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Show The Newspaper Thtfsday, April 17, 1980 Page 7 By David Hampshire 3f you are a fourth-level cleric, you can protect yourself from evil by tracing a circle, 20 feet in diameter, using holy water, blood, incense or smoldering dung. An eighth-level magic user can invoke a spell known as Otto's Irresistible Dance, which causes the victim to start dancing, shuffling his feet and tapping. This frantic activity causes the recipient to lose the potency of his armor by a factor of minus four. What is this? A regurgitation regurgita-tion of pagan mumbo-jumbo from the Middle Ages? A game produced by a child's fertile imagination? None of the above? For the benefit of the unenlightened, this lingo is taken from a mass-produced game known as Dungeons and Dragons. To the addicted, ad-dicted, the name of the game has become abbreviated to D &D. Since the game was introduced intro-duced to a group of students in the Wasatch School District Dis-trict gifted and talented program about two months ago, more than just the dragons have been breathing . fire. Some parents and other county residents have strenuously stren-uously objected to the use of the game, calling it everything every-thing from a waste of time to an instrument of the devil. The author of the Dungeons and Dragons handbooks, an individual with the improbable im-probable name of Gary Gygax, describes the game as a fantasy role-playing experience. To use his own words, two key ingredients of the game are "swords and sorcery." In the Players Handbook published in 1978 by TSR games, Gygax describes the transformation which SHANNON'S at the CAR 19 Casual elegance is the style in this new Park City Restaurant. Tuxedoed waiters serve you entrees such as Veal Oscar, Beef Wellington, Rack of Lamb, Parisienne. Reservations strongly recommended. 438 Main Street, 649-9338. Master Charge, Visa, American Express accepted. Ample parking ir Swede Alley. Closed until June 20th. CAR 19 Under new ownership and management. The completely remodeled Car 19 offers excellent cuisine served in an elegant Victorian dining car atmosphere. Open 5: 30-10 : 30 every night. Ample parking in Swede Alley. 438 Main Street, 649-9338. PARK CITY YACHT CLUB RESTAURANT You'll find us conveniently located in the Silver Millhouse building at the Resort Center. Come in and enjoy the casual and most unique atmosphere in Park City. You can dine in our glass enclosed dining room overlooking the waterfall, or have oysters on the half-shell half-shell at the Oyster Bar alongside the warmth of the antique an-tique fireplace. The menu includes fresh fish, prime rib, steak, vegetarian plates or a fantastic voyage to our famous salad boat. Open every day. 649-7778. THE CORNER STORE The Corner Stone of your Park City vacation ! Come delight in our deli treats; fine meats and cheeses in every sandwich, fresh Danish, delicate omelettes, memorable cookies. Deep dish pizza and 6 oz. burgers are our specialties. There's a place for you at the Corner Cor-ner Store. Indoor and outdoor seating or "Take it Away" up the mountain or back to your condo. Catering too! We're at the Resort Plaza 649-8600. The Newspaper Classifieds get Results . . . Call 649-9014 players of the game experience ex-perience as they become the characters which they portray. por-tray. "This game lets all of your fantasies come true. This is a world where monsters, dragons, good and evil, high priests, fierce demons, and even the gods themselves may enter your character's life. Enjoy, for this game is what dreams are made of." What are dreams to some may be nightmares to others. Residents of Heber are bitterly divided as to whether this game is a harmless exercise in fantasy or a devious introduction to the occult. A special education teacher in the Wasatch District defended the game in a recent Newspaper interview. She argued that D & D helps children to develop active imaginations, and also promotes pro-motes decision-making, communication and cooperation. co-operation. "As a teacher of reading over the years I've been somewhat concerned because be-cause I find that even kids who can learn still don't read,'.' .she said, "And I feel that part of the reason is that they've grown up with television tele-vision where everything is portrayed. They sit there and don't have to imagine. They see it all acted out. "I feel that some children have not developed imagination, imagina-tion, and that's why, even though they can read, they don't particularly like to read. When you read, you have to be able to form mental pictures toenjoy it." On the other side of the issue is a Protestant minister, minis-ter, who firmly believes a casual interest in the game could develop into an obsession obses-sion with the satanic. "The thing that bothers me Wasatch Kids Are Playing Dungeons and Dragons And More than Monsters Are Breathing Fire is that it is more reality than it is fantasy," he said. "Whoever wrote those books did some real heavy studying study-ing witchcraft and demon-ology. demon-ology. The Bible teaches that there is a real demon world out there, that there are actually evil spirits and that they do possess people." Although the playing of the game has become increasingly increas-ingly complex since it first was introduced, the basic concept has remained the same. It involves about four to six players, seated around a table, who make a mythical mythi-cal journay to vanquish mythical monsters. Each player assumes certain cer-tain characteristics which are based in part on throws of the dice. In keeping with his character, the player also takes on an arsenal of weapons which can vary from swords to spells. The players usually "travel" as a group, and their ability to rely on each others' skills and to make group decisions determines whether or not they survive. Orchestrating the game is the Dungeon Master, who manipulates the demons and monsters like a chess player getting set to ambush his opponent. Typically, he would have at his disposal a Dungeon Masters Guide and a Monster Manual. To the skeptical adult, some of these monsters are reminiscent reminis-cent of what you might find in a Grade B Japanese science fiction movie. One is listed simply as Black Pudding. Pudd-ing. There is also the dreaded Green Slime. Included In-cluded in the Monster Manual Manu-al are a number of giant insects, from beetles to ticks. There is even a giant toad. The authors have drawn on more than science fiction for their showcase of monsters. The inclusion of hydras and gryphons indicates they have delved into classical myghology. They have gone to natural science for an impressive selection of dinosaurs, dino-saurs, from Paloescincus to Tyrannosaurus Rex. But it is the inclusion of an array of demonic characters which has frightened many people. The book contains a shopping list of demons and devils, complete with illustrations. illus-trations. There is Demogor-gon, Demogor-gon, two-headed Prince of Demons, whose gaze can inflict everything from hypnosis hyp-nosis to insanity. There is ADOLPHS On the golf course, Park City. Exceptional dining with Swiss hospitality. Everything from Escargots Bourguignonne, Raclette Swiss style to veal specialties. Seafood, beef and chef's specials ; Roast Rack of Lamb, Steak Diane and Roast Duckling a L'Orange for dinner, flaming desserts and Sunday Brunch year-round. Hours: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly. Sunday Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations requested, 649-7177. MILETI'S Park City's only Italian restaurant offers an elegant but intimate atmosphere to enjoy the offerings of a now expanded a la carte menu. The menu features items such as escargot and antipasto for appetizers, while pastas, veal, chicken and beef dominate the entree selection. Moderately priced. 412 Main Street, 649-8211. Dinner hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 6 nights a week. Mileti's Social Association, a private club, is located upstairs. Open from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. JANEAUX'S This beautifully restored restaurant is a "must see" during your stay in Park City. Crab, salmon, cordon bleu, prime rib, roast duck, and pepper steaks are just a few of the expertly prepared entrees. Dinner 5 : 30 to 10:30. 306 Main Street. 649-6800. GRUB STEAK Is Park City's largest steakhouse where you can watch your favorite cut broiled on the open grill. The restaurant features steaks, prime rib and seafood. This area's largest and freshest salad bar boasts over 35 items. Entertainment, Wednesday through Saturday. Open 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 to 11 Baalzebul, the Arch-Devil, who rules the sixth and seventh planes of Hell. There are the lemures, the forms which contain the dead inhabitants of the Nine Hells. When the controversy over the game erupted in Heber last month, the school board was asked to remove it from the school. One of the spokesmen of the loose coalition of opponents was attorney Donald George. In a carefully documented presentation at the March 27 board meeting, George listed his objections of the game. He told The Newspaper he was particularly disturbed about religious analogies in the game, such as the use of terms like "vial of holy water" and "water-walking," (using magic to allow an individual to walk on the surface of a body of water). But George's principal objection ob-jection was that the game was a waste of time and a waste of taxpayers' money. "I see the main problem is that young people could just spend literally days and months wrapped up in this and where does it lead them?" he asked the school board. "I really see it as kind of sucking them into a world where I just don't see where it's going to lead them any place." In spite of his testimony, the board voted to allow the game to continue, provided that it was supervised, that the students involved have written permission from their parents, and that the students not have access to the game manuals. School Superintendent Douglas Merkley said later the parents of the children involved in the game had been surveyed for their opinions. Of the 32 responses, two were ambivalent, five were opposed, and the other 25 gave their approval. "They said they thought it was worthwhile, that they thought it ought to stay in the program," Merkley said. "I reported this to the board." He pointed out that the game was being played after school, not during regular school hours. In spite of the March 27 ruling by the board, the controversy over the game continues to rear its ugly head. An unsigned letter appeared in last Thursday's issue of the Wasatch Wave, Heber's weekly paper, im plying that the game somehow some-how was related to a game known as "Bloody Mary" being played at the Midway Elementary School. The letter let-ter noted "Bloody Mary" was being played without the knowledge of the teachers at the school. "The game plan, as I understand it, goes like this: (the letter continues) "All of the kids sit in a circle and hold hands in the dark. Then they repeatedly chant 'Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary' until the spirit of the she-demon appears. ...It is then said to the children who don't take part in this little 'seance' that they may be visited by Bloody Mary while they sleep that night and if she is going to kill them she will leave a bloody mark on their foreheads." A group of parents appeared ap-peared at last Thursday's school board meeting to ask that the decision be reconsidered. recon-sidered. Merkley urged the parents to let the game run its course, since the students' interests would soon be turning to other areas. And he argued a reversal of the board's decision would seem like a repudiation of the teachers who introduced the game. One of the parents at the meeting, Mrs. Linda Burnes, told the board that the game had spread to school-age children outside the gifted and talented program. She said removing the manuals did nothing more than whet the students' appetites. "Somebody said, 'When you take the books out of the school, it's like giving the kids a slug of whiskey and putting the bottle in the cupboard.' That's the way we feel about it." Special education teacher Marilyn Baird spoke up in defense of the board's decision. deci-sion. "I don't know that there's ever been any proof that this game is bad," she said. "These people (the parents) have not been voted to represent the total community. com-munity. I don't think they have the right to say the school board must change its decision." The board didn't change its decision. The members chose to let the game run its course, and the delegation of parents left the meeting, promising to continue the light. p.m. Friday & Saturday and 5 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Open for breakfast during the ski season. Located in Prospector Square. 649-8060. BAGEL NOSH 592 Main Street, 649-6674. The restaurant chain that boasts "everything" on a bagel. For the uninitiated, a Bagel Nosh is a combination bakery, delicatessen, and restaurant, specializing in ten varieties of oven fresh bagels baked on the premises and served with everything from plain cream cheese to pastrami. Also specializing in "takeout" and catering. Open daily from 7 a.m. until midnight, 7 days a week. ROYCE'S Located at 1800 Park Avenue in the Yarrow (at Holiday Inn ) . The atmosphere is casual, but you can count on some of Park City's finest cooking with a fare ranging from American to Continental. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There are daily lunch and dinner specials. Beer and set-ups are available. ( There's a liquor store on the premises ) . We welcome you to join us. 649-8659. MAIN STREET DELI A favorite Park City spot for combining fine imported impor-ted cheeses, Usinger meats ( from Milwaukee ) and fresh fruit into delightful repasts. Dine with us or take out. Come test our homemade salads, quiche, soups and cheesecake, and select one of our twenty different beers or eight different bagels. Join us for breakfast daily (except Sundays) for bagels or omelettes. We cater to you! Whether it be in your home, condo or in a A direct beneficiary of the controversy surrounding Dungeons and Dragons is Randy King, owner of the Gamesmaster store at the University Mall in Orem. King has noticed a definite jump in business since the March 27 meeting. "Since that time, probably a dozen" or more kids from the school have come in and bought the books," he said. "During the last little row, my business in Dungeons and Dragons doubled, literally." literal-ly." But King pointed out that there was an intense interest in the game well before the present round of publicity. He estimated that, since he opened the store in 1978, half of his business has come from D & D or related items. King said he knows of 300 to 400 very active players in the Provo-Orem area, of whom about half are between the ages of eight and 16. He is aware of the existence of clubs at American Fork, Provo, Timp View and Orem high schools. On four or five different occasions, he said, he has been contacted by teachers from different schools regarding the game. But, he added, the Wasatch School District is the only one of these to adopt the game as part of the curriculum. curri-culum. King expressed surprise at the negative publicity the game has received recently. "In the year and a half that I've been open, I've never had anybody come in and say anything against the game. The only complaint I've had is that the kids play too much. "I've seen no problems. Most of the kids involved who come into my store are active, LDS kids. The game appeals to intelligent, creative, crea-tive, pretty balanced kids." He sees no more "weird-ness" "weird-ness" in Dungeons and Dragons than "in the fairy tales we read as kids." But he agrees it is possible that a player could become obsessed ob-sessed with the role he assumes in the game. "I suppose it could happen. But that could also happen from watching too much television. There are probably probab-ly more Dirty Harrys walking walk-ing around than there are wizards. 'I've never seen anyone acting it out. That's not to say it will never happen." SPECIAL Let Motherlode Carpet Cleaners Perform a DIRTECTOMY on YOUR carpet. CompI , ham poo & Steam Clean Regularly $22.50 per room NOW only $16 thru April 30 Fully professional, over 7 yrs. exp. Removes Carpet-killing grit Removes odors Biodegradable Scotchgarding available 649-6091 A division of Motherlode Services "When are snoppi for homeowners insurance, I'm usually their last stop..?9 If you're shopping, find out if I can save you money. Come in, or give me a call. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY Home Office: Bloomingion, Illinois ballroom, give us a call at 649-6498, 525 Main Street. 9 a.m. to7p.m. THE CLAIMJUMPER Set in the historic Claimjumper Hotel, this first-rate steakhouse serves the famous Baseball Steak as a specialty. Old whiskey bottles serve as menus. Open 6 to 10 p.m., Sunday Thursday, 6-11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. 573 Main Street, 649-8051. EL PAPAGAYO (THE PARROT) Look for the brightly colored parrot at 430 Main Street and try our authentic Mexican Food. Lunch served from 1 1 : 30 to 2 : 30 and dinner f rom 5 : 00 to 1 0 : 00 seven days a week. Sunday Brunch served from 10:00 to 2:00 featuring strawberry margarita set-ups or try calling 649-6900 for your Take Out meal . TOP POCKET Featuring pocket sandwiches, soup, chili and pizza on a bun, beer on tap. We also have imported coffees and teas from South America, Europe, Central America, Africa, Indonesia and Middle East. Open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. Serving breakfast and lunch closing after night skiing. Located next to the ticket building in the Resort Plaza. FINNEY'S, A GATHERING PLACE Just what it says, a place to gather and enjoy good charburgers, deli sandwiches and beverages inside or at outdoor tables. Located in the Old Town across from Utah Coal and Lumber. Happy hour from 5:00 until 7:00 daily. Ladies' night Tuesday & Thursday. Boys' night out Wednesday. Stop in and play darts or foosball anytime. people HIE Max Vierig Mt Air Mall 649-9161 STATE FARM INSURANCE |