Weekend America

Remembering JT Wroblewski

In 2004, Second Lieutenant JT Wroblewski was killed in Ramadi, Iraq, along with 11 other Marines. This Memorial Day weekend, JT's parents, John and Shawn Wroblewski, will be riding with the Nam Knights, a Vietnam veterans' motorcycle club. The ride is part of a tribute for JT. And even so, John Wrobewski wanted to do more, so he traveled to Iraq to learn about what his son's life was like in the war. We asked John what he found.

Midwestern Nymphomaniacs

It's nymph-o-mania this week in the Midwest--Cicada nymphs, that is. Billions are about to emerge from a 17-year hibernation this summer, and people are wondering what to do about them. Weekend America John Moe guest host speaks to biologist Jenna Jadin about how to utilize this crunchy insect.

Sustainability

A (Continuing) Trek Through Yellowstone

Memorial Day weekend conjures up images of barbecues, picnics, and family road trips. Last week, Weekend America brought you independent producer Barrett Golding's unique biking road trip through Yellowstone and Teton National Parks with his friend Josef Verbanac. This weekend we bring you the conclusion to Golding's adventure.

The Dead on the Weekend Soundtrack

We've been asking you what songs ring in the weekend. It could be playing in your CD player or MP3 player or even in your head. This week we hear from listener Melanie Hudak of Garner, N.C., about what music makes her feel grateful.

A Different Sense of Things

On the island of Martha's Vineyard, Marcia Smilack is probably spending her weekend photographing reflections on the water. Marcia does that a lot -- she tries to capture not just what she sees, but what she hears, smells and feels. Smilack has synesthesia, a neurological condition that affects the senses. It causes people to have some odd experiences: they might see the color blue when they see the letter A, or hear chimes when looking at a picture. Nabokov, Kandinsky, and Miles Davis are believed to have had synesthesia. Independent Producers Ann Heppermann and Kara Oehler spend a weekend with Smilack, trying to sense what she senses.

Celebrating The Duke

There's a huge birthday part going on in Winterset, Iowa, today for John Wayne. He's much as an icon as an actor. Today he would have been 100 years old. Even though he's not around to enjoy in the festivities, his impact has been long-lasting. Weekend America's Pat Loeb brings us the story.

Lullabies from Around the World

Some people count sheep and others drink a glass of warm water. Others listen to lullabies. Masguda Shamsutdinova is compiling lullabies from around the world to help her patients get some shut eye. Independent Producer Jeff Rice brings us the story from Seattle, Wash.

At Home on the End of the Beach

Many people head out to the beach during Memorial Day, but what if your beach won't stay put? Producer Eve Troeh takes us to Dauphin Island in Alabama, where four major storms, including Katrina, have washed away many homes.

Music from the Frontlines

To The Fallen Records is a label that exclusively records musicians in the military. The music is uncensored and raw. The first compilation Fallen has released is hip hop, and the next will be a rock and country compilation. Weekend America Guest Host John Moe speaks with co-founders Sean Gilfillan and Sidney DeMello from Providence, R.I.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Good News, Bad News, No News

Our panel of non-experts review the week's events in a parlor game to gauge what kind of week America had. Weighing in this week is Yale literature professor Amy Hungerford; Detroit Free Press writer Desiree Cooper; and essayist, journalist and actor David Rakoff.

A Visit to the Spoleto Festival

This week the Spoleto Festival kicked off in Charleston, S.C. The festival highlights performers in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Weekend America Guest Host John Moe speaks with one of the performers, Sekou Sundiata, and asks him about the poem he will be reading this weekend.

Stories about "Taps"

Mike McCann is a pretty ordinary 14-year-old. He's in 8th grade in Upton, Mass. Except that, sometimes on schooldays, while his classmates are in algebra or P.E., Mike stands coffin-side and plays "Taps" at military funerals. It all started a few years ago when he played the traditional military song at his grandfather's funeral. His grandfather served in World War II. After Mike finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.When he learned there is a shortage of brass players to perform taps live at military burials, her stepped up to the task.

Butch Hancock and the Rio Grande

Butch Hancock is a sort of philosopher-in-residence. He is one of the founders of the band the Flatlanders and he now lives near the Mexican border just outside Big Bend National Park in Texas. When he's home he moonlights as a river guide. Weekend America's Michael May took a ride along the Rio Grande with Hancock.