The Next Step of the WITF Journey
By Ron Hetrick, President & CEO of WITF
Tom Downing / WITF
Ron Hetrick, handing out books to a family during the 2022 Be My Neighbor Day event.
Welcome to the next step
of the WITF journey!
We’re always glad you are with us, neighbor. We want to meet you wherever you are, with the digital and in-person experiences that you crave. We’ve heard your desire for more arts and culture, more focus on our community, and more uplifting, inspirational stories. We promise you will find those opportunities with us.
Our promise to you is reflected in our new logo and look. Our new symbol, a frame, represents how we provide a window to the world, curating stories and sharing perspectives that may be outside our own experience. Our frame is also a mirror, reflecting you and making your stories and those of community members like you more visible.
Beginning in January, you’ll see more stories about our Central Pennsylvania neighbors that make and do great things.
Joe Ulrich / WITF
Elijah Cross of West & Ward performs as part of WITF Music.
Expanding upon the WITF Music series, we’re developing fresh arts and entertainment videos and podcasts to grow a fun creator space on our YouTube channel. Our social platforms will feature news and highlights that meet you when you want, where you want – so watch for us in your feed.
With a renewed focus on getting to know our neighbors, you’ll see us hosting more events and participating in more events in the community.
A family meets Daniel Tiger of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood at a WITF Ready Set Explore! event in York.
Whether you join us to take a selfie with your favorite PBS KIDS character, discuss policy with a reporter, or watch a MASTERPIECE premiere before the rest of the East Coast, we look forward to engaging with you!
You’ve known us for educational programs, for transparent news, for bringing the community together to talk about tough topics, and for having some fun, too. We’re honored to be your home for public media, inspiring lifelong learning by connecting people and communities of Pennsylvania through trusted journalism, thoughtful discussion and educational experiences. We promise to always be curious, to tie that thread between question and answer, and to do it thoughtfully and with care. Our only agenda is you.
We ask for your grace in the coming months, as you may still find the classic WITF logo in some digital places and on some postal mail. We just couldn’t waste all that pre-printed paper!
Thank you for supporting WITF and public media. We couldn’t do it without you.
Keep reading for three more items we’d like to share.
Let’s Discover!
Ron Hetrick
President & CEO
Smart Talk Will Become The Spark
Have you listened to Smart Talk since its inception in 2008 as a response to the Great Recession? The radio show, named after the current affairs WITF TV production of the same name, has changed over the years – and we want to give that evolution a boost. Smart Talk still covers headline news, but has expanded to include conversations with interesting people who have compelling stories to tell. Whether we hear from best-selling authors or the founder of a festival in your neighborhood, it’s always noteworthy and worth sharing. We’re proud that the show has ignited so many conversations for our listeners. So, beginning October 31, Smart Talk will be known as The Spark. Still hosted by Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon, The Spark will continue to be an hour-long program at noon and 8pm, weekdays on WITF 89.5 & 93.3, and wherever you get your podcasts.
PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives
Season two of PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives premieres on Thursday! Hosts Nell McCormack Abom and Jim Hoehn will be speaking with local business leaders who disrupt the status quo and encourage others to think differently. First up, our featured guest Bob Ortenzio, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of Select Medical, shares his keys to business success.
Listen to PNC C-Speak from WITF and supported by PNC Bank here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ready Set Explore! at Hamilton Health Center
For the first time ever, Molly from the PBS KIDS show Molly of Denali is coming to Central Pa.! Join us at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg for our fall-themed free family event, Ready Set Explore! on October 29 from 10am – 1pm. Plus, you can enjoy free activities, crafts, food from Mad Dash Artisan Grilled Cheese and Rice and Beans, and drinks from Reign and Taij’s Lemonade.
