First encounter leaves lasting impression

JIM RIDOLPHI Contributing columnist

A recent announcement from Rome conveyed the sad news that Italian movie star Gina Lollobrigida passed quietly last week at age 95.

I didn’t take note of the announcement due to any allegiance to the international superstar who captured the hearts of returning GIs following World War II, my father being one of them. I had a different reason for noting her death.

Crowned Miss Italia in 1947, Lollobrigida made her American debut on the big screen in 1953 acting alongside Humphrey Bogart and Jennifer Jones.

But those accomplishments had absolutely nothing to do with my association with the superstar. As mentioned earlier, my father often spoke her name around our house, and our small television was always tuned to any show the featured the Italian actress on its guest list.

As a small child, the name didn’t mean much and I had no fascination with the foreign film star, but that changed when Lollobrigida appeared in an obscure film called Trapeze with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in 1956.

Shortly after its premiere in Richmond, my father packed up the family in our 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne and headed out to the to see the movie. My mother voiced her immediate concern that the movie’s theme was too mature for my sister and I, but her concerns eased as we noticed a number of families with children strolling toward the theatre.

That was my first exposure to Gina. I was too young to appreciate the finer points of the Italian actress, but the movie contained just enough action and circus scenes to capture the attention of an easily distracted 6-year-old.

The movie featured fantastic circus acts, and trapeze scenes that were breathtaking and kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

I was less concerned with the real storyline, a love triangle amongst three members of a trapeze team, as the plot thickened by the challenge to

Powhatan County Public Library has a wonderful line up of adult programs to get you out of your house on those wintery days. every second and fourth Monday throughout the winter at 11 a.m., the library will hold retro Movie Mondays. Come in and enjoy some popcorn, watch a classic movie and reminisce. Check out the library’s flyers, call us, or visit the Facebook page for movie title information. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-5985670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net.

PowH er Hour is a casual networking lunch event for women in business designed to support, develop and connect female business professionals in our community. This event is held on the first Tuesday of the month at various locations. The next event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Mabel’s, 1800 a south Creek One.

Beekeeping for Beginners school is designed for those who intend to start a honeybee colony. registration consists of four Tuesday night classes: Feb. 14, 21 and 28 from 7-9 p.m. at the Prince edw ard County e xtension Office (100 d ominion d r., Farmville, Va 23901) near Lowe’s. a Field day is planned for a date and location to be announced since it is weather-dependent. Cost of $50 per person or Family unit (Family unit category subject to approval) includes all four classes, the Field da y and one book and pre-registration is required. Presented by Heart of Virginia Beekeepers. For more information or to register, text Tommy nelson at 434-547-4225 or email tommyanelson@gmail.com.

The Powhatan Chamber of Commerce’s Food for Thought luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p .m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 at County seat restaurant and Gathering Place. The featured speaker will be Teresa McBean, enneagram practitioner. The enneagram is a perform a daring triple somersault, a feat only accomplished by a few select experts. definitive tool that gives us deeply personal (and eerily accurate) insight into who we’re wired to be and why we behave the way we do. register at powhatanchamber.org. me. I am all for randomness so I responded “wiewiorka,” which is squirrel in Polish. It’s the only Polish word I know, taught to me years ago by a friend while we were watching the movie “Up.”

That’s the part that kept me watching as Lollobrigida played both men and eventually ended up with Lancaster after Curtis successfully completed the triple jump.

Now, my father was always a perfect gentleman to my mother, and he would never be so crass or inconsiderate as to comment on Lollobrigida’s obvious good looks. But, he was obviously pleased with the production as we exited the theatre.

The movie also made a lasting impression my sister and I, and we begged for weeks for our father to install a trapeze like swing on an old oak tree in our backyard. We spent hours swinging on the makeshift trapeze, pretending we were prepping for the triple somersault.

Throughout a lifetime, hearing the word trapeze immediately takes my mind back to the evening at the movies, and although I don’t recall seeing Lollobrigida in any additional movies, I still remember her name.

Powhatan County Public schools will hold a 2023 Career Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 18 at Flat rock elementary s chool, 2210 Batterson r oad. There will be in-person and virtual interviews with school administrators. register at www.powhatan.k12.va.us.

Powhatan County Public Library has a wonderful line up of adult programs to get you out of your house on those wintery days. On s aturday, Feb. 18, join other participants for Gentle Beginner’s yog a with Joanna Bartles. Learn breathing techniques, postures and movements to relieve tension and tightness in muscles and joints. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel, and if able a firm pillow, block or towel for support. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-598-5670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net.

Several family members of a library staff member who came out to show support and meet some local authors stopped by my table and the conversations were varied and interesting.

I met some but not all of the roughly 20 authors who displayed their offerings, including several Powhatan residents. I am going to give Charles major kudos for attracting such a diverse group who spanned so many genres – children’s literature, historical fiction, romance, mystery, haikus, poetry, young adult fiction and more.

About halfway through the event, I asked Charles how he thought it was going. Leading up to the event, he said he had no expectations and was just hoping for a good turnout.