Radio Smart Talk for Friday, April 27:

Extreme is a good word to describe the midstate's weather over the past year.  Maybe the region hasn't experienced the devastating extremes of widespread tornados or droughts like some other areas of the country, but for a moderate climate like Central Pennsylvania, the past 12 months have been unusual.

Last year was one the wettest on record in some Pennsylvania communities.  All you have to is remember last fall's flooding after Tropical Storm Lee that resulted in millions of dollars in damage.  Then came a winter that was almost snowless -- that is excerpt for a bizarre snowstorm on October 29.  The winter was warmer than normal too.

The dry, mild winter left the Susquehanna River at its lowest level since 1910 and 1946 -- two years that resulted in droughts.

This time last week, a drought seemed to be a real possibility.  Then it rained earlier this week.  Is that rainfall enough to take us out of danger?

We'll find out on Friday's Radio Smart Talk when we're joined by Susan Weaver, the drought coordinator with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and John Balay, the manager of planning and operation with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

Also, WITF's Pick of the Month with the Midtown Scholar Bookstore is Silver Like Dust: One Family's Story of America's Japanese Internment.  Author Kimi Cunningham Grant describes her family's fascinating history.

While in Britain, you'll enjoy a VIP tour of Highclere Castle with Lord Carnarvon, and afternoon tea with Lady Carnarvon, author of Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey. You'll also have lunch and a VIP tour of Leeds Castle, and afternoon tea at the May Fair Hotel with Jessica Fellowes, author of The World of Downton Abbey and Mud & The City: Dos and Don'ts for Townies in the Country.

In conjunction with the beloved BIG dog's 50th anniversary in 2012, celebrate the timeless values of Clifford's BIG ideas - Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe In Yourself, Be A Good Friend and Help Others. These sentiments have never been more fun as Clifford and his friends from Birdwell Island - Emily Elizabeth, Cleo and T-Bone - embark on new adventures. With memorable songs and choreography - there will be even more of him to love in this all new musical - sure to delight the entire family!

(Harrisburg) -- witf is collaborating with NPR and other public radio stations to pilot StateImpact, an ambitious local-national journalism initiative to report on state government actions and their impact on citizens and communities. Eight state-based projects were selected to pilot with NPR on the StateImpact launch.

witf is leading the pilot for Pennsylvania, with the collaboration of WHYY in Philadelphia, sharing reporting and resources. As the project lead, witf is creating a reporting “hub” – and with WHYY - has hired two multimedia journalists to focus on the critical issue of energy in Pennsylvania. StateImpact Pennsylvania will cover the fiscal and environmental impact of the state’s booming energy economy, with a focus on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation.

Reporting produced by witf will appear on every available media platform to reach the widest audience – including public radio stations throughout Pennsylvania, websites, blogs and mobile services. Award-winning reporters Scott Detrow and Susan Phillips will lead the effort. Detrow is familiar to witf listeners as the station’s former state Capitol bureau chief. Phillips is a native Philadelphian  with roots in central Pennsylvania, who has worked as a reporter for WHYY since 2004.

Both StateImpact correspondents will concentrate on radio and web reporting, and develop an extensive website that will offer original reporting, curated content and a place for conversation. The site officially launched July 6, 2011 and also is linked to a central hub.

(Harrisburg) -- For the fourth time since 2007, witf has been honored with a National Edward R. Murrow Award by the Radio Television Digital News Association. Former Multimedia News Director Scott Gilbert's story on beep baseball, a game designed to allow visually impaired players to take the diamond, was named Best Sports Feature in the Small Market Radio category. It topped stories from 13 other regions. Audio Engineer Casey Houtz also has earned recognition for his editing work on the story. witf is the only media organization in Pennsylvania to be recognized by RTDNA on the national level. "It's humbling to be mentioned among the nation's best in broadcast and digital journalism, but in the end, it's about making sure we are serving our community. Public service is our number one priority," says witf's Multimedia News Director Tim Lambert. "It's an amazing honor and a wonderful way for Scott to cap his stellar broadcasting career." Since 2006, witf has earned four national Murrow awards and 18 regional Murrow honors (six in 2011). Earlier this year, witf was recognized with nine Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards, including four first-place honors.

Support witf, your hometown public radio station and experience one of the finest classical musicians of our time. Baltimore native and internationally renowned violinist, Hilary Hahn, returns to the Joseph Meyerhoff Concert Hall, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, for their opening night gala Saturday, September 10.

With you contribution of $365, witf will say thank with two tickets- rear orchestra floor seats- as the BSO led by Music Director Marin Alsop, are joined by Hahn. In what will be a memorable performance, Hahn will demonstrate why she is one of classical music’s most glamorous young stars, as she performs Mendelssohn’s adored Violin Concerto.

You will enjoy a late afternoon luxury bus trip to the Baltimore Inner Harbor, complete with snacks and refreshments, where you will have time to enjoy the scenery and shops or to visit one of the many fine restaurants the area has to offer. From there the buses will take you to the Meyerhoff for the 8:30 pm concert, and of course a relaxing return trip to Pennsylvania.

In an interview with PBS in 2001, Hahn stated that of all the musical disciplines, she is most interested in performance. Obtaining tickets for the opening gala has not always been possible for witf in the past, so this is a special musical experience you won’t want to miss.

Call 1-800-233-9483 or click here, to make your annual gift and place your reservations today, thanks.

(Harrisburg) -- The witf Multimedia News Department has been honored by the Radio Television Digital News Association with six 2011 regional Edward R. Murrow awards in recognition of the best in broadcast and digital journalism.

witf captured the Murrow in the following categories: Overall Excellence, Feature Reporting, Continuing Coverage, News Series, Sports Reporting and Use of Sound.

The station is in a region that includes all of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It was in this region that witf competed against all radio stations in markets 51 and smaller.

All four witf staff members have been recognized for their work in calendar year 2010: Multimedia News Director/Morning Edition Host Tim Lambert, All Things Considered Host Melanie Herschorn, State Capitol Bureau Chief Scott Detrow and former Multimedia News Director Scott Gilbert.