Smart Talk: Travel and recreation opportunities plentiful in Pennsylvania

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”

Warmer temperatures this week make it seem like spring is right around the corner. Travel restrictions are loosening, to some degree, so now may be the time to begin planning.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office wants to inspire “dreams and plans” for travel in a post-COVID Pennsylvania, and have published a free travel guide to inspire a Pennsylvania getaway.

Carrie Fischer Lepore is the Deputy Secretary of Marketing, Tourism, & Film, with the Department of Community and Economic Development and she joins Smart Talk Friday to share highlights of the 2021 Happy Traveler guide.

Pennsylvanians seek parks and outdoor activities during the pandemic

When Pennsylvania locked down for COVID mitigation, residents sought relief outside.

Over the last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources saw park attendance increase by more than twenty-five percent. A poll of park visitors found that the vast majority felt that time spent in recreation areas has been essential to their mental and/or physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As winter weather abates, park and recreation areas are anticipating more record attendance. Appearing on Smart Talk Friday to discuss recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania are the DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, along with John Hallas, Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks.

2021 Central PA Spelling Bee

The WITF Central PA Spelling Bee will be buzzing along to your television soon!

On Sunday, March 7, 32 students from across Central Pennsylvania will compete for the title of regional champion. The winner will advance to compete in the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Program host and WITF multimedia producer Keira McGuire appears on Smart Talk Friday to share the details.