Vulnerable Pennsylvanians still in need as pandemic winds down

Also on the program: Pennsylvania dialects and regionalisms

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 The Salvation Army-New Bedford

Jo-Ann Lessa delivers food with her van.

Airdate: Friday, June 25, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic disrupted millions of lives in so many ways: our health, jobs, education, social lives and more. For those who were struggling before the pandemic, the last 15 months have often made their situations even more difficult.

Nonprofit organizations on the front lines were impacted as well.

On Friday’s Smart Talk, we discuss how the pandemic affected Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable, what they still need, and how community members can help.

Appearing on the program are Kristen Rotz, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania, David John, Vice President of Government Affairs at Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs, and Anne Gingerich, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO).

“Youz or yinz?” Pennsylvania dialects fascinate

Those who watched the recent HBO series Mare of Easttown were struck by how seamlessly British actor Kate Winslet adopted a Delaware County or Philadelphia regional dialect.

At least in the Philadelphia area, it started a conversation about dialects and regionalisms. It’s a topic that fascinates many who don’t even know they talk differently from other people around the country.

Joining us on Friday’s Smart Talk is Dr. Betsy Sneller, assistant professor of linguistics at Michigan State University.