The Spark

Back to the Basics

Matt Bingay — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:08:48 +0000

The Spark is taking a vacation this week, but will be back next week. In the meantime, we're presenting State of the Re:Union - Back to the Basics.

Flower Grower Mary Jo Swartzendruber

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:12:04 +0000

Eliza Doolittle is among the best-loved fictional flower-sellers. Mary Jo Swartzendruber is a real flower seller --and she grows her own too.

Tomato Guru

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:11:27 +0000

How does one pick a bushel of tomatoes without kneeling? It depends on how they're strung up. Though he'd humbly disagree, many Harrisonburg folks think that Singers Glen farmer, Marlin Burkholder, knows all there is to know about growing tomatoes.

Champion Liar

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:13:19 +0000

State two-time tall-tale-telling champ Mack Swift on storytelling.

"Baroque" Gem Near West Virginia?

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:54:40 +0000

The Handley Library looks more like something out of Vienna or Dresden than Winchester, Virginia. Architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson

News Photog's Artsy Side

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:16:38 +0000

Staunton photographer Pat Jarrett has moved on from spot news coverage for the Staunton News Leader to his own brand of “nonfiction visuals.”

A Tall Tale from Mack Swift

Terry Ward — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:03:50 +0000

Storyteller Mack Swift appeared on The Spark. Here is his rendition of

Keswick, Homestead Pastry Chef's Solo

Martha Woodroof — Sun, 05 May 2013 15:21:31 +0000

Giancarlo is a true "European" pastry chef (born in Lombardy) whose career included upscale venues like The Homestead and Keswick Hall. He and wife, Jane, ran Cafe Giancarlo on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall --and now they run Giancarlo Fine European Pastries in Staunton. He shares some thoughts about life and about luscious treats.

Web EXTRA Jessica Penner Uncut

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:01:23 +0000

Of course, what you hear on the air during is edited-down because of time constraints.

Cow Moses, Butchered Housecat, Winter Tornado-Ride...

Martha Woodroof — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:34:02 +0000

And a 1903 Mennonite's "Tiger Scar" birthmark --are among the elements in Jessica Penner's novel, Shaken In The Water.