Kudos to readers of my column, “There Used to Be a Barn Here.” I enjoyed your emails as well as your comments. I always read the comments. Most of you wouldn’t know that, but I do read you faithfully. No, … Continue reading
There’s a sweet, sentimental song by Frank Sinatra called “There Used To Be a Ballpark.” It’s a touching lament, remembering things from our youth that aren’t there anymore. Written by songwriter Joe Raposo, it evokes old ballparks no longer there. … Continue reading
Note: This article was originally written in 2009. The star of the article, 3-year-old Abigail Joy, just graduated from Grove City College a few weeks ago! Check out the two photos below to see Abigail with her father, the author … Continue reading
I was struck by recent news of the death of Ted Turner, who died at age 87. Turner was an odd individual, in his mannerisms, his speech (he was dubbed “The Mouth of the South”), his silly if not outrageous … Continue reading
Karl Marx did not have a high opinion of his two sons-in-law. “To hell with both of them!” he thundered. Marx was a miserable man with a miserable view of his fellow man. He considered his two sons-in-law to be … Continue reading
Donald Trump’s Truth Social post against Pope Leo two weeks ago was unprecedented in the history of the presidency and papacy. Things have cooled down since then, with President Trump pulling back on his criticisms of the pontiff. Nonetheless, a few of … Continue reading
We had an unusual situation here in the prodigious arts and theatre metropolis of little Grove City, Pennsylvania. For the first time ever, our talented theatre programs/directors at both Grove City College and Grove City Christian Academy chose the same … Continue reading
Welcome to the holiest week of the year. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. In my church as well as some others, the Palm Sunday reading is the Passion narrative. This year, it’s Matthew’s Gospel, sections 26:14-27:66. I’m always shaken … Continue reading
Pope Leo XIV has been issuing frequent prayers for peace in the Middle East. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Popes pray for peace. If the presiding pope isn’t pleading for peace, then he’s failing in a basic papal duty. The … Continue reading
I’ve been in academia long enough to remember the dark days of presidential rankings by groups like Political Science Quarterly and the New York Times. These “surveys,” particularly the one done by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., made you want to … Continue reading
Mott Street, New York—Walking this iconic street that runs through the Little Italy section of New York City on a recent Sunday afternoon, I was struck by an array of images and ironies, some of them beautiful, others not so. … Continue reading
I was quite saddened late last evening to learn of the death of my friend Michael Reagan, the oldest son of Ronald Reagan. Mike was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman (their first child was daughter Maureen) shortly after … Continue reading
I recently had a strange, sad experience while watching an old movie with the family. Most Saturday evenings, the Kengor abode delights in what we call “Family Movie & Snack Night.” The missus—my lovely Susan—lays out a cornucopia of exquisite … Continue reading
Last week in the auditorium of Grove City College’s Technological Learning Center, I joined a small group of students and outsiders who watched a film together in stunned silence. It’s a film they will never forget. The movie is about … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at The American Spectator. “The blood of the martyrs,” said Tertullian, “is the seed of the Church.” Charlie Kirk led a movement, a conservative movement, not a church. We all know … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Growing up in Butler, Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s, I surely at some point must have encountered a book titled Butler, but it would have been at the town … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The world is watching every word and move of the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost. I say formerly because, as … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I was recently sent a podcast conducted by two of my favorite thinkers: Bishop Robert Barron and Michael Knowles. It was a wide-ranging discussion of theology, philosophy, politics, culture, and film, prompted … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I was saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Tony Dolan, who passed away at age 76. Tony was the chief speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan in a “speechwriting … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Our 2024 Reagan film received widespread acclaim from moviegoers (albeit not from ideologically motivated critics) for the roles rendered by several key actors. They included Dennis Quaid as Reagan, David Henrie as young Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller as … Continue reading
