Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
Stroller
Friday, June 8, 2012
THURSDAY’S WORD was cognoscente (kahn-yuh-SHEN-tee) (cognoscenti is the plural form). It means a person who has expert knowledge in a subject: connoisseur. “The foreign-exchange cognoscenti have framed Friday’s Bank of Japan meeting as one with potential to break the stubbornly strong Japanese currency.” — From an article by Michael J. Casey in The Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2012 (Source: Merriam-Webster)
FRIDAY’S WORD is unfettered (un-FET-erd). “In this era of urban sprawl and unfettered development, land preservation and conservation are keys to maintaining our outdoors heritage. ...” — From an article by Gary Blockus in The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., May 8, 2012 (Source: Merriam-Webster)
Fans of the “So You Think You Can Dance” TV show saw someone from the area compete on Wednesday’s show. Asher Walker, 19, of Glade Hill in Franklin County (just across the line from Henry County), awed the judges with his “fun, charismatic” hip-hop routine, according to the program’s web site. He told judge Cat Deeley that no one dances hip hop in Franklin County. “They are all rednecks in a good way,” he said. Walker said he practices in his garage and taught himself dance steps and routines with tapes. It turns out Asher is an entertaining performer with some great choreography and moves, according to his critique by the judges and the audience. Judge Debbie Allen called him “fresh” and thought he brought something unique to hip hop. Nigel Lythgoe agreed. “The kid goes right through to Vegas,” Lythgoe said. Walker said his aspiration is to be a Justin Bieber backup dancer. He auditioned in Atlanta.
Each year, the General Joseph Martin Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), or the Patrick Henry Chapter, DAR, presents a flag ceremony locally. This year, the General Joseph Martin chapter will present the ceremony at 11 a.m. June 14, Flag Day, at the Martinsville Fire Department. The fire department’s color guard will do the flag ceremony. Bob Vogler of the Sons of the American Revolution will speak, and Leon Towarnicki, interim city manager, will give he proclamation. The chapters expressed their appreciation for the Flag Day information that appeared in Thursday’s Stroller.
Interviews in American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1940, contain examples of Flag Day in the American vernacular. For example, a search on Flag Day retrieves the following conversation between Mr. Richmond and Mr. Davis:
“Why ain’t you got your flag out?” says Mr. Richmond, entering the gas station where he spends much of his time these days. “You know today is Flag Day, don’t you?”
“I guess the boss forgot to buy a flag, George,” says Mr. Davis, the station attendant. “And even if we had one, we ain’t got no place to put it.”
Mr. Richmond: “That’s a fine state of affairs, that is. Here they are tryin’ to bring home to you people the fact that you’re livin’ in one of the few countries where you can draw a free breath and you don’t even know it. You’re supposed to have flags out all this week. Don’t you know that? This is Flag Day and this is Flag Week. Where’s your patriotism?”
Mr. Davis: “What ... are you hollerin’ about, George? You’re always runnin’ the country down. They can’t do anything to suit you. You’re worryin’ about taxes and future generations and all like that. Where’s your patriotism?”
Mr. Richmond: “Well, that’s different. A man got a right to criticize. That’s free speech. Don’t mean I ain’t patriotic.”
Reminders:
• More volunteers are needed for the 14th annual Fishing Clinic for youth ages 7-14 on June 16 at Beaver Creek Reservoir. The clinic is being sponsored by the Martinsville Senior Center, Henry County Parks and Recreation and Angler’s Choice. If you are interested in helping introduce youngsters to fishing, contact Andy Mabe, 634-4645, or Betsy Pace, 404-5260.
• The 16th anniversary Senior Appreciation Day Picnic, sponsored by The Martinsville/Henry County TRIAD S.A.L.T. Council, will be from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Jack Dalton Park. It is free and no registration is required. Several local law enforcement personnel will attend, as well as the community outreach coordinator for the office of the Virginia Attorney General. Lunch will be catered. Entertainment will be presented by “Two Young; Two Old.”
.jpg "104")
