Doug's Front Porch

In this episode I welcome Lara Thomas on to the Front Porch. We discuss Lara's childhood, being the daughter of two educators and a mother who instilled a love of genealogy in her. We also discuss Lara's work with the Berks County Association for Graveyard Preservation. Lara tells us about the great things that they do and what she has learned and experienced helping to take care of centuries old cemeteries in south-easte...

In this episode we welcome Dr. Francis (Frank) Redmon on to the Front Porch. Frank is currently the superintendent of schools for the Keystone Central School District in Mill Hall, PA...and my boss. We discuss his childhood growing up the son of a Marine father and all of the many places that he moved to and lived in. We also discuss his path to becoming a teacher, a principal and finally to the role of being a superintendent. We d...

In this episode I welcome Scott Reagan onto the Front Porch. We discuss his childhood that was immersed in all kinds of music, his undergrad work in German and his graduate work in ethnomusicology. We also discuss his current work at Martin Guitar and writing and performing traditional and original PA Dutch language folk music. We close the interview out with our 10 quick questions.

Listen to Scott's PA Dutch Music!<...

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.

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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!

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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 ...

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.

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 evol...

In this episode I welcome Lew Bryson up on to the front porch. We discuss his journey from rural Lancaster county to his love of food and drink including his various publications about beer and whiskey. We close our discussion talking about his current podcast, Seen Through A Glass, and discuss the value and importance of eating and drinking locally.

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In this episode I welcome Richard Mammana on to the front porch. We discuss his multi-ethnic childhood growing up in Easton, PA. We also discuss his acamdemic journey of studying greek, latin, and church history. We close our conversation with a discussion about his current work of documenting colonial-era Pennsylvania Dutch tombstones and what walking hundreds of old cemeteries has taught him about life.

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In this episode I welcome Katy Bodenhorn Barnes up onto the front porch. We discuss her childhood in north Texas and her journey to college at BYU. We talk a lot about her current role as the Director of Genealogical Services at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. We close our conversation with some deep questions about the power of genealogy and how learning about your past can make you a better person.

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