Oh, My! A "When Swing Was King" Update

My, oh my; has it really been 16 years since we presented our first “When Swing Was King” program in a senior care facility?  Goodness. That first show was presented at Life Care Center where my Mom was then living. And it was intended to be an entertainment feature at a party we were throwing for Mom and some of the other residents who were her friends there. That’s right -- one simple party. So who could have ever guessed what would end up happening? For within 2 months of that party, and without any promotion on our part whatsoever, we were creating new shows and playing to audiences in a half dozen senior facilities. Before the year was out, we were at 12 facilities with brand new shows every month.

And doing it, as we do now, completely free of charge.

We have now presented...drum roll, please...over 1,900 shows with each always-unique presentation made up of 12 songs, a couple hundred striking photos, and an informative and fun commentary backing it all up. We are freshly amazed at what the Lord has done. And we absolutely love the ministry it involves: creating each show from month to month, entertaining each audience (average numbers ranging from 12-40), and, because we go to the same facilities every month, establishing lively and inspirational friendships with so many people. Lord, thank You so much for “When Swing Was King.”

By the way, “outsiders” are always welcome and so you too can come along and find out just how fun and uplifting these events are. Claire posts the schedule on the Vital Signs Ministries website every month and we (and the senior residents themselves) would love to have you be a part.

By the way, you might find of interest the songlist for our June shows:

1) “Moonlight Cocktail” (Glenn Miller Orchestra with Ray Eberle & the Modernnaires)

2) “The More I See You” (Al Martino)

3) “I’ve Heard That Song Before” (Harry James Orchestra with Helen Forrest)

4) “Nevertheless, I’m In Love with You” (The Mills Brothers)

5) “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” (The Andrews Sisters)

6) “Blue Skies” (Benny Goodman Orchestra with Art Lund)

7) “You’re Driving Me Crazy” (Guy Lombardo Orchestra with Kenny Gardner)

8) “Twilight Time” (The Platters)

9) “Sh-Boom” (The Crew-Cuts)

10) “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” (Mitzi Gaynor)

11) “Mr. Meadowlark” (Ted Weems Orchestra with Perry Como)

12) “Swingin’ on a Star” (John Scott Trotter Orchestra with Bing Crosby & the Williams Brothers)

Denny Remembers Quint Coppi

The history of Vital Signs Ministries has been a long, challenging, and eventful one yet, by the grace of Almighty God, we have experienced remarkable victories and blessings along the way. And in almost all of the adventurous years of VSM’s Christ-centered pro-life ministry, Quint and Carol Coppi performed the most steadfast, winsome, and absolutely invaluable service. Carol has been enjoying her heavenly reward for 4 years now but Quint only joined her in the presence of Jesus last week. With his death, an important chapter of Vital Signs’ story has closed, but the effects of his and Carol’s influence (and prayers) will continue until the Lord’s upward call comes to the rest of us who so eagerly await it. 

Claire and I join the Coppi family (and scores of other believers who are Quint’s and Carol’s friends and colleagues) in mourning their passing, in cherishing memories of their purposeful lives, and because the Coppi’s eternal salvation is quite secure in that they had trusted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for their sins, we join also in the celebration of their new adventures with the Triune God, the angels, and all the redeemed saints who have gone before.

I first met Quint and Carol when I was asked to speak at the church they were then attending, Prince of Peace. That was sometime, I believe, way back in 1984. They both took the Lord’s call to pro-life activities very seriously -- and very quick. They joined us in peaceful protests of abortion, in sidewalk counseling as we attempted to minister to young men and women with abortion appointments, in various educational outreaches such as the VSM information booth at the the Nebraska State Fair, a whole lot of prayer meetings, the founding of the AAA Crisis Pregnancy Center (now Assure Women’s Center), letter writing parties, field trips to such places as the National March for Life in Washington D.C., and more. In fact, Quint became a member of the Vital Signs Ministries Governing Board very early in our history where his tender-hearted encouragement, his wise counsel, and his willingness to be of whatever service was needed, proved his character as a genuine man of God who had embraced the mission.

And he served in all of these ways for many, many years. Wow.

Even in his old age when he moved to Florida to be with family, Quint continued to be a treasured member of our sidewalk counseling team by joining us in real-time prayer via telephone. Oh my, but everyone loved and admired and was grateful for Quint’s ongoing loyalty and fellowship.

But, in addition to our ministry partnership, Claire and I will forever cherish the Coppi’s joyful, thoughtful presence in the book club we formed. They were in fact present at the very first meeting of the Notting Hill Napoleons, a group of pro-life colleagues who gathered one evening every month to discuss classic literature. It was a unique fellowship that lasted over 30 years! And some of my most beloved memories of Quint come from the Napoleons’ weekend retreats we took every autumn at out-of-town B&Bs. He and I would get up very early on those mornings to have the most engaging and serious talks, encouraging one another spiritually and then praying over the Scriptures that had come up in our conversation.

Now Claire and I engage in a lot of social activities and we do an awful lot of home entertaining, but there were very few social affairs that Claire and I hosted over these last four decades in which Quint and Carol were not “star participants.” For instance, in kicking off the Christmas season where we host many dinner parties, the first invites always went to Quint and Carol. And I can’t remember an Epiphany evening in all those years they were not delighting us with their presence. Oh yes; one of the most wonderful of our parties was when we hosted Carol’s art show and sale -- what an exciting and delightful afternoon! Perhaps here is where Claire and I proudly boast that we have the largest collection of Carol Coppi art outside of Florida! 

Goodness, I mustn’t omit the truly outstanding trip that we took with Quint and Carol to London and its surrounding areas. It was fabulous fun planning it, fabulous fun experiencing it, and fabulous fun reminiscing about it for years afterward!

My, my; Quint and Carol are both sorely missed because we loved them so. And our lives were enriched beyond measure by their love and loyalty to us. It is in knowing, however, that they are both enjoying -- right this very moment -- the wholeness, the holiness, the happiness, and the harmony of being present with the Lord Jesus that brings comfort and excitement. We look forward with great anticipation to the day we will greet them on the streets of the New Jerusalem and re-boot the friendship.

Thank you, dear Father, for the gifts which were Quint and Carol Coppi. 

One more item -- As an added tribute to Quint Coppi, my dear brother in Christ, my friend, and my fellow-soldier in Christ’s service, I offer a link to a story I wrote years ago as a birthday present for him. It is a very short story whereby I took details from Quint’s childhood and turned them into the kind of adventure tale he had so loved as a kid. It is entitled “The Secret of Sagamore: A Christmas Mystery (A Quint Coppi Adventure written by Denny Hartford)” and will be posted for awhile on the Vital Signs Ministries website right here.

What's A.I. Saying About Vital Signs Ministries?

After a conversation with a friend lately about the increasing presence and influence of A.I. on all aspects of our lives, we decided to try a couple of experiments. We thought you might find the results of interest also.

Here’s the deal -- we asked an A.I. program to “tell us about” 1) Vital Signs Ministries, 2) “When Swing Was King,” 3) my novel “The Christmas Room,” and finally 4) Vital Signs Blog. Here were the answers...

Vital Signs Ministries

Vital Signs Ministries is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1982 by Denny and Claire Hartford. The ministry describes itself as “Christian activists in the service of ‘the least of these’” and operates with a core commitment to a comprehensive sanctity of life ethic. 

Here are the key aspects of their work:

Mission Focus: Their primary goals include preaching the gospel, making disciples, and serving others through education, direct action, intercession, advocacy, and fellowship. They are particularly known for their pro-life stance and efforts to promote a culture of life. 

Key Programs: Pregnancy Counseling: They established the AAA Center for Pregnancy Counseling to support women and families.

Sidewalk Counseling: They engage in prayerful, peaceful, and winsome sidewalk counseling at abortion facilities. 

Senior Outreach: They run the popular “When Swing Was King” ministry, which provides entertainment and companionship in senior care facilities. They also conduct Sunday services at local senior living communities like Aksarben Village. 

Media & Education: The ministry has produced radio broadcasts (“Vital Signs” and “Vital Signs Weekend”), maintains an active blog and social media presence, and hosts book discussions and film showings. Also, founders Denny and Claire Hartford have conducted thousands of speaking engagements across the U.S. and internationally. The organization remains active in 2026 continuing its long-standing work in Omaha and beyond through various outreach and educational initiatives.

“When Swing Was King”

“When Swing Was King” is a ministry program by Vital Signs Ministries designed to bring joy, memory stimulation, and social connection to seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The program features a live presentation that combines big band music from the 1930s and 40s (featuring artists like Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra) with a slideshow of 240–265 era-specific photographs depicting fashion, cars, military life, and daily life from that time.

Hosted by founders Denny and Claire Hartford, the show includes a DJ-style commentary that adds humor and historical context, followed by personal visits with residents to foster friendship. While primarily an entertainment outreach intended to combat boredom and lift spirits, it also serves as a winsome witness for the Christian faith, often opening doors for spiritual conversations and prayer. The program began in July 2010 as a single event for Denny’s mother but has grown to serve multiple facilities monthly.

“The Christmas Room”

Denny Hartford’s novel “The Christmas Room” is an inspirational Christian fiction story set within the walls of a nursing home, focusing on themes of faith, dignity, aging, and the enduring spirit of the elderly.

Plot Summary -- The story begins with Grace Trinisi, a woman in the ICU who is unaware that Christmas has passed. Her son, Tony, fulfills her wish to see a Christmas tree in her room, creating a small sanctuary of holiday cheer that becomes known as “The Christmas Room.” This space not only comforts Grace but also inspires the hospital staff. Grace survives her illness but is diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia, leading her son to move her to Villa Vista Care Community, an innovative nursing home. The Christmas Room travels with her, becoming a central, year-round fixture of the facility under the guidance of the visionary director, Carolyn Kovacs.

The narrative weaves together the lives of various residents and staff, exploring their struggles and triumphs. Key characters include: Clark Gritzner, the difficult son of a resident whose actions create a medical emergency for his wife, Mattie, and who hides a personal crisis; Carolyn Kovacs, the dedicated director who manages the facility's daily challenges, from lawsuits to expansion plans; Rita Costello: a nurse aide whose compassion leads to professional growth; and Ralph Yarborough, an elderly custodian whose heroic actions in a restaurant change the facility’s future.

The plot balances the day-to-day realities of long-term care with a mystery involving Clark Gritzner and a broader message about the value of every human life, regardless of age or ability 

Reception and Reviews -- The book has received a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon based on reader reviews. Readers and reviewers consistently praise the novel for its realistic and empathetic portrayal of nursing home life.

Emotional Impact: Many reviewers describe the book as “uplifting,” “heartwarming,” and “full of love.” It is noted for bringing tears and joy, resonating deeply with those who have cared for aging parents or worked in healthcare 

Educational Value: Several readers, including those working in senior care or studying for Clinical Pastoral Education, highlight the book’s ability to provide insight into the “blood, sweat, tears, and joy” of nursing homes. It is often recommended for training staff or helping families understand the aging process 

Spiritual Depth: As a work of Christian fiction, the story is praised for its exploration of faith, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. One reviewer noted it felt like “a bit of heaven in this cursed world.” 

Realism: While the setting is idealized, reviewers appreciate that it does not shy away from difficult topics like dementia, abuse, and family conflict, ultimately showing the potential for nursing homes to be places of dignity and community. One reviewer, a pastor, mentioned that while they initially wanted to deduct a star for the idealized nature of the facility, they awarded five stars because the book shows what nursing homes “can and should be.”

Vital Signs Blog

The Vital Signs Blog is the commentary platform for Vital Signs Ministries, a non-profit Christian organization based in Omaha, Nebraska. The blog is primarily written and curated by Denny Hartford, who co-founded the ministry with his wife, Claire, in 1982.

The blog and its content center around several core pillars:

1. Cultural and Political Commentary

Hartford writes extensively from a traditional Christian, conservative, and pro-life worldview. He frequently provides commentary on current events, local and national politics, and what he describes as the “culture wars.” This includes curating consistent roundups like “The Top 5 Plus,” where he highlights and critiques media articles on topics ranging from religious freedom to societal trends and geopolitics.

2. Pro-Life Advocacy

A major focus of both the ministry and the blog is anti-abortion advocacy. Hartford uses the blog to share insights on pro-life theology (such as analyzing biblical texts regarding the preborn), promote local activist events, and discuss political initiatives, particularly within Nebraska.

3. Literature and the Arts

Beyond politics and theology, Hartford frequently shares his personal reflections on classic literature, films, and history (he holds a master’s degree in history). He has a deep affinity for classic authors like Charles Dickens, Alexandre Dumas, and G.K. Chesterton, often drawing moral or spiritual applications from their works. He also runs a closely related secondary blog called The Book Den, which is dedicated more strictly to literature and popular culture reviews.

4. Ministry Updates and Community Engagement

The blog serves as a ledger for the ministry’s practical outreach programs. This includes updates on their “When Swing Was King” program (a multimedia big band music show they present at senior living communities and nursing homes) and their regular “letter-writing parties” aimed at advocacy and encouragement.

You can read his updates and commentary directly through The Blog - Vital Signs Ministries or follow his personal, ongoing posts at the standalone Vital Signs Blogspot.

Dr. Jefferson Wouldn't "Just Stand Aside"

From the late Dr. Mildred Jefferson, a highly acclaimed surgeon at Boston University, the first African-American woman to earn a degree from Harvard Medical School, and a co-founder of National Right to Life.

“Many people try to hide behind the confusion of not knowing what happens before a baby is born. But we do not have to be confused. We in medicine and science have a different name for every stage of the development of the baby, but it does not matter at all whether you know those names or not. When a young woman has not had much opportunity to go to school and she becomes pregnant, no one has to tell her that she is going to have a baby.

“I became a doctor in the tradition that is represented in the Bible of looking upon medicine as a high calling. I will not stand aside and have this great profession of mine, of the doctor, give up the designation of healer to become that of the social executioner. The Supreme Court Justices only had to hand down an order. Social workers only have to make arrangements, but it has been given to my profession to destroy the life of the innocent and the helpless.

“Today it is the unborn child; tomorrow it is likely to be the elderly or those who are incurably ill. Who knows but that a little later it may be anyone who has political or moral views that do not fit into the distorted new order? To that question, ‘Am I my brother's keeper?’ I answer ‘Yes.’ It is everyone's responsibility to safeguard and preserve life. A child is a member of the human family and deserves care and concern.”

“The Monstrous Crime of Abortion: An Old Testament Perspective.”

A careful look at Exodus 21:22-25 results in a profoundly important understanding of the Creator God's value of preborn human life. And though the passage has been repeatedly misused by those who seek to “soften” the crime of abortion, even explain it as excusable violence, Exodus 21:22-25 is actually a strikingly clear passage -- when translated correctly.

Indeed, the opportunity for pro-abortionists to misinterpret the passage is aided by poor translations of the Hebrew text. For instance, the original Wycliffe translation and the Douay-Rheims version of 1899 insert words into the passage that are simply not in the authentic Hebrew text. Instead of simply translating the Hebrew words, the scholars preparing both the Wycliffe and the Douay-Rheims versions made remarkable presumptions, laying down their own ideas rather than honestly transliterating the text as it stood. Their errors were quite serious in that they created for some readers of the Bible a false impression that the life of a child in the womb is not as valuable in the sight of God as the life of the mother. 

I print those poor translations below.

Wycliffe -- “If men chide, and a man smiteth a woman with child, and soothly he maketh the child dead-born, but the woman liveth over that smiting, he shall be subject to the harm (he shall be subject to a fine), as much as the woman’s husband asketh (for), and as the judges deem (appropriate). Soothly if the death of her followeth (And if her death followeth), he shall yield life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, sore for sore.”

Douay-Rheims 1899 -- “If men quarrel, and one strike a woman with child, and she miscarry indeed, but live herself: he shall be answerable for so much damage as the woman’s husband shall require, and as arbiters shall award. But if her death ensue thereupon, he shall render life for life. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

You can easily see how these versions suggest that the preborn baby’s life isn’t measured by the same standard as the mother’s. The passage thus mistranslated implies that if the child is harmed in a premature delivery caused by the men’s fighting, it is merely a cause for a fine. Only if the mother is harmed does the strict law of retribution kick in. Does such a conclusion fit in with other Scriptures that deal with the sanctity of prenatal life like Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:21, Isaiah 49:15, Job 31:15, Psalm 22:10, and so on? No, they don’t. Not even close. So, what is going on in Exodus 21:22-25?

As I suggested, the problem simply arises out of poor translations and, of course, the desire of certain people to minimize the seriousness immorality of abortion. Abortion advocates have thus sought to use this passage to claim the Mosaic law did not consider preborn boys and girls to be worthy of the same value as adults. But more authentic, more responsible translations present a much different case. 

Here, for example is the passage taken from Young’s Literal Translation: “And when men strive, and have smitten a pregnant woman, and her children have come out, and there is no mischief, he is certainly fined, as the husband of the woman doth lay upon him, and he hath given through the judges; and if there is mischief, then thou hast given life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

Let’s note a couple of important Hebrew words that are necessary for a full understanding of the passage. In the first case, the word translated “mischief” in Young’s version above is the Hebrew word “ason.” It means harm, hurt, injury. It is only used three other times in the Old Testament (Genesis 4:24, 38 and 44:29) where the word is used each time to describe Jacob’s fear that physical harm (including death) might befall his beloved son Benjamin. The second important word is one that isn’t here in the text at all. That is “lah,” the Hebrew word for woman. If God through Moses wanted to specify that only the woman’s life and health were to be protected by the law of retribution, He would certainly have used it here. But He didn’t. Rather, the statement is left open, meaning that lasting damage inflicted upon any innocent person must be paid by the law of retribution. An eye for an eye.

The natural application of the Hebrew text would be that if a premature birth occurs as the result of a pregnant woman getting between two fighting men -- but there follows no “ason” to either the mother or her children (the Hebrew here is a plural noun, broadening the application to twins or more) -- then the penalty is merely a financial one. However, if there is “ason” (again, injury, let alone fatality) to any innocent party, then the law of strict retribution is then applied. Rather than being a passage that undermines the value of life in the womb, a careful look at the authentic Hebrew text proves the exact opposite.

Let’s allow the Amplified Bible (another literally-based translation) to also weigh in here: “If men fight with each other and injure a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely and the baby lives, yet there is no further injury, the one who hurt her must be punished with a fine paid to the woman’s husband, as much as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall require as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”

But what’s the deal with the law requiring a financial penalty of the fight’s instigator -- even if the premature birth doesn’t seriously harm either the mother or her baby? The commentary by reformer John Calvin explains: “Since it could not fail but that premature confinement would weaken both the mother and her offspring, the husband is allowed to demand before the judges a money-payment, at their discretion, in compensation for his loss.”

But let’s not stop yet. Let’s hear a bit more of what Calvin said about this passage. It’s a good way to dismiss further the attempted twisting of the Scripture by pro-abortion liberals. Calvin writes that Exodus 21:22-25 might “at first sight seem ambiguous, for if the word death only applies to the pregnant woman, it would not have been a capital crime to put an end to the foetus, which would be a great absurdity; for the foetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother, is already a human being, and it is almost a monstrous crime to rob it of the life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man’s house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a foetus in the womb before it has come to light.”

“On these grounds,” Calvin continued, “I am led to conclude, without hesitation, that the words, ‘if death should follow,’ must be applied to the foetus as well as to the mother. Besides, it would be by no means reasonable that a father should sell for a set sum the life of his son or daughter. Wherefore this, in my opinion, is the meaning of the law, that it would be a crime punishable with death, not only when the mother died from the effects of the abortion, but also if the infant should be killed; whether it should die from the wound abortively, or soon after its birth.”

I hope this brief exposition helps those of you who may have (or someday will) come across people who try to pervert the true meaning of Exodus 21:22-25.

Shining the Light Through Letters: A Few Examples

Here are a few sample letters from yesterday’s 2 Vital Signs letter-writing parties...

Dear President Trump, 

I want to commend you for your tireless work on behalf of the American people in the areas of the economy, defense, immigration, law and order, and in many other ways. We so appreciate that you endure the continuous “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” from so many on the left. Thank you and keep fighting. You are prayed for daily.

You have done more for the pro-life movement than any president -- thank you. However, I do know you “signaled” compromise on the Hyde amendment and I needed to write with a strong encouragement for you to NOT concede anything to the Democrats on this critical matter. In addition, I urge you to push HHS Secretary Kennedy to ban the horrendously dangerous abortion pills. These are terrible for unborn babies, of course, but they also can be downright deadly for moms. Mr. President, you can cement your place as the “great defender of the defenseless” by pursuing these things with greater zeal. Thank you.

Again, we pray for you daily that you would seek God, hear His voice, and obey Him with courage, wisdom, and strategy. 

With great appreciation and respect, John Malek

Dear Congressman Flood,

I’m asking you to do all you can to support the House version of Senator Josh Hawley’s Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act. Mifepristone and misoprostol are both highly dangerous to women (though the truths about this has been carefully and maliciously hidden). At the very least, these drugs need to be stripped of their protection from American lawsuits from the harms (including death) they are causing to women.

Perly Schoville

Dear Senator Fischer,

Recently, a dear friend and neighbor who has been part of our crew that travels to Colorado every summer to hike a 14er, finally received his green card. This was after 10 years of waiting and praying and trying to do everything right! 

His case highlights the bizarre condition created by the Biden administration where illegals flooded into the United States in uncountable numbers -- illegal aliens that also included the most vile, barbaric, and anti-American criminals. Well, President Trump finally acted to stop that travesty and we, like almost all Americans, are deeply grateful to him. 

However, we now need to pursue the parallel action of ensuring justice AND America’s healthy future; namely, reducing the foolish, counter-productive red tape and ideological bias that keeps valuable, pro-American immigrants from making this country their legal and beloved home. Let’s get this done ASAP, okay?

Denny & Claire Hartford

Dear Vice-President Vance, 

I can’t thank God enough for your winning the election as our Vice-President. Your kind of leadership is what makes this country so richly blessed. And we pray that God continues to protect you and give you wisdom and courage for the task. The enemy of our soul is roundly defeated whenever we Christians put our faith and trust in almighty God. The key to God’s favor is to stay humble so He can pour out his blessings to all who respect Him. 

Love in Christ, Don Kohls

Governor Pillen,

I want to commend you for your continued support of pregnant moms and their unborn children. In addition, your advocacy for sane and fiscally responsible legislation is greatly appreciated. And finally, thank you also for working to keep men out of women’s sports. All of these things are deeply appreciated. With much respect,

John Malek

Dear Mr. Musk,

Thank you for all you have done to help fight fraud and corruption and wasteful spending. I know you took a lot of criticism and even endured great financial loss because of your patriotic service. I am so thankful for what you did with DOGE and all of the hard work and sacrifice since then. Please keep up the good work! Thank you.

Hope Golden

Dear Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,

Thank you immensely for your sincere, urgent, humble, real, and beautiful prayer on March 19th that you modeled for all Americans regarding our prayers for our troops. I thank the Lord that God has placed you in this position for this crucial time. May our Lord bless you richly and your service to our country. 

Sincerely, Debbie Pederson

To the staff at Immanuel Village, especially Vicky and Sammy,

Just a quick thank-you for your ongoing and ever delightful friendship to the ministry of “When Swing Was King.” It is such a delight to present the shows there and you girls are always so helpful and encouraging and fun to work with. We know your impact is profound in so many ways there, but we certainly are grateful for your services to us! 

(The card was signed by everyone at both letter-writing parties. In addition, there were several other letters or cards that were signed by the entire assembly.)

Dear Congressman Bacon,

A few points: 1) Please fight for the Hyde Amendment;

2)  Please co-sponsor the House version of Senator Hawley’s Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act and vigorously act in its behalf;

3) Please support the President’s bold moves against the drug cartels even as you fight the pernicious dangers of legalized marijuana here within our country.

4) Please support enthusiastically the SAVE Act and all other efforts against voter fraud. 

Denny and Claire Hartford

To CBS News, 

Your efforts to revitalize the network by cutting inefficient programs and staff and your move to bring CBS News away from orbiting solely around a liberal pole are to be heartily praised. Also, your recent expose of the massive hospice fraud in California was terrific. It was an excellent example of the type of quality journalism and healthy concern for American values that CBS News once exemplified. Way to go!

Denny and Claire Hartford

Dear Secretary Rubio, 

I’m so thankful that God has raised you up into this leadership position. I pray for you daily and I know He hears our prayers. May His Holy Spirit give you the wisdom and encouragement to navigate the crazy waters our nation has found itself in. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His light shine upon you and give you His peace. 

Don Kohls

Dear Justice Thomas,

We write with deep and abiding gratitude for the bold, brave, and wise leadership you have shown on the Court. Your efforts have, without a doubt, gone a long way in preserving American ideals -- for at least a while longer! Thank you so much!

As an encouragement I send along an inspirational poem by the pen of William Cowper.

Blessings, Denny and Claire Hartford, Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Department of Homeland Security,

We are so pleased to see the effectiveness of the new U.S. policies regarding illegal immigration. Way to go! However, I write to urge that the parallel action also become of grand importance; namely, easing the legal confusion and waiting times for welcoming all of those immigrants our nation DOES need -- people who love America’s historic ideals and want to be a part of our grand country!

Denny and Claire Hartford

Dear Mr. Sasse,

We are just two of the many, many people across the country who hold you in very high esteem and appreciation. We did so when you were one of our Senators here in Nebraska and we do so now with your impassioned, visionary, and wise counsel to Americans regarding politics, culture, family life, and the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you, dear brother. Stay the course for our Lord; our redemption draws nigh! 

Denny and Claire Hartford

Dear Mr. President,

Among the many things for which we are most grateful to are your steadfast, bold, and pro-American moves in our military and economy and border security. Thank you! We are also pleased that your efforts are succeeding in protecting American lives from the critical dangers of illegal drugs coming in from foreign thugs. But Mr. President, we are also aware that the culture is under grave danger from marijuana -- that extremely mind-numbing, soul-corrupting drug that is so much more powerful (and available) than the “flower power” days of my misspent youth. Please keep after that danger as well. 

Denny Hartford

Dear Mr. President,

The latest report reveals the heart-wrenching crisis of the persecution of Christians around the world. Indeed, that persecution is the most violent and widespread ever in the earth’s history and there looks to be nothing stopping it getting worse -- nothing unless the USA gets serious about interceding in behalf of those innocent people under the sword of harassment, terrorism, imprisonment, and murder. America’s intercession must include clear and bold speech from US leadership which will better enlighten (and warn) the world about what is happening. But the victims of persecution (and the cause of justice itself) also deserve U.S. intercession which uses our strategic positioning and economic might to punish the murderers and manipulators. 

Please, President Trump, use your influence to move ever forward America’s defense of freedom of faith and conscience around the world. Thank you so much!

Denny & Claire Hartford

Chemical Abortion -- An Open Letter

Dear Senator Fischer,

We’ve had a lot of talk about “nibbling around the edges” when it comes to the scourge of chemical abortifacients, particularly the widespread use of mifepristone (the powerful drug now responsible for the majority of abortions in the U.S.) but finally, Senator Hawley is directly addressing the primary issues with the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act. 

This bill seeks to rightly strip mifepristone of its longstanding approval from the Food and Drug Administration. After all, it is a profoundly powerful poison out that most barbarically kills reborn boys and girls as well as leaving women to face such severe complications as heavy bleeding, sepsis, and worse, usually without any genuine medical oversight. It is a lucrative business for abortionists, but a tragic and evil one.

As Senator Hawley emphasized, “Only Congress can address this situation. Only Congress is placed to regulate the flow of interstate drugs. Only Congress can withdraw the FDA’s approval rendered way back in the Clinton administration for this drug that has proved to be inherently dangerous and inherently prone to abuse. Only Congress can act. Congress should act. And we are here today to call on them to act.”

Senator Fischer, please join him quickly as a co-sponsor of the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act and work enthusiastically for its passage.

Thank you.

Some Suggestions for Christmas Inspiration

Looking for a bit of cheer and inspiration for now and for the 12 Days of Christmas coming up?

Why not check out the novel "The Christmas Room" and these 2 short stories, "Christmas on the Freedom Train" and "The Winter in the Woods."  You can find them here. 

Also, there's the intriguing (and free) compilation, "Making the Most of Christmas" which you can find on the Vital Signs Ministries website right here. There you'll find 43 pages with poems, quizzes, recommendations for reading and movies, devotionals, a link to free downloads of Patrick Osborne’s exquisite Winter Night CD, and more. Happy Christmas!

And finally, there's the 1/2 hour audio file of my reading of "The Christmas of the Talking Animals." That's right here.

Happy Christmas!

December's Goin' Just Fine!

With last Friday’s shows at Newport and Brookstone Meadows, Claire and I finished off an absolutely fantastic “When Swing Was King” Christmas season. And, in doing so, we tied a record -- 17 shows in all! Our presentations 2 two senior centers in Branson, 1 up in Tekemah, 1 at New Cassel, 1 “home show,” a special Saturday WSWK Brunch at our house, and then our regular schedule of 11 senior facilities. And, along the way, we enjoyed even more heartwarming conversations than usual with residents, family members, and facility staff. It was really tremendous. Thank You, Lord! 

And yet as beautiful and plentiful as were our “When Swing Was King” moments, there were many, many more highlights of the Christmas season in which we have been blessed beyond measure. Among those highlights -- listening to Andy Williams Christmas music while parked alongside Table Rock Lake outside of Branson with snow softly falling around us...Baking and decorating cookies and handing them out to friends and neighbors...In-person visits with my cousins and Claire’s brother besides our Tuesday Zoom conversations with my siblings...Profoundly Christmassy church services at Aksarben Village Senior Living...Giving away a lot of signed copies of The Christmas Room...Coffees and meals out with friends...Claire’s making our home a gorgeous Christmas atmosphere for reading, for music, for entertaining, for writing letters and cards, for living!...Cleaning snow off the drive and walks (our neighbor’s too)...Prayers and singing Christmas carols with fellow pro-life champions in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion business...And hosting (so far) a Brunch event and 3 dinner parties...with 7 more evening dinner parties and 1 big Christmas Day dinner to go! (That Christmas Day, by the way, will find 11 of us squeezed in here with a large and creative menu to meet our guests’ varied dietary restrictions based on health and/or religious background. (We have 4 internationals attending.)

So, you can see, because of these wonderful opportunities yet before us (and because we celebrate all 12 days of Christmas plus 12th Night and Epiphany, there remain for us plenty of Christmas blessings to come! Bring ‘em on!

"Why Protest Outside An Abortion Chamber?"

October was an unusual month for us and I share a few of those happenings in this edition of the Vital Signs Ministries news letter. But the primary feature of the letter is a brief essay which explains the 5 purposes served in a Christian's peaceful, prayerful protest of abortion chambers. 

Check it out at this link from the VSM website.

The Vital Signs Christmas Card Party!

VSM's Quarterly

Letter-Writing Party.

The 2025 Christmas Card Edition!

 Where and when?

On Saturday morning, November 22 at 10 at the Hartford home. Please let us know if you'd like to be a part of this festive, yet profoundly important, ministry.

The Targets

1) Brethren imprisoned for their faith in Jesus

We will create 3 Christmas cards for each of the 13 believers listed on the

Voice of the Martyrs website. We will divide the letter-writers into 3 groups on the morning of the brunch  with each group signing one of the 3 cards going to each prisoner. 

2) Other Prepared Cards

We will also have a few other cards that we will ask for everyone present to sign. For instance, we will be sending Christmas cards to certain activity directors in senior care facilities where we present “When Swing Was King,” thanking them for their assistance and encouragement. To have such cards signed by several people will be a special treat for them.

3) Advocacy

Take your pick of topics to address to political officials in the Senate and Congress and state: The sanctity of life? Religious freedom? Election integrity? Sexual sanity? Freedom of conscience, speech, and assembly? We will have some fact sheets and suggestions for you at the VSM brunch.

4) Thank-You Christmas Cards to the “Good Guys”

Take your pick. There are Christian ministries, political leaders, journalists, Christian schools, businesses that respect the Judeo-Christian heritage, and more. 

Denny & Claire Join Nebraska Right to Life at the State Fair

Earlier this week, Claire and I enjoyed once again the opportunity to help out Nebraska Right to Life by manning their information booth at the State Fair in Grand Island. We took the Monday evening shift and the Tuesday morning opening shift and, as always, we were honored to partner with the excellent pro-life champions of NRL. And an added blessing this year was having friends join us for the outreach – Ralph & Carolyn Tate on Monday night and Virgil and Becky Patlan for the Tuesday morning shift. That was great. 

Among the highlights of these shifts were a lot of wonderful conversations with teenagers -- teenagers from Nebraska Christian School, from a community of special needs kids in Hastings, several musicians from a variety of the high school marching bands who were at the Fair that day, from a nearby high school which was using the Fair as a field trip, and more. 

But we also had plenty of profitable visits with adults, including people wanting the free fetal models we were offering, Christians who wanted to come by and thank us for being there at the Fair, a number of curious vendors who had booths in the building, a goodly number who agreed to sign our petition urging Congress to completely defund Planned Parenthood ASAP, and many casual conversations with people who were drawn by our pro-life information, video, fetal models…and our winsome selves!

Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to serve You and the cause of “the least of these” through this important outreach. And please protect, encourage, and use for Your wise purposes all who will be serving at the NRL booth for the rest of this year’s State Fair.

Pro-Life Quotations? We Got a Bunch of 'Em!

Looking for a few striking and impressive pro-life quotes to grace your conversations, social media communications, and public presentations? Well, then you need to check out the remarkable lists of quotations that are on the Vital Signs Ministries website. As a matter of fact, you'll find three large groups of quotes on this VSM page -- enlightening and challenging quotes like these...

“The hairsplitting difference between formed and unformed makes no difference to us.  Whoever deliberately commits abortion is subject to the penalty for homicide.” (Saint Basil)

“When we consider that women are treated as property it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit.” (Pioneer feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton)

“It seems to me as clear as daylight that abortion would be a crime.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

“Abortion does not kill a potential human person, it kills a human person with great potential.” (Anonymous)

“Probably nothing has been as damaging to our cause as the advances in technology which have allowed pictures of the developing fetus, because people now talk about the fetus in much different terms than they did 15 years ago. They talk about it as a human being, which is not something that I have an easy answer on how to cure.” (Harrison Hickman, pollster for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League)

“The best decision I ever made was keeping my baby.” (Poet Maya Angelou)

“The Bible makes it clear that God sees the unborn infant not as a piece of superfluous biological tissue, but as a person created by Him for life.” (Billy Graham)

“Abortion kills the life of a baby after it has begun.” (1963 pamphlet by Planned Parenthood)

August's "When Swing Was King" Show Is (Once Again!) A Winner!

It is a busy and blessing-filled week for the “When Swing Was King” part of our ministry with 7 of this month’s 12 shows being presented this week. But we don’t want to be stingy on those blessings. Therefore, we post the August “When Swing Was King” songlist below as a teaser that might encourage you to drop into one of our shows this week or next. We would love to have you...as would the residents of the senior facilities where our shows have won so many hearts over the years. 

Here's what’s playing -- accompanied, of course, by about 240 remarkable photographs from the same years. It makes for a profoundly enjoyable and moving “sentimental journey.”

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra: “String of Pearls” (1942) 

2) The Andrews Sisters: “Begin the Beguine” (1945)

3) Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra: “Can’t We Be Friends?” (1935)

4) Andy Williams: “The Days of Wine and Roses” (1963)

 5) Eydie Gorme: “Hello Young Lovers” (1959)

6) Nat King Cole (Backed by the Billy May Orchestra): “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” (1964) 

7) Connie Francis: “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” (1960)

8) Perry Como (With the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and Chorus): “Patricia” (1950)

9) Benny Goodman Orchestra: “Here’s Love In Your Eyes” (1936)

10) Robert Goulet: “Gigi” (1962) 

11) Guy Lombardo Orchestra (Kenny Gardner, vocals): “Getting to Know You” (1951)

12) Fred Astaire (With the Johnny Green Orchestra): “The Way You Look Tonight” (1936)

Letter-Party Update (With Examples!)

A couple of days ago, the Vital Signs Ministries quarterly letter-writing parties were held at our home with 7 letter-writers in attendance at both the morning and evening editions. And beyond those present, there are a couple more concerned Christians who will be using our information to write letters themselves in the next few days. (And we sure hope you might join them Just let us know and we will send you the target sheet and the appropriate address list.)

Our targets this time around? Here’s the prepared list:

1)) To the President, Cabinet members, Senators, and Congress: Abortion Pill...F.A.C.E. Act... Persecution of Christians...Confirming Trump’s nominees...   Pursuit & prosecutions regarding RussiaGate...Getting out of the United Nations...Border policies...Lawlessness...etc.

2) To the President, Cabinet members, Senators, and Congress: “Attaboy” messages: thanks, encouragement, prayer reminders (and reminders of unfinished business)

3) To friends, pro-life heroes, Christian ministries, and others: “Attaboy” messages: thanks, encouragement, prayer reminders

4) To the Nebraska Attorney General: Opposing abortion pills, the effect of abortion pill “shield laws,” lawlessness, and 7-OH (“gas station heroin”)

5) To the Texas Governor: Appreciation and encouragement for redistricting actions

6) To Disney/ABC and Steve Harvey: Protest of Celebrity Family Feud

7) To Chip & Joanna Gaines: Protesting their promotion of same-sex “marriage”

8) To Fox News: Enough of the establishment media and “bikini body” stories

9) To companies retreating from DEI & LGBTQ foolishness: Good move (so far)

10) To Congress, Nebraska AG: “Gas Station Heroin”

And how about a few sample letters from our efforts? Here you go...

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you, President Trump for all the ways you are making America great again! However, I do want you to pursue further and faster getting rid of the FACE Act and stopping the distribution of the deadly abortion pill. In our ministry we are working hard every day to help moms and their babies and seniors who have been discarded by our society; we are asking you to please help us in that enormous but oh-so-critical mission. Thank you, Mr. President. CH

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

Thank you very much for opening an investigation into abortion pills. Unlike medicines which help diagnose, cure, or prevent disease, these pills kill innocent babies as well as endangering the lives and damaging the health of the mothers. Please continue to lead a thorough investigation to uncover and reveal the truth about abortion pills. As a Christian, I thank God for and pray for you. Thank you for seeing if the pills can at least be regulated if not banned. Thank you very much. Sincerely, IS

To Nate Grasz and the team at Nebraska Family Alliance who are continuing to fight the good fight,

Thank you is not adequate but, nevertheless, thank you for all you are doing to stand for righteousness in these days. God sees you as you honor Him. Thank you for continuing to seek Him for wisdom and discernment. He will continue before you, guide, and strengthen you as you serve Him. Thanks to His work through you, great things are happening in Nebraska. With love and respect. MR

Dear Tractor Supply,

I am so pleased that you changed your unfair DEI policies and got back to hiring people who are best at what they do. We have a Tractor Supply store near us and I will enjoy ending our boycott and going back to shopping there. Thanks again. Good move! CH

To Director Gabbard,

I want to thank you for your hard work in declassifying documents that demonstrate the high crimes that have been committed by our intelligence agencies against the American people and against President Trump. This is incredibly important work that you are doing and we can but imagine the fierce headwinds that oppose you -- spiritual and natural. I want you to know that I am very grateful and I pray for you regularly that you would have divine strategy and courage and guidance. I also pray that God will guard your heart soul and body. Regards, JM

Dear Disney/ABC,

Okay, so I do not watch your channels. Well, not since the days of Fess Parker portraying Davy Crockett anyway. And I suppose I still feel a bit disappointed because my sleeveless shirt didn’t fit the dress code of Disneyland back in 1968. However, it is now on grounds of morality that I will be speaking to family, friends, and fellow church members about the debased nature of your programs in recent years. I have cautioned folks before, but this most recent travesty was really over-the-top. I’m referring to the episode of Celebrity Family Feud in which profane innuendos were exchanged between the supposedly Christian host Steve Harvey and an all-transgender team who were trying to win money for prostitutes! Good grief! When I first heard of this, I figured it was some kind of spoof, something cooked up by SNL or the Babylon Bee. But alas, I discovered it was all too true.

And so, I will be encouraging my friends to drop ABC, drop Disney, drop any plans they might have had for your amusement parks and merchandise, and to pass the word along to others. Please reverse course. You have already shamed Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and all the rest by your bizarre actions, so please stop it. And reverse course. DH

Dear President Trump, 

I want to thank you for your tireless efforts in the many areas that you are trying to build back America, including fighting against the satanic influences that are staining and endangering our country. We pray for you and your entire cabinet that God will bless your efforts. I especially applaud your support of Israel since they are the most obvious indicator that God is in control of history and that His plan (as shown in the Bible) is heading towards its ultimate climax. God bless you and your family. Ephesians 2:8-9 JL

To the John Deere Company, 

This letter is to express my appreciation for your company’s decision to retreat from the DEI and LGBTQ foolishness you had been following. Your changed position will certainly prove to convince consumers that supporting your company once again is a good thing -- and it will result in financial success for your company as well. Thanks again. Respectfully, MW

Dear Secretary Hegseth,

Thank you very much for defending the United States. Especially thank you for supporting Israel, stopping Iran, and containing Russia. I’m a Christian and a Republican...and I pray for you and others in the government. Please continue to support a strong stand for our ally Israel and defend them against their enemies. Please also do what it takes to stop Putin in Ukraine. Thank you for stopping so many extreme terrorists and, in doing so, making the United States and the world a safer place. Sincerely, IS

Dear Vice-President Vance,

Thanks for your bold, inspirational leadership. You are providing our nation -- and the world -- the kind of honest, courageous, and relevant service we have so long needed. Stay the course!

A few of the issues that most concern me? Much stricter regulation of the abortion pill... the repeal of the FACE act...the diligent pursuit of lawbreakers including the lying schemers behind RussiaGate...the complete and permanent defunding of the mega-abortion corporation, Planned Parenthood...serving as the best advocate of persecuted Christians (both here and abroad)...and getting a real grip on the lawlessness that so sadly marks our nation nowadays. Thank you for your attention to these matters. DH

Dear AG Mike Hilgers,

I’m writing to express my concern over the sale of “gas station heroin” (7-hydroxymitragynine, aka 7-OH) in some retail outlets in our state. The incredible risks to our youth need to be addressed quickly. Thank you. JL 

PS: I am also very opposed to abortion pills and their distribution in the state. What can be done about that?

Governor Pillen,

I have recently become aware of a new opioid threat to our community. 7-OH,  a derivative of the kratom plant which is reportedly 13 times as potent as morphine! This product is sold and marketed to children in the form of candy flavored gummies. I’ve asked Attorney General Hilgers and want to ask you as well -- is there anything we can do about this product? The thought of our young people being harmed by this is just too much. I hope we can do something...and soon! Regards, JM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott,

Thanks for your strong leadership for conservative values and the rule of law in your state. It is so refreshing to have governors stand up to the whiny, America-belittling, America-blaming Democrats. Keep it up! We are praying for you. CH

Dear Mr. Lindstrom,

As citizens from the district you represented well when in the Nebraska Unicameral, we are very interested in your candidacy for Nebraska’s 2nd District in the U.S. Congress. However, we were disappointed that we were unable to find anywhere on your website a strong and clear statement regarding your pro-life position. Did we miss something? Or perhaps, are you missing something; namely, the chance to underscore your pro-life positions which we know would attract and energize the pro-life organizations, churches, and communities which will be necessary for your successful candidacy? Sincerely, DH

Heads Up!

We cordially invite you to a couple of important Vital Signs Ministries events that are coming up soon. The first is the next Vital Signs letter-writing party. Well, actually there are two of them, each taking about 90 minutes. One is a morning brunch party on Tuesday, August 5th beginning at 10 o'clock with the evening event beginning at 7 on that same date. The location is at Denny & Claire’s home.

 As usual, we will provide recipient options, address sheets, stationery, and stamps as we write letters and cards to government officials, businesses, and Christian ministry leaders about such topics as the sanctity of life, religious freedom, family and moral values, and other biblically-centered concerns. And, of course, along with the opportunity to shine your light through letters, there will be stimulating fellowship with like-minded Christians and plenty of delicious treats to keep up your energy levels!

By the way, your RSVPs are very helpful.

And then the second event is something we did very successfully back in 2017 and that is a home showing on Saturday, August 23 of the outstanding, award-winning, one-man play, An Evening with C.S. Lewis starring David Payne. That DVD showing (informative, entertaining, inspirational) will take the place of Vital Signs Ministries’ quarterly Book Brunch and, though it too will take place at the Hartford home, will be at 7 in the evening with coffee, soft drinks, and desserts served during the intermission of the play. Again, RSVPs are quite important.

So, are you interested? We hope so. Give us a call, text, or email soon.

An Open Letter Regarding Pro-lIfe Measures & Leftist Propaganda

Versions of the following letter are being sent to Senators Fischer and Ricketts, Congressman Bacon, President Trump, and Vice-President Vance. I encourage you to consider writing similar advocacy correspondence.

Dear Senator Fischer,

I wrote last week on behalf of Vital Signs Ministries here in Omaha, asking for your energetic support of the pro-life priorities which remain after the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” -- the complete and permanent de-funding of the mega-abortion profiteer that is Planned Parenthood, repeal of the F.A.C. E. Act, a serious scaling back of the poisonous abortion drugs that are killing millions of preborn children as well as severely injuring so many of those children’s mothers, and increased conscience protection for those who refuse to perjure their souls by supporting in any way such blasphemous actions as abortion or sexual perversion.

Thank you, Senator Fischer, for your prayerful attention to those concerns.

However, I also wanted to send along my concerns about a few other important issues, issues that are of grave concern to conservatives across the nation. 1) Would you please co-sponsor and work for the passage of S.669, Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025 or the DEFUND Act of 2025.

And 2) Would you please join in the move to reverse the historical revisionism, leftist ideologies, and anti-religious trends which have marked the progressives’ control of the Smithsonian, the National Art Gallery, and the National Park Service?

Again, thank you.

Change for the Better: A “When Swing Was King” Update

Adlai Stevenson once observed that “change is inevitable and yet change for the better is a full-time job.” That’s certainly a sage observation, one that emphasizes the need for wise and intentional planning to make the very best of our time, talents, and opportunities. And though change isn’t exactly a full-time job for our “When Swing Was King” ministry, it is always a very important part.

How so? Well, each of our “When Swing Was King” programs consist of 12 original songs and 220-240 photographs. But oh, no; they are not the same songs or photographs at all. They are ever changing in order to keep our audiences of seniors as esteemed, engaged, and entertained as possible. (By the way, our current schedule takes us to 11 facilities every month.) 

Here’s how it works. In creating these shows over the last 15 years, we have developed 24 “base” programs which revolve on a 2-year calendar. And when each “base” program comes round, I go in and change anywhere from 2 to 5 of the songs and up to a third of all of the photos. No kidding. We are thus able to honestly explain to our audiences (and the staff at the senior facilities) that we offer a new “When Swing Was King” show every time. And they all appreciate the efforts we invest to do so as “When Swing Was King” is as beloved a program as ever before.

There is one more aspect regarding change that I might mention regarding “When Swing Was King.” Remember, we have been doing this for 15 years now and, since we remain committed to providing our current audiences with the music of their youth, that means changes need to be applied in our song selections. For today’s residents of the senior facilities (now in their late 80s and 90s) remember and cherish the music that was popular, not just in the 1930s and 1940s which were our focus in the first years of “When Swing Was King,” but also in the 1950s and even 1960s. You can see then an extra motivation for Claire and I to take seriously Stevenson’s exhortation as we conscientiously, creatively pursue “change for the better” in our “When Swing Was King” outreach.

Want an example an example of just what I’m talking about? Below I give you a briefly annotated songlist of the July “When Swing Was King” show. You’ll see how we’re striving to keep the best mix of musical genres possible for our friends. Also, please keep in mind that each month’s “When Swing Was King” is on the Vital Signs Ministries website in case you would ever like to join us! 

“When Swing Was King (Volume 15: Series 7, July 2025) 

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra -- “American Patrol” (1942)

(With military-themed photos accompanying this classic hit, we use this song as a tribute and thank-you to veterans of the U.S. military.)

2) Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (with Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers) -- “Dolores” (1941) (One of the several number 1 hits coming from that great combination of Tommy Dorsey -- “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing” -- and the youthful voice of Frank Sinatra.)

3) Artie Shaw Orchestra – “Frenesi” (1940)

(Also, a number one hit, this was one of Shaw’s “signature” songs.)

4) The Platters – “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” (1959)

(Yes, here’s one of the songs illustrating our entry into early pop music. This #1 song, featuring lead tenor, Tony Williams, was one of their most popular.)

5) Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass – “A Taste of Honey” (1965)

(After an injury, Herb Alpert, an outstanding high school gymnast had to fall back on his musical interests and business savvy. He ended up becoming one of the most popular and successful musicians, promoters, and music executives of his time.) 

6) Pat Boone – “Love Letters in the Sand” (1957)

(The only serious rival to the popularity of Elvis Presley back in the 1950s, Pat Boone scored a #1 hit with this song. The photo theme accompanying it is the year 1957.)

7) Doris Day -- “You Oughta’ Be in Pictures” (1951)

(Photo theme -- Several of the leading men from Hollywood’s Golden Age.)

8) Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians – “Embraceable You” (1950)

(Always a favorite with our “When Swing Was King” audiences, the Lombardo band was promoted as playing “the sweetest music this side of heaven.”)

9) McGuire Sisters -- “Something’s Gotta’ Give” (1955)

(This Johhny Mercer song reached #5 on the pop charts that year and is an excellent example of why Christine, Dorothy, and Phyllis were such a terrific act.)

10) Julie London -- “Misty” (1960)

(One of the all-time best torch singers, the lovely Julie London performs one of the classiest versions ever of this Erroll Garner standard.)

11) Mills Brothers -- “Standing on the Corner” (1956)

(Selling over 50 million records in their long career, this fun song is one of their most popular of all. And our audiences absolutely love singing along.)

12) Lawrence Welk Orchestra -- “Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Weidersehn” (1971)

(This George Cates, Jack Elliott song was the one that the Welk cast always sang at the closing of the television show. And members of that beloved cast are featured in the photos used here.)

The Latest Word...On Letters

No, we don’t wait for P.A.L. Nights (Vital Signs Ministries quarterly series of letter-writing parties) to express through letters and cards our education and advocacy, our gratitude and encouragement, and our protest. Indeed, our letters represent an important -- and continual -- opportunity to shine our lights for Jesus Christ, to be a preservative seasoning in our culture, and to “do justice” in practical ways. So, they are too valuable a witness to lay idle in between those letter-writing parties. Of course, we look forward to our P.A.L. Nights (we have actually have added morning editions nowadays) and we sure hope you plan on joining us for our next scheduled letter-writing parties on August 5.

As I said, however, we make it a regular part of our week to engage in a bit of “correspondence outreach” and, from time to time, I share examples here on Vital Signs Blog. Here are 3 of the latest. (And note -- When most relevant, I provide links to articles that give you fuller picture of the situation that prompted my letters.)

1) Dear Nebraska University,

Just a quick note to add my disappointment and protest of the contemptible bigotry demonstrated by the drag performance mocking the Catholic mass for which the university rewarded a doctoral degree from the Glenn Korff School of Music. Though not a Catholic, I find it deeply troubling for such an intentionally blasphemous program to be sponsored by the university.

Catholic group demands U. Nebraska ‘held accountable’ for drag show mocking Mass (Gabrielle Temaat, Catholic Fix)

2) Dear National Park Service,

 Please stop the programs of ideological fix the foolish historical revisionism you’ve begun with the Mellon Foundation and others regarding as in the changes in the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. These plans, as currently expressed, show a terrible lack of concern for historical accuracy as well as for the good of the Republic.

A Woke Jefferson Memorial?: The National Park Service should halt current efforts to make the memorial’s once-excellent basement museum into a condemnation of the author of the Declaration of Independence. (Jeffrey H. Anderson, City Journal)

3) Versions of the following letter were sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, members of the Nebraska delegation, and President Trump.

Dear ------------------

Well, the "Big Beautiful Bill' has passed. Thank you for your efforts. However, that bill failed to address many of the yet-critical disasters created by previous administrations. And I'm appealing to you to finally make these things true priorities in the next phase of legislative action.

1) The complete and permanent de-funding of the mega-abortion profiteer that is Planned Parenthood. 

2) Repeal of the F.A.C. E. act.

3) A serious scaling back of the poisonous abortion drugs that are killing millions of preborn children as well as severely injuring so many of those children's mothers.

4) Increased conscience protection for those who refuse to perjure their souls by supporting in any way such blasphemous actions as abortion or sexual perversion.

We're Told That Chemical Abortions Don’t Count

The establishment press like to report that abortions have fallen to historic lows -- and to the press that seems to be a bad thing. However, even when reported statistics do suggest fewer abortions are being committed than previously, the most relevant abortion fact is completely ignored. The statistical reviews only count surgical abortions and, this is important to note, that aggregate number comes from the abortion businesses themselves. And those businesses have repeatedly shown to severely under-report the numbers. Why? Well, in the case of America’s largest abortion company, Planned Parenthood, they under-report the numbers for public relations purposes. Wanting to present itself as a responsible charitable organization, Planned Parenthood takes great pains to hide their true intentions; namely, to sell abortions. And they sell a lot...way, way more than they desire the public to realize.

But the second and most important truth relevant to the reportedly decreasing number of abortions is that the numbers of preborn children killed by poisonous drugs is soaring to unimaginable highs. Indeed, the most conservative estimates suggest that 60-70% of all abortions in America are via chemicals like RU-486 and the “morning after” pill. And that’s not even adding to the horrific total those preborn kids whose lives are ended by the abortifacient properties of the tragically misnamed birth-control pill. No, none of the children destroyed by these lethal poisons are being counted by health officials.

America’s downward trend in the surgical abortion rate over the last two decades involves several factors -- the effects of pro-life laws, the spread of pro-life education, the increased awareness of fetal development through ultrasound and fetal surgery, the compassionate work of pro-life pregnancy aid centers, and a greater spirit of compassion towards the innocent among today’s youth.

But, let’s face the truth, the primary reason the abortion statistics are down is because those numbers are cooked. The abortion industry (and its friends in the old guard media) are manipulating the math by ignoring altogether the means by which the majority of abortions now are committed. This not only provides cover for the chemical abortion industry, I’m afraid that it also provides false comfort to pro-life advocates. The sad, alarming fact is that our culture (as a whole) is no more interested in genuinely defending the sanctity of life than before the Dobbs decision.

What do we then do? Pray harder, light more lamps of truth to penetrate the ignorance and indifference of modern society, and keep working to provide compassion and justice so that abortions are understood by more and more citizens to be immoral, selfish, and cruel acts of violence against innocent preborn babies – whether the murder weapon be curette, suction machine, or poison pills. 

For more information on this critical matter, I encourage you to check out:

* “The Real Emmanuel Moment” (This exposition of Scripture reveals one of the clearest, most compelling reasons why people should revere, appreciate, and protect human life from its very conception onwards. You’ll find it in the Articles Section of the Vital Signs Ministries website.

* “The New Abortionists: Chemical Abortion in Contemporary Culture” (Also to be found at the Vital Signs Ministries website, this is an illuminating interview with a highly acclaimed medical researcher and OB-GYN physician Dr. Tom Hilgers and a Vice-President of Pharmacists for Life.)

* “Views on Abortion From Church History” (Throughout its history, the Christian Church has vehemently opposed abortion as a heinous, pagan act of violence. These quotations forcefully illustrate this fact. But, important to note, most of the quotations demonstrate opposition to chemical abortion.)

* “Without Decisive Action Against The ‘Kill Pill,’ The Hard-Won Victory Of Dobbs Will Be Rendered Meaningless” (Tony Perkins, Harbinger’s Daily) This just published article is very enlightening and instructive.