If you are familiar with the author David Baldacci you will find that his THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN to be a more gentle book, just right for Holiday reading.
Tom Langdon had been a journalist covering some of the hottest spots on the globe. His job has disillusioned him and he is presently writing for home and garden types of magazines. From covering war torn Asia, he is now covering flower shows and describing how a good compost should be made.
After an ugly incident at an airport, he has been banned from flying and since he has to get from Washington, D. C. to Los Angeles by Christmas, he is forced to take the train.
Inspired by Mark Twain and a promise that he had made to his father, Tom decides to do an article on how traveling across country by train is very different than going by stage coach, as Twain had done.
Along with colorful fellow passengers and dedicated train employees, Tom also runs into a thief, a boa constrictor, a movie crew, a run away wedding and a life and death situation involving an avalanche.
This is a great book for the train enthusiasts on your shopping list. The plot is secondary; what comes through clearly is Baldacci’s love of trains. He has high praise for the workers that “ take care of the passengers”. Among the people that Tom meets is an old man, Herrick Higgins, an ex-railroad employee who had been left go due to budget cuts. He spends his time riding the rails and his ex-coworkers see that he has a bunk in the workers’ dormitory car and meals. As he shares his love of trains with Tom, we get to share that love.
The “crime” in THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN may not be as bloody as in Baldacci’s mainstream books, but the attention to detail and the characters are true Baldacci.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
THEATER: Nuncrackers
The State Theatre in State College was home to those loveable Little Sisters of Hoboken last week when The State College Community Theatre presented NUNCRACKERS. The Sisters are doing their first TV broadcast before a live audience to raise money for their school. (The first time that I met Sister Mary Regina, the Reverend Mother, and her staff, they were doing a benefit to raise money to bury some of the nuns who had been poisoned, accidentally, by their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God.)The result is a fun filled evening with an involved audience. Kristina Allen was the Reverend Mother, who tried very hard to keep her band of “entertainers” in control. The rivalry between her and her second in command, Sister Mary Hubert played by Maggie Lee, was good hearted, but evident. Ms. Lee’s touch of Aretha Franklin was worth waiting for.
Sister Robert Anne, who received her training as driver for the convent by stripping stolen cars in her old neighborhood in Brooklyn, was played by Regina M. Brannen. Her solo, “Jesus was Born in Brooklyn” was very well done.
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| Matt Greer as Father Virgil Manly Trott |
Matt Greer joined the sisters as Father Virgil Manly Trott. He absolutely stole the show when he had to fill in for Sister Julia, Child of God. He gave new meaning to the Holiday Traditional Fruit Cake--- with lots of rum - some of which was put in the cake.
Veteran character actor, Mercer Bristow, supposedly had a “small” part as stage manager, Father George Krump. It goes without saying that Mercer made the most of his “small” part.
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| Sister Mary Paul (Katie Kensinger) and the school children (Sela Plummer, Cordelia Marie Ceres, Kevin Dolan and Max Plummer) |
Kevin Dolan, and Max Plummer. Their facial expressions were priceless, especially when Sister Mary Paul led them in “Here We Go a Waffleing” and “The Holly and The Ivory”.
The Little Sisters of Hoboken can be counted on for a fun - filled evening and The State College Community Theatre under the direction of Martha Traverse certainly gave them a chance to shine.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Pink Ribbon Stories, A Celebration of Life
An open letter to Tammy A. Miller, author of PINK RIBBON STORIES, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE:
Dear Tammy,
Thank you so much for your collection of PINK RIBBON STORIES, stories by people who have experienced breast cancer with faith, courage, and, most of all a touch of humor. Their stories did indeed encourage, inspire, and make me smile. They also brought back very personal memories from- wow! - twenty-three years ago this coming March.
When I started your book I thought that I would read it in small doses. I planned on reading several of the short chapters, after checking to see if any of the contributors were known to me, then picking it up in a day or two and reading some more. It did not work out that way. I became so captured by the honesty of the writers, that I just kept going.
Each individual story is beautiful in its honesty, and yet they each carry a similar theme; you can not get through something like breast cancer without a bunch of F’s ---Faith, Family, Friends, and a Funny Bone. Some of the humor will surprise the reader.
Since most of the writers are from the Happy Valley area, the reader will find some neighbors and friends included in the book. We all know someone who has gone through the shock of hearing, “You have cancer.” This book will be an asset in helping to know what to say and do.
The chapter that you included from Dolores Magro, Director of Patient Advocacy & Conference Development for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, was particularly helpful. Dolores’s title may be a mouthful, but her organization is so valuable. No matter what the illness is, an advocate is necessary to get through the medical journey. Those of us who are not part of the medical profession may need help in finding the necessary information and resources.
The “A Sprinkle of FUN from Tammy” at the end of each story was a light touch. Needless to say, my favorite was the one that you chose to end your book. “We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” was said by Agnes Repplier.
So, Tammy, thank you. PINK RIBBON STORIES is indeed very “up-lifting” (pun intended.)
Pat
Dear Tammy,
Thank you so much for your collection of PINK RIBBON STORIES, stories by people who have experienced breast cancer with faith, courage, and, most of all a touch of humor. Their stories did indeed encourage, inspire, and make me smile. They also brought back very personal memories from- wow! - twenty-three years ago this coming March.
When I started your book I thought that I would read it in small doses. I planned on reading several of the short chapters, after checking to see if any of the contributors were known to me, then picking it up in a day or two and reading some more. It did not work out that way. I became so captured by the honesty of the writers, that I just kept going.
Each individual story is beautiful in its honesty, and yet they each carry a similar theme; you can not get through something like breast cancer without a bunch of F’s ---Faith, Family, Friends, and a Funny Bone. Some of the humor will surprise the reader.
Since most of the writers are from the Happy Valley area, the reader will find some neighbors and friends included in the book. We all know someone who has gone through the shock of hearing, “You have cancer.” This book will be an asset in helping to know what to say and do.
The chapter that you included from Dolores Magro, Director of Patient Advocacy & Conference Development for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, was particularly helpful. Dolores’s title may be a mouthful, but her organization is so valuable. No matter what the illness is, an advocate is necessary to get through the medical journey. Those of us who are not part of the medical profession may need help in finding the necessary information and resources.
The “A Sprinkle of FUN from Tammy” at the end of each story was a light touch. Needless to say, my favorite was the one that you chose to end your book. “We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” was said by Agnes Repplier.
So, Tammy, thank you. PINK RIBBON STORIES is indeed very “up-lifting” (pun intended.)
Pat
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Charlie St. Cloud
CHARLIE ST. CLOUD by Ben Sherwood may be the perfect Christmas book. The story is introduced by the fireman who was at the scene of the accident involving Charlie and his younger brother, Sam. His opening words are, “I believe in miracles” and if you also believe in miracles, you will enjoy this book.
Charlie St. Cloud was a junior in high school and seemed to be a young man of promise. His mother even thought that he would leave the small fishing town in New England to go to college.
Charlie and his brother Sam were both big fans of baseball and one evening they “borrowed” a car and headed to Fenway Park to see their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, play the hated Yankees. Coming home they were in an accident. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, but Fireman Florio Ferrente was able to bring Charlie back.
Charlie took a job as caretaker for the local cemetery where Sam is buried. It seems that his near death experience has given him a rare gift; Charlie can see and talk to the dead. He and Sam continue to be each other’s best friend and continue their evening game of catch.
Charlie grows, matures, and becomes a respected member of the community. Sam stays thirteen. The evening game of catch is more important to Charlie than any social life. He is afraid that if he does not show up for Sam, Sam will fade into the next level of life.
This becomes complicated when Charlie falls in love with a young woman, who might be among the dead.
The book has been described as a mix of The Sixth Sense and Field of Dreams. There are elements of both in it, but I found Charlie’s story to be a little warmer, a little more personal than either of these. The characters of the town, both the living and the dead, were believable; the description of the town was authentic--it is based on a real town outside Boston, plus Sherwood did his homework by actually working for some time in a cemetery.
The book includes a section by the author about his experience with the filming of the movie version of CHARLIE ST. CLOUD. I think that I will stick with the book. I do not want my vision of this small town and its people to be ruined, especially Charlie and Sam.
Charlie St. Cloud was a junior in high school and seemed to be a young man of promise. His mother even thought that he would leave the small fishing town in New England to go to college.
Charlie and his brother Sam were both big fans of baseball and one evening they “borrowed” a car and headed to Fenway Park to see their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, play the hated Yankees. Coming home they were in an accident. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, but Fireman Florio Ferrente was able to bring Charlie back.
Charlie took a job as caretaker for the local cemetery where Sam is buried. It seems that his near death experience has given him a rare gift; Charlie can see and talk to the dead. He and Sam continue to be each other’s best friend and continue their evening game of catch.
Charlie grows, matures, and becomes a respected member of the community. Sam stays thirteen. The evening game of catch is more important to Charlie than any social life. He is afraid that if he does not show up for Sam, Sam will fade into the next level of life.
This becomes complicated when Charlie falls in love with a young woman, who might be among the dead.
The book has been described as a mix of The Sixth Sense and Field of Dreams. There are elements of both in it, but I found Charlie’s story to be a little warmer, a little more personal than either of these. The characters of the town, both the living and the dead, were believable; the description of the town was authentic--it is based on a real town outside Boston, plus Sherwood did his homework by actually working for some time in a cemetery.
The book includes a section by the author about his experience with the filming of the movie version of CHARLIE ST. CLOUD. I think that I will stick with the book. I do not want my vision of this small town and its people to be ruined, especially Charlie and Sam.
Monday, December 5, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: All Company Towns Ain't Bad
This time of year makes most of us nostalgic for the good old days, the days when we were very young and everything in our small world was there for our enjoyment. Jim Davy took me back to that time of my life in his book ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD.
The difference is that Jim grew up in Monument, a brick manufacturing town, and I grew up in nearby Curtin, an iron town. Curtin is located on the Bald Eagle and Monument is a little farther down the road on Beech Creek. Other than that, the book might have been about my childhood.
Jim has had to talk to a lot of people in addition to having a very good memory for this book to be as authentic as it is. His recollections of the old town are clear enough that the people who were his neighbors come alive for us. This was especially true of the workers in the brick factory.
The manufacturing of fire bricks is something that was unfamiliar to me. Thanks to the description and illustrations the reader understands the process well enough to start his own brick company; except, that the descriptions also explain the pure physical labor that was the day to day life of these men.
It is the life that the women lived that must have been the same in all rural communities during the 1930’s and 40’s. Women had to carry water from the community well, heat it, and fill the washer tubs by hand. My husband and daughters laugh at me because I still sort my laundry from lights to darks. Because we used the same water, the less dirty things got washed before the dark work clothes….talk about being “green”. I can also remember in Curtin households grabbing their coal buckets when a freight train stopped to get water. Thus, nobody ever bought coal.
This small book is full of pictures and illustrations. A lot of research must have gone into being able to identify so many individuals from that long ago. If you lived in the area, you might recognize family members. My only complaint about the book is that many of the pictures are not dated. Some seemed to be older than Jim’s time of living in Monument.
ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD will bring back memories to those of us of a certain age and give a glimpse of life when being green was a matter of existence and a time when neighbors and bosses took care of one another.
The difference is that Jim grew up in Monument, a brick manufacturing town, and I grew up in nearby Curtin, an iron town. Curtin is located on the Bald Eagle and Monument is a little farther down the road on Beech Creek. Other than that, the book might have been about my childhood.
Jim has had to talk to a lot of people in addition to having a very good memory for this book to be as authentic as it is. His recollections of the old town are clear enough that the people who were his neighbors come alive for us. This was especially true of the workers in the brick factory.
The manufacturing of fire bricks is something that was unfamiliar to me. Thanks to the description and illustrations the reader understands the process well enough to start his own brick company; except, that the descriptions also explain the pure physical labor that was the day to day life of these men.
It is the life that the women lived that must have been the same in all rural communities during the 1930’s and 40’s. Women had to carry water from the community well, heat it, and fill the washer tubs by hand. My husband and daughters laugh at me because I still sort my laundry from lights to darks. Because we used the same water, the less dirty things got washed before the dark work clothes….talk about being “green”. I can also remember in Curtin households grabbing their coal buckets when a freight train stopped to get water. Thus, nobody ever bought coal.
This small book is full of pictures and illustrations. A lot of research must have gone into being able to identify so many individuals from that long ago. If you lived in the area, you might recognize family members. My only complaint about the book is that many of the pictures are not dated. Some seemed to be older than Jim’s time of living in Monument.
ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD will bring back memories to those of us of a certain age and give a glimpse of life when being green was a matter of existence and a time when neighbors and bosses took care of one another.
THEATER: The Richest Man In The Valley
Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte was the location of the area’s annual Christmas Dinner Theatre. I attended last Friday and was very impressed by the amount of people involved, for the meal, in the audience, and in the production.
This year’s production was THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY and it was obviously a work of love by a large group of local residents. The work that went in to the creation of the set was impressive. The sanctuary had been transformed to the living quarters of a wealthy family, including a working staircase to the upper level. A second set consisting of a room in another house was cleverly “hidden” behind a screen above the main set.
The large cast was a talented mix of area residents. It was fun to spot familiar faces in speaking roles as well as the party guests -which acted as the chorus.
[Image] Drew Baker, co-director and actor
It seems unfair to single any one person out, but Ralph Stone’s voice was impressive and I was very touched by the scene between him and young Emma Holderman. I wish I could have captured that visual for you.
Drew Baker, one of the directors, was called upon at the last moment to fill an important role. He handled it like a pro and during his closing number, I saw several people with tears on their cheeks.
Before the show, the church provided an excellent meal. Members acted as hosts and hostesses and everyone was made to feel welcome. It created a warm, party atmosphere. It was interesting how many people came up to us to explain that it was a “poor man’s meal” and that in the past the food had been more elegant. Lucky any poor man who was fed as well as we were Friday night. The desserts alone filled a room. Personal note: Whoever made the rhubarb pie, thank you.
This is what Christmas should be about: a gathering of a community to celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world.
This year’s production was THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY and it was obviously a work of love by a large group of local residents. The work that went in to the creation of the set was impressive. The sanctuary had been transformed to the living quarters of a wealthy family, including a working staircase to the upper level. A second set consisting of a room in another house was cleverly “hidden” behind a screen above the main set.
 |
| Drew Baker, Co-Director and Actor |
[Image] Drew Baker, co-director and actor
It seems unfair to single any one person out, but Ralph Stone’s voice was impressive and I was very touched by the scene between him and young Emma Holderman. I wish I could have captured that visual for you.
Drew Baker, one of the directors, was called upon at the last moment to fill an important role. He handled it like a pro and during his closing number, I saw several people with tears on their cheeks.
Before the show, the church provided an excellent meal. Members acted as hosts and hostesses and everyone was made to feel welcome. It created a warm, party atmosphere. It was interesting how many people came up to us to explain that it was a “poor man’s meal” and that in the past the food had been more elegant. Lucky any poor man who was fed as well as we were Friday night. The desserts alone filled a room. Personal note: Whoever made the rhubarb pie, thank you.
This is what Christmas should be about: a gathering of a community to celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world.
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