Traveling the world is only a dream for most of us. Few get to realize that dream firsthand and maybe read about or watch documentaries of far off, exotic places. Our guest today not only read about the world but lived out her dream. Sherry Knowlton is a native of Chambersburg. She has visited more than 50 countries on six continents. She has written about her adventures in two of the books she has written – Beyond The Sunset – A Travel Memoir Volumes One and Two. Sherry Knowlton joins us on The Spark today.

Traveling the world is only a dream for most of us. Few get to realize that dream firsthand and maybe read about or watch documentaries of far off, exotic places. Our guest today not only read about the world but lived out her dream. Sherry Knowlton is a native of Chambersburg. She has visited more than 50 countries on six continents. She has written about her adventures in two of the books she has written – Beyond The Sunset – A Travel Memoir Volumes One and Two. Sherry Knowlton joins us on The Spark today.

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>.

Southcentral Pennsylvania native writes about her world travels

Recycling Electronic Waste

Chrissie Senecal

(00:00:00)

The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has alco contributed in an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and increasing risks to the environment. How can electronic items be safely disposed of, and how can the public play a part in cutting down on e-waste? 

(00:23:53)

Historian Chrissie Senecal going to go through the stories of several of Medieval Europe’s most famous couples. As usual, all these stories are bizarre and/or tragic or have some unusual twist. 

(00:00:00)
The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has alco contributed in an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and increasing risks to the environment. How can electronic items be safely disposed of, and how can the public play a part in cutting down on e-waste?&nbsp;
(00:23:53)
Historian Chrissie Senecal going to go through the stories of several of Medieval Europe&rsquo;s most famous couples. As usual, all these stories are bizarre and/or tragic or have some unusual twist.&nbsp;

How to Reduce Electronic Waste — Plus the Medieval Couples Who Redefined Love and Tragedy

Fangirls v. Sports Fans

Heart Month

(00:00:00)

Men are often celebrated for passionately supporting sports teams—spending money, getting emotional, and “fangirling” over players—while women are frequently mocked for showing the same level of enthusiasm for musicians, makeup, athletes, or concerts. The double standard treats identical behaviors differently depending on gender, even though both are simply forms of fandom and joy. We take a deep dive into this idea and stigma with Professor Mary Zaborskis from Penn State Harrisburg.

(00:21:03)

Born in 1947 as a “blue baby” with undiagnosed Tetralogy of Fallot, he was initially given little chance of surviving childhood. After moving to Carlisle, it took seven years before a cardiologist in Philadelphia agreed to treat him. Over the decades, he underwent multiple major heart surgeries: a Blalock‑Taussig‑Thomas shunt in 1958, a Waterston shunt in 1967, and finally a full TOF repair in 1980 by Dr. John Kirklin—an operation that transformed his stamina and daily life.
His long-term care continued through several cardiologists, most notably Dr. William Davidson at Penn State Hershey, who guided him through a pulmonary valve replacement in 2005 and later the implantation of an ICD to manage arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia. After Dr. Davidson’s passing in 2022, he transitioned to the care of Dr. Elizabeth Adams.
Following Dr. Davidson’s advice, he became active in the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), finding community, education, and purpose as a peer mentor for others with CHD—especially those with TOF. He emphasizes that people with congenital heart disease are never “fixed,” only “repaired,” and often require ongoing interventions throughout life.
Despite the challenges, he has lived a full, rich life, with a family he’s deeply proud of, and a personal mission to support and reassure others navigating CHD.

(00:00:00)
Men are often celebrated for passionately supporting sports teams&mdash;spending money, getting emotional, and &ldquo;fangirling&rdquo; over players&mdash;while women are frequently mocked for showing the same level of enthusiasm for musicians, makeup, athletes, or concerts. The double standard treats identical behaviors differently depending on gender, even though both are simply forms of fandom and joy. We take a deep dive into this idea and stigma with Professor Mary Zaborskis from Penn State Harrisburg.
(00:21:03)
Born in 1947 as a &ldquo;blue baby&rdquo; with undiagnosed Tetralogy of Fallot, he was initially given little chance of surviving childhood. After moving to Carlisle, it took seven years before a cardiologist in Philadelphia agreed to treat him. Over the decades, he underwent multiple major heart surgeries: a Blalock‑Taussig‑Thomas shunt in 1958, a Waterston shunt in 1967, and finally a full TOF repair in 1980 by Dr. John Kirklin&mdash;an operation that transformed his stamina and daily life. His long-term care continued through several cardiologists, most notably Dr. William Davidson at Penn State Hershey, who guided him through a pulmonary valve replacement in 2005 and later the implantation of an ICD to manage arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia. After Dr. Davidson&rsquo;s passing in 2022, he transitioned to the care of Dr. Elizabeth Adams. Following Dr. Davidson&rsquo;s advice, he became active in the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), finding community, education, and purpose as a peer mentor for others with CHD&mdash;especially those with TOF. He emphasizes that people with congenital heart disease are never &ldquo;fixed,&rdquo; only &ldquo;repaired,&rdquo; and often require ongoing interventions throughout life. Despite the challenges, he has lived a full, rich life, with a family he&rsquo;s deeply proud of, and a personal mission to support and reassure others navigating CHD.

CHD Survivor’s Lifelong Fight for Repair — and the Double Standard That Lets Men “Fangirl” Over Sports While Women Get Mocked for Their Passions.

Wm. Chester Ruth

Donegal HS

(00:00:00)

Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson talks about her grandfather William Chester Ruth (1882–1971) who was an African American machinist, inventor, and business owner from Pennsylvania. Born in Ercildoun to parents who overcame slavery, Ruth developed a passion for machinery early on, leading him to establish Ruth's Ironworks Shop in Gap, PA, in 1922. Over his career, he secured more than 50 patents for agricultural innovations, including the Combination Baler Feeder and a self-lifting farm elevator, significantly enhancing farming efficiency. Beyond his mechanical contributions, Ruth was a respected community leader and lay minister, dedicating his life to both technological advancement and spiritual guidance.

(00:22:29)

Donegal Performings Arts is the premier high school theater program in the Donegal School District. Each year, the program produces spectacular fall plays and spring musicals for our Central Pennsylvania community. A multidimensional theater education is the goal of the program; we hope to train students in all elements of theater: lights, sound, wardrobe, makeup, acting, singing, dancing, paint technique, set building, backstage management, and prop design. Through the training of all these skills, the theater program fosters skills of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and empathy, making Donegal students both theater ready and life ready. This year's show is Anastasia

(00:00:00)
Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson talks about her grandfather William Chester Ruth (1882&ndash;1971) who was an African American machinist, inventor, and business owner from Pennsylvania. Born in Ercildoun to parents who overcame slavery, Ruth developed a passion for machinery early on, leading him to establish Ruth's Ironworks Shop in Gap, PA, in 1922. Over his career, he secured more than 50 patents for agricultural innovations, including the Combination Baler Feeder and a self-lifting farm elevator, significantly enhancing farming efficiency. Beyond his mechanical contributions, Ruth was a respected community leader and lay minister, dedicating his life to both technological advancement and spiritual guidance.
(00:22:29)
Donegal Performings Arts is the premier high school theater program in the Donegal School District. Each year, the program produces spectacular fall plays and spring musicals for our Central Pennsylvania community. A multidimensional theater education is the goal of the program; we hope to train students in all elements of theater: lights, sound, wardrobe, makeup, acting, singing, dancing, paint technique, set building, backstage management, and prop design. Through the training of all these skills, the theater program fosters skills of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and empathy, making Donegal students both theater ready and life ready. This year's show is Anastasia

Southcentral Pennsylvania native writes about her world travels

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