The COFFEY BLOG
MARK HAMILL SHARES MEMORIES OF MAKING ‘STAR WARS’
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, is good at keeping secrets. Recently he opened up on a number of subjects that fans of the films should enjoy, like how his white pants were just bleached-out Levis and the fact that he was one of a select few to know that the evil Darth Vader was his father. Here’s a link: http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/safeguarding-that-darth-vader-spoiler-and-9-more-mark-hamill--star-wars--revelations-010001742.html STAR WARS EPISODE VII It’s rumored that Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) will return in the new “Star Wars Episode VII” scheduled to be released in late 2015. Here’s what is known -- or alleged -- so far: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-Episode-7-What-We-Know-So-Far-36488.html REMBRANDT’S ‘NIGHT WATCH’ BROUGHT TO LIFE! Sole Blog Reader sent me this information about a reenactment of a Rembrandt painting in a Holland mall. Here’s what his email said: “The Rijksmuseum museum in Holland had an idea: Let's bring the art to the people and then, hopefully, they will come to see more --- at the museum. They took one Rembrandt painting from 1642, Night Watch and brought to life the characters in it, placed them in a busy mall and the rest you can see for yourself!" Thanks Sole! http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded%C2%A0%3b 
FAT TUESDAY IN GREENFIELD
Had a nice dinner and a fun evening Tuesday at the Three Spoons, as local Mardi Gras aficionado Larry Chapman helped the restaurant to serve up some delicious dishes such as Po’ Boy sandwiches, Dooky Mae’s Creole Gumbo over rice, Avery’s Sweet Potato Salad and even Mardi Gras King Cake! Some people were decked out in outfits that would do N’awlins proud, and all customers were offered beads as we celebrated the big feast the immediately precedes Ash Wednesday. I snapped a few photos (see above and below) and even attempted a selfie with Chapman and some of the SPARK! ladies. (Larry, sorry that I cropped you out. I am no Bradley Cooper!) Some of the proceeds will help the fledgeling organization known as SPARK! Creative Artspace. Good times! MOST FAMOUS SELFIE -- SO FAR! Speaking of selfies, here's the best known to date, from the Academy Awards Sunday night: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2572822/Bradley-Cooper-owns-right-famous-selfie-history-took-photo.html LADY TIGERS IN ‘SWEET 16’
Congrats to the McClain Lady Tigers, who beat Wellston over the weekend and will advance to the “Sweet 16” Wednesday, March 5 against Fairland. The 8 p.m. game will take place at Logan High School. Details: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=79&ArticleID=21735 FAT TUESDAY IN GREENFIELD! Larry Chapman is teaming up with the Three Spoons Diner again, this time for a celebration of Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday (4-9 p.m. March 4) with a menu that may include Po’ Boy sandwiches, Larry’s special Dooky Mae Creole Gumbo over rice, a Mardi Gras King Cake and more. Some of the proceeds will help fund the SPARK! Creative Artspace project, which is just rounding into form this month (see below for info culled from Chapman’s General Store website). SPARK! EVENTS COMING IN MARCH March 27: Wine & Canvas, 7-9 p.m., 21 and over fun and social art event! $35/person reserves your spot at an easel. No experience necessary. Just come and have fun, take home a great experience and a 16″ x 20″ painting on canvas that you painted yourself! Details to follow/Get registered now! Send $35check/your name and the event in the memo line to: SPARK! Creative Artspace, PO Box 325, Greenfield, OH 45123. This will be a pop-up event at 317 Jefferson St, Greenfield, OH 45123. March 29: Cupcakes & Canvas, 10 a.m.-12 noon, a fun and social art event for kids! $25/kiddo reserves a spot at an easel. An artist will lead your child/grandchild step-by-step through a colorful and fun painting in a happy atmosphere. Their masterpiece on a 16″x20″ canvas will be a treasure! Details to follow/Get registered now! Send a check with child’s/children’s name and age(s) and “Cupcakes” in the memo line to: SPARK! Creative Artspace, PO Box 325, Greenfield, OH 45123. This will be a pop-up event at 317 Jefferson St, Greenfield, OH 45123. March 29: “Be Part of the ART” SPARK! Creative Artspace Meet & Greet (& Make). Free Community Art Project, 2-4 p.m. Come by and learn more about SPARK! and get in on a fun community art project that will someday grace our space! Wanna be part of the art? SPARK! provides all the materials, you provide the magic. Let’s SPARK something amazing! GENE HACKMAN, NOVELIST I haven’t seen any new Gene Hackman movies in a long time, and read recently that his most recent movie was 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport.” I’ve always enjoyed his films since “The French Connection” came out in the 1970s and loved him in “Hoosiers.” The actor, now 84 years old, has taken on a new hobby and has penned several novels in recent years. If Hackman can write as well as he acts, readers should be in for a treat! http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/the-big-questions-for-actor-turned-novelist-gene-hackman-001314382.html GARY MOORE The late guitarist performs “The Messiah Will Come Again” and gets extra credit for some excellent “guitar face”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k07j7LcLqw 
GHS SUNDAY DINNER IS MARCH 2
Greenfield Historical Society will be holding its last Sunday Dinner of the year Sunday, March 2. The meal will be held at the Grain & Hay building and the menu will be baked barbecue chicken, broccoli coleslaw, roasted potatoes, choice of green beans or peas, flat apple pie, bread and drinks. Waiters and waitresses will be serving guests from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on real plates, silverware and linen. All this for just $10.00, no tipping. Proceeds from the Sunday dinners go toward utility bills, maintenance of the society's buildings and various preservation activities of the society. The proceeds also help fund education programs for Greenfield's school children. Every fall the society, with the help of the Buckskin and Rainsboro PTOs, provides a program on the Underground Railroad from the Ohio Historical Society to Greenfield's fifth graders. In the spring the fourth graders are given a program on the inventors and manufacturers of Greenfield, while the third graders attend a program about what schools were like many years ago. The fourth and third graders also visit the Konneker Education Museum. “Come on down after church and have a great meal, visit with friends and support the Greenfield Historical Society,” urges GHS President Harold Schmidt. In photo above, GHS member Judy Schmidt explains a blueprint of the McClain High School during a visit by Greenfield fourth graders to the Konneker education Museum during May, 2013. In the background, Earlene Scott demonstrates an early typewriter. CELEBRITY WAITER EVENT IS MARCH 15
The McClain Tiger Boosters' annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15 in the McClain Cafetorium, with tickets priced at $25 per person. This zany, fun-filled dinner event will provide an evening of laughter and entertainment as well as raise money for the athletic boosters. Guests will be greeted and seated by a celebrity host, and dinner will be served by local celebrities dressed in a variety of costumes and providing additional entertainment for "tips" to be donated to the athletic boosters to help defray the mounting costs of athletic equipment and uniforms. Play money, to be used as "tips," will be available for purchase at the door so you can show your appreciation for your server. The dinner will feature delicious, slow-cooked prime rib and chicken breast provided by Craig and Ian's Smoked Meats. Tickets are available at the Home Building and Loan or from any boosters member. Corporate sponsor tables are also available. Please contact Amy Faulconer at (937) 403-2586 for more information. EX-RED NEARS FINAL SEASON AFTER VERY NICE CAREER With Derek Jeter’s upcoming farewell season getting all the attention, another pretty darn good Major Leaguer is wrapping up his career in 2014. Not many people remember that Paul Konerko was a Cincinnati Red for a short time, back in the 1998 when Cincinnati had several other quality prospects. Konerko and pitcher Dennys Reyes came to the Reds when they traded ace reliever Jeff Shaw (of Washington C.H.) to the Los Angeles Dodgers. For those with long memories, Shaw signed a “hometown discount” deal with the Reds and made the 1998 National League All Star Team. Shaw was traded at the All Star break and technically pitched in the All Star Game as a Dodger. Konerko played 26 games with the Reds, and after the season was traded by the Reds to the Chicago White Sox for Mike Cameron. Konerko has been a member of the White Sox ever since and had a very nice career, earning a World Series ring in the process. The Cincinnati Reds were well stocked at first base in 1998, with Sean Casey (“The Mayor”) getting the bulk of the playing time and hitting a solid .272 en route to a career where he hit .300 more often than not. They also had Eduardo Perez, son of Reds legend Tony Perez, a 6’4”, 215 pound player I liked who looked like he could hit for power (he smacked 16 homers for the Reds in 1997) and graceful enough to make some nice plays in the field. (Eduardo got about as much of a shot as his father did in his brief stint as Reds’ manager.) I was a Sean Casey fan, but sometimes wished the Reds had stuck with Konerko instead. As it turned out, Konerko will have played six more seasons that Casey (who retired in 2008) and he has put up some pretty nice numbers (432 home runs, 1,390 RBI and a batting average of .281). The bottom line is, the Reds have had a lot of fine players on their roster who went on to fame and fortune in other uniforms. Cincinnati has also picked up some nice players given up by other teams, such as Joe Morgan, Dave Parker, Tom Seaver, Ken Griffey Jr., Bronson Arroyo. It’s an inexact science, and being a general manager is a tough job. Such are the topics that make for conversation in the offseason as we all eagerly await spring and a new season. Some Paul Konerko links: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-retirement-tour-that-isn-t-getting-all-the-pub-022310129.html;_ylt=AwrBEiJqtA5TA1cAvcZNbK5_ http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=konerpa01 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Konerko HAROLD RAMIS DEAD AT 69 If “Ghostbusters,” “Caddyshack,” “Groundhog Day” or “Animal House” bring good memories to you, then you probably remember Harold Ramis, the writer/actor/comedian who died Feb. 24 at age 69. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-24/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224_1_harold-ramis-chicago-actor-second-city BLUES, BREWS & STEWS!
What a nice evening we had Saturday as several hundred people turned out for the second annual Blues, Brews & Stews winter festival. There was excellent chili, stew, soup, dessert, hot and cold drinks and the Back Talk Blues Band from the Dayton area gave us some great blues music. The event was sponsored by Greening Greater Greenfield (G3) and proceeds will not only help G3 but also the new SPARK! Creative Artspace project. The winners of the chili and stew cooking contest are listed below: CHILIS: first place, Denise Shope, Adena Greenfield Medical Center (Bountiful Chili); second place, Holly Ellinger (Washington’s White Chili) -- who happens to work for the village of Greenfield!; and third place, Deana Cox & Shari Bellar (Hoochie Coochi Chili). STEWS: first place, Deana Cox & Shari Bellar (Chicken Gnochi Fnochi Soup); Roberta Karnes (Navajo Lamb Stew) -- who happens to work for the village of Greenfield!; and third place, Sonya Curren, MHS Class of 1984 (Shrimp & Corn Chowder). I’ve posted some photos here, including those of the winning cooks, the band and various action shots taken during the evening. HAPPENINGS 20 YEARS AGO I had forgotten some of the big events that took place 20 years ago in 1994. That year might go down as the year the 24-hour news cycle was born. A couple of events that year certainly turned up the media attention as the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan drama unfolded prior to and during the Olympics. That same year, the brutal murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman occurred, resulting in murder charges against legendary NFL running back O.J. Simpson. Locally, a couple of less dramatic but much more positive stories unfolded. The medical building built by Wilson and Mary Moon, now known as Adena Family Medicine - Greenfield, opened on Valentine’s Day 1994. To this day Dr. Rick Mizer still practices there, and the foresight of the Moon family has left a lasting legacy for our community. Also in 1994, a new radio station known as WVNU Lite 97.5 FM opened in Greenfield. Thanks to Pat and Elaine Hays and their staff for providing this valuable service to Greenfield and area. That year I took my first cruise as well -- a trip to the eastern Caribbean that was a great experience for the Coffey family! Any other special memories from 1994? Let me know if you would like to share... ANOTHER SURE SIGN OF SPRING! It was good to receive the Spring 2014 edition of “Happenings in the Hills” on Monday, another sign that the Wicked Winter of 2013-14 will soon be history. As I spent a good part of my Presidents Day trying to dig my car out of the driveway, the coming of spring is something that I will relish! But I digress... Boonie and Janny Brizius have put together another great issue telling about things to see and do in the hills and valleys of beautiful southern Ohio, and you can read all about it by clicking HERE. NEW JUST THINKING Greg Roberts has been thinking about marriage. Not sure I want to go there, but I don’t tell him what to think about! At least I waited until after Valentine’s Day! Read it HERE. GREENFIELD GUITARIST IS TALENTED SHREDDER Recently Earlene Scott told me about a guy known as Izzy Batio, who is not only quite an amazing guitarist but also a resident of Greenfield! I did find some of the man’s music online, and it’s way above my head! Fans of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani or Yngwie Malmsteen will appreciate the fact that a neoclassical shredder lives in our Greene Countrie Towne. Below are links to a nice article Earlene wrote about Izzy, and links where some of his music can be heard. It’s obvious he has some serious chops! http://www.timesgazette.com/news/home_top-news/3661117/Greenfield-guitarist-a-rocker-at-heart Izzy Batio links: http://www.last.fm/music/Izzy+Batio/Over+The+Rainbow/Over+the+Rainbow http://www.last.fm/music/Izzy+Batio/Shield+Us+All/Run+To+The+Light MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO Izzy Batio’s hero, Michael Angelo Batio, is an amazing guitarist who can play right- or left-handed -- or play two guitars simultaneously! When I first heard about Michael Angelo from my guitarist son Colin, that’s when I decided I’d better stick with classic rock... Below is a link to Michael Angelo playing a medley of songs as only he can perform them. Please stick with it, as the video starts a little slowly and looks a bit hokey, like he might be doing the guitar equivalent of lip synching. At about 3 minutes in, he plays some “Pipeline” that guys like me can appreciate before moving on to a host of other segments from classic rock, hard rock and shred. Did I mention that at one point he flips his two guitars over and plays them in upside down position? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ8ml7eENuI Michael's tribute to Randy Rhoads (played conventionally -- still amazing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFfj-em-hJo WIT & WISDOM Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need to have a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. - Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. - Potter Stewart A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill When we are born we get a ticket to the freak show. When we are born in America, we get a front row seat. - George Carlin A LOVE AFFAIR WITH CHOCOLATE Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Gary Abernathy has written a truly inspiring column about a longtime love. As he so eloquently puts it, “Chocolate loves me. And I love chocolate back.” Read all about it: http://www.timesgazette.com/news/opinion-opinion_columns/3608847/Celebrating-a-long-lasting-relationship ‘PAUL IS DEAD’ THEORY REVISITED All the Beatles coverage re: their 50th anniversary since appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” has sparked some commemoration of the “Paul is Dead” rumors from many years ago. While Paul looks great for a guy in his 70s (if that really is Paul), it's more likely that the Beatles were the best in the business at planting little seeds in their songs and album covers that led to even greater sales for their records! So, for the sake of fun, or to learn more about this amazing hoax or coincidence or whatever, visit the “Paul is Dead” gallery at the link below: http://www.trutv.com/conspiracy/celebs/paul-is-dead/gallery.all.html BEATLES TRIBUTE My wife and I gave up the Olympics and “Downtown Abbey” to join the 50-year celebration of the Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964. While the main draws were Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, I enjoyed the other performers and the house band. Among the latter were guitarists Steve Lukather of Toto fame and Peter Frampton, who long ago lost his long locks but as a player has just kept getting better since “Frampton Comes Alive” dominated the charts in 1976. I caught a glimpse of a bearded bass player wearing a hat and for a moment thought it was Hank Williams Jr., which would have been a most unlikely sighting at such an event, so I had to surf the ‘net to discover the bassman was really Don Was, a musician and producer of some note (no one made it to this gig without being very accomplished!). While I recognized and enjoyed most of the performers, and especially enjoyed the guitar pyrotechnics of Joe Walsh, Gary Clark Jr., Keith Urban and John Mayer, I had never heard of acoustic guitarist/singer Ed Sheeran, who rendered a wonderful version of “In My Life” as Sir Paul and Ringo and millions looked on, and Imagine Dragons’ creative version of “Revolution”. If you missed the show, here’s a nice recap: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/arts/television/cbs-grammy-salute-belongs-to-mccartney-and-starr.html?_r=0 MY MEDIA SPLASH I have enjoyed a more modest media splash than the Beatles, but a splash nevertheless. A while back, a young Greenfield Middle School student named Miles McMurry asked to interview me for the school newspaper, Tiger Pride News. Here’s the story that he hand-delivered to me Monday: Who’s in Charge? by Miles McMurry Do you think you know everything about our city manager? I’ll bet you didn’t know this. Mr. Ron Coffey loves playing guitar in his free time and used to be the clerk of the Highland County court. He was also a journalist for the Greenfield Daily Times. He was sworn into office on January 27, 2013. He has plans to attract jobs to Greenfield. He also wants citizens to take pride in their community, keep properties clean, and get involved. He said that the thing he enjoys most about being city manager is having a chance to help the community. Thanks Miles! By the way, the entire publication is very nice and gives students a chance to work on their writing skills. There are nice articles about a variety of subjects, including a story about Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lee McClain and the local schools; a report that the majority of students at Greenfield Middle School don’t want a dress code; items about coming events and craft ideas, and a feature about Mrs. Eikenberry, a new sixth grade teacher. There’s even a piece about the “secret tunnels” under the school grounds. Thanks to Mrs. Angie Johnson for coordinating the Tiger Pride News, and to all those future journalists who contributed to the publication. SALT My second brush with fame occurred in the latest issue of SALT, the bimonthly magazine “adding flavor for everyday life.” Lora Abernathy called out of the blue one day and talked me into a light-hearted interview with no chance to prepare. The result is published on page 4 of the January/February 2014 issue on the “Front Porch Profile”. There were no questions about plowing snow, the salt shortage, or broken water lines. In other words, it was fun! Thanks, Lora. Here’ are links to the current issue and the main website: http://issuu.com/thesaltmagazine/docs/salt_january_eedition http://www.thesaltmagazine.com/ OFFICIAL CHILI & STEW RULES There was a bit of a mix-up on the chili and stew cook-off rules for Blues, Brews & Stews, so I want to post the correct version. It’s very similar to what I posted earlier, but the address to send to was different, and what Larry Chapman has posted on his Chapman’s General Store website is correct. I have copied that information and it’s posted here where it can be read by clicking on the text below. Please note that entries must be registered by Feb. 15, and only the first 20 entries will be accepted! 2014 CHILI & STEW COOK-OFF RULES As for the Blues, Brews & Stews event, it is still scheduled Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Greenfield Eagles Lodge from 7-11 p.m. and will feature a quality blues band, all sorts of beverages from adult to soft drinks to coffee, and lots of good fellowship on a cold winter’s evening. Sponsored by G3 (Greening Greater Greenfield), a portion of the proceeds will help the new startup group known as SPARK! Creative Artspace. https://www.facebook.com/groups/180883802115811/ BLUES, BREWS & STEWS FLYER BACK TALK BLUES BAND INFO CREATION VS. EVOLUTION Ken Ham of Creation Museum Fame and Bill Nye "the Science Guy" made news recently with a debate over how we came to be here. I haven’t had a chance to watch yet, but I found the debate online. Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/04/271648691/watch-the-creationism-vs-evolution-debate-bill-nye-and-ken-ham CCW PERMITS ON THE INCREASE The Highland County Sheriff’s Department issued its annual report for 2013 recently, and it looks like the crime rate was down -- as it was in Greenfield compared to the previous year. One of the more interesting statistics was the number of concealed carry permits issued, renewed, denied, etc., which indicates that more than 1,500 folks in the county have CCW permits. CCW data for 2013: New, 1,114; Renewed, 410; Revoked, 3; Suspended, 7; Denied, 2 Data for 2012: New, 561; Renewed, 109; Revoked, 1; Suspended, 4; Denied, N/A More info from the sheriff’s department can be found here: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=73&ArticleID=21421 McCLAIN CENTENNIAL MEETING IS FEB. 13 For three glorious days in September 1915, Greenfield citizens gathered to celebrate the opening of the fully furnished McClain High School, one of the most amazing public schools ever! This wonderful gift of Edward Lee and Theodosia McClain was intended to provide “the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time,” and I would say they hit a home run with that idea! The school’s statues, friezes, murals and paintings have continued to inspire for nearly a century, and with that thought in mind, local folks are meeting to discuss how the centennial of MHS should be observed. The Centennial Committee invites alumni to attend a planning session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 in the Board of Education office. I assume interested folks who are not MHS alumni would be welcome also. Click below to read a letter that was recently sent out to MHS alumni about the event. Hope you can make it! LETTER ANNOUNCING MEETING MEN’S CONFERENCE IS A HIT! The No Regrets Men’s Conference Feb. 1, 2014, streamed to the Greenfield First United Methodist Church from the Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI, received rave reviews from some 10,000 men at the host church and thousands more at satellite locations around the country. Sixty of those men watched from the Greenfield First United Methodist Church and came away inspired and changed, empowered to become better husbands, fathers, grandfathers and sons. I really enjoyed the conference -- especially the message by Dr. Rick Rigsby on Saturday afternoon. He had us laughing, thinking, and even crying -- very powerful! If you would like to see and hear Dr. Rigsby, or wish to share with anyone else, here is a link: http://www.menwithnoregrets.org/?page_id=59302 Also, some photos from the conference have been posted on the Greenfield First United Methodist Church website. Just click on the link below and go to the Events page: http://greenfieldfumc.org/ SUPER BOWL... As is often the case, the game didn't live up to all the hype. Even Bruno Mars and his band outplayed the poor Broncos, and the Seahawks are the new world champs. As much as I was rooting for Peyton Manning, I had to like the way young Russell Wilson handled himself. Get 'em next year, Peyton! MOTHERS CLUB SUBS Members of the Greenfield Mothers Club have been taking orders for subs sandwiches on Sunday, as is a longstanding tradition in Greenfield. We have placed our order, and if you would like to order delicious subs while helping a good local organization, get in touch with a Mothers Club member. SUPER BOWL MEDIA DAY Unless you’ve been living in a cave, it’s hard to escape the hype about Super Bowl XLVIII. The buildup to the big game has always been an over the top media experience. Here are a few funny moments and highlights from various sources: http://nesn.com/2010/02/top-10-moments-in-super-bowl-media-day-history/ http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/lists/Top_10_Media_Day_moments PETE SEEGER DIES AT 94 Pete Seeger was an iconic figure as a singer, songwriter, activist and character in a 70-year career that was chock full of influence. Even though in 1965 he tried to cut the cables to Bob Dylan’s newfangled electrified folk sound at the Newport Folk Festival, Seeger was beloved by hippies, folkies, a plethora of liberals and even some conservatives... http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pete-seeger-folk-legend-dead-at-94-20140128 A life in photos: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/pete-seegers-life-in-photos-20140128 SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOWS THROUGH THE YEARS You may not agree with the rating system or the comments, but if you want to review some of the big halftime shows at the Super Bowl, look no further than the link below: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/super-bowl-halftime-shows-ranked-from-worst-to-best-20140128 MEET THE BEATLES...AGAIN It was 50 years ago today (well almost) that the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, winning over millions of American youths with their Liverpool sound and unique look. While initially the press was not overly impressed, Beatlemania had begun, and the talented and charming musicians from across the pond were on their way to success of historic proportions. Here’s a link to one of many reports on the events of a half century ago, and if you don’t read anything else, scroll down to the comments by Peter Asher (of Peter & Gordon fame), who described the British Invasion as “90 percent Beatles and 10 percent everyone else” and provided a good summary of how and why the lads succeeded: http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/music-news/meet-beatles-again-honor-50th-anniversary-first-u-204837190.html ‘THE JESUS GUY’ SUBJECT OF DOCUMENTARY Carl Joseph, probably better known as “the Jesus Guy,” has been trekking the globe for years, physically resembling the popular image of Jesus Christ and dressing in a “what would Jesus wear?” style. Many will remember him from a late 1990s tangle with the local constabulary in Greenfield as he attracted quite a following of listeners and curiosity seekers. I have googled Mr. Joseph from time to time, but only recently did I become aware that there is a documentary about the man. It’s about an hour in length, and if you would like to tune in, click on the link below: http://video.answers.com/the-jesus-guy-517355797 ‘THE COWBOY’ LIKES REDS PITCHING STAFF
Reds announcer Jeff Brantley, a pretty good pitcher in his day, discussed the state of Cincinnati hurlers during a Chillicothe stop of the Reds Caravan: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=21&ArticleID=21291 CALENDAR I’ve added a calendar listing in the right column of some upcoming events. I try to mention them in the text of this column but sometimes the avalanche of information moves the events far down on the page. Hope this is helpful to someone... BLUES, BREWS & STEWS! Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 22 from 7-11 p.m. That’s when the second Blues, Brews & Stews event takes place featuring a nice blues band, beverages of all kinds, and a chili and stew cook-off showcasing the culinary talents of some excellent cooks. Last year the event was hosted by the Yellow Rose Bed & Breakfast and the place was packed! This year the event will migrate to the Greenfield Eagles Aerie which will allow more people to participate and attend. There will be a cover charge of $5 for entry. The event is being sponsored by Greening Greater Greenfield (G3), and the organization has pledged to contribute some of the profits to the fledgling SPARK! Creative Artspace group that plans to open soon in Greenfield. The band will be the Back Talk Blues Band from the Dayton area, playing traditional electric blues music to help us shake the winter blues -- and what a winter it has been! Chilis and stews will warm our hearts, and hot or cold drinks will be available from the Eagles and from Two Roasting Joes. Larry Chapman, our resident blues and brews aficionado, is attempting to arrange for some craft beers to be available that evening. Chili and stew chefs wishing to participate may want to peruse the rules created by Texas chili master Ron Willis, who knows his craft and is the self-appointed Grand Chili Pubah. However, do not fear Ron's Texas-sized prejudice against beans in the chili as he will not be the final arbiter in the judging. That will be left to cash voting by those who taste the products! Click below for more information. CHILI RULES BLUES, BREWS & STEWS FLYER BAND INFO BIG IDEAS FOR GREENFIELD Architect Doug Karnes outlined his vision for Greenfield at the Greenfield Rotary Club meeting Jan. 23. Here’s a report from Angela Shepherd of the Times-Gazette: http://www.timesgazette.com/news/home_top-news/3467072/McClain-grad-has-big-ideas-for-Greenfield HAS NETWORK TELEVISION WON? Yes, says Rory Ryan, who gives his reasons at the link below. What do you think? http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=21258 THE HIGHER PURPOSE OF DOODLING Do you doodle during classes or meetings? In looking at my notebooks from college I see that I was a bit of a doodler, but I kept pretty good notes in my own estimation. I felt vaguely guilty about the doodles in the margins, thinking I must have “drifted off” during class time. However, this report gives new respect for doodling and says it may actually have a point! If you watch it you will see some world class doodles too! http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-higher-purpose-of-doodling/ STING AND PAUL SIMON TO TOUR TOGETHER A couple of iconic singer/songwriters, Paul Simon and Sting, will be appearing on stage together for the first time during 2014, performing one another’s songs and “raising each other’s game,” as Sting puts it in Rolling Stone. This should be good! Some years ago we went to see Billy Joel and Elton John performing in a similar format and it was a great show. Here’s a preview from Mr. Simon and Mr. Sting: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/sting-and-paul-simon-share-on-stage-together-tour-secrets-exclusive-20140123 THE BEST OF JERRY RICE Jerry Rice, aka the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) earned his spot in the NFL Hall of Fame with consistency, longevity and a host of spectacular plays. Some of the best plays and moments in the wide receiver’s stellar career are highlighted here: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/football-life-extra-best-jerry-210400022.html |
CALENDARMarch 9: Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9. "Spring forward" one hour!
Fridays, March 7 through April 11: Fish Fry at St. Benignus Church from 5-7 p.m. each Friday. Cost is $8 per person for all you can eat. March 15: McClain Tiger Boosters' annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner, 6:30 p.m. in McClain Cafetorium. Tickets $25 each. March 22: Community Health Fair, 8-11 a.m., AGMC. Free screenings include height, weight, BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, bone density, body fat. Info: 981-9400 March 26: Telethon to benefit the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, sponsored by Greenfield and Hillsboro Rotary Clubs. |
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?
No disrespect to the “old gym” at McClain, where varsity basketball games were played during my era, but I happened to be there recently for a junior high game featuring our nephew from Wilmington against the eighth grade Tigers. I had forgotten about the pillars that support the balcony in the gym, and managed to sit in a spot where the view to both baskets was blocked when I sat in a normal position. Of course I could lean forward and catch the action, and I did. I just had to laugh at this vantage point, and took a photo with my panoramic feature so that others could see how it looked. (Please forgive the distortion that takes place with this type of photo. Just look for the baskets.)
The old gym still has a certain cachet, and was the scene of many memorable McClain wins over the years, including a very rare victory over the “Waterloo Wonders” back in the 1930s and various heroic efforts by Jimmy Hull, Don Grate, Big Bill Uhl, the Colemans, the Grooms boys, Bob Bristley, Sam Daugherty, Mike Hull and others who starred on the hardwoods prior to the opening of the spacious “new gym” in 1975. Lots of good memories touched me during my brief visit to the old gym.
By the way, if you remember or have ever heard of the Waterloo Wonders, a team from tiny Waterloo, Ohio down by the Ohio River that won a pair of state championships in the 1930s but really did lose to Greenfield McClain to end a 58-game Waterloo winning streak, a couple of interesting links are offered below. The first, the Wonders’ own Facebook page, is filled with interesting clippings and photos. The second link from WOUB contains a reference to the loss at Greenfield that haunted the Wonders’ Stu Wiseman for a good 60 years...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterloo-Wonders/175953495777409
http://wosu.org/2012/news/2009/03/25/legend-of-the-waterloo-wonders-lives-on-as-state-basketball-championships-begin/
LAST JAPANESE HOLDOUT FROM WWII DIES
Refusing to believe World War II was over, Hiroo Onoda continued his soldierly duties in the Philippines until 1974, when he was finally ordered to surrender by his old commanding officer. Onoda passed away recently in Tokyo at the age of 91.
After returning from the Philippine jungles, Onoda was the subject of a book, “No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War,” raised cattle in South America and taught survival skills at Japanese youth camps and made many speaking engagements across his home country.
A similar situation occurred in Guam in 1972, when a Japanese soldier was finally captured just as my sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Don Hay, were arriving courtesy of the U.S. Air Force for Don’s tour of duty in Guam. Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi, like Hiroo Onoda, enjoyed celebrity status following their return from the jungles but never found fortune. The Guam soldier was the subject of a book, “28 Years in the Guam Jungle” that Connie and Don received for Christmas.
Here’s more about the life and death of Hiroo Onoda, who spent about one-third of his life fighting a war that had been over for three decades:
http://news.yahoo.com/japan-wwii-soldier-hid-jungle-until-1974-dies-091014526.html
NO DO-OVERS IN RETIREMENT
Avoid money mistakes that will affect your golden years:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-biggest-money-mistakes-retirees-095200984.html
NEW FORD F-150 HAS ALUMINUM BODY
Ford’s top-selling pickup truck, the F-150, is getting a radical makeover. The biggest change is under the paint, where an aluminum body replaces the steel used in the past, helping the truck shed 700 pounds. Here’s the scoop:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/2015-ford-f-150-gets-aluminum-body-lose-053541008.html
WIT & WISDOM
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. - Frederick Douglass
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen. - Winston Churchill
You're only given a little SPARK of madness. You mustn't lose it. - Robin Williams
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. - Socrates
FROM THE BYRDS TO THE EAGLES
If the country/rock sounds emanating from California in the late 1960s/early 1970s are to you liking, I stumbled across a nice BBC documentary on YouTube the other day. “Hotel California: L.A. from the Byrds to the Eagles” documents those formative years of artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell and the early Eagles, to name just a few. If you like that sort of thing, check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXeMsyIQTSQ
No disrespect to the “old gym” at McClain, where varsity basketball games were played during my era, but I happened to be there recently for a junior high game featuring our nephew from Wilmington against the eighth grade Tigers. I had forgotten about the pillars that support the balcony in the gym, and managed to sit in a spot where the view to both baskets was blocked when I sat in a normal position. Of course I could lean forward and catch the action, and I did. I just had to laugh at this vantage point, and took a photo with my panoramic feature so that others could see how it looked. (Please forgive the distortion that takes place with this type of photo. Just look for the baskets.)
The old gym still has a certain cachet, and was the scene of many memorable McClain wins over the years, including a very rare victory over the “Waterloo Wonders” back in the 1930s and various heroic efforts by Jimmy Hull, Don Grate, Big Bill Uhl, the Colemans, the Grooms boys, Bob Bristley, Sam Daugherty, Mike Hull and others who starred on the hardwoods prior to the opening of the spacious “new gym” in 1975. Lots of good memories touched me during my brief visit to the old gym.
By the way, if you remember or have ever heard of the Waterloo Wonders, a team from tiny Waterloo, Ohio down by the Ohio River that won a pair of state championships in the 1930s but really did lose to Greenfield McClain to end a 58-game Waterloo winning streak, a couple of interesting links are offered below. The first, the Wonders’ own Facebook page, is filled with interesting clippings and photos. The second link from WOUB contains a reference to the loss at Greenfield that haunted the Wonders’ Stu Wiseman for a good 60 years...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterloo-Wonders/175953495777409
http://wosu.org/2012/news/2009/03/25/legend-of-the-waterloo-wonders-lives-on-as-state-basketball-championships-begin/
LAST JAPANESE HOLDOUT FROM WWII DIES
Refusing to believe World War II was over, Hiroo Onoda continued his soldierly duties in the Philippines until 1974, when he was finally ordered to surrender by his old commanding officer. Onoda passed away recently in Tokyo at the age of 91.
After returning from the Philippine jungles, Onoda was the subject of a book, “No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War,” raised cattle in South America and taught survival skills at Japanese youth camps and made many speaking engagements across his home country.
A similar situation occurred in Guam in 1972, when a Japanese soldier was finally captured just as my sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Don Hay, were arriving courtesy of the U.S. Air Force for Don’s tour of duty in Guam. Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi, like Hiroo Onoda, enjoyed celebrity status following their return from the jungles but never found fortune. The Guam soldier was the subject of a book, “28 Years in the Guam Jungle” that Connie and Don received for Christmas.
Here’s more about the life and death of Hiroo Onoda, who spent about one-third of his life fighting a war that had been over for three decades:
http://news.yahoo.com/japan-wwii-soldier-hid-jungle-until-1974-dies-091014526.html
NO DO-OVERS IN RETIREMENT
Avoid money mistakes that will affect your golden years:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-biggest-money-mistakes-retirees-095200984.html
NEW FORD F-150 HAS ALUMINUM BODY
Ford’s top-selling pickup truck, the F-150, is getting a radical makeover. The biggest change is under the paint, where an aluminum body replaces the steel used in the past, helping the truck shed 700 pounds. Here’s the scoop:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/2015-ford-f-150-gets-aluminum-body-lose-053541008.html
WIT & WISDOM
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. - Frederick Douglass
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen. - Winston Churchill
You're only given a little SPARK of madness. You mustn't lose it. - Robin Williams
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. - Socrates
FROM THE BYRDS TO THE EAGLES
If the country/rock sounds emanating from California in the late 1960s/early 1970s are to you liking, I stumbled across a nice BBC documentary on YouTube the other day. “Hotel California: L.A. from the Byrds to the Eagles” documents those formative years of artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell and the early Eagles, to name just a few. If you like that sort of thing, check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXeMsyIQTSQ
HELP SMARTPHONE BATTERY LAST LONGER
Yahoo editors selected this article as a favorite of 2013, and if you want to maximize the battery life on your phone it’s worth a read:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/making-your-smartphone-battery-last-longer-214520188.html
WIT & WISDOM
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. - Thomas Aquinas
We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics. - Bill Vaughan
An army of deer led by a lion is more feared than an army of lions led by a deer. - Philip of Macedonia
Yahoo editors selected this article as a favorite of 2013, and if you want to maximize the battery life on your phone it’s worth a read:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/making-your-smartphone-battery-last-longer-214520188.html
WIT & WISDOM
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. - Thomas Aquinas
We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics. - Bill Vaughan
An army of deer led by a lion is more feared than an army of lions led by a deer. - Philip of Macedonia
AMISH/MENNONITE TRAIL
Larry Chapman has been busy, as always. His latest project is a map of Amish and Mennonite business locations in greater Highland County. By visiting the Google map below and clicking on one of the business names, you will activate a pointer showing just where the business is located. Pretty cool! Good work Larry!
http://mapalist.com/Public/pm.aspx?mapid=378317
ABBEY ROAD: THE HISTORY OF AN ICONIC ALBUM COVER
Even if you are a not a Beatles fan, you are probably familiar with the iconic cover photo of their final studio album, “Abbey Road,” considered one of their best albums. The cover photo has sparked countless parodies, but considering all the rumors and buzz from back in the day about Paul McCartney being dead, probably the best is his use of the same background for his “live” album decades later. Here’s the link to an interesting article for trivia buffs, Beatles fans and curiosity seekers:
http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/abbey-road-cover-art-strolling-back-rock-most-190720943.html
Larry Chapman has been busy, as always. His latest project is a map of Amish and Mennonite business locations in greater Highland County. By visiting the Google map below and clicking on one of the business names, you will activate a pointer showing just where the business is located. Pretty cool! Good work Larry!
http://mapalist.com/Public/pm.aspx?mapid=378317
ABBEY ROAD: THE HISTORY OF AN ICONIC ALBUM COVER
Even if you are a not a Beatles fan, you are probably familiar with the iconic cover photo of their final studio album, “Abbey Road,” considered one of their best albums. The cover photo has sparked countless parodies, but considering all the rumors and buzz from back in the day about Paul McCartney being dead, probably the best is his use of the same background for his “live” album decades later. Here’s the link to an interesting article for trivia buffs, Beatles fans and curiosity seekers:
http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/abbey-road-cover-art-strolling-back-rock-most-190720943.html
