It's the July 2024 episode of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

We learn which Baseball Hall Of Famers will be in the city for the 2024 Grand Slam Parade and Williamsport Welcomes The World street festival! 

There's also an update on the "Wilds Are Working" program, big news on a popular chicken restaurant to build on Maynard Street in Williamsport and a progress report on Jackass Brewery, set to open it's second location downtown, later this year. 

A fundraiser is coming up July 27th at 61 Events and 61Pinbar on in Sunbury, PA called “Rock For Rescues 2024”, to support “Mommy & Me Rescue” and “Rescue Pets Serving Vets”.  Freddi Hammer talks with event coordinators Mary and Dennis Marquette who sharethe full day line-up and bring headliner Ron Keel on the air for an interview about the music he’ll be performing to help the animals at “Rock for Rescues 2024”

A shared bag of potato chips sent Japanese children to the hospital, a Red Lobster in Colorado received an orange lobster, a mother and daughter are in big trouble after assaulting a Sam's Club employee and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Senator Gene Yaw and Representative Jamie Flick alongwith Representative Joe Hamm and PA Treasurer, Stacy Garrity are hosting a State Services and Veteran Recognition Day, July 20th in the parking lot at 175 Pine Street in Williamsport.
Senator Yaw and Representative Flick talk with Freddi Hammer about how residents can come search for unclaimed property, confirm or apply for servicesthrough the VA, and learn about the other state services conveniently available through their offices

Bubbles, Michael Jackson's chimp, is not only still alive, but living the good life, scientists are developing a technology to allow prisoners to serve years of their sentence in minutes, a psychic has used her profession as a ruse to rob people and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

It's the June 2024 edition of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey's conversation featuring Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

 We introduce you to the locally-owned Mulberry Moose, the newest business that has arrived in Williamsport and learn about the "Wilds Are Working" program kicking off in July.

Also, we look forward to the Lycoming County Fair, July 10th to 20th, plus the July PM Exchanges featuring Dad's BBQ/The Hatchet House as well as Uptown Music Collective.     

In July, exclusively on this podcast, we'll have big announcements on who's the Grand Marshall of the 2024 Grand Slam Parade, Tuesday, August 13th at 5pm in Williamsport, as well as who will make an appearance at the "Williamsport Welcomes The World" street festival on Friday, August 23rd! 

Girlz in the Hoodie fundraiser at Bar on Market, Sunday, June 30th 6-9pm

VIP meet & greet 4:30pm
Link for tickets    Scotty Austin of Saving Able with Jacob Yaos Opening Tickets, Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 4:30 PM | Eventbrite 

Freddi Hammer, Anthony Mussare, and Don Rick of New Trail Brewing talk with Scotty Austin, about the fundraiser featuring Saving Abel coming up Sunday at 6pm to benefit Girlz in the Hoodie.

“The Dominican Plate” is an annual fundraising dinner that is a partnership between the Williamsport Crosscutters and ACES North America, to support impoverishedcommunities in the Dominican Republic. 
Lynell Stabler, a founding member of ACES, tells Freddi Hammer about the projects that are completed and maintained through the generous fundraisingdone here in Williamsport, and about the delicious dinner coming up July 22nd at the Genetti Hotel.

A Spanish resort town has banned public displays of adult inflatables, a couple found $100,000 in a New York park, Mr. Monopoly has been arrested and more on this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

For those who are new to owning firearms or who want training  before they choose to obtain a gun forconcealed carry or home security, you’re invited to Ladies night on the 1st Thursday of the month, or Beginners Night on the third Thursday of the month at National Range and Armory on Washington Blvd in Williamsport.
Become more confident using firearms by taking advantage of low-cost classesclose to home.

The Lycoming County Fire Police Association is holding their 6th Annual Food Truck Picnic and Vendor Show in Nisbet on June 15th from 11am til 6pm and you’re invited!
Freddi Hammer talks with the Association’s Vice President and fundraising chair, Nathan Shaffer, and he shares information about all the fun activities, retail vendors and the FOOD TRUCKS that will be at this yearly family event; that helps raise money for fire police officer’s training and equipment.

Families who are looking for an alternative to public school for their Pre-k to 8th grade students have a choice in Williamsport.   Mountain View Christian School provides a superb education with an emphasis on the whole student; academic, physical and spiritual.  Principal and Teacher, Mr. Dale Walker talks with Freddi Hammer  about how MVCS offers small class sizes, dedicated teachers, transparent communication between faculty, students, and their families, and a new state of the art building for the 2024-2025 school year.

Technology may soon change our fantasies, a Kentucky man with the dubious record of being the world's most arrested man has passed away,  two Pandas will arrive at the National Zoo later this year and much more on this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

It's the May 2024 edition of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey's conversation featuring Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. 

We get reaction of the breaking news from Little League Baseball as Patrick Wilson becomes the next President/CEO with the retirement of Steve Keener at the end of the year as well as an update on the 2024 Grand Slam Parade, taking place on Tuesday, August 13th at 5pm in Williamsport.

Plus, Jason gives his account of the maiden flight of Southern Airways Express that left Dulles (Washington D.C.) en route to the Williamsport Regional Airport on May 23rd, as well as a look ahead to the next area business ribbon cutting and June PM Exchange.

The French Post Office has released a "scratch 'n' sniff" postage stamp, a cat has earned an honorary doctorate from Vermont State University, the City of Richmond sued a business owner for back taxes only to find the owner was actually owed a refund and more, all in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange & Deranged!

Shawn Carey speaks with New York Times feature writer and Clinton County native Steven Kurutz, author of his latest book, "American Flannel: How A Band Of Entrepreneurs Are Bringing The Art And Business Of Making Clothes Back Home," published by Penguin Random House.

During our conversation, Steven was traveling back home to Pennsylvania for the holiday weekend.  On Saturday May 25, 2024, he'll appear at Otto Bookstore, 107 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, for a meet and greet plus a discussion of the book, which highlights Woolrich, creators of the original buffalo plaid check flannel shirt in 1850. 

In Touch this past Sunday, Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA has started their season, preparing drivers for the big race down Market Street on June 8th.  Volunteer Mike Barclay talks with Freddi Hammer about the need for new volunteers, not just for race day, but for planning during the year, too! Soap box derby families in Williamsport never pay a fee to participate in the events, so supporting ‘Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA helps every local kid who tries to make it to Akron, Ohio for the Championship Derby this summer!

A volunteer fire company in Maryland is scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars, a sloth turns 54 and the Orcas are at it again, all on this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Luxury gym Equinox is launching a health program that will set members back $40,000 per year, a Massachusetts woman won $1 million twice in ten weeks and chickens were on the loose in Brooklyn!  These stories and more, this week in The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Rosa Yoo, a Forest Health Manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), gives an update on the Spongy Moth population in Pennsylvania and what they are doing, in coordination with other agencies, to suppress the Spongy Moth caterpillars that have emerged this spring. 
The goal of the DCNR Spongy Moth suppression program, through ground crew analyzation and aerial spraying, is to minimize defoliation, so trees in the PA Wilds can be healthy and fight stress and disease.

https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/ForestsAndTrees/InsectsAndDiseases/SpongyMoth/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/HabitatManagement/Pages/Spongy-Moth.aspx

Local non-profit group Girlz in the Hoodie, in conjunction with The Bar on Market and New Trail Brewing Company, is excited to host Rehab in its first ever Benefit Concert Series. The concert will be held at The Side Bar in downtown Williamsport on Sunday May 12 – Mother’s Day. Rehab, best known for the song “Bartender Song (Sittin’ at a Bar)”, is currently on a national tour and stopping in Williamsport for one night only. 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on The Bar on Market website (thebaronmarket.bar), Rehab’s website (www.rehabtheband.com), or follow the link on Girlz in the Hoodie’s Facebook Page. General entry tickets are $40, and VIP Meet & Greet tickets are $100 with special access to a private lounge and a private bar before the show.

A Florida man has been arrested for throwing pasta in a road rage incident, a London mother turned green after mixing multiple self-tanning products and a Philadelphia man is asking for help to find his emotional support alligator...these stories and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

There will be a Health and Resource Fair May 22nd 10a-1pm at Sojourner Truth Ministries at 501 High Street in Williamsport.  Pastor Angelique invites the community to the fair and showcases the agencies that will support this unique hands-on event with appropriate resources for the non-reading community and others in need of support.  Join in on Wednesday, May 22nd and network with other members of the community looking to make the world a better place.

The JV Brown Library in Williamsport has an 8-week Summer Learning Program that begins on June 15th.  Get your free library card and choose from a variety of free activities all summer, including field trips to swim, hike, and play in Lycoming County. 
Freddi Hammer talks with Programming and Youth Services Director for the library, Nicole Rader, and CEO and Director, Amy Resh, about the all benefits alibrary system provides for the community year round.

It's the 4th episode in 2024 of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce). 

Jason reveals details on the multi-million dollar baseball/softball project on the former Susquehanna Supply property, a big announcement from The District at Lycoming Valley, an update on the Maynard Street Wawa construction in Williamsport, preparations on the Grand Slam Parade in August, the can't miss PM Exchanges in May as well as the return of flights at the Williamsport Regional Airport.    

The 2024 West Branch Susquehanna Home Builders Association Home Show is this weekend at Liberty Arena in downtown Williamsport, and invites all whohave dreams of home ownership, repair, or a new look or addition for your home, to the three day show April 26th through the 28th. Laura Krieger tells Freddi Hammerabout the vendors who will fill up the 35 thousand square feet of the home show, and if you’re in the industry, how being a member of the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association helps build your business through networkingand opportunity.

A Madisonville, Kentucky man was arrested after claiming to being chased by an "invisible man", police in Washington are looking for a woman dubbed "The Kissing Thief", a newlywed was horrified by the gift of a sculpture made from her new husband's nail clippings and more, this week in The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

An organization formed in Watsontown to help feed pets in need called Arthur’s Pet Pantry, is having a fundraiser festival on April 20th starting at 11am.

Families and leashed dogs are invited to theBone Hunt – like an Easter egg hunt for dogs with treats inside provided by MADS Doggo Bistro.  Freddi Hammer talks about their biggest fundraiser of the year with the secretary of Arthur’s Pet Pantry, Grace Knapp.

The Geisinger Jersey Shore Level IV Trauma Team will host their 2nd Annual Agricultural Safety Fair on Saturday, April 13th at the Clinton County Fairgrounds from 10am until 1pm.  Geisinger Trauma Team Manager, Amy Swarthout talks about the specialized agencies who will provide demos and training about important safety topics, including stop the bleed training, grain silo rescue, firearm safety and more.  The fair is for all ages and free to attend.

Veterans, First Responders, Law Enforcement and Gold Star Families are welcome to learn about Camp Freedom, near Carbondale, PA.  A facility dedicated to help those dealing with trauma or transition heal, by offering outdoor activities and camaraderie at an over 2,300 acre camp for free. 

You may soon be able to open display cases in stores with your phone, a church in Barcelona, Spain will soon be completed, 100 years after its designer died, a horse is rescued after taking a dip in a swimming pool in Georgia and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Our third Backyard Business Spotlight of the year, with Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, has new information on the 2024 Grand Slam Parade, an update on airline service returning in May to the Williamsport Regional Airport, plus recaps on recent new business ribbon-cuttings and the upcoming April PM Exchanges.  

Girlz in the Hoodie is a non-profit organization that raises money to provide warm hoodies for women during their mastectomy recovery or chemotherapy treatment, as well as for scholarships for students who have lost a mother figure to breast cancer.  Girlz in the Hoodie will have a golf tournament in June and will raffle off their custom 1974 Volkswagen bus in October, but they really hope you can spread the word of their mission to those in your life touched by breast cancer, and help get hoodies out to all who need or want them.

The U.S. research agency DARPA is looking to build a railroad on the moon, an English woman woke up and began to speak with a Welsh accent, the heaviest blueberry has been grown in Australia and more, in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange & Deranged!

A Florida man has been arrested after joking about having a bomb while in line to board an airliner, Peter Kessner has reportedly seen and logged 10,000 species of birds and 2 stories about a man named "Deez Nuts"...plus much more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Take steps toward recycling and sustainability by attending the Central PA Vintage Fest to find beautiful clothing, décor and collectibles that are from days gone by.
Thrifting saves money and the environment, and all the vendors filling the booths at Central PA Vintage Fest as well as those participating in the Makers Market downstairs at the Pajama Factory next Saturday from 10 till 5, can help you find classic items that can complement your life!

Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA has started their season, preparing drivers for the big race down Market Street on June 8,  2024!  Volunteer Mike Barclay talks with Freddi Hammer about the need for new volunteers, not just for race day, but for planning during the year, too! Soap box derby families in Williamsport never pay a fee to participate in the events, so supporting Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA during Raise the Region, can encourage every local kid who tries to make it to Akron, Ohio for the Championship Derby this summer!

The “Newberry Community Partnership” will be included in over 350 non-profit groups during this month’s Raise the Region – a 30 Hour Online Fundraiser.   

Freddi Hammer talks with Bob Woodley, board member of the Newberry Community Partnership, who says they work together every year to beautify Newberry and support community activities and residents.

An Irish woman had her injury claim tossed after it was discovered she participated in and won a Christmas Tree-throwing contest, authorities have arrested a teenager in connection with the theft of nine luxury vehicles, the classic video game Tetris turns 40 years old this year and more, on this week's edition of The Files Of The Strange & Deranged.

Shawn Carey is joined by Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to recap their annual meeting and recognize this year's award winners.  

Plus, we get a construction update of the Wawa project on Maynard Street in the city, news on a business that has opened in downtown Williamsport that can help new businesses, and we recap with a look ahead to what will be a busy March in the area, highlighted by ribbon cuttings and grand openings!