In this episode we welcome 2025 in by taking a short journey through my trusty Baer's Agricultural Almanac. We take a look at long range forecasts for the year, major anniversaries happening, and some humorous stories as well.

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In this episode I welcome Eve Allen on to the front porch. Eve is the program director for the Northeast Bioregion at the Ecological Health Network. We discuss her work on improving the supply of native seeds and plants to support ecological restoration, her travels, and the importance of the human connection to our ecosystem.

To learn more:

Ecological Health Network

Cultivate the Wild

Follow Eve on Instagram: @cultivatethewild

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We go international this month as we welcome my good friend, Norman Jung, from Steinbach am Glan, Germany, on to the Front Porch. We discuss the wisdom and life lessons instilled in Norman by his grandparents, his study abroad in Arizona, and his work with the Pennsylvania Dutch culture from his side of the Atlantic. We end with our classic 10 quick questions.

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In this episode I invite award winning chef, Jeremy Nolen onto the front porch. We discuss his lifelong affair with food and his particular love of German cuisine. We also discuss his newest endeavor of offering tours to germanic Europe that are all food and drink focused. He also offers some advice for all of you foodies and home cooks out there!

Get Jeremy's book: New German Cuisine

Check out his new tour company: Savor Germany

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In this episode I welcome Tyler Barth, Principal of Robb Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, on to the front porch. We discuss his childhood that was heavily influenced by both his parents and his grandparents. We also discuss why he went into education, his transition from the classroom to the principal's office, and how he builds and maintains a culture of caring and excellence in his building.

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In this episode I welcome friend and colleague, Len Rutecki, onto the front porch. Len is the autism teacher at my school and we discuss all things autism from what it is to how he works with his students. We also discuss how Len uses his gifts and abilities to raise money and awareness for autism outside of school. Throughout his life he has learned one thing that he continues to challenge us all to do: be kind. [Originally aired April 01, 2023]

Learn more about Lenny Lifts!

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In this episode I welcome fellow PA Dutch instructor and friend, Ethan Rode, up on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up on a farm, his move to Canada to study linguistics and his recent work as an online instructor of the PA Dutch language.

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In this episode I continue the tradition of talking with some of my graduating seniors. This year I welcome Griffin Redmon, Sofia Dressler, Elise Cygan, and Emily Shetler onto the Front Porch. We discuss their time in high school, their accomplishments, their fears, and what they are most proud of. We close our discussion with our usual 10 quick questions.

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In this episode I welcome Tara Mondock up on the front porch. We discuss her childhood in Florida, her sojourn to college in western North Carolina, and her work with the Extension Office at the Pennsylvania State University. We then turn our discussion to her experience as an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star and their main charity: the Service Dog Project. We close the discussion with our 10 quick questions.

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Learn more about the Susquehanna Service Dogs.

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In this episode I welcome Dr. William Donner onto the front porch. Bill is currently the Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies at Kutztown University and is also the chair of the Anthropology and Sociology Department. We discuss his time living on a small Polynesian island in the pacific to his work studying and researching the Pennsylvania Dutch. We also talk about how he defines culture and just how do cultures evolve and how that evolution affects the identity of a culture.

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