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Show B4 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 Scanning the Bookshelf It’s Time for a Quirky Look at the History of our Puritans Robert L. Pincus Crossword We make a lot of the fact that Thanksgiving is an American holiday. But who among us would deny that Christmas is the heavyweight holiday. Think about all the versions of “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker.” The Grinch and his story, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the innumerable holiday films, etc., etc. What does Thanksgiving have, in the way of imagery, except a charming painting by Norman Rockwell and some obscure images of Pilgrims and Indians sharing a meal? Still, a lot of American history is evoked by the Thanksgiving meal of 1621 -- a mythologized version From Page B2. of it, of course, a portrait of harmony between the newly arrived English Colonists in Plymouth, Mass., and the Wampanoag Indians, who helped them survive. We sometimes mix up the Pilgrims of Plymouth with the Puritans who created Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They didn’t arrive until 1629. But it’s the bookish Puritans, the witty, funny and stylish writer of history, Sarah Vowell, points out, who are way more crucial to American history. As she writes: “The most important reason I am concentrating on Winthrop and his shipmates in the 1630s is that the country I live in is haunted by the Puritans’ vision of themselves as God’s chosen people, as a beacon of righteousness that all others are to admire.” If you don’t believe this idea has merit, then you haven’t paid attention to the ideas that fueled President Bush’s foreign policy for the last eight years and a lot of earlier American behavior. Vowell -- known for such quirky, entertaining and perceptive chronicles of American history as “Assassination Vacation” as well as her droll stories on NPR’s “This American Life” -- takes up the history of the famed American Puritans in her new book “The Wordy Shipmates.” The Puritans’ most famous figure, John Winthrop, was alive once again in the rhetoric of the just-concluded presidential campaign. Sarah Palin kept refer- ring to Ronald Reagan and his phrase “a city upon a hill.” Reagan often used that phrase, like others before him, but it goes back to Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, whom she never mentioned. He adapted it from Scripture in his sermon “A Model of Christian Charity.” If you have some idea that these Colonists were a dull group that makes for a dull story, she will show you otherwise. We use the word “Puritan,” she writes, “as shorthand for a bunch of generic, boring, stupid, judgmental killjoys.” Instead, “they are very specific, fascinating, sometimes brilliant, judgmental killjoys.” (Copyright 2008 Creators Syndicate Inc.) Community Theater preparing for production of ‘Li’l Abner’ ADOPT A PET Karen Truman The Emery County Community Theater is preparing for their 2009 production “Li’l Abner.” This production is crazy, wild and great fun. L’l Abner originated as a satiric comic strip by Al Capp which ran from 1934 to 1977. I have been surprised to learn that there are not very many young people who know what L’l Abner is all about; so I decided to write this article to introduce you. Al Capp’s world famous characters have been placed in an upbeat musical extravaganza that is an outstanding show. The show takes place in the hometown of L’l Abner, Dogpatch, USA. What starts out as a calm day down at the fishing hole is quickly interrupted for Abner and his friends when a “Cornpone Meetin” is called in the town square. This means there’s to be “a hideous change in the Dogpatch way of life.” Sure enough, the government has completed a study finding Dogpatch to be “the most unnecessary, no-account” place in the country, thereby calling for evacuation of the town so that atomic testing can be conducted on it. Everyone frantically tries to find a reason why the town should be spared. In the meantime all the young single ladies are preparing for “Sadie Hawkins Day.” What is that, you say? Come and see March 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2009. (Karen Truman will be directing the Emery County Community Theater production of Li’l Abner.) A Love of Reading Christmas Story Continued from Page B3. The Emery County Animal Shelter has these Lab/Great Dane mix puppies available for adoption. Six weeks old, they can be yours for $62.50, which includes spay or neuter and rabies vaccination. An AVID Chip is also available at the time of the adoption for $12. These pets and many others are available at the Emery County Animal Shelter in Castle Dale, 490 West, SR-29. Call 381-2539 for more information. View all of the shelter pets at emeryanimal.net. There were also current magazines and copies of the local newspaper. To Laura’s greatest surprise, there were a couple of computers for patrons’ use. Computers for Continued from Page B3. December 16 ls •Mamma Mia! enta R •The Mummy: Tomb of the me Ga iewed & Dragon Emperor V le VD ly •Traitor •D evious or sa es f r t •P VDs tifica r D e C December 23 ift •G •The House Bunny •Death Race 25 West •Burn After Reading •The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian •The X-Files: I Want To Believe •Step Brothers •Fly Me to the Moon •Wanted Main Castle Dale, UT December 9 •Horton Hears a Who! •The Dark Knight December 30 py Hap ys! da Holi •Surfer, Dude •The Duchess • Eagle eye • Ghost Town 381-2235 Hours Mon-Thur 1-8 p.m. Fri & Sat 1-9 p.m. the opportunities that will come in March. Love is so fulfilling through the spring, and much of the time you’ll feel like you’re walking on air. VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22). The balance of interpersonal dynamics is tricky. If you’re too rational, they’ll think you don’t care. If you’re too touchy-feely, they back off. By Wednesday you’ll be getting along with everyone. It’s not hard because your observational powers help you read people exactly. You strike the right chord every time. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. The Meat Shop Wane & Orson Justice/Owners Custom Packaging Available Pork • lamb • beef Star Theatre Compare Our Prices for Sandwiches and Meals Star Fun Center Grill & Arcade Monday - Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM COMING SOON 435-687-(STAR)7827 Make your NOW Holiday PLAYING Reservations at Star grill For your Family Party or a Group Party. containing their new library cards. Thanks to the big, bold lettering that read “Colton City Library,” it would be a wonderful Christmas after all. (Oveson, a resident of Huntington, serves on the county library board.) 23). When someone is overly demanding of your attention, it’s easy to fall into reaction mode. You prefer to be proactive and call the shots that will lead to your desired destiny. Though you may feel stressed out at different points in the week, especially Thursday, in the long run you won’t be sorry that you put duty first. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Though you have a craving for material things this week, love is what you’re really after. You may feel like you don’t have enough of it. Whether it’s the truth or just a perception of the moment, you’ll benefit from finding someone to lavish with your full attention. The more you give, the fuller you will feel. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In a world where people seeking power, control and approval is the norm, you do something remarkable. You simply don’t care what people think or whether they’ll follow you. Being true to yourself and your purpose is your foremost aim. Channel your boundless energy into creating what you want the most. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19). You appreciate having the time to process and plan. This week, however, happens so quickly that in many instances your spontaneous impulses will have to do. That’s fine because you are getting better at being fluid and ready in the moment. Accept all events as they occur. You’re more able than you know. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 18). You’re paying attention. You might not make sense of all you observe as it’s happening, but you store it for later when you’re sure that you will be able to work it out. Over the weekend you have the ability to recall information you didn’t even know you would need. Capricorn and Virgo are among your admirers. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be happy to hang out with those as smart and perceptive as you, but you should know that the group is small. Many won’t understand your jokes or your point right now, and it’s no reflection on your communication skills, which are stellar. It’s crucial that you find those who do get you and hang on for dear life. (Holiday Mathis is the author of “Rock Your Stars.” Copyright 2008 Creators Syndicate Inc.) 687-9000 790 N. 400 E. Huntington, UT Price Floral Inc. TWILIGHT Playing Dec. 12th Friday 7 PM Dec. 13th Saturday 4 & 7 PM 8FTU .BJO t 1SJDF 6UBI t Quantum Rated PG 13 Playing Dec. 5th Friday 7 PM Dec. 6th Saturday 4 &7 PM BOLT Rated PG Playing For Christmas Dec. 19th Friday 7 PM Dec. 20th Saturday 4 PM & 7 PM Dec. 26th & 27th even decided to get one for herself. She would wrap her own card separately with a label reading “To Mom from Alex and Megan.” She knew the children would be as excited for her as she would be for them when they opened their small packages Horoscopes by Holiday Holiday New Releases December 2 the children was something Laura could not afford to install in her own home, but now the kids could go to the library for their computer needs. Library cards were immediately obtained for the children, and on the spur-of-the-moment Laura 133 North Main Huntington, UT •Poinsettias •Unique Gifts •Free Gift Wrap with purchase •Open House now through Christmas “Come in and enjoy the sights and scents of Christmas”. |