Let's all give thanks and pray for dead deer

No school today in State College, and the municipal offices are closed. Why, you ask? First day of deer season. And what better way to prepare than a special prayer service for hunters. From today's Centre Daily Times:

LIVONIA — The night before the hunt, the men gather inside the small, two-door chapel to tell jokes, pray and sing.

The Penns Valley Men's Chorus at the "Hunters' Service" at the Grace Reformed Chapel in Livonia on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.

“These next several selections sort of reflect on that feeling of hunting camp being almost like paradise,” choir director Daniel Warntz told the audience of about 45 people gathered in the Grace Reformed Chapel.

Then the 18 members of the Penns Valley Men’s Chorus — many dressed in camouflage gear or orange jackets — sang “Walk to Jerusalem.”

The swallows return to San Juan Capistrano (State College version)

For the last three years, Penn State has struggled with a massive crow problem, which I've documented in the past here and here. Well, turns out the problem is still around, even as the greatest minds of the university have struggled with how to defeat the nasty varmints.  Last year's efforts included the use of fireworks known as "bird bangers" (I kid you not). The lead story in today's Centre Daily Times details the new efforts underway.

Stay tuned and I'll be sure to give an update on the plan's success.