Hot shooting pushes JMU past Rider
Junior guard A.J. Davis (Columbus, Ohio/Harmony Christian) shot 8-for-9 as part of a 15-for-21 team effort from the arc as James Madison topped Rider 86-69 as part of the 2011 Philly Hoop Group Classic on Friday afternoon at The Palestra.
JMU snapped a two-game losing skid to improve to 2-2 while Rider fell to 1-5.
Just three days removed from tying the program record with 16 three-pointers in a loss to Robert Morris, JMU hit 15 from downtown on 21 attempts for 71.4 percent accuracy. In the two games combined, the Dukes are 31-for-55 (56.4 percent).
Five different Dukes had a three within the game’s first 11 minutes while Davis led the arsenal by hitting 8-of-9. He finished with a career-best 29 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. He is now 13-for-17 from long distance in the last two games and is averaging 23.8 points to lead the Colonial Athletic Association through four games.
Senior guard Humpty Hitchens (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe), one game removed from his first career double-double, nearly made it two in a row as he finished with 16 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Junior forwardAndrey Semenov (St. Petersburg, Russia/Blue Ridge School) rang up 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Senior forwardJulius Wells (Toledo, Ohio/Libbey) added 10 points, five boards, four assists and four steals.
After failing to maintain a 10-point lead in the first half, JMU went into the locker room tied with Rider at 38-38. However, the Dukes began the second period with an 8-0 run to reestablish the lead for good.
Rider was within six points at 55-49 at the 12:45 mark of the second half before JMU went on its run. Hitchens hit a runner in the paint while Semenov and Davis hit consecutive threes to extend the lead to 14 at 63-49 and force a Rider timeout.
Jonathon Thompson hit a three for the Broncs before three more treys by the Dukes, a pair by Davis and one by Wells, quickly pushed the margin to 19 at 72-53 with 8:22 remaining. Five straight Madison field goals came from downtown during the overall 17-4 run.
Rider got no closer than 14 the rest of the way while JMU saw its largest lead at 86-64 with 2:07 remaining before finishing the 86-69 victory.
Reserve Brandon Penn led Rider with 21 points in 24 minutes while hitting 4-of-6 from the arc. Thompson added 13 points and eight assists. Daniel Stewart posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Novar Gadson chipped in 10 points and four assists.
JMU finished the game shooting 56 percent from the floor while hitting 14 of its 31 attempts within the arc (45 percent) compared to its 71 percent shooting from the arc. The Dukes had a season-best 21 assists and JMU outrebounded Rider 25-14 in the second half after losing the battle for the boards 15-9 in the first period.
Rider shot 44 percent from the field and hit 9-of-21 three-point attempts (43 percent). The Broncs were hurt at the free throw line, hitting 14 of their 27 attempts (52 percent). Rider had just one more turnover than the Dukes (19-18) but were hurt by points off turnovers to the tune of 30-14.
In the first half, JMU broke away from a 10-10 tie to take a 15-10 lead with 14 minutes remaining. The Dukes went up by as much as 11 at 29-18 with eight minutes to go on consecutive threes by Davis and Hitchens.
Madison still led 31-21 before the Broncs closed over the final six minutes. The Dukes were up 36-31 before a three by Thompson and a pair of free throws from Jones tied the game at 36-36. A Hood dunk regained the lead but a lay-in by Penn in the closing seconds tied it up at 38-38 at the break.
Penn had 16 points to lead Rider in the opening 20 minutes while Hitchens had 10 for the Dukes, who hit seven three-pointers in the half.
JMU wraps up play in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on Saturday evening with a 7 p.m. tip against Penn at The Palestra. The game will be televised live on The Comcast Network (TCN Philadelphia & Mid-Atlantic) along with Comcast SportsNet Plus (CSN+).
Drive safe – or else – this holiday weekend
Notwithstanding statewide progress in the fight against drunk driving over the past decade, drunk driving is still killing six people a year in Augusta County, according to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data of alcohol-related traffic deaths averaged over the last five years. Augusta County averaged the 11th most drunk-driving fatalities in Virginia during the 2006 to 2010 period.
The Commonwealth averaged 243 drunk driving deaths a year – approximately two DUI deaths every three days – over the five-year period. Across Virginia, 37 percent of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, according to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, which is stopping drunk driving through a combination of public education and stepped-up law-enforcement efforts. So if your Thanksgiving plans include alcohol with your turkey and football, the road is absolutely the last place to end the day.
“Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and reflect on the year’s good fortune. But killing or hurting yourself or someone else by driving under the influence is nothing to be thankful for,” said Kurt Erickson, president of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the project director of the region’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.”Our message to drivers is simple this holiday weekend: Drive sober or get pulled over.”
This year marks the 10th year of the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign and the campaign is paying life-saving dividends: Since 2001, Virginia has seen a 23-percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities and a 32-percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic injuries.
Throughout November and December 2011, the Augusta County officers are focused on keeping roads free from drunk drivers. Augusta County law-enforcement efforts include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and increased enforcement around the holidays.
Across Virginia in 2010, 32,760 drunk-driving arrests weremade, which resulted in 29,063 convictions – an average of one DUI conviction every 18 minutes.
Checkpoint Strikeforce is a research-based, zero-tolerance campaign in the Mid-Atlantic states designed to both identify and apprehend drunk drivers through sobriety checkpoints and other enhanced law-enforcement efforts and to educate the public about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. Nearly 43,000 ads will run on a total of 84 broadcast stations, cable systems and radio stations in Virginia this year with additional ads being broadcast separately in Northern Virginia.
Court to hear arguments in challenge to Ten Commandments display
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Urbanski will hear arguments on Monday, Nov. 28, in the ACLU of Virginia and Freedom from Religion Foundation’s challenge to the posting of the Ten Commandments at Narrows High School in Giles County.
The court will consider arguments in the defendant’s motion to dismiss the case and plaintiffs’ motion to proceed using pseudonyms.
The ACLU and FFRF argue that the use of pseudonyms protects the plaintiffs from the vitriol of community members who support the School Board’s decision to have the display.
“The community has already expressed considerable animus toward these plaintiffs,” said ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg. “If their identities are revealed, there is no doubt they will become the targets of much more direct harassment.”
The controversy began in late 2010, when the Freedom from Religion Foundation received complaints about the posting of the Ten Commandments in Giles County public schools, a practice that had been in place for years. Over the next six months a dispute ensued in which the Ten Commandments were removed, reposted, then removed again, and ultimately posted in a display with historical documents relating to American history, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
The ACLU of Virginia and the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed suit on Sept. 13, on behalf of a student and the student’s parent arguing that the display amounts to government endorsement of religion and therefore violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The Ten Commandments are posted on a main hallway at the high school, near the trophy case and on the way to the cafeteria, where it is seen by students every day.
Habitat honors local volunteers
Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity’s Hope for Homes Gala honored Fund Tom Montgomery, owner of Old Colony Construction in Staunton, for more than 14 years of outstanding service in philanthropy.
Montgomery noted that he enjoyed supporting Habitat and his other causes because it was more fulfilling to give during his lifetime and see the benefit firsthand.
“You come into this world with nothing, and you are going to leave with nothing, so isn’t it better to make some people happy along the way,” said Montgomery, who lives in Waynesboro with his wife, Dr. Sandra Curry.
Lynn White and Vince Ennis, both of Staunton, were awarded the honorary titles of Board Emeritus with more than 30 years of collective volunteer service and leadership in the organization.
Vince Ennis, John Zinn, Perry Neal, Clayton Griffin, John Howe and Lucian Petras were recognized as those who started the Staunton-Augusta Habitat group in 1991. Salome Baugher, Virginia Francisco, Marney Gibbs and Anna Pullin, all of Staunton, were recognized for their formative work and the First Staunton Women’s build in 1997.
Andrew Elder received the Outstanding Youth in Service award for 2011.
More than $4,000 was raised through the evening’s silent auction and reception. All auction items were donated to the event, including an original art piece by Tom Austin; beautiful handmade semi-precious stone necklace, earring, bracelet sets by Elizabeth Gallons; a restored antique hall secretary by Sam Potter; a weekend trip to the Outer Banks; and dinners to Edelweiss Restaurant and Osceola Mill.
Shannon L. Watts, CFRE and president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Virginia Piedmont chapter, spoke on the meaning of philanthropy and recognized this year’s inaugural awardees for standout service in philanthropy. The guest of honor was Ruth Graham, daughter of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham and Ruth Bell Graham. Graham, an award-winning author, founder and president of Ruth Graham and Friends, spoke on early connections to SAW Habitat’s formation and the relationships and similarities between building homes and building lives with Christ as our foundation.
Kwiatkowski: Goodlatte’s days are ‘numbered’
Karen Kwiatkowski voted – twice – to re-elect Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte. She did so for the same reason that she thinks a lot of fellow Republicans in the heavily GOP Sixth support Goodlatte election cycle after election cycle.
“They’ve known him for years, and because they’ve known him for years, they think he’s safe,” said Kwiatkowski, a retired Air Force officer and Shenandoah County farmer who is challenging Goodlatte for the Republican nomination.
The problem with Goodlatte to Kwiatkowski is that it seems to her that the congressman takes the same “I’m safe” approach with voters.
“When you’re in office as long as he’s been, 20 years, it’s as much about survival as it is about getting anything done. That’s the problem with the system across the board,” said Kwiatkowski, whose disaffection with Goodlatte dates to her communications with his office over an issue involving a controversial animal-identification program that the libertarian-leaning Kwiatkowski views as a clear intrusion on the private-property rights of farmers.
“Here’s one more way for me to give away my property rights,” Kwiatkowski said of the program, and she raised the issue with Goodlatte, the former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, only to get what she felt were “form letters” from staffers who clearly didn’t understand her objections to how the program was to impact the ag community.
“My assessment was that Goodlatte didn’t understand the problem, and didn’t take the time to educate himself,” said Kwiatkowski, who would “forgive him” for his lack of knowledge on agricultural issues, “but I can’t forgive him for not wanting to understand something affecting so many of his constituents.”
Kwiatkowski, to those who know her, is not one to shy away from a fight – be it an animal-identification program or the drumbeat to war. She says she had a “happy” military career until her final year in the Air Force, when what she saw being done from her job at the Pentagon in the Near East and South Asia directorate made her come to the conclusion that the Bush administration was cherry-picking intelligence to provide a false pretext for going to war in Iraq.
Kwiatkowski, a publisher author who wrote books on U.S. foreign policy during her time in the Air Force, and has written extensively since on topics ranging from the military to neoconservatism, became an outspoken public critic of the war – and as such was a frequent target of prowar supporters. She felt somewhat “vindicated” by the way things turned out in Iraq, but at the same time left the Pentagon disillusioned about what she had seen happen in front of her eyes.
“I got to see a different side of how decisions are made in Washington, D.C., and that has informed my thinking. I can speak to anyone about that. I saw a segment of how we do business, and I can share that with anyone,” said Kwiatkowski, whose thoughts and writing have turned in retirement to include critiques of other areas of government life.
“I don’t think we can afford any of this social-welfare state that we have created for ourselves. We can either just say no, to borrow from Nancy Reagan, or we can go on being fat, dumb and happy and spending ourselves into oblivion. And I think that’s where we’re heading. I believe that we’re headed toward a disaster, but I’m hoping there’s something I can do to get us back on a constitutional path,” Kwiatkowski said.
She admits to not being entirely comfortable with politics. “I’m not a politician,” Kwiatkowski said, and she harbors no illusions about her chances to unseat a 10-term congressman in a party primary.
“He cannot be beaten in the two-party system. He can only be beaten if we articulate real conservatism. And the only way to do that is to have a nomination race. And that’s what we’re doing,” said Kwiatkowski, who takes the long view in thinking that Goodlatte’s days “are numbered.”
“If it’s not this cycle, it’s the next cycle, and if it’s not that one, it’s the one after that,” said Kwiatkowski, who sees Goodlatte’s consistent votes in favor of deficit budgets and increases in the federal debt ceiling as his Achilles heel.
“This last (debt-ceiling vote) was a tradeoff to get a vote on his balanced-budget amendment, which is nothing but kicking the can down the road with the end goal being to make the excuse that, Well, you guys didn’t modify the Constitution, so sorry, but we couldn’t stop ourselves from spending. Sorry, but we don’t get that option in our own households,” Kwiatkowski said.
It doesn’t bother Kwiatkowski at all that she is getting nothing in terms of support from GOP leaders in the Sixth.
“My message is resonating with true conservatives who are upset with the party. That’s more important to me,” Kwiatkowski said.
More on the Kwiatkowski campaign online at www.KarenKForCongress.com.
The mystery of the Coyner Springs Park goats … solved
Sightings of goats in Coyner Springs Park have led to several phone calls to the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation in recent days.
No, it’s not a herd that has gotten loose and taken over the park. It’s actually a program to test the feasibility of using goats for invasive species management in the park, said Spencer Thompson, the special events and programs coordinator for the parks and rec department.
Autumn Olive, a particularly aggressive invasive species, is threatening to overtake the back field of the park, Thompson said. A designated 10-12 acre area has been fenced (electric) for the confinement of the goats.
“The premise is the goats will forage on the autumn olive, poison ivy, and other non-grass brush and bushes and stress the plants to the point where they will no longer flourish, creating an environment for native plants to thrive,” Thompson said.
The goats have two companion dogs in the fenced area that protect the goats from predators but do not pose a risk of leaving the fenced area or harassing dogs in the walking park.
The project is a joint effort of the city and Autumn Olive Farms and will be ongoing for two to four weeks or until the first heavy frost that causes plants in the park to die out for the season, Thompson said.
Clinic receives award for health practices
The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic announced today it has been honored with the Virginia Rural Health Association’s prestigious “Best Practices in Rural Health” award.
The award is given annually by the Virginia Rural Health Association to recognize a program or institution that exemplifies commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia. The ARDC will be recognized for this achievement during a luncheon on Dec. 9 at the VRHA Conference held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in Staunton.
“The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic is one of the few places low-income families in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County can go for dental services,” said Margaret Hersh, Executive Director of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic. “With our recent state-of-the-art facility expansion, we are able to serve more patients in a timelier manner. We are both humbled and thrilled to be recognized for this award.”
In the past year, ARDC treated 8,200 patients, providing nearly 30,000 procedures at a value of $2.5 million dollars. All of the Clinic’s patients are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. ARDC accepts children and adults enrolled in the Medicaid programs Famis, Famis Plus, Optima and Virginia premier, as well as uninsured adults at significantly reduced fees. Opened in June 2010, ARDC’s new 5,000 square-foot dental
facility includes state-of-the-art equipment and eight treatment rooms. This expanded facility, along with a dedicated staff including three full-time dentists, one part-time dentist, and a full-time hygienist, enable the Clinic to provide cutting-edge, compassionate dental care without a lengthy wait time.
Humane Society urges exotic-pet ban after Hampton man bitten by pet cobra
In light of recent news of a Hampton man who was hospitalized after being bitten by his pet cobra, The Humane Society of the United States is once again urging Gov. Bob McDonnell and Virginia legislators to act swiftly to prohibit future ownership of dangerous wild animals.
Existing laws in Virginia would hardly prevent further tragedies, such as last month’s Zanesville, Ohio, incident when a disturbed man released his 56 big cats, bears, primates and wolves before committing suicide.
Virginia currently has no restrictions for primates or most venomous and constricting snakes and still allows unqualified facilities to possess big cats, bears and wolves.
“People are being injured and killed, animals are being mistreated and killed, and we urge Virginia officials to take immediate steps to end this madness,” said Laura Donahue, Virginia state director for The HSUS. “The possession of dangerous wild animals must be limited only to accredited zoos and sanctuaries. Anything less ensures that reckless people will continue to put the community at risk and compromise the welfare of wild animals.”
Numerous incidents illustrate the hazards of allowing unqualified individuals and facilities to harbor dangerous wild animals. Earlier this year, a man was attacked by one of his two pet java macaques—a species of monkey known for carrying a deadly Herpes B virus—who he was allowing to sleep in his bed. The man was hospitalized due to his injuries, and the monkeys were moved to a pseudo-sanctuary that planned to have their canine teeth extracted in violation of federal law.
Also in recent years:
- In 2010, six chimpanzees escaped an enclosure for the third time at Windy Oaks Animal Farm in Mechanicsville
- In 2008, a teenager working at Luray Zoo was attacked by an adult tiger and suffered severe injuries to her hand and arm and lost a finger
- In 2008, a woman was strangled to death by a python in Virginia Beach
- In 2006, a child was bitten by a black bear at Maymont Park in Richmond
- In 2003, two Asiatic bears were shot and killed after escaping from a cage at Natural Bridge Zoo
All of these incidents further demonstrate that the only facilities that should be allowed to house wild animals are zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or sanctuaries accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Busy weekend at Gateway
Escape from the overload of turkey, guests and football by joining one of the weekend specials at Wayne Theatre Alliance’s Gateway at 329 West Main in Downtown Waynesboro.
On Friday, Nov. 25, the final round of WTA’s Top Comic Competition will be held at 8 p.m. And on Saturday, Nov. 26, the multi-talented Jesse Harper will bring his mix of folk and jazz and original songs to WTA’s Gateway. The 8 p.m. show will highlight the talented guitarist-songwriter’s special touch.
In last month’s round, eight comics paired off. The competition was fierce. The audience struggled with selecting their final four choices. Battling it out on Friday night are the Central Virginia comics Julian Close, J. F. Ferguson, Brad Foster, and Joe Shea. Again audience members will vote for their favorite. This time the winner will take home the coveted WTA’s Gateway Top Comic Trophy.
On Saturday, singer/songwriter Jesse Harper is continuing as the front man for Old School Freight Train (whom the Boston Herald called the “most talented young string band in the land”) by opening his solo project at WTA’s Gateway. Harper, who has performed with numerous mentors and friends such as David Grisman, Madeleine Peyroux, and Josh Ritter, will play songs from his debut album, “His Best Intentions.” The evening will demonstrate the inspiration Harper draws from jazz, gospel, Americana and blues.
Tickets for both the Friday and the Saturday performances are available online at www.WaynesboroGateway.com at the box office. Tickets are $10.
Weekend Watchdog: Feast of Thanksgiving sports
At Thanksgiving dinner, some brothers fight over the drumsticks. This Thanksgiving, two brothers will be fighting for NFL victory.
Jim Harbaugh brings his surprising 49ers across the country to face brother John’s Baltimore Ravens on the NFL Network game at 8 p.m. Jim’s 49ers have won eight straight, pulling away with the NFC West. John’s Ravens edged Cincinnati Sunday to pull into first place in the AFC North.
The first game of the day looks pretty good too – 10-0 Green Bay at Detroit on FOX. Prepare for plenty of clips from the 1962 Thanksgiving game. In between, the Cowboys host the Dolphins on CBS. Keep Leon Lett away from the ball.
Sunday, the Redskins head west to see if Washington state is a better venue than inside the Washington beltway. Kickoff against the Seahawks is 4 p.m.
CBS shows a doubleheader, with the Bills taking on the Jets at 1 p.m. and Eagles hosting the Patriots at 4:15 p.m. In primetime, the Steelers visit Kansas City on NBC. The Giants head to New Orleans Monday night on ESPN.
The ACC Coastal Division comes down to one game – Virginia Tech at Virginia on ABC at 3:30 p.m. Other areas of the country have the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State, and in those areas Hokies-Cavs will be on ESPN2.
The college football weekend begins Thursday with the final meeting of Texas and Texas A&M as conference rivals. ESPN has kickoff at 8 p.m.
It’s a full day Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 with South Florida hosting Louisville. Iowa closes its regular season against new conference foe Nebraska at noon on ABC, followed by Miami vs. Boston College.
CBS has the big game between Arkansas and LSU at 2:30 p.m. ESPN’s primetime doubleheader starts with the Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia at 7 p.m., followed by California-Arizona State.
Comcast brings Conference USA action at noon, with Houston traveling to Tulsa.
Saturday, the ACC network has North Carolina State trying to become bowl eligible against Maryland at 12:30 p.m. Comcast brings Duke-North Carolina at 3 p.m.
CBS has the Iron Bowl matching Alabama and Auburn at 3:30 p.m., while NBC has the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling at 2:30 p.m.
ABC begins the day with Ohio State-Michigan, then heads west for Notre Dame’s game with Stanford at 8 p.m.
ESPN’s Saturday starts with Georgia at Georgia Tech at noon, then Penn State and Wisconsin battle for a berth in the first Big Ten championship game at 3:30 p.m. In primetime, Clemson faces South Carolina.
ESPN2 offers Rutgers vs. Connecticut at noon and Florida State taking on Florida at 7 p.m.
On FX, Iowa State goes for its second straight big upset at Oklahoma at noon. Versus heads west for Washington State at Washington at 7:30 p.m.
MASN has the Big East game of the week – Cincinnati at Syracuse – at noon before offering New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m.
Comcast continues in the Conference USA Saturday, as Rice visits SMU at noon before Southern Cal plays UCLA at 10:30 p.m.
NBC offers NHL hockey on Friday, with the Red Wings visiting Boston. Comcast shows the Rangers’ trip to Washington Friday at 4 p.m. and visit to Buffalo Saturday at 7 p.m.
Feast Week features plenty of college basketball throughout the weekend. ESPN2 gets it going at noon Thursday with Texas Tech vs. Indiana State from the Old Spice Classic. Minnesota-DePaul follows, then it’s west for the 76 Classic – Villanova against UC-Riverside at 4:30 p.m.
It’s back to the Old Spice Classic at 7 p.m., with Wake Forest taking on Dayton followed by Arizona State-Fairfield. At 11:30 p.m., it’s back to the 76 Classic for Oklahoma’s game with Washington State.
Friday, ESPN has games from the Old Spice Classic starting at noon, and the final of the preseason NIT at 5 p.m. ESPN2 continues coverage from the Old Spice Classic, then North Carolina plays South Carolina in Las Vegas at 10 p.m. At midnight, there’s another game from the 76 Classic.
Saturday features another game from Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2, and Sunday there’s two games from the Old Spice Classic starting at 4:30 p.m. before a final game from the 76 Classic at 9 p.m.
Versus offers action from the Battle 4 Atlantis Thursday, with Central Florida vs. College of Charleston at 2 p.m., then Florida State meeting Massachusetts. The two semifinals are on Friday, starting at 2 p. m., and the consolation and championship game are Saturday starting at 2 p.m.
MASN has the Great Alaska Shootout, starting Thursday at 10:30 p.m., with Central Michigan facing New Mexico State. The semifinals start Friday at 9:30 p.m., followed by the third place game Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and the championship at midnight.
In the lower 48 on MASN, Ohio takes on Louisville Friday at 7 p.m.
ESPN has women’s basketball Sunday, with Baylor visiting Tennesee at 2 p.m.
More at http://WeekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Auditions for Players production
The Waynesboro Players will hold auditions for a production of Pirate Appreciation Day by local author and playwright Matthew Warner on Sunday, Nov. 27, and Wednesday, Nov. 30.
The auditions will be held at the Waynesboro Players Warehouse, 722 E. Main St., Waynesboro, from 6-8 p.m. on both Nov. 27 and Nov. 30.
Pirate Appreciation Day follows the efforts of the so-called Pirate Appreciation Movement to restore the good name of moderny piracy.
The group of buccaneers believes hijacking a cruise ship on the Talk Like a Pirate Day holiday is the proper route to infamy. Its saltiest members, Walker D. Plank and sidekick Halitosis Halvard, sneak aboard the M.S. Stillwater as it departs for a Caribbean cruise.
They discover more than they bargained for in a colorful ensemble of fellow passengers. Frederick Feedle Fillingsworth is a fugitive museum curator with a valuable stolen artifact. Teenaged nerd Paisley Nettleton is a prodigy of ancient languages and archeology, hovered over by his squabbling parents, Ned and Doris. The Captain — the hairest man of the Seven Seas — would do anything to win the affections of Bridget, the mysterious yeoman.
By the time night falls on the first day at sea, a tentacled monster will be summoned, a sword fight will be fought with plastic butter knives, and someone will take a one-way voyage to Davy Jones’s locker. Aye so, but ’tis good to be a pirate!
Roles to fill:
Principals: 7 men (20s–late 40s), 4 women (20s–late 40s)
Supporting: 5 men (20s–40s), 2 women (20s)
More information: www.WaynesboroPlayers.org.
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Kathleen Rogers: Green your Thanksgiving meal
Posted on November 23, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Here are some ways we suggest you celebrate. After all, the first Thanksgiving was a celebration of a bountiful harvest.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• Try to use as much reusable dinnerware as possible. Many times, people have more people over than the usual dinner and that can mean not enough plates and forks. If it isn’t possible to use reusable dinnerware, encourage people to reuse their plates when going for that second helping of mashed potatoes and peas (Don’t lie, we all know you are going for it). Have an easy way for your guests to recycle their waste, be it plastic, glass, aluminum or paper. Have separate bins or baskets next to the trash so that no one has to make a trip around the dining area before looking for that perfect place to crash after the meal.
• Make your food and scraps help with your next big meal by composting them. Starting from the food preparation to that last bit of mashed potatoes left on your plate from when your eyes were bigger than your stomach, collect the scraps and start a compost bin.
• At the end of the meal, send your guests home with leftovers in the containers that you purchased some of your ingredients in, such as butter tubs, cranberry boxes or any other empty container with a lid.
2. Buy Locally Grown Food.
Purchase produce and baked goods from local farms and small businesses. By purchasing locally, you are reducing the carbon footprint of your food by limiting its transportation. You also are supporting the local economy and giving a homegrown feel to the celebration, especially with heirloom produce. And there is no smell better than that of walking into a bakery and picking out a fresh loaf of bread direct from the oven.
3. Buy Organic.
While on the subject of food, purchasing organic produce and meat is an easy way to green your Thanksgiving meal. Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers not only leech into the surrounding environment where they are used, but also can have negative effects on human health, if not properly washed. If you are looking for a meat option for your Thanksgiving meal, purchase meat raised without antibiotics or artificial hormones, and while at it, since for many it isn’t Thanksgiving without turkey, make sure your poultry is free-range. Remember, the first turkeys were all free range! While at it, serve organic and fair-trade coffee. and chocolate as your post meal, pre-food coma pick-me-up.
4. Go Meatless.
OK, before you stop reading and seek me out as a blasphemer, many people don’t have turkey on Thanksgiving. If you don’t want to stray too far from tradition, think about making a turkey alternative, from using tofu seasoned around stuffing to an alternative dish completely, (I know people that celebrate with stuffed shells or a nut loaf).
5. Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Decorations.
Use newspaper or brown bags to make placemats or paper turkeys. Use the twine that the produce may have come in to tie napkins around silverware. Collect leaves from the yard to make a fall-themed centerpiece, or flowers from the garden for a bouquet.
6. Celebrate Close-to-Home or Travel Green.
The days surrounding Thanksgiving see some of the highest traffic of the year. If possible, celebrate with friends and family close to home and invite your neighbors into your celebration; that is what started this tradition in the first place, right?
7. Travel Green.
If you must go over the river and through the woods, try to make your travel as green as possible. Make sure your car is in good condition, full tires, carpool when possible and avoid peak travel times to reduce idling in traffic, wasting gas and releasing unnecessary emissions. If you are flying to your destination, consider purchasing carbon credits to offset the emissions from your flight. The typical long haul flight produces nearly four tons of carbon dioxide.
Turn Black Friday into Green Friday. The day after Thanksgiving can be a warzone at shopping malls, but don’t forget about your local boutiques and products. Pay attention to where your purchases originate. Many products give back to local communities as well as donate to environmental causes. If the product is not domestic, make sure that the country of origin has sound environmental practices. If you are not set on shopping, stay home and start a new tradition, like planting a garden, do a family service project, create a family act of green, or recycle old toys at a local charity for other families to enjoy.
Traditionally when we think of Thanksgiving, we think of oranges, reds and browns, but green goes with everything. When coming together with your family and friends, as everyone reflects on what they are thankful for, remember that the first Thanksgiving was to celebrate surviving in a new land; a strange, beautiful place that sustained a new life for one group and had been a long time home to another. The earth is our home and we should always be thankful for what it provides. As we move into this holiday season and New Year, we should all show how thankful we are for this planet and the home it provides by giving back to it as much as it has given us.
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