… The verse is Isaiah 64:6. As translated in the King James Version, the verse reads: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
I’m writing about Leonard Cohen’s “If It Be Your Will” and Billy Joe Shaver’s “If You Don’t Love Jesus.”
Most people who’ve heard the songs haven’t encountered the verse directly (and most of this column’s readers haven’t heard the Billy Joe Shaver song).
In the Leonard Cohen song, Isaiah 64:6 is alluded to in the line: “In our rags of light, all dressed to kill.”
In the Billy Joe Shaver song, an allusion to the verse appears as: “Take your rotten rags of righteousness and stuff ’em up your self.”
Two books to have on hand when birdwatching: a favorite field guide and the Bible.
Posted 9-6-26
Enjoy seeing model trains operating in outdoor and garden settings by taking the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s 19th annual Garden Railways Tour
By Steven Brodsky
… This self-guided tour is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You’ll find information about the 19th annual Garden Railways Tour in this excerpt from a news release that was issued today, September 1, 2026, by the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania:
Strasburg, Lancaster County, PA —Tickets are now on sale for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Garden Railways Tour on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enjoy an exclusive, self-guided tour of operating model trains in various outdoor and garden settings. It’s a fun family outing for all ages!
Plan your afternoon and choose from among the six stops on this year’s 19th annual tour. Garden Railways Tour sites are located in Wrightsville, Lancaster, Lititz and Manheim. The Garden Railways Tour is sponsored by Simon Lever Business Advisors and CPAs.
Tickets are just $10.00 per person for ages 6 and over. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased online on the Museum’s website and will not be sold at the individual tour sites. A roster of Garden Railways Tour sites will be emailed to you following your ticket purchase. It is recommended that you plan the sites you want to visit in advance.
Garden railways are among the fastest growing interest area in model railroading, and many people find that trains add excitement to their gardens. This creative, family-friendly hobby may be set up in very small spaces or large expanses, as well as in differing climates and in widely varying degrees of complexity. Garden railways have attracted the formation of enthusiast associations, special equipment from model train companies, websites and even its own magazine.
Posted 9-1-26
On a garter snake day afternoon
By Steven Brodsky
… this garter snake appeared to be using a shrub as an ectotherm’s equivalent of a hammock:
Photo by Steven Brodsky
The garter snake wasn’t being sluggish (not-so-good pun alert: slugs are part of its diet) on what was a hot afternoon. It was thermoregulating on top and among the branches and leaves of a shrub.
Nearby, humans were drinking cold beverages while resting on hammocks, chaise lounges, and lawn chairs when they weren’t taking refuge in airconditioned rooms.
Posted 8-27-26
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.
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:
Photo by Steven Brodsky
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
On a dog day afternoon
By Steven Brodsky
… these world-class foxhounds enjoyed the thrill of the chase:
Photo by Steven Brodsky
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
Photo 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
It’s a season to enjoy the great outdoors
By Steven Brodsky
Photo 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.
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.
The Bible is sharper than the cherished knife that Guy Clark’s father had owned, a knife that’s featured in the lyrics of this autobiographical Guy Clark song:
And the Bible is sharper than my cherished knives that I’ve attentively sharpened on a whetstone.
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
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
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.”
On the day of the opening night performance of Servant Stage Company’s production of the musical ‘Anne of Green Gables’
By Steven Brodsky
… excitement about this production is rising, demand for tickets is increasing, and there’s much appreciation for Servant Stage Company continuously fulfilling its mission to make outstanding theatre experiences affordable to everyone via Servant Stage’s pay-what-you-will policy.
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
Shackled and unshackled listeners
By Steven Brodsky
… have been enjoying episodes of UNSHACKLED!, the iconic radio drama show, since 1950.
High schools across the U.S. are invited to register to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts’ Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation competition that will be taking place during the 2026-2027 school year
By Steven Brodsky
From a news release that was issued today, September 3, 2026, by the National Endowment for the Arts:
Washington, DC—Poetry Out Loud®, an arts education program of the National Endowment for the Arts, is returning for the 2026-2027 school year, inviting high school students from across the country to participate in this dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary history and contemporary life.
Schools and organizations are encouraged to visit PoetryOutLoud.org for free poetry education resources, including an anthology of classic and contemporary poems, and to contact their Poetry Out Loud state coordinator to register for this year’s official competition.
“Each year, students, parents, and teachers tell us that Poetry Out Loud has a lasting impact on participants,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “By studying and reciting poetry, young people discover new ways to connect with language, express complex ideas and emotions with confidence, and stand before an audience ready to use their voice.”
Since this arts education program began in 2005, more than 4.6 million students and 89,000 teachers from 22,000 schools across the U.S. have participated in Poetry Out Loud.
The program starts at the local level in a classroom, school, or an area organization. Participating students select, memorize, and recite poems from the Poetry Out Loud anthology. Winners may then advance to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals, where $50,000 in prizes and stipends are awarded annually to competitors and their home communities—including a $20,000 prize for the National Champion. The 2027 Poetry Out Loud National Finals will take place April 27-28, 2027, in Washington, DC.
Poetry Out Loud is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with participating state and jurisdictional arts agencies and managed by Mid Atlantic Arts. Mid Atlantic Arts administers the Poetry Out Loud National Finals and all aspects of the monetary prizes.
Why Poetry Out Loud Matters
National Endowment for the Arts research shows that students who participate in Poetry Out Loud showed improved writing and analytical skills. Research also found that participating students showed increase in self-confidence and reported that reading and listening to poetry helped them think about situations from multiple perspectives.
These skills extend far beyond their application to a poetry competition, helping students in other school subjects and as they enter the workforce.
Poetry Out Loud can also have a positive impact on schools, helping to build community, forging stronger bonds between teachers and students, and bringing together students who may not have otherwise formed connections.
How to Participate
To register for the 2026-2027 program, schools and organizations should contact their state arts agency. All types of high schools are welcome to participate, including public, private, parochial, independent, charter, and homeschool. Non-school organizations, such as after school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may choose to run Poetry Out Loud as well. Students unable to participate at their school or a local organization should contact their state Poetry Out Loud coordinator to discuss other opportunities for inclusion in their state’s official competition.
Posted 9-3-26
With summertime ‘falling down’
By Steven Brodsky
… and autumn drawing very near, an “urge for going” will soon be increasingly experienced by migratory geese and countless writers.
Some writers will be satisfying writerly urges on paper and/or screens while migratory geese fly overhead.
O when one’s writing process takes wings!
Posted 8-29-26
With the autumn apple harvest season drawing nigh
By Steven Brodsky
… some of the readers of this column are looking forward to eating freshly picked apples and writing.
It’s easy to envision Robert Frost having enjoyed that delicious gustatory and literary combination; an apple orchard was located on his farm and he was a picker of apples at that orchard.
Sharing that observation in commemoration of Robert Frost’s upcoming birthday.
Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874.
Robert Frost’s poetry has made a significant difference in the lives of many readers; some of them have found that his poetry “made all the difference.”
My memories of art classes are positive. My art teachers were outstanding; they were quite unlike the fictive first teacher that appears in this linked Harry Chapin song: https://youtu.be/4cVpkzZpDBA?si=Fm5xt2z3NyWncCL3.
Fortunately, that fictive teacher would likely now be no longer teaching and subjecting students to lessons that most would view as best to be unlearned.
Posted 8-17-26
The National Gallery of Art has announced its selection of 50 finalists in its social media open call for reinterpretations of works of art in the National Gallery’s collection through original short-form videos
From a National Gallery of Art news brief issued today, June 15, 2026:
As part of its commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the National Gallery earlier this year called on digital creators throughout the country to reinterpret works of art in the museum’s collection. After receiving over 1,600 proposals, the museum has selected 50 top creators. The National Gallery will post their creative reimaginations on its social media throughout 2026.
Posted 6-15-26
A Conversation With Victoria Browning Wyeth
By Steven Brodsky
Victoria Browning Wyeth is the granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth and the niece of Jamie Wyeth. She is the great-granddaughter of N.C. Wyeth. Victoria is widely known for her dynamic gallery talks and lectures on the life and art of Andrew Wyeth. Victoria is a gifted photographer; her photos have been exhibited at a number of museums.
What are some of your fondest memories of your grandmother?
One of my fondest memories of my grandmother were our nicknames for each other. I always called my grandmother by two names: “Betsy” or “Mamma Sheep Turd.” I realize the second name might raise a few eyebrows so let me explain. I grew up in New York City, but would spend every summer in Cushing Maine with my grandparents. As a young girl, and as a grown woman, I have always detested sand, dirt and bugs. When I was about nine or so, my grandparents purchased Allen Island (near Port Clyde, Maine), and, in addition, a very large flock of sheep to help with the lawn “maintenance. Along with the sheep came sheep turds…. EVERYWHERE. So, she called me “City Slicker” and I called her “Mamma Sheep Turd.” When I was in college and we wrote each other letters, the post office at my college would giggle when they handed me a letter because of the return address. I always smile when I think of the looks people gave us when we used these names for each other.
My second fondest memory was when she taught me to put on makeup and put my hair in a French twist. I can still feel her hands in my hair helping me pin it up. When it came to applying makeup she would always say, “Vic… less is more.” To this day I am not much of a makeup person.
Finally, my most recent favorite memory involved cooking for my grandmother (and my uncle Jamie) on Sunday nights. Betsy was the chef in the family – her meals were simply out of this world yummy. Mashed potatoes, cookies, creamed eggs, popovers, etc. You name it and she could make it. After my grandfather died she scaled back her cooking quite a bit. Around six or seven years ago I started cooking Sunday dinners for my family. I wasn’t the best chef at first; I burned fish more than I would like to admit. One of the things that still brings a smile to my face was watching her gobble up every last morsel. She would look at Jamie and me and say, “mmmmm this is good.”
Betsy handled much of the business affairs of her husband Andrew. What prepared her for this?
She always had such a powerful business sense. I’m not quite sure where this came from, but she handled Andy’s business affairs with such grace and intelligence. She was quite the inspiration.
Please describe how Betsy furthered the career of Andrew?
My grandmother helped further his career by supporting him in numerous ways. The most important was through her love: she loved him with all of her heart. She would always tell him what she thought of his newest painting – if he needed to simplify something, if the color was too intense, etc. She was also very instrumental in titling many of his paintings.
What was the extent of Betsy’s involvement in titling the paintings of her husband?
She had a huge role in the titles. Take the painting Wind from the Sea. When my grandparents were discussing the piece Betsy said, “It looks like a wind is coming in from the sea.” Andy replied, “That’s it!! Wind from the Sea.” Her vocabulary was most impressive. For example, she would do the New York Times crossword puzzles in ink. This gave her an incredible bank of words to choose from when she helped to title the work.
Her ability to title wasn’t limited to paintings: when I was in graduate school and writing long research papers, I would call her and tell her my paper topic. She would then call me back with a title. For example, I wrote a paper on shell shock in British troops during World War I. She came up with the title “Over the Top.”
Were you able to observe Andrew while he was painting? If you were, did he discuss what he was working on?
Andy HATED having people watch him paint. He felt that having you watch him paint was an invasion. The only times I watched him paint were: (1) outside my window in the summer. He would work on watercolors or drawings outside my parent’s house in Cushing, Maine. He didn’t know I was looking, but I was. I couldn’t help myself. This is when I was a young girl (under 13). (2) When I would accidentally walk into the house when he was working on something. I would apologize and he would smile and say, “Hi darlin’. I’m just finishing up.” (3) When I posed. This was my favorite because we got to discuss everything. I would barrage him with all sorts of questions about his work, his life, his friends, etc. The last time I posed (back in 2005) I was giving lectures at the Brandywine River Museum. It was so cool because I would incorporate what we talked about into my gallery talk that day.
How sensitive was Andrew to what critics wrote about him?
He couldn’t have cared less what the critics thought.
Which paintings of his do you believe he remained most attached to?
He was almost always most attached to the painting that he was working on.
To your knowledge, were there times in Andrew’s life when he was without artistic inspiration? If there were, how did he reacquire inspiration?
To the best of my knowledge this never happened. Even when he was in the hospital (for a hip replacement) he drew his hospital room and the view out the window. He was inspired by everything and everyone.
Of the photos that you took of Andrew Wyeth, is there one that especially evokes cherished memories? Can you share those memories with us?
The one I took of him painting outside my window in Cushing, Maine. He was painting me and we would start working very early in the morning – 6:45 a.m. I overslept one morning and rushed downstairs. As I looked out of the living room window, I found him sitting out there with his watercolor pad on his lap, tissues everywhere (to blot the paper) and his watercolor box by his side. Whenever I get sad and miss him, this is what I think of and it always makes me smile.
You’ve given many pro bono talks. Which of those talks have been most gratifying to you? Please tell us why.
My favorite talks, pro bono and paid, have been the ones I have done at the state and local prisons. I feel that those who are incarcerated should be exposed to art as much as possible. Since they can’t go to a museum, I bring a museum to them. For example, this past January I lectured on the work of my grandfather to the gentlemen at the Maine State Prison in Maine. I went on January 16th – which is a very special day for me – the anniversary of my grandfather’s death. It was a beautiful snowy day and I packed my car up with a bunch of my uncle’s and grandfather’s watercolors and drawings and headed to the prison. I thought it would be fun to create a pop-up gallery in the prison and even more interesting to bring one of my grandfather’s models with me. It was a very special day for all of us. I will never forget looking at the reactions on the guys faces as they looked at the art.
The Brandywine River Museum of Art is currently closed to the public (as are other museums) because of the COVID-19 crisis. Is there a painting in the Museum’s collection by Andrew Wyeth that, at this moment, you are especially looking forward to seeing when the doors reopen?
I love seeing my grandmother’s portrait – Maga’s Daughter. I’m very excited to go visit her and say hi.
… 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
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.
… 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 TheNat 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.”
Hedgerow Theatre’s smartly staged production of Kate Hamill’s ‘Little Women’, under the direction by Abby Weissman, is a touching tale of a predominately female family, who are not perfect, don’t always get along or fit in, but who nonetheless remain a ‘union’. The story is set in the 1860s – early 1870s during the American Civil War as the March sisters, and their country, in liminal states, struggle with inward and outward changes, limitations and expectations, and is deftly reflected by a cadre of very talented actors, designers and crew.
Louisa May Alcott began her novel Little Women in 1868 under pressure. She did not want to write about girls and especially not boring “moral pap”, however she caved in to her publisher’s demand for a story for little girls in order to support her sisters and mother because her father could not. What Alcott did do was to base her ‘girls’ story on her own siblings. The characters, Meg (based on Alcott’s sister Anna who wanted married life, wonderfully brought to being on stage by Minou Pourshariati!), Beth (Alcott’s sister Elizabeth who passed at age 23 from scarlet fever, sweetly portrayed by Olive Gallagher), Jo (a tom-boy based on Alcott herself, played with plucky perfection by Marissa Emerson ) and Amy (Alcott’s headstrong sister May, done with superb spunk by Jameka Monet Wilson), and of course Marmee (their mother, tenderly rendered by Emily-Grace Murray), became some of the most beloved of the era.
Alcott’s enduring realistic, imperfect, squabbling family tale is yet in print, has been translated into numerous languages, made into films, theatrical productions and produced for television.
L to R: Leo Mock , Marissa Emerson, Minou Pourshariati, Emily Grace, Murray Jameka, Monet Wilson and James Arthel Reilly
The first stage play, written by Marian de Forest, was produced with the permission of the Alcott family in 1912 on Broadway’s Playhouse Theatre. A number of other theatrical renditions of the book have since been produced. Playwright Kate Hamill’s ‘Little Women’ explores feminist and gender perspectives, strengthening Alcott’s Victorian era introduction of strong female roles, and being yourself, even taking it further. There is also the sense of Wilder’s ‘Our Town’, of times gone by that can’t be reclaimed except in memory and affection. This sense was augmented by sinuous musical scene changes, accompanied by adaptive lighting (Lily Fossner). Amazingly agile actors, who also play various instruments (Musical Direction by Matthew Mastronardi), as well as the essential support of the production team and crew create an aura of times past, yet manage to strike a chord upon issues of today.
Just in time for the Holiday Season, ‘Little Women’ reminds us of family – while not perfect, yet loved and prized… AND, there is a small bonus finale concert with Christmas Carols and more!
LITTLE WOMEN by Kate Hamill
Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Remaining shows run December 4th – December 28th
Tickets at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=294555 or call 610-565-4211
Hedgerow Theatre 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media PA 19063
A Conversation with Captain Melbourne ‘Butch’ Arbin III of the Ocean City Beach Patrol (Ocean City, MD)
By Steven Brodsky
It’s an awesome pairing: 10 miles of award-winning beach and the renowned, heritage-rich Ocean City Beach Patrol. Since its start in1930, the OCBP has kept millions of visitors safe. At the helm is Captain Arbin. This is his 46th year with the OCBP. He became captain in 1997.
There’s an abundance of appreciation for Captain Arbin and the men and women of the OCBP. Subsequent to a radio interview I did with Captain Arbin in 2011, I received an outpouring of comments from listeners praising the work and presence of Captain Arbin and the Patrol. Life is precious. Captain Arbin and the more than 225 lifeguards under his command protect it and enforce ordinances on a nationally top-ranked beach, enabling an outstanding shore experience for Ocean City’s visitors.
What prompted your decision to sign on as a lifeguard?
I was on vacation with my family in 1972 and met one of the guards. Crew Chief Mark McCleskey was stationed at 43rd Street and aftertalking to him during that week, I thought what a great job this would be and he encouraged me to try out. My father also worked with a man in Baltimore whose son, Greg Pittman, was on the Patrol. I went back to Parkville and my mother signed me up for a senior lifesaving class at Woodcroft pool. The next summer when I was 15 (no age requirement back then) I tried out, but being a runner (I ran track at U of M in college) I was not as fast as the competitive swimmers and they only needed a few guards so I was not hired. I went back to Baltimore and got a job at the Cromwell Bridge Road Holiday Inn as a pool lifeguard. However, when I returned to OC that same summer on the family vacation, I checked in with Captain Craig and since they now had an opening he asked one of his lieutenants to give me the test. It was during the beginnings of a Nor’easter and based on my never quit attitude, I was hired. I was on a stand the next day and had my first rescue at the inlet. My family returned to Baltimore and I remained in OC on my own at 15. My mom tells me she cried the entire way home. It was many years later that Mark McCleskey would reappear back in my life when his son Parker joined the Junior Beach Patrol.
Another interesting turn of events was that my high school track coach and mentor, Don Wann, who had also graduated from Parkville High School, attended University of Maryland on a track scholarship and returned as a physical education teacher to Parkville (I followed the same path), would retire, move to Ocean City and work for me on the patrol.
Do many recruits join the OCBP for similar reasons?
Yes, most (90 percent) are recruited by current or past members of the Patrol. Many tell me that they have been coming to OC their entire lives and always looked up to the guards and wanted to be Ocean City lifeguards. We call them surf rescue technicians or SRTs.
What qualification testing is done for potential recruits?
Because of the unique demands of the job, the Beach Patrol does not require or recognize certification of past experience with other agencies. All individuals seeking employment with the Ocean City Beach Patrol must successfully complete all aspects of a 10-phase pre-employment physical skills evaluation and pass an English language verbal comprehension/proficiency test. They must successfully complete: a 500m swim (off-site) or a 400m ocean swim in 10 minutes or less, a series of simulated rescues with and without the aid of a rescue buoy, a deep-water physical skill evaluation of holds and releases, a victim transport training session and victim removal test, a buoy preparation training session and mock buoy-runs, a rescue medley of 150m run and a 100m swim through the surf and 150m return run (on-site). Each applicant must complete a candidate questionnaire and actively participate in an informational interview with beach patrol staff. The final step is an interview with the beach patrol captain after receiving a recommendation from the interview committee to be given an appointment to the Surf Rescue Academy.
How long into your involvement with the OCBP did you come to realize that you and the beach patrol could develop a decades-long relationship?
As I was in high school, I needed to decide what I wanted to do in life. After considering police work, joining the Marines or college, the Marine recruiter who had gotten close to me said, “If you go to college and don’t like it we will still take you, so give college a try.” (Captain Arbin attended college and afterwards entered the teaching profession. – S.B.) I knew being an educator would allow me to have summers off….I now warn recruits that if they don’t want to be teachers they probably should not get involved with the Patrol.
How have the training and work responsibilities of the OCBP’s surf rescue technicians evolved over the years of your involvement?
The basic job has not changed much at all: watch for people in trouble, run as fast as you can to that area, swim out with a buoy (flotation device), make contact and keep them calm, return them back to safety, run back to the stand and be prepared to do it all again. However, the training and organization have changed tremendously. When I started I tested on day one and was on a stand the next. Now we have 8 days at the Surf Rescue Academy where all training and certifications take place, followed by 3 weeks of on the stand supervised probation. We also have advanced certification as well as a leadership development program. There is also a very objective supervision and evaluation program to assure that all of our employees are progressing as expected.
What does the training at OCBP’s Surf Rescue Academy entail and what goes into the probation period that follows graduation?
As we do not require any certifications or prior experience to work as a surf rescue technician, we include everything needed to be successful in the 65 hours at our Surf Rescue Academy, over 8 days. During these 8 days there is a combination of physical training/skills, classroom instruction and on the job training with an experienced supervisor. Following the 8 days, the PSRT (probation SRT) is assigned to a crew for “supervised probation on a stand. Each week, for the 3 weeks of “supervised probation,” the crew chief will provide written feedback to each PSRT in the crew. This will include an evaluation of how they are doing on various aspects of the job, a recommendation on areas for improvement and a goal that has been written by the PSRT. This information is then passed to the next supervisor to assure that the PSRT is making adequate progress towards the goal of being removed from probation and becoming an SRT 1. (This includes a pay increase.)
Those seeking to return to the patrol have to recertify every year. Tell us about this.
There are two aspects to veteran recertification. First is requalification. All returning SRTs must requalify on both the timed 400 meter run followed immediately by the 500 meter run. They must meet the same requirements as a candidate trying out for the first time and I personally time every requalification and will not allow even a 1 second failure to continue guarding.
Second aspect is recertification/retraining. All certifications are updated which include first aid, CPR, AED, critical skills in search and recovery, sand collapse, management of spinal injuries as well as other topics determined to be emphasized that season.
This is done in a single day and is scheduled in groups of 18-20 while still maintaining full coverage of the beach.
Teamwork and personal responsibility are essential for OCBP’s surf rescue technicians. Please speak to this.
Candidates are told during testing that they are being judged on teamwork and encouragement of each other. We work in crews which are like smaller family units (20 crews) with 7-8 members. They are expected to do what is right even if they think no one is watching (integrity) and to always uphold our high standards. Each is the backup for the SRT next to him or her.
The SRTs interact with all sorts of people. How does the patrol help them to develop the necessary communication skills?
We start working on this during the testing and we train and practice this during SRA and we include this on the PSRT evaluations. We actually have them practice presenting to each other during SRA. Once placed in a crew, the crew chief will have them assist during safety seminars and give them feedback. If they are going to work with any of our youth programs they are required to attend a specialized training and certification.
What physical training is required of SRTs during the patrol season?
All SRTs are required to complete their crew’s designed workout for the day, alternating running and swimming workouts. We also have competitions throughout the season (local, regional and national). We also have competitions specific to women and youth. By using competition to motivate our staff, they work out on their own (without pay), yet it benefits the Patrol.
This helps the SRTs to remain alert and focused while on the stand, yes?
Working out does keep you alert. We also give many tricks and tips to help stay alert on the very slow days (cold and rainy). We have a policy that anytime a Beach Patrol mobile unit passes behind the stand that SRT must stand to acknowledge that he or she saw the vehicle. If the SRT fails to stand then we can do a closer check. The most critical skill that an SRT has is the scan (looking north and south and then all around).
What else is incorporated into the work day to ensure that SRTs are at their best?
They are expected to get off the stand several times and do ordinance checks from the stands to their north and south. They also are seen by both the crew chief and area supervisor several times each day. They have other tasks that they must do each day: semaphore, working out, filling out the chalkboard on the back of the stand, moving the stand and building a sand pile.
In August 2015, the patrol had a very busy two days rescuing people from rip currents. Tell us about this.
Perfect storm…tides, surf, wind, weather, crowds. We had a tropical depression in the Atlantic Basin which caused larger than normal waves. We had some wind (helps waves to build in size), a midday outgoing tide, and we had large crowds all wanting to be in the ocean.
With all this water coming across the sandbar being trapped in the “trough” it must make its way back out, which is the mechanism for a rip current.
In OC, MD 95 percent of our rescues are rip current related.
Once we start seeing this trend, we will pull everyone out of the ocean, have the SRTs call the beach patrons on their beach over to the stand, and give a “safety talk.” This does two things. It educates the people and also stops all the action and allows us to reset.
What is a typical number of rescues for the patrol in a beach season?
We say 2,000–4,000. However, if we have little tropical activity we are at the low end; if it is a busy tropical season we are near the higher number. Because of our increased efforts at public education, we are seeing a more informed public which has reduced the number of rescues while on duty, but even more important is there are many fewer deaths while we are off-duty.
Parent distraction is a safety issue. Please speak to this as a reminder for parents to keep their eyes on their kids while near any body of water.
People are relaxed on vacation and things are more flexible. What we see quite often is that each adult thought another one was watching and the child has wandered away before the adults realized it. Although we have lost individuals from 1 year old to 90 years old, most are 4–10. What parents don’t realize is that to children all umbrellas look alike and once they are past the “berm” (high spot before the beach slopes to the ocean), they can’t see where they just came from. Also, add in that the current will move people along the beach and that they may exit the water far from where they entered. Once children realize they are lost they start the walk of fear, usually walking with the wind to their backs. We have located children as young as 4 years old many miles from the family. Children should be introduced to the SRT on their beach so they know that the lifeguard is a safe person and they should go to them if they can’t find their family.
Each SRT is trained in dealing with lost or found individuals. A lost individual is the person a family member reports as missing and a found individual is when we have the person who is missing. A very important part is keeping parents calm and with one of the SRTs, otherwise we locate the child and now have missing parents. The SRT will get very basic information from the parent (name of child, age, color of bathing suit) and send this up and down the beach using semaphore (the flag language used to communicate between stands). Most children are located within 5–10 minutes once we have been alerted. In addition to semaphore, the information is radioed to the 911 center.
We locate between 1,000–2,000 missing individuals each season, with a 100 percent success rate. Dads lose more children than moms.
What causes most spinal injuries in beach areas?
The three major causes are diving into shallow water, body surfing, and body boarding. We always say feet first, as a reminder to check the water depth with your feet not your head. Another very dangerous time is during “shore break” activity. Shore break is when the waves continue to build in size and strength and only break once they arrive onto the beach rather than breaking over a sandbar into a deep trough. The person who is riding that wave is thrown headfirst onto the beach. We call this going over the falls…wet sand is no more forgiving than concrete. If hit wrong it can cause a serious neck or back injury or even death. When riding a body board, you need to remain on the rear half and if you are getting ready to go over the falls you can go off the back of the board and prevent being slammed.
How do the SRTs deal with possible spinal injuries?
Because of the unique nature of a spinal injury in the surf zone the method used in a pool or lake (backboard before removal) will not work and has the potential to make the injury worse.
By working with emergency doctors, we have modified a technique developed in Hawaii. Our method has been continually refined over many years and uses the SRTs to act as a human backboard to remove the injured person from the surf while maintaining stabilization on the head, neck and back until we can lay the person down away from the moving water. Once in this position, we maintain stabilization until a paramedic does an assessment and determines what is the appropriate treatment.
We know from feedback from past patients as well as medical professionals that our technique not only works but has successfully allowed people whose injuries were life threatening to not only live but to walk again.
We not only train and practice for our personnel but we have shared this technique with many other lifesaving organizations. Several years ago, we trained workers at the National Aquarium in emergency response that would be needed should employees be injured while working with large mammals. The training was conducted in one of the National Aquarium’s large tanks.
Most people aren’t aware that the OCBP is involved with marine mammal rescues. Please tell us about this.
Because of our presence on the beach it is highly likely that a stranding of a marine mammal may occur during our on-duty hours. For this reason, each of our staff have a first responder overview of what to do as well as what not to do if a stranding occurs in his or her area of the beach.
One of the requirements to be certified for a supervisory position, is that each person must complete the full marine mammal rescue training. This assures that during a response we have a more highly trained individual on the scene who can assist the National Aquarium with determining the best course of action for the particular stranding. This advanced training is taught by staff from the National Aquarium and includes a manual and an end of course exam.
What events during your service with the OCBP have been the most gratifying?
…meeting my wife Penny in Ocean City, my son Michael working for the patrol, and watching the SRTs during a serious situation all knowing their parts and doing exactly as expected.
Although it is not an official part of our mission, we change lives and I get to see individuals grow and do great things.
I was invited to see one of our past crew chiefs, Matt Maciarello, be robed as the youngest Circuit Court judge in Maryland.
One of our guys came to us as a high school dropout and was very close to being terminated. But with the discipline of the Patrol, returned to college and received a PhD in physiology. He is now a professor at Miami University.
What events have been the saddest?
The preventable loss of life. Each year for 3 years in a row, a parent died while attempting to rescue a child that the parent had allowed to go swimming while guards were not on-duty. In one case, the father and one of his daughters drowned while another was saved with CPR over an hour and a half after lifeguards had gone home for the day.
In another case, the mom gave in and allowed her 2 sons to swim just 20 minutes before we came on-duty. When they started to yell for help she did what any mother would have—she went in the ocean to help. She drowned.
In the 3rd case, a family was on the inlet beach when the two oldest sons were pulled away from the beach in a rip current. The father went to help but drowned in the attempt. The 2 boys were picked up by a passing boat and survived. All of this occurred while the wife and mom sat on the beach with an infant in her arms and a 2-year-old crying for her attention as she watched what was happening. Once she realized what had happened she just collapsed into my arms sobbing.
What do SRTs find most challenging about their work?
Uncooperative adults who try to hide things from the SRTs. The SRTs have a lot to do, including not only watching the 1,000s of people on their beach but also enforcing ordinances and laws. Yet, grown adults will play games of trying not to abide by the laws and this causes the SRTs to spend too much time trying to get these adults to do what they are supposed to do.
Another issue is staying alert on days when no one is on the beach. It is a very long day if there is nothing to do or look at.
What do SRTs most enjoy about their time on and off-duty in Ocean City, MD?
The fellowship of the other members of the crew and Patrol. For many of our people these become lifelong relationships.
They also enjoy working out and playing sports.
You work year-round. (Captain Arbin has another job outside of patrol season.) Do you ever vacation and can you enjoy a beach in a “civilian” mode when off-duty?
A very sore subject with my wife of 38 years. We never went on a honeymoon and have only taken one family vacation to the Bahamas. However, we do go on a work and witness mission trip each year.
I can enjoy the beach…but I always have a heightened level of awareness when on the beach, unless I am napping in the warm sun!!!
If you had it to do all over again, would you hesitate for a moment to submit an SRT application to the OCBP?
Not for half a second….It has been an incredible 46 years and it has shaped, to a large extent, the man I have become.
Brandywine Native Garden Hub, a new online resource designed to inspire gardeners of all levels and skillsets. Photo by Mark Gormel
The Brandywine Conservancy is thrilled to announce the launch of the Brandywine Native Garden Hub, a new online resource designed to inspire gardeners of all levels and skillsets. The Brandywine Native Garden Hub is a free, user-friendly website that serves as both an educational guide and an interactive database for anyone interested in incorporating native plants into their landscapes. Naturally occurring in a specific region without human intervention, native plants have adapted to the climate and soil over time, making them easier to grow and maintain, plus they directly benefit pollinators, wildlife, and the local ecology. With the Brandywine Native Garden Hub, users can search for and learn more about native plants specific to Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, save their favorites to personalized “Garden Boards,” and browse through a suite of educational resources to help enhance their gardening success.
Now available at www.NativeGardenHub.org, the Brandywine Native Garden Hub contains information on more than 250 native plant species found in our region. Each plant profile contains everything you need to know about the plant—from growing conditions to key attributes and wildlife benefits—along with photos that show different growth stages. Users can also personalize their searches by filtering for plants according to their garden’s specific growing conditions, including sunlight exposure, soil type, and soil moisture. Plants can even be sorted by the user’s preferred attributes and benefits, including plant type, height/width, peak bloom time, bloom color, deer resistance, fragrance, and more.
To help visualize and plan their dream gardens, users can create a free account to build personalized “Garden Boards” that are customized to their unique growing spaces. Boards can be curated for the spaces users currently have, the type of gardens they are looking to start—such as a container garden for smaller spaces or one designed to attract specific pollinators—or even boards for future garden inspiration. Once users set up their boards, they can “pin” their favorite plants while browsing to save them for building out their garden plans. Users can also add, edit, and create as many Garden Boards as they’d like, which can be referenced at any time on both desktop and mobile devices.
To equip users with even more tools for success during their gardening journeys, the Brandywine Native Garden Hub also features a wealth of educational resources. Users can dive into the beginners guide for getting started with native plants or browse through other articles, including topics on how to prep a container garden, tackling invasive species, and seasonal gardening tips. Additional articles will be published throughout the year for continued learning.
For more than five decades, the Brandywine Conservancy has been a trusted leader in growing and promoting the use, preservation, and appreciation of native plants. The Brandywine Native Garden Hub is the latest extension of this work, providing a digital platform to help gardeners bring the benefits of native plants to their own landscapes. To start your journey with native plants, visit www.NativeGardenHub.org.
