Rules of the road

More Americans travel during Thanksgiving week than any other time of the year. In fact, the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving is when the most volume of travelers are on the road. According to AAA, there will be more than 55 million people traveling by vehicle, air or rail this year. The high traffic volume and an overall increase of more than one million expected travelers could mean more traffic and longer destination times. And the potential for frayed nerves and more drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road, speeding or generally not driving safely.

The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest party nights of the year which could lead to more drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated. Also, Pennsylvania’s deer season begins on Saturday this year so there probably will be more hunters driving to their camps on Friday and that also could mean more deer activity on roadways too..

The Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement agencies are patrolling the roads to ensure motorists obey traffic laws. However, with so many laws on the books, it can be challenging for motorists to keep track of them all.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Smart Talk are Fritzi Schreffler, PennDOT District 8 Safety Press Officer, Trooper Stuart Koch with Troop H of the Pennsylvania State Police and retired Trooper Matt Frampton, South Central Pennsylvania Highway Safety to discuss all your highway questions and safety concerns. Visit 511pa.com for live, updated traffic conditions.

Trooper
Trooper Stuart Koch, Fritzi Schreffler, PennDOT District 8 Safety Press Officer, and retired Corporal Matt Frampton, South Central Pennsylvania Highway Safety appear on Smart Talk November 27, 2019.

Countdown to Thanksgiving dinner

In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indian tribe gathered for a small Fall harvest meal. The event would later be known as the “first Thanksgiving.” This tradition would continue, and in 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared the fourth Thursday of November the Thanksgiving holiday.

One of the most important parts of Thanksgiving is surely the food and preparing the best meal is top of the list. For many American households, the Turkey is the prime holiday dish served with loads of mashed potatoes, maybe a green bean casserole, and a pumpkin pie for dessert. Surely we hope your dinner plans are ready, but if not, we have you have covered.

Chef Donna Desfor appears on Smart Talk on November 26, 2019.

Smart Talk

Chef Donna Desfor appears on Smart Talk on November 26, 2019.

Joining Smart Talk on Tuesday is host of the podcast, Now That’s a Mouthful, Chef Donna Desfor to offer tips, tricks, recipe ideas, and much more. Make sure to tune in Tuesday and call to share some of your holiday recipes.

Try Chef Desfor’s

 

Census 2020 process underway/Substance dependency-recovery during the holidays

Counting the entire population of the country, estimated at nearly 330 million people, is a massive undertaking and involves years of planning and preparation.

There is more than $800 billion in annual federal funding at stake. Money is allocated based on population numbers in each state, so accuracy matters. The last census in 2010 resulted in Pennsylvania receiving more than $39 billion through 55 federal spending programs.

Many Pennsylvanians have a lot of questions about the Census. Am I required to respond? How will my information be used and will it be safeguarded to protect my privacy? Could my answers be used against me someday?

Joining Smart Talk to address these and other questions are Norman Bristol Colon, executive director, Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission, Melissa Morgan, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, and Pennsylvania’s second lady Gisele Fetterman, Pennsylvania goodwill ambassador for Census 2020.

Census

Justin Kocis

Melissa Morgan, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Pennsylvania’s second lady Gisele Fetterman, and Norman Bristol Colon, executive director, Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission, appears on Smart Talk, November 11, 2019.

If you suspect census fraud please call 1-800 923-8282 or visit census.gov

Also, the most festive time of the year can also be the most stressful. Work and family demands contribute to stress and for people dealing with addictions, or in recovery, it can be an especially difficult time of year.

Joining Smart Talk to offer ways to navigate the holiday hazards are Gina Riordan, program supervisor for Drug Free Workplace PA, Graham Hetrick, Dauphin County Coroner, and Michael Boyer, education and advocacy coordinator for RASE Project, a recovery community organization.

Drugs

Justin Kocis

Michael Boyer, education and advocacy coordinator for RASE Project, Graham Hetrick, Dauphin County Coroner, and Gina Riordan, program supervisor for Drug Free Workplace PA, appears on Smart Talk, November 25, 2019.

Here are 1o ways to avoid holiday addition relapses. For the full list, visit the everydayhealth.

1. Start Each Day With a Plan to Fend Off a Relapse

2. Evaluate Each Situation

3. Bring the Party With You

4. Know Your Triggers

5. Don’t Forget to Eat

6. Keep Stress Under Control

7. Distract Yourself

8. Rehearse Responses

9. Learn to Move Past Your Cravings

10. Lean on Your Support System

Smart Talk Road Trip travels to the Extraordinary Give in Lancaster

Join Smart Talk Friday morning at the Holiday Inn of Lancaster for the eighth annual Extraordinary Give event.

The Extraordinary Give is the largest online fundraiser in Lancaster County and will benefit over 500 non-profit organizations. Every dollar donated online will be “stretched” by more than $500,000 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF), along with sponsors Rodgers & Associates, the High Foundation, and other supporters. Last year’s event broke a record by raising over 10 million dollars for area non-profit organizations.

For 24-hours only on November 22, individuals can visit www.ExtraGive.org and donate to an organization of their choice; supporting kids, health and education, the environment, animals and the arts.  A full list of participating organizations from around Central Pennsylvania, including WITF, is found here.

Smart Talk will broadcast live on Friday morning from the Holiday Inn of Lancaster in the heart of downtown. Appearing on the program to discuss the one-day fundraising campaign are Sam Bressi, CEO Lancaster County Community Foundation, and Tracy Cutler, VP Communications and Donor Cultivation with the Lancaster County Community Foundation.  

Also, joining Smart Talk is Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace, and members of several Lancaster area non-profits who will talk about their organizations and the impact of the fundraising event. 

If you would like to donate visit extragive.org to choose from over 500 organizations.

“Heartbeat” bill under fire

Pennsylvania became the latest state in the country to consider legislation that, if passed, would effectively restrict abortion in the earliest phase of pregnancy.

The legislation, called The Heartbeat Bill – Protecting the Rights of the Unborn, was officially introduced on October 18 by the two lead sponsors Republican state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Clinton County and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County.

State Senator Doug Mastriano

Smart Talk

State Senator Doug Mastriano appears on Smart Talk November 14, 2019.

The house and senate versions propose a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable —generally about six to eight weeks into a pregnancy.  Critics say this is often before many women even realize they are pregnant and is essentially a back-door ban on a woman’s right to choose.

Pennsylvania’s current abortion law bans the procedure after 24 weeks and makes exceptions for cases where mother’s life is in danger, or if there is a risk of “substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the woman.”

Democratic Senator Lindsey Williams of Allegheny County

Smart Talk

Democratic Senator Lindsey Williams of Allegheny County appears on Smart Talk on November 14, 2019.

Since 2013, ten other states have passed measures that are similar to or more restrictive than Pennsylvania’s proposals, but all of those measures have been challenged in court, and so far, none has taken effect.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss the legislation are state Senator Doug Mastriano and, appearing separately, Democratic Senator Lindsey Williams of Allegheny County.

Gettysburg College welcomes new president

This past summer Robert W. Iuliano began serving as Gettysburg College 15th president.

Before arriving at Gettysburg, Iuliano spent 25 years at Harvard University performing different roles as former senior vice president, general counsel, and deputy to the president. Iuliano is a graduate of Harvard College and University of Virginia Law School.

During his time at Harvard, Iuliano was crucial in bringing back the ROTC program after decades long hiatus. He negotiated with the Army, Navy, and Air Force in 2011 after the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Iuliano was integral in the relationship between MIT and Harvard which partnered together to create an online education platform, edX. After two years, the platform grew to over 1.6 million users in 195 countries across the globe.

Iuliano
Gettysburg College president Robert W. Iuliano, appears on Smart Talk, November 13, 2019.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Smart Talk is new Gettysburg College president Robert W. Iuliano to discuss his vision for the institution and higher education.

Also, the island nation of Haiti is a short two-hour flight from Miami, Florida, but for most Americans the country, and it’s problems, could be half a world away.

Jim
Jim Stauffer, past board member of the organization Youth With A Mission – St. Marc Haiti, appears on Smart Talk, November 13, 2019.

In 2010, Haiti experienced a catastrophic earthquake that took the lives of nearly 250,000 people and displaced about 1.5 million. Haiti never fully recovered from the devastation and problems continue to plague the country. Today, civil unrest and government instability threatens to destabilize the nation further. The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory in June, warning of protests and widespread criminal activity. The situation is so precarious that humanitarian aid groups have left the county and those remaining warn of critical shortages.

Susan
Susan McDonald, a nurse and founder of a the non-profit, SHE-Haiti, appears on Smart Talk, November 13, 2019.

Joining Smart Talk on Wednesday to draw attention to the situation in Haiti are Jim Stauffer, past board member of the organization Youth With A Mission – Haiti, and Missionary Wayne Snow, who lives in St. Marc, Haiti, along with his family. Also on the program is Susan McDonald, a nurse from Lancaster County who started a non-profit called SHE-Haiti to provide clinical education opportunities for Haitian medical providers.

A Haitian girl gets free treatment on the U.S. Navy's hospital ship USNS Comfort anchored off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. The visit of the hospital ship comes as violent demonstrations and street barricades led several hospitals across the country to run out of medical supplies.
A Haitian girl gets free treatment on the U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Comfort anchored off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. The visit of the hospital ship comes as violent demonstrations and street barricades led several hospitals across the country to run out of medical supplies.

Sickle cell disease; understanding the inherited disorder

On November 15, the South Central Pennsylvania Sickle Cell Council will welcome former Penn State All-American, NFL football player and current NFL assistant coach Bobby Engram to their annual fundraising event.  

Engram’s oldest daughter Bobbi died in 2018 from complications related to Sickle Cell Disease. Bobby Engram and his wife Deanna lead the Bobbi Engram Sickle Cell Foundation in their daughter’s name. 

Coach Bobby Engram and his daughter bobbi

Photos courtesy of Baltimore Ravens and the Bobbi Engram Foundation

Coach Bobby Engram and daughter Bobbi. Coach Engram appears on Smart Talk on November 12, 2019.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape of the blood cells. According to the Bobbi Engram Foundation, Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 100,000 people, the majority of whom are African Americans. The only cure for SCD is bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

Sickle Cell

Smart Talk

Peyton Williams and Joe Robinson appear on Smart Talk on November 12, 2019.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss Sickle Cell Disease are Bobby Engram, Joe Robinson, executive director of the Southcentral Pennsylvania Sickle Cell Council, and Payton Williams, 20-year-old advocate who is living with SCD.   

Also, the Kings Gap State Park in Cumberland County is known for its scenic views and terrific hiking trails. Another attraction in the park is the Cameron-Maslund Mansion – a landmark that has a unique history of its own. 

We’ll hear about that history on Tuesday’s Smart Talk with Ron Turo, member of the Cumberland County Historical Society and Friends of Kings Gap and William C. Forrey, retired Director of the Pennsylvania State Parks and Founder of the Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, chair of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Government Affairs Committee and serves on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council.

William C. Forrey and Ron Turo

Smart Talk

William C. Forrey and Ron Turo appear on Smart Talk November 12, 2019

Merchant Marines; still fighting for recognition

When the United States officially entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, military mobilization began across the nation.

Some men who were not medically qualified for military service joined the Merchant Marine, instead of the armed forces. Others found their way to the waterfront through recruiting efforts and posters seeking mariners.

In either case, their service was essential to the war effort. Merchant Marines transported eight-thousand tons of cargo every hour, every day and they found themselves in the cross-hairs of enemy subs and U-boats. Off the coast of North Carolina lies the remains of nearly 100 World War II vessels and is the final resting place for nearly 1,700 men.

The seamen of the U.S. Merchant Marine suffered a higher casualty rate than any branch of service. Some estimates indicate that as many as 9,500 perished, nearly one in 26 mariners. However, there is no definitive casualty count because Merchant Mariners worked for both private companies and government agencies.

There is also no definitive count of vessels lost in the War, either, but numbers range from 990 to 1,600 ships.

“They have delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater of operations and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult and dangerous job ever undertaken.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt

After the War, there were no parades for the Mariners, and no hiring preference for jobs, either. In fact, many returned to find their contributions to America’s war effort were held in little regard. They received no government pensions, education or other benefits for their service. They also did not receive “credit” for their service, leaving many of them vulnerable for the Korean War draft a few years later.

Efforts to recognize WWII Merchant Mariners as veterans began immediately after the War, but most initiatives failed. After many legislative attempts, the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act passed in 1988 and extended limited veterans rights to Mariners who served during WWII.

David Alberg
David Alberg, Superintendent of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, appears on Smart Talk, November 11, 2019.

Appearing on Smart Talk on Veterans Day to discuss their experience during and after the War are Merchant Mariners Bill Balabanow and Bill Kelley. Joining them to detail the national efforts to recognize Merchant Mariners are Sheila Sova, advocate with the American Merchant Marine WWII Veterans organization and David Alberg, Superintendent of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.

Merchant Mariners Bill Balabanow and Bill Kelley
Merchant Mariners Vetarans Bill Balabanow and Bill Kelley, appear on Smart Talk, November 11, 2019.

 

World War II Posters: Merchant Marine Training or return to sea
World War II Posters: Merchant Marine Training or return to sea

Forecasting the weather; what’s in store this winter

The first real blast of cold air this season might come as a shock when you walk out the door today. Temperatures in central Pennsylvania took a tumble over the past 24 hours as a cold front brought rain, wind and colder temps to the Midstate area.

Is this a taste of what we can expect for the remainder of fall? And what about snow predictions, will the weather prognosticators prove correct with their predictions for high snow totals this winter?

Meteorologist Eric Horst, Director of the Weather Information Center at Millersville University joins Smart Talk on Friday to talk about the weather trends we might expect this winter.

Eric Horst
Eric Horst, Director of the Weather Information Center at Millersville University

Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is now issuing the REAL-ID’s, but there is still some confusion about who, or even if you need one.

According to PennDOT, beginning October 1, 2020, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.

Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk  to discuss Pennsylvania’s implementation of the REAL ID are Alexis Campbell, Press Secretary at PennDOT and Kurt Myers, Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services at PennDOT.

Penndot
Kurt Myers, Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services at PennDOT, and Alexis Campbell, Press Secretary at PennDOT