In the heart of downtown Lancaster, a new museum is preparing to open its doors — one that highlights a powerful, and often overlooked, chapter of American history. The Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy is set to open next spring, led by LancasterHistory, the organization behind the museum's development.

In the heart of downtown Lancaster, a new museum is preparing to open its doors &mdash; one that highlights a powerful, and often overlooked, chapter of American history. The <a href="https://stevensandsmithcenter.org/">Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democrac</a>y is set to open next spring, led by <a href="https://www.lancasterhistory.org/places/stevens-smith/">LancasterHistor</a>y, the organization behind the museum's development.

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>.

New Lancaster Museum to Explore Reconstruction Era and the Fight for Democracy

AACA

Peace Corp 65 Years

(00:00:00)

The AACA Museum in Hershey began with a passionate group of automobile enthusiasts whose idea evolved into a broader mission to preserve and share America’s automotive history. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1993, the museum launched a $12 million campaign to create a world‑class facility. Their vision became reality in 2003 with the opening of a 71,000‑square‑foot museum featuring interactive exhibits, rare vehicles, and educational programs. Today, visitors can explore eight decades of motoring history, supported by workshops and community programs that highlight the automobile’s impact on American life. The museum is recognized as a Smithsonian Affiliate and houses renowned collections, including the world’s largest Tucker automobile collection and the Museum of Bus Transportation collection.

(00:22:51)

Kelsey McMahon, a Communications Specialist with the Peace Corps, is a Southeast Pennsylvania native with family roots in Lewistown—where her grandfather helped launch Juniata River’s Goose Day. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in South Africa from 2014–2016, later supported a South African organization through the Peace Corps’ Virtual Service Pilot in 2021, and now works in the agency’s Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C.

She will discuss several key topics: the Peace Corps Week celebration, the 65th anniversary of the agency, its new nostalgia‑themed recruitment campaign (“Still the Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love”), the launch of the Tech Corps initiative supporting AI adoption abroad, and her personal journey through service and communications roles within the organization.

 

(00:00:00)
The AACA Museum in Hershey began with a passionate group of automobile enthusiasts whose idea evolved into a broader mission to preserve and share America&rsquo;s automotive history. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1993, the museum launched a $12 million campaign to create a world‑class facility. Their vision became reality in 2003 with the opening of a 71,000‑square‑foot museum featuring interactive exhibits, rare vehicles, and educational programs. Today, visitors can explore eight decades of motoring history, supported by workshops and community programs that highlight the automobile&rsquo;s impact on American life. The museum is recognized as a Smithsonian Affiliate and houses renowned collections, including the world&rsquo;s largest Tucker automobile collection and the Museum of Bus Transportation collection.
(00:22:51)
Kelsey McMahon, a Communications Specialist with the Peace Corps, is a Southeast Pennsylvania native with family roots in Lewistown&mdash;where her grandfather helped launch Juniata River&rsquo;s Goose Day. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in South Africa from 2014&ndash;2016, later supported a South African organization through the Peace Corps&rsquo; Virtual Service Pilot in 2021, and now works in the agency&rsquo;s Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C.
She will discuss several key topics: the Peace Corps Week celebration, the 65th anniversary of the agency, its new nostalgia‑themed recruitment campaign (&ldquo;Still the Toughest Job You&rsquo;ll Ever Love&rdquo;), the launch of the Tech Corps initiative supporting AI adoption abroad, and her personal journey through service and communications roles within the organization.
&nbsp;

AACA Museum Honors Auto History as The Peace Corps Celebrates Service and Global Initiatives

Flinchbaugh Orchard

F&M Poll

(00:00:00)

We visit Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market in Hellam, PA, where four generations have grown a family farm into a community hub. Co‑owner Julie Keene shares how the orchard began in 1951, why conservation is at the heart of their work, and how the family continues to preserve land, nurture local partnerships, and keep “Grandma Louise’s” welcoming spirit alive.

(00:22:00)

We break down the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll with director Berwood Yost. He walks us through what Pennsylvania voters are feeling heading into 2026—from economic anxiety and views on the governor’s race to immigration, presidential approval, and trust in democracy. The March statewide survey of 834 registered voters shows a state divided on its direction, worried about the economy, and uncertain about what comes next.

(00:00:00)
We visit Flinchbaugh&rsquo;s Orchard &amp; Farm Market in Hellam, PA, where four generations have grown a family farm into a community hub. Co‑owner Julie Keene shares how the orchard began in 1951, why conservation is at the heart of their work, and how the family continues to preserve land, nurture local partnerships, and keep &ldquo;Grandma Louise&rsquo;s&rdquo; welcoming spirit alive.
(00:22:00)
We break down the latest Franklin &amp; Marshall College Poll with director Berwood Yost. He walks us through what Pennsylvania voters are feeling heading into 2026&mdash;from economic anxiety and views on the governor&rsquo;s race to immigration, presidential approval, and trust in democracy. The March statewide survey of 834 registered voters shows a state divided on its direction, worried about the economy, and uncertain about what comes next.

PA Farm Roots and New Poll Reveal 2026 Voter Mood 

Frank Langfitt

Jenna Wise

Pi Day

(00:00:00)

In today’s episode, we go inside Pennsylvania’s pivotal 10th Congressional District to hear how voters are processing the recent U.S. attack on Iran. Reporter Frank Langfitt brings us voices from Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton, where Trump supporters and swing voters alike are weighing the president’s promise to end “forever wars” against yet another military strike abroad. What are people saying on the ground? And how might these views shape one of the most closely watched midterm races? Frank also talks about revealing conversations from across Pennsylvania, where Republican voters are responding to President Trump’s repeated claims that Democrats can only win the midterms by cheating—and that he plans to stop them. Frank shares some of the candid, surprising, and deeply varied reactions he heard from conservative voters as they grapple with the president’s rhetoric, election trust, and the stakes of the upcoming vote.

(00:11:09)

Up next, Jenna Wise takes us inside two Pennsylvania cities—Harrisburg and York—to examine how each is tackling gun violence through Group Violence Intervention programs. She talks with community leaders, law enforcement, and residents to understand why Harrisburg’s initiative is struggling while York’s is thriving. 

(00:23:18)

Just in time for "Pi" Day, we travel to Lancaster County to meet Donna Alexander, owner of Pies Galore & More. Since opening in 2012, Donna has dreamed of more than serving great pie—she’s built a warm, nostalgic gathering place where neighbors come for coffee, conversation, and “food for the soul.” We explore how her bakery has become a community hub, the inspiration behind her classic recipes, and why a simple slice of pie can bring people together.

(00:00:00)
In today&rsquo;s episode, we go inside Pennsylvania&rsquo;s pivotal 10th Congressional District to hear how voters are processing the recent U.S. attack on Iran. Reporter Frank Langfitt brings us voices from Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton, where Trump supporters and swing voters alike are weighing the president&rsquo;s promise to end &ldquo;forever wars&rdquo; against yet another military strike abroad. What are people saying on the ground? And how might these views shape one of the most closely watched midterm races? Frank also talks about revealing conversations from across Pennsylvania, where Republican voters are responding to President Trump&rsquo;s repeated claims that Democrats can only win the midterms by cheating&mdash;and that he plans to stop them. Frank shares some of the candid, surprising, and deeply varied reactions he heard from conservative voters as they grapple with the president&rsquo;s rhetoric, election trust, and the stakes of the upcoming vote.
(00:11:09)
Up next, Jenna Wise takes us inside two Pennsylvania cities&mdash;Harrisburg and York&mdash;to examine how each is tackling gun violence through Group Violence Intervention programs. She talks with community leaders, law enforcement, and residents to understand why Harrisburg&rsquo;s initiative is struggling while York&rsquo;s is thriving.&nbsp;
(00:23:18)
Just in time for "Pi" Day, we travel to Lancaster County to meet Donna Alexander, owner of Pies Galore &amp; More. Since opening in 2012, Donna has dreamed of more than serving great pie&mdash;she&rsquo;s built a warm, nostalgic gathering place where neighbors come for coffee, conversation, and &ldquo;food for the soul.&rdquo; We explore how her bakery has become a community hub, the inspiration behind her classic recipes, and why a simple slice of pie can bring people together.

New Lancaster Museum to Explore Reconstruction Era and the Fight for Democracy

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