Looking ahead: The 2021 Farm Show | Tuesday Morning Coffee

Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

Associate Editor Cassie Miller here with you for the remainder of the week while John is off.

Let’s dive right in!

Taking place in early January, the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show has helped the Keystone State kickoff the new year for more than a century.

In August, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the 2021 Farm Show would be held virtually in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, the Department of Agriculture released the much-anticipated schedule of events for the upcoming show, which includes agriculturally themed bedtime stories, STEM demonstrations and DIY projects and activities.

“We hope that this year’s virtual show can offer a whole new perspective on a beloved tradition,” Redding said in a statement. “We look forward to being welcomed into homes across the commonwealth as we Cultivate Tomorrow.”

• The traditional kick-off of each day with the National Anthem,
• 4-H demonstrations,
• Live ducking pond and beehive cams,
• A Cultivating Tomorrow panel discussion series,
• STEM demonstrations that can be recreated at home with kids,
• Culinary demonstrations,
• Veteran-farmer stories,
• DIY plant-based projects and activities,
• Segments about the history of Farm Show,
• Agriculturally themed bedtime stories. 

Live and pre-recorded events will be available on PCN and the Pennsylvania Farm Show Facebook page with more than 180 virtual exhibits held on the Farm Show website. 

Senate GOP leader proposes special panel to review the 2020 election in Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Hardison reports.

Also from Elizabeth: State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine stresses holiday caution as vaccine stock grows. 

Studies show that age, religion, politics impact LGBTQ acceptance Philadelphia Gay News reports.

On our Commentary Page this morning, John A. Tures writes that America must respond to cyber attacks from Russia and Colin McNickle discusses reshaping PASSHE. 

Despite a pandemic, it’s still the ‘season of giving.’ These Philadelphians say safely spreading cheer is more important than ever, the Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy reports. 

Dauphin and Cumberland County hospitals are among the latest to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, PennLive reports. 

New plant coming to Mountain Top will offer hemp-based plates, cups, cutlery, the Citizens-Voice reports.  

Pa. election officials are burnt out and leaving their jobs after 2020 ‘nightmare’, according to Spotlight PA.

PoliticsPA reports that the National Republican Congressional Committee is blasting Pa. Rep Conor Lamb for voting by proxy on the day Lamb announced the birth of his first child. 

Heavy Rotation.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the 1970 Christmas classic “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano, right? Check out this new take on the iconic song featuring Lin Manuel Miranda, Jason Mraz, Shaggy, Michael Bolton and more.

For music junkies craving more, check out the history of the song and learn more about Feliciano in this NPR story from last week. 

All the best,
Cassie Miller, Associate Editor