Jim Bishop: Technology anxiety and the Luddite Mennonite

Jim Bishop

“Don’t know much about technology, Don’t know much about a Blackberry . . .” – from “Wonderful World,” (1960), with apologies to the late Sam Cooke It appears to be a phenomenon emerging at more and more meetings, conferences and other group proceedings. I gaze around the room, and virtually every participant is staring into…

BBQ & Bluegrass: Sending SDHS drama students to Scotland

AFP

The Stuarts Draft High School Drama Team is headed for Scotland. The team has been selected as one of only 50 high schools across the entire United States and Canada to receive an invitation to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, the world’s largest performing arts festival. Students will spend two days exploring London…

Jim Bishop: Listen … remember? They’re playing our song

Jim Bishop

“While listening to the radio just now I heard an instrumental rendition of ‘This is My Father’s World,’ and, when I hear that song, I picture our (late) mother standing up front, leading rows of children in singing that particular song when she was in charge of music during Vacation Bible School at the Doylestown…

Happy Birthday! Radio Hour turns 3

Chris Graham

On Oct. 15, 2007, the Waynesboro Cultural Commission’s monthly concerts made the transition to the newly coined River City Radio Hour. Featured on the first Radio Hour was the newly minted studio band The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard AdamsThey were joined by jazz singer Llyn Walker, Elvis impersonator Bob Lunger and comedienne…

ShenanArts auditions for holiday show

AFP

ShenanArts invites the community to audition for their holiday show The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut & The Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree: A Christmas Entertainment better known as The Butterfingers Angel. Created by William Gibson, one of America’s major dramatists (The Miracle Worker, Two for the Seesaw),…

The sweet sound of small business

Chris Graham

As the 2010/2011 school year begins, new business Tiller Strings combines local teaching, quality stringed instruments, and microfinance to serve the next generation of local musicians. Tiller Strings, operating out of Harrisonburg, Virginia opened in July of this year. Owned and operated by Virginia native and longtime musician, Megan Tiller, Tiller Strings offers a local…

Jim Bishop: On not despairing when life needs repairing

Jim Bishop

I saw it coming, but pretended it wasn’t happening. Eventually, the problem caught up with me. Technology – specifically, nearly-outdated technology – stopped me in my (recording) tracks, mid-sentence and mid-music selection. I went back and started over repeatedly over a two-day period and finally told myself, “Houston – or Harrisonburg – we’ve got a…

‘An Evening with C.S. Lewis’ at EMU

Jim Bishop

Veteran British actor David Payne will present “An Evening with C.S. Lewis,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU. The one-man performance takes place in the twilight years of the life of the renowned British author and Christian apologist. With a display of oratory and humor that made…

The Radio Hour goes classical

Chris Graham

In honor of its September guest, Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, The Radio Hour will take a classical turn. The Symphony will be represented at the two performances by Charles Salembier, president of the Symphony’s Board of Directors. He will present the door prizes for the Friday, Sept. 17 performances: tickets to the Symphony’s Rhapsoday for America…

Downtown Staunton plans special Fridays nights

AFP

Heading to Downtown Staunton after 5 on Friday evenings this summer and fall has its rewards, as 33 stores, salons, theaters and restaurants are keeping their doors open until 9 p.m. and offering special bonuses for their customers. Shoppers who spend $25 Fridays after 5 p.m. at participating stores will receive a $5 bonus. The…