In the shadowy woods above the Wissahickon Creek in present-day Philadelphia, legend has it that a mystic once awaited the end of the world. His name was Johannes Kelpius—a German-born spiritual seeker who led a small band of followers from Europe to the wilds of Pennsylvania in 1694. Their purpose? To prepare for the second coming of Christ and live lives of contemplation and purity.

On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Dr. Patrick M. Erben, professor of American literature at the University of West Georgia and a scholar of early German American culture, to uncover the story of this lesser known but deeply fascinating figure.

In the shadowy woods above the Wissahickon Creek in present-day Philadelphia, legend has it that a mystic once awaited the end of the world. His name was Johannes Kelpius&mdash;a German-born spiritual seeker who led a small band of followers from Europe to the wilds of Pennsylvania in 1694. Their purpose? To prepare for the second coming of Christ and live lives of contemplation and purity.
On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Dr. Patrick M. Erben, professor of American literature at the University of West Georgia and a scholar of early German American culture, to uncover the story of this lesser known but deeply fascinating figure.

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>.

Why Johannes Kelpius and his followers traveled from Europe and settled in Pa

Marian Anderson

Pennsylvania Hospital

(00:00:00)

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson’s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the “Significations” series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.

(00:22:40)

Stacey C. Peeples, Curator and Lead Archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital, is helping guide the hospital’s celebration of its 275th anniversary by overseeing the transformation of its historic Pine Building into a public museum. As America’s first chartered hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital will use the new museum—opening in May—to showcase exhibits that connect its rich medical history with Penn Medicine’s ongoing innovations in science and healthcare.

(00:00:00)
Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for&nbsp;The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson&rsquo;s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson&rsquo;s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the &ldquo;Significations&rdquo; series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.
(00:22:40)
Stacey C. Peeples, Curator and Lead Archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital, is helping guide the hospital&rsquo;s celebration of its 275th anniversary by overseeing the transformation of its historic Pine Building into a public museum. As America&rsquo;s first chartered hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital will use the new museum&mdash;opening in May&mdash;to showcase exhibits that connect its rich medical history with Penn Medicine&rsquo;s ongoing innovations in science and healthcare.

From Music Icons to Medical Milestones: Marian Anderson and Pa.'s Oldest Hospital

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.

Why Johannes Kelpius and his followers traveled from Europe and settled in Pa

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