The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam to go live on August 1, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… The livestream will enable viewers to see and hear elk and other wildlife from the comfort of their homes.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission issued this news release yesterday, July 30, 2026:

ELK CAM FIRES BACK UP

As Pennsylvania’s elk rut approaches, wildlife enthusiasts can once again experience one of the most anticipated natural events in the state. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam will go live on August 1 and will bring all the sights and sounds of the bugling bulls to your screen.

The cam is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling more than 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed at www.pa.gov/pgc and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkey, deer and other wildlife, as well.  Elk, which in the coming weeks will ramp up activity – with bulls becoming more vocal and competing with one another for available cows – always seem to take center stage. Enjoying the show is just a few clicks away.

“Whether it’s experiencing these remarkable animals in person or online, the elk herd in Pennsylvania continues to connect people across the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Jason Beale, Game Commission Division Chief for Conservation Education and Social Science. “Their growing presence is a testament to the dedication of the Game Commission’s biologists, habitat managers, Game Wardens and the strong partnerships we have built with other agencies and private organizations that help conserve elk habitats. With everyone working together, we can continue to promote “ELK SMART” behavior to the thousands of people who enjoy experiencing elk in Pennsylvania.”

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.

“We are proud to continue this partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission that brings wildlife viewing in Elk County to anyone in the world,” said Tim Sears, the founder of HDOnTap. “Each year, millions tune in to these livestreams nationwide, which offer a front row seat to Pennsylvania’s wildlife around the clock.”

The Elk Cam will run until the first elk firearm season, which begins on October 3. The top times to see elk on camera are morning and evenings.

The stream can be accessed on the Game Commission website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/wildlife-viewing/wildlife-cams.

VISITORS ENCOURAGED TO BE ‘ELK SMART’

While those viewing the Elk Cam need not worry about getting too close to elk or potentially compromising their wild qualities, things are different when viewing elk in person.

Wildlife is best appreciated from a comfortable distance, and those enjoying Pennsylvania’s elk country should do their part to preserve the wild nature of the herd.

“ELK SMART” provides four simple, effective ways to ensure a wild elk herd for generations to come.

• Give elk space – Keep a distance of at least 100 yards between you and the elk. Never approach them. Elk are wild animals that are unpredictable and sometimes aggressive, especially during the fall breeding season. Cows are also known to defend their young when they feel threatened.
• Never feed elk – Not only is it illegal to feed elk in Pennsylvania, but it teaches them to associate people, cars and/or homes with food. This could cause them to approach people looking for more. Feeding also promotes the spread of infectious diseases by having them unnaturally congregate into small areas.
• Don’t name elk – Characterizing elk, or any wildlife, by naming them degrades their wild essence. The very reason people are drawn to the elk is their unaltered independence from humans. Personifying elk as humans takes away from their truly wild nature.
• Do your part – The welfare of the elk herd is a shared responsibility. If you see someone being disruptive or careless, whether intentional or not, kindly ask them to stop or report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD. We all have a duty to ensure the safety of people and the long-term welfare of the elk.

Posted 7-31-26

Lovely

By Steven Brodsky

… you might agree, is this exquisite butterfly chrysalis:

Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Posted 7-30-26

Good news about the piping plover, a shorebird species that had once been extirpated in Pennsylvania: piping plovers have nested in northwest Pennsylvania at Presque Isle State Park for 10 consecutive years

By Steven Brodsky

From a news release that was issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission on July 20, 2026:

Absent from Pennsylvania for over 60 years, the federal and state endangered piping plover, a small shorebird, has made a comeback at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. Federal, state and local officials came together at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie this past weekend for “Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest,” a celebration of the shorebird’s ten consecutive years of nesting in the Commonwealth.

“Although our small population is extremely fragile, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our team of partners are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring these remarkable birds endure for generations to come,” said Cathy Haffner, PGC Wildlife Biologist and Piping Plover Recovery Coordinator.

The Presque Isle shoreline is the only breeding habitat for the piping plover in Pennsylvania. However, increased recreational activity throughout the years endangered camouflaged eggs in shallow depressions in the sand. Piping Plovers eventually abandoned Presque Isle by the mid-1950s, like many other nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes.

“We are celebrating the restoration of a native species to Pennsylvania’s beach ecosystem, the team who worked tirelessly for decades to encourage their return, and the army of Great Lakes Piping Plover stewards beyond Pennsylvania whose vigilance has enabled us to, once again, experience the joy of piping plovers on Lake Erie,” Haffner said.

In 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a recovery plan for the piping plover, and shortly after, three piping plovers were observed at Presque Isle State Park in 2005. Eventually, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) formed the Piping Plover and Common Tern Recovery Partnership which included the USFWS, Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Erie Bird Observatory, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

“The recovery partnership and the work that continues to be done is a shining example of how cooperation between our state and federal agencies, NGOs, and passionate volunteers can create an important impact on conservation goals that are broader than Pennsylvania alone,” said Dave Gustafson, Deputy Executive Director of the PGC.

USFWS’s Pennsylvania Field Office remains focused on key recovery strategies to ensure Pennsylvania’s piping plovers contribute to the wider Great Lakes population. Those efforts center on boosting adult survival and nest success so birds can help fill important genetic and geographic gaps in the species’ recovery.

“We are proud to partner with the PGC, DCNR, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services to promote the recovery of the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover on Presque Isle State Park. The unique expertise and contribution from each agency have led to the successful return of piping plovers to Pennsylvania. This year’s Piping Plover Fest will offer a great opportunity to highlight this conservation and partnership success,” said Jodie Mamuscia, Field Supervisor for the USFWS Pennsylvania Field Office.

From a habitat standpoint, DCNR and staff at Presque Isle State Park have worked to protect and restore the dynamic shoreline and fragile habitat at Gull Point. Soon after Presque Isle became a state park, the Commonwealth recognized the ecological importance of the area by designating Gull Point as a bird sanctuary in 1927 and reaffirming that protection in 1957. These efforts support species like the Piping Plover and the Common Tern and are strengthened by the presence of native plant communities that form the backbone of healthy coastal ecosystems.

“Presque Isle and Gull Point represent some of the most important coastal habitat in the Commonwealth, and DCNR is proud to work alongside our partners to protect and restore this landscape so species like the Great Lakes Piping Plover have a place to thrive,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Park staff, conservation organizations, and volunteers have invested years of effort into managing the shifting shoreline, restoring native vegetation, and safeguarding sensitive nesting areas. The return of piping plovers to Pennsylvania shows what is possible when we commit to long-term stewardship of our public lands.”

Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest featured a public premiere of Our Threatened & “Endangered Species: Piping Plovers”, a documentary film, followed by an expert panel discussion. Renowned piping plover expert Dr. Francie Cuthbert led a keynote presentation during the reception while Erie local Jerry McWilliams was also recognized for his significant contributions to shorebird protection at Presque Isle State Park since the 1970s.

“The return of the piping plover is one of Pennsylvania’s greatest conservation success stories, and reflects the resilience of the bird – much like the resilience of our city,” said Erie Mayor Daria S. Devlin. “As we continue investing in the future of our Bayfront, we remain committed to balancing thoughtful growth and environmental stewardship by working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to protect the natural resources that define Erie.”

Ahead of the weekend’s celebration, House Resolution 580, introduced by Representative Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to officially designate July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution documents the piping plover recovery efforts and recognizes the members of the recovery partnership.

“When it comes to the natural treasure of Presque Isle and the Great Lakes, all the pieces matter,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro. “This reversal of the plight of the Piping Plover deserves all of our appreciation, and today’s festival helps everyone understand the ongoing work that keeps Presque Isle as the jewel of the Gem City.

Posted 7-21-26

Grants to support education projects have been awarded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) through the PFBC’s 2026 R3 Education Grant Program

By Steven Brodsky

… Congratulations to the recipients of those grants.

Information about the application process for the 2026 R3 Education Grant Program appeared on this page. I’m happy to now share this news release that was issued today, July 14, 2026, by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC):

PFBC AWARDS GRANTS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROJECTS 

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that it has awarded $197,446 in grant funding through its R3 Education Grant Program.

Through this program, the PFBC will support 16 education projects in 13 counties and one statewide effort to promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as “R3.”

Last year, the PFBC awarded $196,832 in grant funding to support 16 education projects in 10 counties. To date, those projects have reached over 11,000 participants during 184 sessions with over 700 hours of instruction.

“Opening the door and welcoming people to discover the joys of fishing and boating is among the most important work we do,” said Walt Dietz, PFBC Aquatic Resources Education Manager.  “Finding partners that share our vision to carry out these educational efforts is essential.  The experiences gained by participants in these programs can lead to healthy hobbies, a new appreciation for aquatic resources, conservation, and in many cases, set off a new passion to last a lifetime.”

Recipients of the grant successfully applied for and demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects progress R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with Commonwealth waterways.  Funds awarded through the grant program will be used to purchase equipment and educational resources, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with the development and delivery of R3 education programs.

All projects funded for this round of grants must be completed by June 30, 2027.

The 2026 R3 Education Grants include (by county):

• Allegheny: Anglers Fishing Club of Pittsburgh, SMART Anglers and Catfish Fishing Skills
• Blair: Hollidaysburg Area School District, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center’s Art & Science of Fly Fishing
• Butler: Fishing For Memories Inc., Youth Driven Fishing
• Chester: Stroud Water Research Center, Inc., Canoeing and Angling Series for Underrepresented Young Adults in Outdoor Recreation
• Clarion: Keystone School District, Keystone Jr./Sr. High School Fishing Club
• Clearfield: Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, Organization on the Water
• Dauphin: Harrisburg Area YMCA, Reel Fishing Outdoor Adventures at the YMCA
• Elk: Jim Zwald Chapter 314 of Trout Unlimited, Introduction to Fly Fishing
• Lebanon: Doc Fritchey Chapter 108 of Trout Unlimited, Learn to Fly Fish
• Luzerne: Wyoming Area School District, Fly Fishing Education Program
• Montgomery: College Settlement of Philadelphia, Strengthening Youth Fishing and Boating Education at College Settlement
• Philadelphia: CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, Supporting Free Public Boating & Fishing Programs in Environmental Justice Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
• Philadelphia: Delaware River City Corp (dba Riverfront North Partnership), Community Fishing on the Delaware River in Philadelphia
• Philadelphia: John Bartram Association (dba Bartram’s Garden), Doubling Tidal Schuylkill River Access at Bartram’s Garden
• Washington: California Area School District, Reel Opportunities
• Statewide: Wildlife Leadership Academy, Stepping Stones Program, PA Bass, and PA Brookies Program Support

More information can be found on the R3 Education Grant Program page on the PFBC website.

Posted 7-14-26

On a dog day afternoon

By Steven Brodsky

… these world-class foxhounds enjoyed the thrill of the chase:

The foxhounds were doing what they were bred and trained to do; lucky dogs they were (and are).

Enjoy the photo on a dog day afternoon (or at any other time) from the comfort of your home.

Posted 7-13-26

Reminding us of the pleasure of spreading one’s ‘wings’ in the great outdoors

By Steven Brodsky

… is the cormorant pictured above.

In the coming weeks, many people will be spreading their wings while engaging in outdoor recreation (re-creation)!

Posted 7-6-26

Extreme heat 

By Steven Brodsky

… affecting readers of this column, flowers, and grasses in many regions prompts this posting of Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

May readers in extreme heat-affected regions stay safe.

Posted 7-3-26

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s summer 2026 Wild Turkey Sighting Survey period to begin on July 1, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… Reports of wild turkey sightings from the public will play a valuable role in wild turkey population management.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission issued the following news release yesterday, June 18, 2026:

HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Game Commission is again asking the public to report sightings of all wild turkeys they see this summer. The annual Wild Turkey Summer Sighting Survey runs July 1 through Aug. 31.

Public participation is important for wild turkey population management. These reports allow the agency to estimate how good the wild turkey ‘hatch’ was and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in a population model to track trends in wild turkey numbers.

Wild turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website at https://pgcforms.pa.gov/TurkeySightingSurvey. The mobile app no longer is available.

Participants are asked to report the number of wild turkeys they see, along with the county, township, wildlife management unit (WMU), date of the sighting and their contact information so agency biologists can reach out if they have any questions about the report. Participants may also simply drop a “pin” on the map for the location data to automatically populate. Location data are used only for the survey, not for law enforcement, and are not shared publicly. Viewers can also access WMU- and state-level sighting report summaries from previous years.

“The summer sighting survey enhances our agency’s ability to monitor wild turkey productivity and is used in our turkey population model,” said Game Commission Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl. “Participants should report all turkeys seen, whether gobblers, hens with broods, hens without broods, or turkeys of unknown sex and age.”

Many factors, including spring weather, habitat conditions, previous winter food abundance, predation risk, and last fall’s harvest affect wild turkey productivity.

The statewide reproductive success index from last summer—the average ratio of young turkeys (poults) seen per hen—was 2.7, which was down a bit compared to the average productivity observed across the previous 5 years (3.0 poults per hen from 2020-2024). At the WMU level, the number of poults per hen ranged from a low of 1.7 in 5D to a high of 4.8 in 4D during 2025.

This survey includes input from both agency personnel and the public.

“Thanks to the great public participation we’ve had so far, we have been able to increase our confidence in the survey results,” Tyl highlighted. “Your continued participation in this survey will ensure we have the best information to manage our wild turkey population.”

Posted 6-19-26

It’s a season to enjoy the great outdoors

By Steven Brodsky

… God’s creation, the natural world.

May this also be a season for many people to come to know God as their Lord and Savior.

Ecclesiastes 3 (KJV) – To every [thing there is]

Posted 6-18-26

Many spring gardening seasons 

By Steven Brodsky

… have come and gone since Elvis Presley recorded C. Austin Miles’ hymn “In the Garden” on May 26, 1966.

Enjoy the recording, spring gardens, and worshipping the Lord (in gardens and elsewhere).

“In the Garden” was written in 1912.

Posted 5-27-26

A reminder to leave young wildlife alone

By Steven Brodsky

… comes to us by way of this Pennsylvania Game Commission news release that was issued on May 20, 2026:

HARRISBURG, PA – With Memorial Day being the unofficial kickoff to summer, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds those spending time in the great outdoors to leave young wildlife alone.

While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they are not. It’s likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby. When encountering young wild animals, whether deer, birds, raccoons or something else, the best thing you can do is leave them alone.

“Mid-to-late spring and early summer are popular times of the year for humans to encounter newborn and young wildlife on the landscapes,” said Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Matthew Schnupp. “Whether enjoying their backyards or recreating in the woods or water, it’s common for humans to witness the new generation of wildlife in their natural habitats. The best thing people can do when encountering any wildlife is to simply let them be.”

Adult animals often leave their young while they forage for food. Typically, the adults will not venture far and will return. Wildlife also often relies on a natural defensive tactic called the “hider strategy,” where young animals will remain motionless and “hide” in surrounding cover while adults draw the attention of potential predators or other intruders away from their young.

When deer employ this strategy, fawns are sometimes assumed to be abandoned when, in fact, their mothers are nearby.

The Game Commission urges Pennsylvanians to resist the urge to interfere with young wildlife or remove any wild animal from its natural setting.

Such contact can be harmful to both people and wildlife. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult, even impossible, for them to readjust to the wild.

For humans, anytime wildlife is handled, there is an inherent risk of contracting diseases or parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice.

Wildlife that becomes habituated to humans also can pose a public-safety risk. In a documented incident, a six-point buck attacked and severely injured two people. An investigation revealed that a neighboring family had illegally taken the deer into their home and fed it as a fawn, and continued to feed it right up until the time of the attack.

From a legal standpoint, it is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. Under state law, the penalty for such a violation is a fine of up to $1,500 per animal.

Under no circumstances will anyone who illegally takes wildlife into captivity be allowed to keep that animal, and under a working agreement with state health officials, any “high risk” rabies vector species confiscated after human contact must be euthanized and tested; none can be returned to the wild because the risk of spreading disease is too high.

Animals infected with rabies may not exhibit obvious symptoms, but still could still transmit the disease. Though any mammal might carry rabies, the rabies vector species identified in the agreement are: skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats, coyotes and groundhogs.

Humans can contract rabies from the saliva of a rabid animal if they are bitten or scratched, or if the saliva gets into the person’s eyes, mouth or a fresh wound.

Only wildlife rehabilitators, who are licensed by the Game Commission, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For those who find wildlife that truly is in need of assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website, www.pawr.com.

If you are unable to identify a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, contact the Game Commission by phone at 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-PGC-HUNT.

Posted 5-23-26

Poison ivy

By Steven Brodsky

… exposure results in lots of itchin’ (and bitchin’). Exposure is dangerous.

Exercise caution when you are around poison ivy (and other plants that contain urushiol).

A cautionary message about another kind of “poison ivy” is conveyed in this song that was written by Leiber and Stoller:

There we have it, an article intended to remind us to avoid exposure to poison ivy.

“Poison Ivy” was recorded by the Coasters in 1959.

Posted 4-26-26

Did you know that the fiction writer mentioned in a hugely popular song recorded by The Police was a lepidopterist and a scientific illustrator of butterflies?

By Steven Brodsky

… That fiction writer, Vladimir Nabokov (the author of Lolita), was born on April 22, 1899.

This article appears here in commemoration of Vladimir Nabokov’s birthday tomorrow.

“Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” written by Sting and recorded by The Police, alludes to the novel Lolita and namechecks Nabokov. (The pronunciation of the name “Nabokov” on the record is different than how Nabokov pronounced it.)

About Nabokov and butterflies: Lolita’s Butterflies – California Academy of Sciences.

Want to learn more about Nabokov and the passion that he had for lepidopterology? Read his memoir Speak, Memory.

Posted 4-21-26

For many magnolias

By Steven Brodsky

… spring is the season to come into bloom.

Enjoy the sight of blooming magnolias.

Many people have pleasant magnolia-related memories.

Memories of a “magnolia mother’s love” are revealed in the lyrics of this linked song: Billy Joe Shaver Magnolia Mother’s Love.

Posted 3-30-26

A Conversation With Katie Fallon, Author of ‘Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird’

By Steven Brodsky

Katie Fallon is a co-founder of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. She’s worked with many species of raptors and other kinds of birds. Katie’s books include Cerulean Blues (2011) and the recently released Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird. Her essays have appeared in a number of literary journals. She has a lifelong love of nature. I’ve heard that the first word she ever spoke was “bird.”

Your new book gives vultures, particularly turkey vultures, the positive attention these non-predator raptors deserve. What brought about your interest in these maligned birds?

I’ve been fascinated by vultures for at least fifteen years. There was a roost near where I lived in West Virginia; every day I’d drive by this big, old dead tree with ten or so turkey vultures hunched in it. They became a familiar sight, and I looked forward to seeing them. Vultures are big and kind of dramatic, and in flight, there’s nothing more beautiful. In addition, they’re the ultimate recyclers—they turn death into life.

Many people in the U.S. have an aversion to vultures. Speak about this.

I think vultures remind people of their own mortality. It can be a little creepy to think about a large, dark bird waiting to consume your body when you die. In general, I don’t think people in the US are comfortable with thinking of our bodies as food. Vultures remind us that life will continue after we die, and that some life will continue because we die. They remind us of our animal bodies. Which can be unnerving!

In the absence of vultures, we’d have major health issues to contend with. Tell us why.

Vultures clean up our ecosystems by removing animal carcasses that could potentially contaminate soil and water. They can eat animals that have died of anthrax and botulism. In the absence of vultures, mammalian scavengers could increase in number, and many mammalian scavengers such as raccoons, skunks, feral dogs and cats can spread rabies; vultures do not. Several vulture species in India have suffered catastrophic population crashes in the last twenty years, and public health has suffered. India leads the world in human rabies cases, and the number of cases has increased as the number of feral dogs increased in the absence of vultures.

People get close to vultures by attending your presentations that feature non-releasable birds. How are these birds acquired? How are they trained?

The nonprofit I co-founded, the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, keeps eight non-releasable raptors for educational purposes (you need permits from the US Fish & Wildlife Service to do this, of course – the birds aren’t pets or personal property). All of our birds were injured wild birds that cannot return to the wild. We have three vultures. Lew the turkey vulture was hit by a car and suffered an injury to his shoulder that prevents flight. His “girlfriend,” Boris, was shot in the wing, and by the time she reached us the bone had already healed incorrectly. Our black vulture is Maverick, and he was hit by a car, which resulted in a shoulder injury that prevents adequate flight.

Our birds are all trained using positive reinforcement. We avoid negative reinforcement and punishment, and we try to empower the birds to have some control over their environments. We condition behaviors by offering food rewards when the birds perform the behaviors. Vultures (especially our black vulture!) learn quickly, and they are a lot of fun to work with.

What myths and misunderstandings about vultures do these presentations help to dispel?

People are surprised at how clean and charismatic the vultures are – and how beautiful they are up close, despite their featherless heads.

What vulture behaviors do people find to be most interesting?

People often ask if vultures throw up on us; our education vultures usually don’t (unless they get scared). Vultures also expel liquid waste on their legs and feet, probably to clean them as well as to keep cool. This often fascinates people as well.

Which species of vulture are found in Pennsylvania and neighboring states?

We have turkey vultures and black vultures. During the last Ice Age we may have had California condors, too, and possibly some other now-extinct vultures.

What has been learned about migration of these species?

Hawk Mountain has taken the lead on turkey vulture migration research. Dr. Keith Bildstein and his team have placed transmitters and wing tags on turkey vultures all over the Americas. They’ve learned that our eastern turkey vultures are partial migrants—some spend the winters in Florida, some on the New Jersey shore, some in Virginia, and in many places in between. Many western turkey vultures are complete migrants, leaving their breeding ranges in Canada and heading all the way to South America. And still others in the American southwest migrate into Central America and return. It’s fascinating how the different subspecies have different migratory strategies. Dr. Bildstein and his colleagues have ongoing research projects about turkey vulture migration, and are discovering more all the time.

Vultures have spectacular flying ability. What makes this possible?

Turkey vultures are very light – they have almost the same wingspan as a bald eagle but weigh less than half what an eagle weighs. Their wings are long and broad, and are made for soaring.

How high can they fly?

The Ruppell’s vulture holds the record for the highest-flying bird. Unfortunately for that individual, it was hit and killed by a jet flying over Africa at 37,000 feet.

Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird informs readers about lead toxicity in vultures. What is the extent of the problem? How do vultures ingest lead?

Vultures (and eagles, hawks, crows, ravens, and owls) can ingest small pieces of spent lead ammunition in animal carcasses or “gut piles” left by hunters. When someone shoots a white-tailed deer, for example, the deer is usually field-dressed, and many of the organs are left. This can be a delight for vultures and other scavengers! In ecosystems, scavengers often follow the big predators to clean up the leftovers; here, the same thing is happening—a human is the big predator, a gut pile is the leftover, and a vulture or eagle is the scavenger. However, if small lead fragments are still in the gut piles, avian scavengers can inadvertently ingest the lead and become sick. Lead toxicity from spent ammunition is the biggest obstacle in the way of California condor recovery.

The Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia provides rehabilitation for injured birds. What kind of care do vultures receive?

We’ve treated vultures with a wide variety of injuries and ailments—broken bones, head trauma, lead toxicity, soft tissue injuries. Every bird we admit receives an immediate comprehensive examination by an avian veterinarian, and is then treated as necessary with antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, fluid therapy, or chelation therapy. They also receive orthopedic surgery if necessary. We do our best to get the birds back out in the wild if possible.

It must be very joyful to enable an injured bird to regain flight ability. Please tell us about a memorable release.

Two and a half years ago we released a female turkey vulture that had been shot with a shotgun—she had three pellets embedded in soft tissue. We had to leave the pellets in her body because removing them would cause damage. Once she was nursed back to health, we released her wearing a transmitter to track her movements. We learned that she travels to northern Georgia in the winters and comes back to West Virginia in the breeding season. We are thrilled that this vulture was able to return to the wild—and thrive!

Vulture watching is growing in popularity. Turkey vultures are very widespread. Where are some of the best places and times to observe them?

In many parts of the southeastern United States, you can see turkey vultures any day of the year in a variety of habitats. In the winter, vultures can be observed roosting together in and near many cities: in Virginia, check out Leesburg, Staunton, Radford, Pulaski, and Charlottesville; in West Virginia, many vultures can be observed migrating in the fall over Hanging Rock Tower in Monroe County and over Harper’s Ferry in the eastern panhandle. During the summer and fall, the overlook at Cooper’s Rock State Forest near Morgantown, WV, is a sure place to see turkey vultures. Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, of course, is an excellent place to watch turkey vultures and birds of prey during migration, especially in September and October.

What stimulated your interest in nature?

I’ve always been an outdoors person. I grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania, and I had horses as a kid. I spent a great deal of time with my horses, trail riding and competing, and when I got a bit older I often went hiking and camping with friends and family. One of my favorite childhood hiking spots was Ricketts Glen State Park—it’s filled with hemlock trees and many gorgeous waterfalls. It’s definitely worth checking out if you visit northeastern PA.

Was “bird” your first word?

Yes! My parents had bird feeders in their yard when I was a baby (well, they still do) and my mother says she used to hold me in front of the window to show me the birds at the feeder. One day, she said, “Look at the birds! Look at the birds outside.” And I nodded and said, “Bird.” I haven’t stopped talking about them since.

Katie Fallon’s website address is: www.katiefallon.com.

Posted 4-6-17, Reposted 10-29-19

 

Servant Stage Company’s production of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ to be presented in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 4 – September 27, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… Visit Anne of Green Gables — Servant Stage for a link to order your pay-what-you-will tickets.

From a Servant Stage Company news release that was issued today, July 29, 2026:

Lancaster, PA – Servant Stage is delighted to present Anne of Green Gables, running September 4–27 in the High Performing Arts Center at Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. Based on L. M. Montgomery’s beloved classic novel, this heartwarming family musical celebrates imagination, belonging, and the transformative power of love and friendship.

The musical is Canada’s longest-running musical, performing every summer at the Charlottetown Festival in Prince Edward Island, beginning in 1965. Servant Stage’s production features a large cast of more than 40 talented performers, a full orchestra, beautiful period costumes, and charming set pieces that help bring to life the little village of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. Whether you’re introducing a new generation to Anne’s adventures or revisiting a cherished childhood favorite, this uplifting musical promises laughter, inspiration, and plenty of heartfelt moments.

When the aging Cuthberts decide to adopt a young boy to help on their farm at Green Gables, they are surprised instead by the arrival of Anne Shirley, an imaginative, talkative orphan girl with a vivid imagination and an irrepressible spirit. Though Anne’s fiery personality and endless curiosity often lead her into trouble, she gradually wins over the hearts of Marilla, Matthew, and the entire community of Avonlea. Filled with humor, warmth, and unforgettable characters, Anne of Green Gables is a timeless story about friendship, family, and discovering the extraordinary beauty hidden in the simplest moments.

Directed by Johnathan Bauer, this production captures both the whimsical charm and enduring themes of Anne’s story. “Anne reminds us that our greatest strengths are often the very qualities that make us different,” says Bauer. “Her imagination, resilience, and unwavering hope inspire us to embrace life’s joys and challenges with courage and wonder.”

In keeping with Servant Stage’s mission to make outstanding live theatre accessible to everyone, all performances of Anne of Green Gables will be offered on a pay-what-you-will basis. This unique approach allows audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience exceptional theatre regardless of financial means.

Performances will be held September 4–27 in the High Performing Arts Center at Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. Tickets can be reserved online at ServantStage.org or by calling (717) 455-0255. Advance reservations are recommended, as many performances are expected to sell out.

Performance Schedule:

• Fridays, September 4, 11, 18 & 25 – 7:00 PM

• Saturdays, September 5, 12, 19 & 26 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sundays, September 6, 13, 20 & 27 – 3:00 PM

About Servant Stage:
Servant Stage is a non-profit theater serving Lancaster County since 2011. Through its innovative approach to theatre, Servant Stage has reached more than 60,000 audience members in the past year with Pay-What-You-Will performances. Upcoming performances include Joy to the World (November-December).

Posted 7-29-26

Servant Stage Company’s upcoming production of the musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ to be presented in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, June 5 – August 16, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… Details are in this excerpt from a Servant Stage Company news release that was issued on May 6, 2026:

Lancaster, PA – Servant Stage is thrilled to present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, running June 5-August 16 at venues across Lancaster County. This beloved, family-friendly musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice brings the biblical story of Joseph to life through an unforgettable score filled with pop, rock, calypso, and country influences.

Told entirely through song, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the journey of Joseph, a dreamer blessed with extraordinary gifts—and burdened by the jealousy of his brothers. Sold into slavery and taken far from home, Joseph faces immense trials but ultimately rises to a position of great influence in Egypt, discovering purpose, forgiveness, and redemption along the way.

Bursting with color, humor, and heart, this Servant Stage production features a dynamic cast of performers of all ages, dazzling choreography, and the iconic multicolored coat that has captivated audiences for generations. From the energetic “Go, Go, Go Joseph” to the heartfelt “Any Dream Will Do,” the show offers something for every audience member.

Directed by Stephanie Morales, this production highlights both the spectacle and the deeper message of the story. “This production will celebrate joy, theatricality, and humor, while being anchored in humanity,” says Morales. “Joseph shows us that reconciliation is the most powerful dream of all, and through Joseph’s love for his family, we are reminded that even the most colorful dreams are rooted in something beautifully simple: the desire to be known, forgiven, and home.”

In keeping with Servant Stage’s mission to make outstanding live theatre accessible to everyone, all performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be offered on a pay-what-you-will basis. This unique approach allows audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience exceptional theatre regardless of financial means.

Performances will be held June 5-14 in the auditorium at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster and August 7-16 in the auditorium at Warwick High School, 301 W Orange St, Lititz, as well as other venues across Lancaster County throughout the summer. Tickets can be reserved online at ServantStage.org or by calling (717) 455-0255. Advance reservations are recommended to ensure seating before shows sell out.

Performance Schedule:

At Lancaster Alliance Church

• Fridays, June 5 & 12 – 7:00 PM
• Saturdays, June 6 & 13  – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sundays, June 7 & 14 – 3:00 PM

At Warwick High School

• Fridays, August 7 & 14 – 7:00 PM
• Saturdays, August 8 & 15 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sundays, August 9 & 16 – 3:00 PM

About Servant Stage:
Servant Stage is a non-profit theater serving Lancaster County since 2011. Through its innovative approach to theatre, Servant Stage reaches more than 50,000 audience members each year with Pay-What-You-Will performances. Upcoming performances include Anne of Green Gables (September), and Joy to the World (November-December).

Posted 5-11-26

Shackled and unshackled listeners

By Steven Brodsky

… have been enjoying episodes of UNSHACKLED!, the iconic radio drama show, since 1950.

Episodes of UNSHACKLED! are accessible at: https://unshackled.org/on-demand/browse-all-programs/.

John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Note to readers: This post appeared at: https://delcoculturevultures.com/2025/05/06/conversations-about-faith/.

Posted 6-6-24, Revised and reposted 5-6-25

 

A video of some scenes from a Calvary Chapel’s ocean baptisms that took place around 1972

By Steven Brodsky

… includes audio of Love Song’s song “Feel The Love” and photos and video of Pastor Chuck Smith. (Pastor Chuck Smith founded the Calvary Chapel movement.)

Some born again-saved and baptized readers of this column will find themselves tearing up with joy when they watch that video: Calvary Chapel ocean baptism circa 1972.

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Posted 7-28-26

The Aaronic Blessing

By Steven Brodsky

May the Aaronic Blessing be a blessing to many readers of this column.

See Numbers 6:22-27: Numbers 6 (NASB20) – The LORD bless you, and.

Posted 7-27-26

2026 is whizzing by us

By Steven Brodsky

… The year, and the span of our lives are short.

The Bible compares the shortness of life to a vapor.

Life and a vapor are quite temporary.

James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

People don’t really know “what shall be on the morrow” or one hour from now. For some, getting things right with the Lord “later on” won’t be possible. It’s unfortunate that many will miss out on eternal fellowship with the Lord by not accepting the Lord’s gift of Salvation.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

What does it mean that the gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23)? | GotQuestions.org

John 3:16: ^“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Posted 7-23-26

Canadian wildfire smoke

By Steven Brodsky

… is currently impacting many readers of this column.

May column readers in wildfire smoke-affected areas experience brighter days soon!

Posted 7-16-26

Those who have been blessed by the revival of the ’60s and ’70s called the Jesus Revolution

By Steven Brodsky

…  may certainly want to proclaim “alleluia” or “praise the Lord”!

From the time and heart of that revival:

Be blessed!

Posted 7-10-26

Diminutive Zacchaeus climbed on a tree to see Jesus

By Steven Brodsky

… Read Luke 19:1-10. You’ll find those verses at: Luke 19 (NASB20) – [Jesus] entered Jericho and was.

May we remember to turn our eyes upon Jesus!

Posted 7-2-26

A clean heart

By Steven Brodsky

This recording was released by Keith Green in 1990:

Hallelujah for those readers of this column who recognize the need for a clean heart in 2026!

Some of them have taken up the matter with the Lord through praying Scripture, including Psalm 51:10-12.

Psalm 51:10-12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit be within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

About praying Scripture: https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-Scripture.html.

King David wrote Psalm 51 circa 1034 B.C.

Posted 6-29-26

The summer farming and gardening seasons in the Northern Hemisphere

By Steven Brodsky

… prompt the writing of this revised post and this reminder: Every season of the year, people are blessed by the Parable of the Sower (and the Bible, in its entirety)!

The Parable of the Sower appears in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

Questions about this parable? See: What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower? | GotQuestions.org.

Posted 6-5-26, Revised and Reposted 6-26-26

The 2026 mud sale season is well underway in Amish and Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania

By Steven Brodsky

… generating funds for volunteer fire departments.

Mud sales exemplify unity, volunteerism, and beneficence.

Unity at mud sales is very good and very pleasant.

Psalm 133:1: “BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Posted 6-14-26

The Lord’s grace

By Steven Brodsky

… People who have truly accepted the amazing gift of salvation from the Lord have reason to be grateful (today and every day)!

May we be grateful today.

See Ephesians 2:8-9. You’ll find those verses at: Ephesians 2 (NASB20) – And *you *were dead *in.

Posted 6-13-26

God’s patience

By Steven Brodsky

… Those who took “the long way home” know about God’s patience firsthand (as do those who took the short way home).

Psalm 86:15: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

See 2 Peter 3:9. You’ll find this verse at: 2 Peter 3 (NASB20) – Beloved, this is now the.

Posted 6-11-26

A song that reminds born again-saved followers of Jesus about who they are in the eyes of the Father

By Steven Brodsky

… Ben Fuller’s “Who I Am”:

Posted 6-7-26

‘An Evening With We Are Messengers’ to take place at Landis Hall at The Junction Center in Manheim, Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… Visit Tickets | An Evening With We Are Messengers in Manheim, PA | iTickets for information and a link to purchase tickets.

The embedded song video reminds us that “faith, hope, and love” remain!

See 1 Corinthians 13:13 on this page: 1 Corinthians 13 (NASB20) – If I speak with the.

Posted 6-1-26

A very short Bible verse

By Steven Brodsky

… the shortest verse in most English translations of the Bible, communicates immense compassion that Jesus felt when He confronted the death of Lazarus.

You’ll find that verse, John 11:35 (and John 11 in its entirety), at: John 11 (NASB20) – Now a certain man was.

Those who’ve received the Lord’s gift of salvation know that Jesus has immense compassion for them.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Posted 5-17-26

‘Mamma’s Heart’

By Steven Brodsky

… will resonate in the hearts of readers of this column on this Mother’s Day weekend: Mamma’s Heart.

God knows our hearts.

Hallelujah, God can heal and transform a heart on holidays like Mother’s Day and on every other day and night of the year.

Have a blessed Mother’s Day weekend.

Posted 5-9-26

‘A Mother’s Prayer’ 

By Steven Brodsky

… for us to enjoy in advance of Mother’s Day:

Mother’s Day will be celebrated on May 10, 2026.

Hallelujah for the prayers of godly mothers!

Posted 4-27-26

Scarred?

By Steven Brodsky

… We all are.

Those who are heaven bound can look forward to not having scars in heaven.

John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Posted 4-28-26

‘I’ve got a fire’ for the Lord

By Steven Brodsky

… as do some of this column’s readers, hallelujah!

Lukewarm? See Why did Jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith? | GotQuestions.org.

Posted 4-24-26

There’s room at the table

By Steven Brodsky

 

… to eternally enjoy fellowship with God for those who know and for those who will come to know God as their Lord and Savior!

 

 

Posted 4-17-26

Yes, ‘the God of the mountain is the God of the valley’

By Steven Brodsky

… Amen to this and other declarations in the lyrics of “Graves Into Gardens”:

Some people come to know God as their Lord and Savior on the mountain, in the valley, and in other places, hallelujah!

Posted 4-10-26

May readers of this column be drawn closer to the Lord

By Steven Brodsky

… when they’re in valleys and when they’re above valleys!

King David had valleys in mind when he wrote Psalm 34:18.

Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Posted 4-7-26

Before, on, and after 3-16, i.e. March 16, 2026

By Steven Brodsky

… may we come to a deeper understanding of 3:16, i.e. John 3:16, to the glory of the Lord!

John 3:16: ^“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Posted 3-15-26

Praying Psalm 143:8 in the evening

By Steven Brodsky

Perhaps you have considered, or will consider, including the words and/or sentiment of King David’s Psalm 143:8 in your evening prayers.

Psalm 143:8 KJV: “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/psalm/psalm-143.cfm

May we hear God’s lovingkindness in the morning and know the way that we should walk.

Posted 2-20-26

Jesus loves black sheep 

By Steven Brodsky

… and all of the people who were present when this video was filmed, including Ben Fuller:

And Jesus loves us!

Posted 1-26-26

 

 

The nominees for the 2026 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Industry & Momentum Awards have been announced

By Steven Brodsky

… in this just-issued International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) news release:

Rufus Wainwright turned 53 years old today

By Steven Brodsky

… Rufus Wainwright was born on July 22, 1973.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Rufus Wainwright!

Posted 7-22-26

The lineup for the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Live!® in Chattanooga was revealed by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)

By Steven Brodsky

… in this IBMA news release:

What extremely impactful song was recorded 64 years ago (on July 9, 1962)?

By Steven Brodsky

… The answer to this question isn’t being left to blow in the wind: The song is Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

The recording session took place at Columbia Recording Studios. The recording was released on the A-side of a single on August 13, 1963 (the B-side is “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”). It appears on a track of the album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, released on May 27,1963.

 

Posted 7-9-26

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) revealed the names of the 30 bands selected as 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Ramble Official Showcase Artists 

By Steven Brodsky

The following news release was issued by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA):

NASHVILLE, TN (June 24, 2026) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has just revealed the 30 bands selected as 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Ramble Official Showcase Artists.

Taking place October 20-21 as part of IBMA World of Bluegrass®, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, presented by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED-CHATTANOOGA, is a series of evening showcases featuring juried artists selected through a competitive application process. Official showcases are widely regarded as a premier platform for introducing new music and emerging talent in bluegrass, offering a launchpad for both rising artists and established acts to present new material or new personnel.

Chosen by the IBMA Showcase Selection Committee from more than 100 submissions, the selected artists represent a wide spectrum of bluegrass music, from traditional roots to progressive and globally influenced sounds.

The 30 selected artists are Country Gongbang, Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul, John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Kristy Cox, Lonesome Ace Stringband, Missy Raines & Allegheny, NEWGRASSLANDS, Nick Chandler & Delivered, Nick Dumas & Branchline, Pickers Anonymous, Pitney Meyer, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Rick Faris Band, Rock Hearts, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Stillhouse Junkies, The Amanda Cook Band, The Cleverlys, The Litch Brothers, The Price Sisters, The Slocan Ramblers, Thunder and Rain, Tonewood String Band, Tony Kamel & Kym Warner, Water Tower, Weary Ramblers, Williamson Branch, Wood Belly String Band, and Wood Box Heroes.

Each artist will perform twice during IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, once at the Chattanooga Convention Center and once at an official Ramble venue in downtown Chattanooga, offering valuable exposure to fans, talent buyers, media, and industry professionals. Official venues include Barrelhouse Ballroom, Hi-Fi Clyde’s, Songbirds, Feed Table & Tavern, and Stratus Rooftop at Caption.

IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, presented by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED-CHATTANOOGA is just one part of IBMA World of Bluegrass®, which runs October 20-24, 2026. The week, the most important in bluegrass, encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, Oct. 20-22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, Oct. 20-21 in downtown Chattanooga venues; the 37th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented by Get It Played, Oct. 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium; and IBMA Bluegrass Live!®, Oct. 23-24, a two-day festival of live performances and fan experiences.

Access to IBMA Bluegrass Ramble is included with IBMA Business Conference registration for the days registered. Conference registration is now open at worldofbluegrass.org. Single and two-day Ramble passes will be available soon.

Additional details about the Ramble schedule will be available soon on worldofbluegrass.org and the IBMA World of Bluegrass app, available in early October.

Posted 6-24-26

Summer 2026 has arrived today (June 21st) in the Northern Hemisphere

By Steven Brodsky

… Best wishes go out to readers of the Entertainment, Culture and More column in the Northern Hemisphere for a wonderful summer!

Some of this column’s readers are enjoying boardwalks as I’m writing these words and will be enjoying boardwalks when you’ll be reading this post.

Regardless of whether you will or will not be having fun on or under a boardwalk this summer, you’ll likely enjoy listening to these two boardwalk-themed iconic recordings:

 

Posted 6-21-26

When letter writing was common

By Steven Brodsky

… and text messaging and email were innovations of the future, it wasn’t an uncommon practice to seal letters with kisses.

This recording of “Sealed With A Kiss” is embedded here for column readers who have ever received or sent a letter that was sealed with a kiss, and for any reader who is or will be apart from a romantic partner because of a summer vacation in 2026, and for all other readers:

Posted 6-11-26

On the 87th birthday of Gary U.S. Bonds

By Steven Brodsky

Gary U.S. Bonds was born on June 6, 1939. Happy birthday wishes go out to Gary U.S. Bonds!

Readers of this column can celebrate his birthday by listening to this exuberant, iconic recording:

Posted 6-6-26

Happy 80th birthday wishes go out to Eddie Holman

By Steven Brodsky

… Eddie Holman was born on June 3, 1946.

In celebration of Eddie Holman’s birthday, let’s enjoy this recording:

Posted 6-3-26

On Eric Burdon’s 85th birthday

By Steven Brodsky

… Eric Burdon was born on May 11, 1941.

Let’s celebrate Eric Burdon’s birthday, by enjoying Burdon’s lead vocal performance on a record track that has much resonance for people who “gotta get out” of a place or situation and for those who’ve gotten out of a dire place or situation:

Happy birthday wishes go out to Eric Burdon.

Posted 5-11-26

On the 114th anniversary of the RMS Titanic’s collision with an iceberg

By Steven Brodsky

The RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912; the ship sank on April 15, 1912.

More than 1,500 people perished.

To commemorate the anniversary of this tragedy, I’m sharing a video embed and a song link.

Harry Chapin’s “Dance Band on the Titanic” is the title track of Harry Chapin’s seventh studio album (the album was released in 1977): Harry Chapin – Dance Band on the Titanic – YouTube.

Posted 4-14-26

One doesn’t need to be a grammarian

By Steven Brodsky

… to recognize the verity indicated by the double negative in this song’s title, and by the inclusion of the title’s words in the dialogue of the song’s speaker/character:

Though “I Don’t Think Much About Her No More” has no connection to Valentine’s Day, I’ll make a tie-in here to the upcoming unofficial holiday.

It’s easy to surmise that the song’s speaker/character could find Valentine’s Day to be especially difficult.

Same for many others.

It’s not always kind to wish people: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” These words can be hurtful to some people who won’t be having a happy Valentine’s Day.

Let’s be kind.

Posted 2-7-26

It’s magic

By Steven Brodsky

… when a song exceptionally and effectively conveys an emotionally charged inflection point.

That kind of magic kind is evident in “This Magic Moment,” a song penned by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.

The Drifters recorded “This Magic Moment” on December 23, 1959, 66 years ago, with Ben E. King singing lead.

In commemoration of that recording session, enjoy the magic:

Posted 12-23-25

There’s a correlation between dusty Bibles

By Steven Brodsky

… and how people feel.

This post originally appeared at: Conversations About Faith – delcoculturevultures.com.

Posted 10-22-25, Revised and Reposted 11-8-25

On Art Garfunkel’s 84th birthday

By Steven Brodsky

… happy birthday wishes go out to Art Garfunkel!

Art Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941 in New York City.

Posted 11-5-25

With up to 20 inches of snow in weather forecasts for a number of states in the U.S.

By Steven Brodsky

… memories related to literal and metaphorical cold fingers come to mind.

I’m acquainted with the discomfort of literal (very) cold fingers, having experienced fingers-numbing conditions while ice fishing, snow shoveling, etc.

And I’m not lacking experience with metaphorical cold fingers.

Most of us can recall personal experiences with cold fingers.

Whatever our experiences have been or are with cold fingers, we can be grateful that Bill Morrissey addressed the cold fingers theme with great artistry and vulnerability:

Posted 10-27-25

‘I’m just a long-haired son of a sinner’

By Steven Brodsky

… sings Jelly Roll in “Son of a Sinner” (one of my favorite Jelly Roll songs):

We’re all children of sinners.

And all of us have sinned.

Nonetheless, God loves us.

Romans 5:8 KJV: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

This post appeared at: Conversations About Faith – delcoculturevultures.com.

Posted 8-20-24, Revised and Reposted 12-6-24

Paul Simon heard Jessy Dixon perform ‘The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling’

By Steven Brodsky

… in Radio City Music Hall in 1972, which prompted Paul Simon to invite Jessy Dixon to sing with him on Saturday Night Live. The two would go on to tour together in the U.S. and overseas for eight years.

Enjoy this video of Jessy Dixon singing “The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling” at The Dome:

 

Job 3:17: ^“There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.”

Jessy Dixon passed away on September 26, 2011 at age 73. This post appeared in the Conversations About Faith section of the Entertainment, Culture and More column. 

Posted 1-10-21, Reposted and Revised 8-19-24

How meeting Livingston Taylor at a concert affected the career of John Flynn

By Steven Brodsky

John Flynn has been interviewed several times for this column. In a 2011 radio interview, John and I spoke about Livingston. We did so again last year in this interview for this column.

John, where and when did you first meet Livingston Taylor and how old were you at the time?

Gene Shay introduced me to Livingston back in the ’80s. It was prior to one of his appearances at the old Bijou Café in Philadelphia. I was in my early twenties and just starting out. I was a big fan of Livingston’s and I had just appeared on Gene’s radio show on WMMR. I heard Gene mention that he was going to host Livingston’s show, so I asked for an intro. Gene was just too nice to say no.

What was going on in your life?

I was playing some bar gigs, writing songs and mailing demos to Nashville. This was a few years before I got signed to my first publishing deal down there.

Describe what took place. What did Livingston tell you?

To begin with, Livingston was incredibly gracious. As a performer, I really see that now in hindsight, because usually the last thing I want to do before a show is to meet new people and have them sing their songs to me. Actually, I don’t think I’ve met anyone before or since who would have extended themselves in this way to a stranger. But that’s exactly what happened. Gene apparently bragged about me enough to get Livingston to hand me his guitar and sit down directly in front of me. He asked me to play him a song and listened with an almost unnerving, totally focused attention. When I was done he asked if I had any more. I did a second song and he asked for another. I was only too happy to oblige, figuring that if he’d listen to three songs he must be hearing something he liked. When I finished singing, Livingston kind of scrunched up his face and got real thoughtful. There was a long pause. Then he said, “John, there are so many wonderful ways to spend your time in this life. Take a walk, read a good book, spend some time with someone you love. Please do ANY of these things rather than write any more mediocre songs.” The rest was a little bit of a blur. He talked about Cole Porter and Yip Harburg, writers I didn’t really know much about at that point. He really challenged me to study the greats. He spent like ten minutes talking about song structure, and he played me these long-forgotten but really beautiful introductions to popular old standards. – Unknown (at least to me) musical salutations from bygone eras, that had been intended by their composers to set the mood and put the listener in the proper frame of mind to receive the coming song. He even explained that he would be doing relatively few of his own songs in his show that evening because great songs are rare, and a song should be great if you’re gonna sing it. That was the bottom line. If you weren’t going to try to write a great song, then why write one at all?

How did you respond to this at the time?

I guess I was disappointed. But disappointment wasn’t all I took away from the encounter, because Livingston could have easily tossed me a few compliments. He was probably never gonna have to see me again so that would have been the easy thing to do. But I sensed that he respected songs and songwriters too much for that. He chose the harder path and told the truth. He threw down the gauntlet. And, in my way, I accepted the challenge that night. I determined to work much harder at my craft. To really try to write great songs. I’m not saying that’s what I’ve always accomplished. But he got me to aim there. I’ve always been grateful for that.

How did the encounter impact your life?

I’m here forty years later answering questions about music.

Author’s note to readers: Livingston Taylor is a professor at Berklee College of Music.

John Flynn’s website address is: http://johnflynn.net/.

Posted 3-29-19, Reposted 8-6-24

Thinking about Solomon Burke

By Steven Brodsky

… after recalling this morning that the City of Philadelphia had honored Solomon Burke by having declared that July 19, 2002 would be “Solomon Burke Day.”

Solomon Burke (March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was born in Philadelphia.

Posted 7-19-24

He was the ‘Jackie Robinson of television’; on his ‘show rode the hopes and fears and dreams of millions of people’; his show debuted nationally on November 5, 1956

By Steven Brodsky

… He was Nat King Cole, the first African American to host a television show on nationwide television. That show was The Nat King Cole Show. Today is the 66th anniversary of the national debut of the Nat King Show on NBC TV.

Nat King Cole ranks among the most acclaimed jazz and pop musicians of all time. Born as Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery Alabama in 1919, he would go on to achieve recording and concert performance success that was nearly unmatched by others of his generation. “Mona Lisa,” “Unforgettable,” “The Christmas Song,” are among the nearly 700 songs that he recorded. Well over 100 of Nat King Cole’s records charted. He was a prominent presence on national television shows (he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on six occasions).

The Nat King Cole Show was popular and attracted some of the most sought-after entertainers, but it could not secure a national sponsor (other than a few sponsors for brief periods of time before the show expanded from 15 minutes to a half hour). There were 30 sponsors with cooperative arrangements supporting the show across the country on local stations, but nationwide—not one.

In an essay in the February 1, 1958 issue of Ebony titled “WHY I QUIT MY TV SHOW” by Nat King Cole (as told to Lerone Bennett Jr.), Nat King Cole said, “For 13 months, I was the Jackie Robinson of television… On my show rode the hopes and fears and dreams of millions of people.”

Posted 11-5-22