice President of Programs for MCC.
“We started in 1980 as a coalition. And we were really concerned about the high infant mortality rates in the Philadelphia community. And we learned a lot from that work early on. And what we found was that many families were having challenges with access to services. Barriers in terms of accessing services, lack of resources.”
MCC provides many services to those in need such as home visiting, childcare, behavioral health and so much more. They also bring services straight to their participants with their mom mobile.
“So, there is a vehicle, and it is known as the mom mobile. And that really started because we really were like beating the pavement, right. As a grassroots organization, meeting people where they were in a community. So, popping up at street corners, engaging in conversation. And people started to recognize us in the community. And we developed our model bill because essentially at that time we were, you know, serving women and children. Right? Really focused on ensuring that people birthing people had healthy outcomes. So really wanting to target pregnant women.”
Those interested in becoming an advocate with the Maternity Care Coalition can visit them on their website. There’s many <a href="https://maternitycarecoalition.org/get-involved">opportunities</a> with the non-profit for those wanting to lend a helping hand.
“There are a number of opportunities available if someone is interested in coming and, you know, becoming an advocate, be an employee by NCC. But there's also two volunteer opportunities. There's internship opportunities. You know, we encourage people, you know, to get involved where they see themselves, right? Like there could be an event, there could be, you know, sharing of information, right? So, advocacy and being an advocate looks different for each individual person. And we want to we want you to find where you find your avenue and we want you to be, you know, change agents of that. Right? So, sharing information is another way that someone can really advocate and support us and meeting our mission and also to build an awareness.”

Maternity Care Coalition advocates for the wellbeing of pregnant people and infants

Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in February. The museum is famous for its one-of-a-kind candy, fudge, and pretzels. Nicole Bucher is the third-generation owner and chocolatier of the museum. Nicole and her husband Isaac purchased the shop in 2014.

“My grandfather started the business in 1975. He was kind of an unusual character. And I guess one of the fun things about our business is how much it has evolved over the years. When he first started, he had, you know, fun things from the 70s like cold creatures, like Pennsylvania, coal things, souvenirs and just unusual things that you would find at a tourism stop. So, but what he noticed is that Candy was really popular, and he also had this kind of wacky small elephant collection. He threw it in the store, and it got a lot of attention. So, he started focusing on the things that made money and got interest, “said Nicole Bucher.

In addition to the items sold in the stores, Nicole and Isaac give back to the community through various fundraisers.

“We have a fundraising program that allows local organizations to raise money through fudge pretzels and cinnamon glaze nuts. And we also did, we brought back a bunch of events. And so we have four large free community events throughout the year and one is our Easter egg hunt. Santa Claus comes to the store. We also have a pumpkin party and a s'mores event in our store, and those are all free to the public, “said Isaac Bucher.

For their 50th anniversary they’re working on a mural and are looking for the community’s support.

“I'm working with an artist right now. I am a big proponent of community arts, and we're working on a mural that our customers will be able to help us paint and we're going to install it on our property. And it's all going to be based on my grandfather and his dream he had. His mind was full of colorful notions, so it'll definitely be colorful and pay homage to what he's built, “said Nicole Bucher.

<a href="https://mistereds.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorlmALa3gKqRMXLhrvpdbr1hUW5FWr4QUwLhl6gUAzv0fLJqBOP">Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum &amp; Candy Emporium</a> will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in February. The museum is famous for its one-of-a-kind candy, fudge, and pretzels. Nicole Bucher is the third-generation owner and chocolatier of the museum. Nicole and her husband Isaac purchased the shop in 2014.
“My grandfather started the business in 1975. He was kind of an unusual character. And I guess one of the fun things about our business is how much it has evolved over the years. When he first started, he had, you know, fun things from the 70s like cold creatures, like Pennsylvania, coal things, souvenirs and just unusual things that you would find at a tourism stop. So, but what he noticed is that Candy was really popular, and he also had this kind of wacky small elephant collection. He threw it in the store, and it got a lot of attention. So, he started focusing on the things that made money and got interest, “said Nicole Bucher.
In addition to the items sold in the stores, Nicole and Isaac give back to the community through various fundraisers.
“We have a fundraising program that allows local organizations to raise money through fudge pretzels and cinnamon glaze nuts. And we also did, we brought back a bunch of events. And so we have four large free community events throughout the year and one is our Easter egg hunt. Santa Claus comes to the store. We also have a pumpkin party and a s'mores event in our store, and those are all free to the public, “said Isaac Bucher.
For their 50th anniversary they’re working on a mural and are looking for the community’s support.
“I'm working with an artist right now. I am a big proponent of community arts, and we're working on a mural that our customers will be able to help us paint and we're going to install it on our property. And it's all going to be based on my grandfather and his dream he had. His mind was full of colorful notions, so it'll definitely be colorful and pay homage to what he's built, “said Nicole Bucher.

Journalist Roundtable: 2024 Election Night Coverage

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