Coming up on The Spark Weekly:


It was July 13 when shots rang out during a rally in Butler County featuring republican candidate Donald Trump. One person was killed, and three others were injured including Trump. Numerous investigations uncovered gaps in security leading to gunfire. Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA, Tracy Leturgy and Irina Bucur of The Butler Eagle reported extensively on the Trump assassination attempt. They all joined host Asia Tabb on The Spark for the Journalist roundtable.

Also on the program:

According to the Pennsylvania Tree Growers Association, Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms. There are more than 1,400 Christmas trees in Pennsylvania.

The winter holidays are months away, but for the tree farmers, it’s a year long process. Gerrit Strathmeyer Jr, President of the PA Christmas Tree Association says tree farms are a large investment.

Coming up on The Spark Weekly:
 It was July 13 when shots rang out during a rally in Butler County featuring republican candidate Donald Trump. One person was killed, and three others were injured including Trump. Numerous investigations uncovered gaps in security leading to gunfire. Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA, Tracy Leturgy and Irina Bucur of The Butler Eagle <a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/08/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-flaws-failures/">reported</a> extensively on the Trump assassination attempt. They all joined host Asia Tabb on The Spark for the Journalist roundtable.
Also on the program:
According to the <a href="https://christmastrees.org/">Pennsylvania Tree Growers Association</a>, Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms. There are more than 1,400 Christmas trees in Pennsylvania.
The winter holidays are months away, but for the tree farmers, it’s a year long process. Gerrit Strathmeyer Jr, President of the PA Christmas Tree Association says tree farms are a large investment.

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>.

The Spark Weekly 8.25.2024: Trump's Assassination Attempt and The State of The Christmas Tree Industry

WITF and Tim Lambert received some good news last week. Tim’s story about his father being one of the last living witnesses to a unique atomic test in the 1950’s was honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for best use of sound.

Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard who was Tim’s editor for the project sat down with Asia Tabb to talk about the impact of this story.

“The Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry. The Radio Television News Directors Association presents Murrow Awards for first in 14 regions across the US. Broken down by the size of the market a station serves, and then the regional honorees are judged, and one story is recognized as the best among all regions in its market size. As the organization says, stories must uphold the RTDNA Code of ethics, demonstrate technical expertise, and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community, so they honor the dedication and excellence that broadcaster Edward R Murrow was known for. This is the seventh time that Tim has received a national Murrow, and the 18th time for WITF since 2007. So, it's a big deal to be honored on a regional level. And in fact, Tim Story received three regional awards for sound digital presentation and for Feature Story. And I want to take a minute to note that the, did digital producer Jeremy Long, graphic designer Tom Downing, and videographer Doug Watson all played key roles in the project.”

The story called “A Pennsylvania man saw the true power of Atomic Annie,” is about Tim’s father, who was in the Army, witnessing a nuclear test in the Nevada desert in 1953.

“It was the only time that a tactical nuclear device was fired from a cannon. So it was a massive logistical undertaking. And a lot of that comes through in Tim's story. And in May 1953, when that test took place, the Korean War was on going, and North Korea and Russia were paying really close attention to what the U.S was doing. So, as you'll hear, the historian that Tim talked to, you say the U.S. was very much sending a message to those adversaries with this test. So this is a fascinating story about Tom Lambert's personal experience amid the bigger picture. Of this, event that had such international impact. And it's also a story that lives in American cultural history, the whole atomic age.”

WITF and Tim Lambert received some good news last week. Tim’s story about his father being one of the last living witnesses to a unique atomic test in the 1950’s was honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for best use of sound.
Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard who was Tim’s editor for the project sat down with Asia Tabb to talk about the impact of this story.
“The Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry. The Radio Television News Directors Association presents Murrow Awards for first in 14 regions across the US. Broken down by the size of the market a station serves, and then the regional honorees are judged, and one story is recognized as the best among all regions in its market size. As the organization says, stories must uphold the RTDNA Code of ethics, demonstrate technical expertise, and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community, so they honor the dedication and excellence that broadcaster Edward R Murrow was known for. This is the seventh time that Tim has received a national Murrow, and the 18th time for WITF since 2007. So, it's a big deal to be honored on a regional level. And in fact, Tim Story received three regional awards for sound digital presentation and for Feature Story. And I want to take a minute to note that the, did digital producer Jeremy Long, graphic designer Tom Downing, and videographer Doug Watson all played key roles in the project.”
The story called <a href="https://www.witf.org/2023/09/28/atomic-cannon/">“A Pennsylvania man saw the true power of Atomic Annie,”</a> is about Tim’s father, who was in the Army, witnessing a nuclear test in the Nevada desert in 1953.
“It was the only time that a tactical nuclear device was fired from a cannon. So it was a massive logistical undertaking. And a lot of that comes through in Tim's story. And in May 1953, when that test took place, the Korean War was on going, and North Korea and Russia were paying really close attention to what the U.S was doing. So, as you'll hear, the historian that Tim talked to, you say the U.S. was very much sending a message to those adversaries with this test. So this is a fascinating story about Tom Lambert's personal experience amid the bigger picture. Of this, event that had such international impact. And it's also a story that lives in American cultural history, the whole atomic age.”

WITF story honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award

February 2, 2001, is a day many won’t forget in York County. Norinia Bentzel was the Principal of the North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School when she was attacked twice by a man with a machete.

Bentzel noticed someone unfamiliar trying to get in the school around 11:23 a.m. The intruder, William Stankewicz snuck in behind a parent dropping her child off for school.

“To me, he just looked like a grandfather coming in. So that's kind of how I got started. In the event I, I did go looking for him then just to see if I can help him. And I looked in the lobby when I went out there heading toward the cafeteria. I couldn't see him anywhere. I took a few more steps. I thought, well, he must know where he's going. Took a few more steps and again there was some voice that came into my head, and I said, stop, turn around. And so, I did. I didn't know what was going on as far as those messages were in my brain. But I stopped, turned around, and he was standing outside of our kindergarten classroom just beyond the office area where I had come out.”

When Bentzel found Stankewicz, he looked at her and then pulled out the machete. She yelled for the staff to call 911 as he was pushing her down the hallways.

“He came in on me for the second time and started attacking me again. And every time he was attacking me, it was basically he was aiming for my head. So, my hands were criss crossed above my head to protect my head because I didn't have anything else to protect me.”

11 students and two other adults were hurt in the machete attack.

“I went through six hours of surgery, two teams of doctors, one on each hand and left arm. I was there for five days, and in those five days, I was very upset, and I cried a lot. Most people thought I was upset about my injuries, and that was not the case. Or possibly just because of the event. And I knew what happened and how horrific it was. And that wasn't the case either. I cried because I didn't think I could ever go back to my school. I thought that it was too painful to ever go back as the principal there.”

Nearly 20 years later, Bentzel has written a memoir, “Glorious Sadness – Faith – Love – Hope – Trumps School Attack”.

“My basic reason for writing this was that I had learned so much in these 23 years, since 2001, when this happened, 23 years has gone by and I have learned so much about healing and trauma, perspective, loss, tragedy, crisis. I'm an educator, so I determined that it was necessary for me to write down what I knew in hopes of benefiting others. Because as we grow in our world, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. School attacks continue to happen and very innocent people continue to be killed or hurt. And somehow, someway, I'm hoping that we can stop some of this anyway, get to a better place.”

February 2, 2001, is a day many won’t forget in York County. Norinia Bentzel was the Principal of the North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School when she was attacked twice by a man with a machete.
Bentzel noticed someone unfamiliar trying to get in the school around 11:23 a.m. The intruder, William Stankewicz snuck in behind a parent dropping her child off for school.
“To me, he just looked like a grandfather coming in. So that's kind of how I got started. In the event I, I did go looking for him then just to see if I can help him. And I looked in the lobby when I went out there heading toward the cafeteria. I couldn't see him anywhere. I took a few more steps. I thought, well, he must know where he's going. Took a few more steps and again there was some voice that came into my head, and I said, stop, turn around. And so, I did. I didn't know what was going on as far as those messages were in my brain. But I stopped, turned around, and he was standing outside of our kindergarten classroom just beyond the office area where I had come out.”
When Bentzel found Stankewicz, he looked at her and then pulled out the machete. She yelled for the staff to call 911 as he was pushing her down the hallways.
“He came in on me for the second time and started attacking me again. And every time he was attacking me, it was basically he was aiming for my head. So, my hands were criss crossed above my head to protect my head because I didn't have anything else to protect me.”
11 students and two other adults were hurt in the machete attack.
“I went through six hours of surgery, two teams of doctors, one on each hand and left arm. I was there for five days, and in those five days, I was very upset, and I cried a lot. Most people thought I was upset about my injuries, and that was not the case. Or possibly just because of the event. And I knew what happened and how horrific it was. And that wasn't the case either. I cried because I didn't think I could ever go back to my school. I thought that it was too painful to ever go back as the principal there.”
Nearly 20 years later, Bentzel has written a memoir, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Sadness-Faith-Love-Hope-Trumps-School/dp/B0DBGRCGH3">“Glorious Sadness – Faith – Love – Hope – Trumps School Attack”.</a>
“My basic reason for writing this was that I had learned so much in these 23 years, since 2001, when this happened, 23 years has gone by and I have learned so much about healing and trauma, perspective, loss, tragedy, crisis. I'm an educator, so I determined that it was necessary for me to write down what I knew in hopes of benefiting others. Because as we grow in our world, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. School attacks continue to happen and very innocent people continue to be killed or hurt. And somehow, someway, I'm hoping that we can stop some of this anyway, get to a better place.”

Retired York Principal publishes memoir about 2001 machete attack

West & Ward a musical duo is working to incorporate advocating for mental health through their music. Their priority is galvanizing a local community into action that will change how mental health is discussed, and hopefully change how the mental health care system works here and beyond. West & Ward has recently dropped an EP, which includes “Battlefield” and “How Long”, songs that examine the feelings a person might have on their mental health journey. Elijah Cross and Macy Leonard of West & Ward sat down with The Spark Host Asia Tabb to talk about how their music is influencing change.

In the podcast, they also chat about their collaboration with the I'm fine. Project to produce a video we hope will bring more awareness to 988 and NAMI once it has been released. We hope to partner with more like-minded organizations and artists moving forward.

West &amp; Ward a musical duo is working to incorporate advocating for mental health through their music. Their priority is galvanizing a local community into action that will change how mental health is discussed, and hopefully change how the mental health care system works here and beyond. West &amp; Ward has recently dropped an EP, which includes “Battlefield” and “How Long”, songs that examine the feelings a person might have on their mental health journey. Elijah Cross and Macy Leonard of West &amp; Ward sat down with The Spark Host Asia Tabb to talk about how their music is influencing change.
In the podcast, they also chat about their collaboration with the <a href="https://imfineproject.com/">I'm fine. Project</a> to produce a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TbD37LB0MBRGujpnmmodP8dpbsDNm5F_/view?usp=sharing">video</a> we hope will bring more awareness to 988 and NAMI once it has been released. We hope to partner with more like-minded organizations and artists moving forward.

The Spark Weekly 8.25.2024: Trump's Assassination Attempt and The State of The Christmas Tree Industry

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