Evince Magazine May 2024

Building a Life Through the Lens

from Addiction to Acclaimed Photographer

Patrick Gibson’s Journey

Collage

CEO / Publisher / Andrew Scott Brooks

Editorial Director / Paul Seiple editor@evincemagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Barry Koplen, Linda Lemery, Val-Rae Lindenau, Josh Lucia, Paul Seiple, Mack Williams, Emily Wilkerson

Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont)

Finance Manager Cindy Yeatts (1.434.709.7349) cindy@showcasemagazine.com

Advertising For ad information contact a marketing consultant listed below.

Lee Vogler Director of Sales and Marketing (434.548.5335) lee@showcasemagazine.com

Kim Demont Graphic Design, Marketing (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net

evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly; reveal syn see SHOW

On the Cover: Patrick Gibson.

Patrick Gibson, a 26year-old freelance photographer from Danville, Virginia, has turned his life around through his passion for photography. Born and raised in Danville, Gibson has faced his share of challenges, particularly with alcohol addiction since high school. However, a series of life-changing events shifted his perspective, and he is proudly celebrating 10 months of sobriety.

Gibson’s journey into photography began just one month after he quit drinking. “I’ve always wanted to make my own money and work for myself,” he shared. “The flexible schedule, balancing money, and doing something I’m proud of have always appealed to me. But there was something in my way: alcohol addiction.” Overcoming this obstacle has allowed Gibson to pursue his dreams and establish a thriving photography business.

In the brief span of 9 months, Gibson has made significant strides in the photography world. He opened a home studio and has had his work displayed in five art galleries across the globe. His talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Gibson was recognized as “Favorite Photographer” and “Favorite New

Business” in the 2024 Showcase Magazine RAVE Awards.

As a freelance photographer, Gibson has adapted to various clients and sessions, often stepping out of his comfort zone. However, he specializes in lifestyle, real estate, and black-and-white photography. When asked about what makes for the perfect photo, Gibson said, “It’s the first thing my eye is drawn to, along with the overall composition of the photo.”

Creativity is at the heart of Gibson’s work. “Creativity means capturing the unknown and not following normal photography trends. It’s the ability to think outside the box, to see possibilities where others see limitations, and to bring forth something truly innovative,” he explained.

Gibson’s approach to photography is client-centric, focusing on personalizing sessions around their vibes and vision. He prefers capturing off-guard and raw emotional moments, particularly when shooting outdoors.

Gibson’s work transcends the visual. It delves into the realms of advocacy and awareness, particularly regarding mental

health. His experience as an EMT for six years and his journey to sobriety have fueled his passion for shedding light on mental health issues. In a recent photo shoot with model Mayghan Presley, Gibson aimed to capture the raw emotions surrounding a difficult subject that touches everyone’s lives.

For aspiring photographers, Gibson offered sage advice. “Get out and shoot! I learn something new every time I have a session just by trying new things. YouTube is also a great resource. Investing in better equipment is great, but remember that gear is only as good as the photographer using it. Networking is also your best friend. I’d be nowhere this fast without putting myself out there and giving it my all.”

As he continues to make his mark in the photography world, Patrick Gibson hopes his work will be remembered as boundarypushing yet beautiful. With his talent, dedication, and unique perspective, he will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.

For more of Patrick Gibson’s work, visit www.iampgphotography. com.

Building a Life Through the Lens

Patrick Gibson’s Journey from Addiction to Acclaimed

Photographer

by Paul Seiple

Gibson

photo by Patrick

As a young child, Hannah Barker had the insatiable urge to create. She loved to draw, read, and write, and she even created a newspaper that she taped to her family’s refrigerator. It wasn’t until her senior year at UVA that she landed upon her medium of choice—embroidery.

During the summer before her senior year, Hannah purchased her first cross stich kit of pink and purple flowers. “My mother helped me to thread the needle, and I sat on my bedroom floor, determined to understand the pattern of busy X’s.” Next, she tried her hand at embroidery and was soon creating her own designs.

Hannah’s needlework projects are inspired by nature and by her love of the written word. The books she loves the most are heavily influenced by nature and landscape, books such as Lord of the Rings, Dune, Alice in Wonderland, and even

Calvin & Hobbes comic strips. Birds, flowers, and landscapes, including aerial cityscapes, feature heavily in her designs. One of her favorite projects, an aerial view of Downtown Danville, was inspired by a camping trip Hannah took with her husband.

“We were hiking when the idea of the flowing river, intersecting streets and shops, and a color palette of greens and browns struck.”

Hannah’s projects begin with a drawing. Once the drawing is finalized, she chooses her fabric, thread, and which hoop, and then traces the drawing onto the hoop. A single project can take several days or it can take months to complete, depending on the complexity. With a full-time job, finding the time to complete a project can be tricky. Embroidery, however, is easily portable, and so she often takes her projects with her so that she can get a few stitches in during lunch breaks. On her days off, she may spend an entire day working on a piece. “I

find embroidery to be incredibly rewarding, as it will take hours to cover a small section of fabric, hours to thread and re-thread a needle. There is no rushing with embroidery. It is a slow process, with beautiful, textured results.” And even though many of her projects are intricately and intentionally planned, there are other times when she is not able to see her vision until the last piece of thread is stitched. “It’s a little like adding the final piece to a puzzle,” she says.

Though Hannah sells her pieces and even takes commissions, she never wants to lose the desire to stitch for herself and feels a deep resistance to the temptation to follow trends. “I want this art to be rooted in the things that bring me joy—even if I am the only one who might understand a piece.” To that end, Hannah hopes to pursue future projects that take her deeper into the complexities of creating detailed landscapes, those that are based on real life as well as those inspired by fiction.

Collage Inside OWE Arts & Culture Exhibit:

Hannah Barker

by Val-Rae Lindenau

Being a woman in the fiber arts, Hanah feels her work, and that of those like her, are too often dismissed as simple “crafts” or “hobbies,” but there’s nothing simple about Hannah’s creations; they are truly works of art. She uses Instagram to promote her work, but also as a way to record the development of her talent and skill, as well as to keep a catalog of her various projects. “Seeing past progress definitely drives me to try more detailed pieces or new techniques.” Even so, Hannah has not forgotten where it all started. “I still have that first cross stitch on my desk, where I work.”

See more of Hannah’s work, and to order a commission of your own, find her at Floras & Finches Embroidery on Instagram or visit her exhibit at the Rubie B. Archie Public Library through the end of May.

OWE Arts & Culture exists to highlight the diverse range of talent among Danville’s creative community and to provide opportunities for that community to come together.

photos courtesy of Hannah Barker

May

Calendar of Evince

Ongoing

Danville Science Center. ExhibitsThomas & Friends, Butterfly Station & Garden, Go!, Water, Cresent Crossing. Various Dome Shows, Creativity Labs. www.dsc.smv.org.

Ruby B. Archie Public Library Programs - Don’t miss the programs offered at the Library. We Dig Science- Archaeology, Get More from Google, Adult & Tween Arts & Crafts, The Write Stuff, Why Historic Preservation?, Treehouse Tuesday, Ozobot Adventures, The Magic of Everyday Objects, Artist’s Studio, Evening Storytime at the Park, Books & Brews Social Hour, Dino Tea Party, Computers for Beginners, Just Write, Unrequired Reading – Classics Book Club, Youth Dungeons and Dragons, Storytellers: Creative Writing 101, Little Explorers Storytime, Little Learning Lab, Book Babies, Random Fandom, Maker Mondays, Code Challengers. Butterfly Hello! Enjoy our family friendly butterfly activities and experience the delight of seeing lepidoptera from across North America. 10am-3pm. Danville Science Center. www.dsc. smv.org.

Through May 11

PAA Exhibits. Salvador Dali: Le Chants de Maldoror on loan from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Citizens and Soldiers: The Mostly World War II Paintings of Ken Smith; Lintspiration by Meritha Alderman. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221. Through September Pittsylvania Co. Farmers Market. Sat 8am-12pm. Olde Dominion Ag Complex. 434.432.8026. www. theodac.com.

May 1 (thru 18)

MSAC Classes. 5/1 Puzzle Swap 11am; 5/4 Flower/Bumblebee Painting, 2-3:30pm; 5/18 Paint a Door Hanger 2pm. $. Main Street Art Collective. 434.602.2017.

May 2

A Celebration of Greg Robinson. Embark on an inspiring journey through the cosmos with Danville native, sharecropper’s son and former director of NASA’s groundbreaking James Webb Space Telescope, Greg Robinson. Registration required. 7-8pm. Carrington Pavilion. dsc.smv.org.

May 2 & 14

Legal Aid Workshop. Questions and answers workshop. 5/2 Protective Orders, 5:30-6:30pm; 5/14 Wills and Advance Directives 1-2pm. Ruby B. Archie Public Library Auditorium. 434.799.5195.

May 3

Sacred Heart Catholic School Golf Tournament. Shotgun start 8am & 1pm. Danville Golf Club. labercrombie@sheartschool.com. Kenan Wright Memorial Golf Tournament. 11:30am. Reception to follow play. Chatmoss Country Club, Martinsville. 276.632.7288 x231.

May 4

Danville Farmers Market Opening Day. Free tomato plants to first 500. Sat 7:30am-12pm. Community Market. 434.797.8961.

Make Danville Shine Home Expo Giveaways, home improvement exhibitors, free hot dogs, drinks and chips, community organizations. 8am-12pm. Community Market. 434.797.8961.

Spring Farm Day. See animals, play games, music, kids area, food trucks, local vendors. 10am-3pm. Baldwin Farms, Yanceyville.

Derby Day. Light hors d’oeuvres and dinner, derby drinks, beer & wine, live stream the race, live music, trophies for best hat, dapper dude, best dressed couple, and winners of the pony races. $. 4-8pm. Avoca Museum, Altavista. www. avocamuseum.org.

Run for the Roses. Great food, live music, outrageous hats and outfits, premium bourbon, and wine & truffles. Chatham Rotary Club fundraiser gala. 5:30-8pm. Motley Mill Waterfall Estate.

Danville Town Talk Networking. Topic will be Business Plan Fundamentals and will include a 30-minute segment dedicated to developing a strategic Business Plan for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Registration required. 6-8pm. Cottontail Weddings & Events.

May 4 (thru 31)

Live Music. 5/4 Jason Bunch; 5/10

On the Margins; 5/17 Jeremy Elder & John Spangler; 5/18 Andy Burnett Trio; 5/24 Mike Warren Duo; 5/25 Gary McCullough; 5/31 Sleepless Denver. 7-10pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

May 5

Spring at the Tavern. Living History with 18th Century reenactors, food, period music, event for all the family. Childrens 18th century games. 10am4pm. Yates Tavern, Gretna.

May 5 (thru 26)

Live Music. Hosted by Matt Crowder. Sundays 2-6pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

May 9

Music at the Market Concert Series

Wayne Euliss - Elvis Tribute. Bring a chair, blanket, and picnic basket for a relaxing evening listening to music. 7-9pm. Community Market-Outdoor Stage. 434.857.3384. Tossing at the Crossing - Cornhole Tournaments. Coincide with the Music at the Market concert series. Blind draw for partners, players can bring their own bags, prizes awarded. Registration required. 7-9:30pm. Community Market. 434.857.3384. Boots & Buckles Ball. Boot-stompin’ dance party with music from DJ Greg Gee. Refreshments. Ages 50+. Registration required. 6-8pm. Ballou Rec Center. 434.799.5216. playdanvilleva.com.

May 9 (thru 31)

Kimberly Ferguson Exhibit. In the Moment. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

May 10

Flip Flop Friday. Music by Boule. 6-10pm. Homeplace Vineyard. 434.432.9463.

Movies at the Crossing - Elemental Gates 7pm; Movie 8pm. Community Market. 434.857.3384.

Writing is a Crime. Featuring Diane Fanning who will journey through her inspiration, breakthrough and process of researching and writing true crime. $. 7:30pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

May 11

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Leave non-perishable food items (no glass please) at your mailbox before your carrier arrives. Volunteers or Postal Workers will collect. Or donations may be dropped off at God’s Storehouse. 434.793.3663 x306. See ad page 6. Chatham High FFA Bass Tournament 6am-3pm. Penhook Boat Ramp, SML. 434.770.1613.

Run for Rotary 5K. A fundraiser hosted by Danville Riverview Rotary. Packet Pickup May 5, 2-6pm, The Brick. 8:3011am. Woodall Nissan. 434.334.6699.

ODAC Spring Fling. Featuring local crafters, bakers and the kick off of the Farmers Market. 9am-4pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026. www.theodac.com. Mother’s Day Vendor Market. 10am3pm. Main Street Art Collective. 434.602.2017.

Family Fun Day. Bounce house, inflatables, cakewalk, cornhole, bingo, Kona Ice, free food, Danville Fire house, children’s games and crafts, and much more. Rain date 5/18. 11am-2 pm. Fairview Church. 434.792.3391.

Gretna Strawberry & Wine Festival Nosh on strawberries, and sip wine from eight of the region’s best wineries. Live entertainment. Ticket includes souvenir wine glass, and wine tasting. 12-6pm. Old Dominion Ag Complex. Gretnastrawberrywinefest. com.

2W Toasting 10 Years!! Anniversary 2-11pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

Cruise In. Rain or Shine. 4pm. Walker’s Roadside Grill.

May 12

Mothers Day Tea. Assorted teas and pastries Served. $. 1-4pm. Avoca Museum, Altavista. www. avocamuseum.org.

May 13

Let’s Make a Scene! Reader’s Theatre Series. Join us, along with Smokestack Theatre Company, to read a role or just read along “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie. Ages 18+. Registration required. Ruby B. Archie Public Library. 434.799.5195.

May 15

Do You Believe in Ghosts? Prepare for an extraordinary live show hosted by paranormal expert and host of Ghost Hunters, Dustin Pari. The boundaries of reality and the supernatural blur. 7:30pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339. The Fabulous Thunderbirds Concert 7:30pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

May 17

Bridgerton Tea Party. Classic tea party with special gif. Learn a regency dance. Costumes optional. $. 6pm. Dog-Eared Page Book Store.

May 17, 18 & 19

Festival in the Park. Bring your friends and family for a day full of music, entertainment, and good vibes. Friday night entertainment Chairmen of the Board and The Executives. Saturday entertainment Kuumba Dance Group, Mama BriBri & The Stranger, Supafly Five, Headliner Performance: Matt Boswell and the Hillbilly Blues Band. Sunday entertainment The Vance Street Mass Choir, The Shockoe Boyz, The Remnant Church Mass Choir, Headliner Performance: The Canton Spirituals. Ballou Park. 434.799.5150. HyperFest. Be immersed in one of the premier automotive lifestyle events. With activities taking place on asphalt, dirt, mud, grass, and even in the air. $. Virginia International Raceway.

May 18

Cars & Coffee. Third Saturday each month. 9am. Crema & Vine. Homeplace Music Festival. Wine, beer, music, food trucks, and craft vendors. 12-7pm. Homeplace Vineyard. 434.432.9463. Mommy Son Dance. Dress to impress. Food, dancing, prizes, photo booth and more. 5-7pm. Community Way. May 23 (thru 26)

The Foreigner. Smokestack Theatre Co. See ad page 6. Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. Pops Farm, Martinsville, VA.

May 24

Shred Day. Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff’s Office & Crime Stoppers. 9am-1pm. Food Lion, Gretna and Food Lion, Franklin Tpke. 434.432.7800.

Upcoming

June 1 (thru 26)

Expressions 2024. Work by artists from southern Virginia and the surrounding regions. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

Jane Reid can still recite every line from her first production in grade school. She shared. “The production was a tribute to mothers. My role consisted of a recitation of a poem on a basket of pansies. It wasn’t until many years later that the stars aligned, and I stepped on the Bonner school stage in the 1990 Danville Summer Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof. Although I did not have a speaking role, the acting bug had bitten me.” While the stars’ aligning might have helped, Reid attributes the help of some other individuals in her life to getting her into community theatre. One of her coworkers was also involved in this production and encouraged her to “come along for the fun.” Whilst in this show, Reid met another cast member who was the board president of The Little Theatre of Danville. This person encouraged her to audition for their upcoming season. She said, “The rest is history.”

Reid’s favorite show she has worked on is Over the River and Through the Woods. She is very fond of this work, having directed it once and performed it three times. Each time playing

Action! Inside the Method of Acting

Jane Reid

by Emily Wilkerson photos courtesy of Jane Reid

the role of Emma. She said, “Over the River and Through the Woods is a slice of life. The actors and audience members can recognize themselves or other family members as various situations are played out. It’s a touching show, filled with laughter, lessons, and tears. The characters are rich and wonderful with powerful dialogue to share. I would relish the opportunity to step into Emma’s shoes one more time.”

Reid’s experience had led to her being skilled at many roles. She has played both Ouiser and Clairee in different productions of Steel Magnolias, Carol in Last Romance, Charlotte in Moon Over Buffalo, Lexie in Dixie Swim Club, and Dorothy in Southern Fried Funeral. That is only a snippet of her resume.

Reid puts a lot of preparation into every role. She explained, “Sanford Meissner, American actor and teacher, is quoted as saying, ‘Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.’ When in rehearsal for a show, my script is my constant companion. To ‘behave truthfully,’ I like to begin work on a role by having an understanding

of the show and all the characters. Audiences are smart and will readily recognize if actors are not committed to the story being presented. I feel character development begins with the first read through of the script and continues throughout the run of the production. Because the use of association is extremely helpful to me when working on a show, serious work on memorization of lines begins once the blocking of the show has been provided. Listening is vital. Listening to the other characters is essential, but so is listening to your own delivery.” Though every show Reid

has been in is different (even though sometimes the script is the same), a lot of the parts of the process are not. She has three rituals she follows before every show. “Never eat before a performance. Always have my script backstage (normally a copy on stage right and stage left.) Prior to the performance, I never want to know who is in the audience or where they are seated.” These routines help ensure Reid can do her very best work.

Like the many roles, productions, and companies Reid has worked with—some things change, and some things always stay the same for community theatre. With over 30 years of experience, Reid has witnessed many changes. She claimed, “It has become more active and encompassing. From training camps, to improv, to stage shows, and reenactments, there are many opportunities available for those who want to be involved.” One thing that has not changed is the dedication of local audience members. There is just something special about going out for an evening of entertainment where the performers are your relatives, friends, and neighbors.

THE POET’S CORNER A different beat…

by Barry Koplen

photo by Barry Koplen

Distance, measured in heart beats rather than miles, loses significance when, pressed against my chest, my cell messages you, you in the dark where your bed saves my space after your sleep comes.

My heart seems content, its brief broadcast complete.

About Barry’s Writing:

I spent years finding my style and improving it. That will always remain a challenge. Language must be pertinent, cohesive, and energetic in order to captivate readers. Simple sentences are just as important as longer complex sentences. A well-functioning

vocabulary is essential. So is honesty.

As for poetry, that will always be one of the most challenging of the verbal arts. Poetry writing can humble any writer; knowing that has made me measure myself as a poet by this thought: a poet is only as good as the next poem he or she writes.

Thanks to Eric Chou, an amazing Chinese author (and ‘second’ father to me), I learned the most important lesson about becoming a bona fide writer: writing has to be done every day That has been my golden rule.

Send Barry a note at barry@ evincemagazine.com

We think we know the people with whom we forge deep friendships. However, we only know what our friends choose to reveal. We might discover a greater truth later or even after they die. Then we have a choice: whether to let it shape how we feel about the person.

I’ll call my friend Janet. We met while volunteering in Big Sisters. We were the only four participants who showed up for a scheduled cookie bake, but the church was locked. Janet said, “Let’s bake at my apartment.” A friendship was born.

My husband and I visited Janet in Chicago yearly. We built in a day of work. Janet would describe a project. We would tell her what supplies we would need. Even our children got age-appropriate projects. We all learned together.

In return, Janet would take us to Shakespearean plays, to concerts, to Morton Arboretum, where trees from all over the world are preserved. We would go on picnics—elegantly prepared and packaged sandwiches with wine at an outdoor concert, for example.

Wine was sometimes a part of dinner. We would sit back, enjoy ourselves. Eventually Janet met James. They were together for several years.

Some years after Janet and James broke up, two visits to Chicago stood out. One visit was with a friend, Charlotte, a mutual acquaintance. Janet, Charlotte, and I were going to an outdoor concert with the usual

picnic dinner. Janet drove us downtown. After the concert, she fell. While Charlotte and I scrambled to get her up, I got a whiff of something she seemed to exude through her pores. I said, “Janet, you’ve had too much. Give me your keys. I’m driving.” She handed them over.

The second visit was with our mutual friend Susan. That visit had a strange vibe. Janet had trouble parallel parking at the Metra station. I took over, parked the car, then we boarded the Metra. Once we arrived at Millennium Park, I visited its reflective Bean, then went back to the concert area on a hillsideturned-amphitheater.

I remember seeing Janet in the distance as I approached. She held her water bottle while rocking back and forth, heel-totoe. She wore tan capris and a cream-colored sweater with red horizontal stripes that contrasted with her dark brown, pageboycut, chin-length hair. The three of us sat listening to the concert. When it ended, Janet got up, staggered forward, and fell, her closed water bottle rolling away. We got her up and into a chair. She wasn’t hurt. I found her water bottle. On a hunch, I opened the top and sniffed it, then tasted and spit it out. Holding the opened bottle where she could see it, I said, “Janet, give me your keys. Once we get off the Metra, I’m driving home.” She looked at the opaque water bottle, back at me, handed over the keys, struggled to her feet, and walked unsteadily toward the Metra, one hand on the handrail. Susan asked, “What just happened?”

“I’m driving us home,” I said. “I can’t let her drive.” Susan stared at me in disbelief.

We saw Janet about once per year. I didn’t connect the dots, but on some level, I knew.

Last year we scheduled a visit, but she wasn’t there. Somehow in a city of 3 million people, we tracked her down. She had fallen in a parking garage, was taken to one hospital, then to another. After the DT’s ended, she was hospitalized for several months.

This last time, she fell in her apartment. Her sister, Nancy, was alarmed when she couldn’t reach Janet by phone. Nancy had fireand-rescue break the door down. This time Janet was hospitalized for about a month and a half. Then she died.

Nancy, executor of Janet’s estate, could not come, but managed what she could from her home. My husband and I drove from Virginia to clean out Janet’s apartment and deal with multiple,

An Unpalatable Truth

by Linda Lemery

challenging executor functions.

During her hospitalizations and after her death, I struggled with Janet’s greater truth with help from friends who had experience with this disease. I chose to love Janet for the good times we had, but also to accept her disease and how it had changed her.

We believe that she: chose to do this to herself; often cut back when we visited; chose us as friends because we were dependable and loved her unconditionally; and knew we would help if the need arose.

We only really know what our friends and family choose to reveal. When we found a greater, distinctly unpalatable truth, we chose to love the person but still accept that her outcome resulted from her own free choices. In our grieving, this seemed to be the only way to move forward.

About the author: Linda Lemery llemery@gmail.com welcomes reader comments. The names in this piece have been changed for anonymity.

Movies You Missed from 20 years ago

by Josh Lucia

Troy (7/10 Rating)

Released May 14, 2004

For rent/purchase on all major platforms.

Genre: Drama, War, Adventure R: Graphic violence and some sexuality/nudity 2h 43m

Based on Homer’s poem “The Iliad ‘’, Troy is one of Wolfgang Peterson’s last movies as a director and is likely the best telling of this Greek mythological tale. While we have no way of knowing what parts of Homer’s story are based on real-life events, this film follows Homer’s poem itself very closely. While Peterson’s The NeverEnding Story in fact had an ending, at times it feels like Troy will not. Sure, it is an epic, but the pacing feels off and it peaks at the wrong times, dragging at others. Also, it feels unclear who the protagonist is. Maybe that is true to life, though? Is anyone fully bad or fully good depending on how much of their

story you know? Perchance. Still, this film has all the elements of an epic historical movie: huge battles, violent deaths, forbidden love, and one badass hero, or antagonist, depending on which team you’re rooting for?

Do people still love Brad Pitt the way we did in the early 2000s? Women wanted to be with him. Men wanted to be…with him. Say what you will, the man fits the bill of half god, Achilles. The thing is, he’s playing for the wrong team. Sure, he defies the arrogant and evil Agamemnon for most of the film, but he’s still on the “bad” team. Then you have the spoiled little weenie, Paris, played by Orlando Bloom. He brought all this on himself…and his entire country. He kind of gets what is coming to him, except does he? It’s all a little hard to cheer for, at times, not knowing who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. There are some cool fights and a few epic moments, but the cinematography feels weak compared to the gritty in your

face battles of Gladiator and the revenge is not as focused as Braveheart. The story is interesting, especially for those less familiar with the tale. Diane Kruger is stunning as Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Eric Bana is also great opposite Brad Pitt. According to IMDB, “Brad Pitt and Eric Bana did not use stunt doubles for their epic duel. They made a gentlemen’s agreement to pay for every accidental hit; $50 for each light blow and $100 for each hard blow. Pitt ended up paying Bana $750, and Bana didn’t owe Pitt anything.” Another fun fact: Brad Pitt tore his Achilles during production. You can’t have it all, Brad. If you like epic battles, sword and sandal movies, big horses, and ripped men in skirts… check out Troy

Also released in May 2004: Van Helsing, Super Size Me, Shrek 2, The Day After Tomorrow, Saved!, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (follow @jlucia85 for these reviews and more)

May I Have a Glass

of Versatility, Please?

by Dave Slayton

At a recent wine tasting, I was asked what one wine could be offered to guests being served a wide variety of appetizers at a social gathering. Here is my “two cents worth”. A sparkling Rosé based on Pinot Noir that has the “Brut” (middle grade) sweetness classification. Why? Sparkling wines have an effervescence due to the trapped carbon dioxide. These bubbles make them a good match for various foods. The high acidity in sparkling wines also balances rich or fatty foods. A non-sparkling possibility could be an off-dry, very slightly sweet Riesling.

Let’s consider expert opinions. In April 2022, Kristen Bieler wrote an article in Wine Spectator entitled “Sommelier Roundtable: What’s the Most Versatile Wine?”. This article contained the opinions of some sommeliers regarding versatile wines that can match a diverse mix of flavors. Here are some of their answers.

“Grenache is my go-to.” Brian Casey, beverage manager, The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa.

“Rosé Champagne. It pairs well throughout an entire meal, even through and after dessert, which is a great way to tie off a special evening.” Alexandria

Sarovich, wine director, Little Saint, Healdsburg, California.

“Beaujolais,” Hugo Bensimon, beverage director, Grill 23 & Bar, Grand Award winner, Boston.

“Red Burgundy” (Pinot Noir) Robin Wright, beverage director, Ci Siamo, New York City.

“I have had great success with suggesting Spanish Garnacha to our guests,” Fahd Alaoui, food and beverage manager, The Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois.

“I have had so much fun exploring southern Italian grapes and styles,” Shelley Lindgren, coowner / wine director, A16, Best of Award of Excellence winner in San Francisco.

“I have long believed that Riesling was the most versatile wine for food—with the exception of rare red meat.” Francis P. Schott, coowner and beverage director, Stage Left Steak, Best of Award of Excellence winner in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Experiment with different wines matched to your many dishes to determine what you believe is the best versatile wine. Note: making this determination is even more fun when done with friends. Cheers!

photo by Dave Slayton

Singing Again

for Wake Forest

by Mack Williams

Well, not long ago, I sang the National Anthem again for the Demon Deacons, specifically the Wake Forest/Syracuse game.

It seems that each time I sing at the Lawrence Joel Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum is unique (I don’t mean some swell-headed uniqueness, but rather, the uniqueness of the day, just as every day of life is unique).

The first time I ever entered the LJV Memorial Coliseum to sing, the jumbotron almost seemed as large to me as the Mother Ship in Independence Day (1996)(nerves can do a lot).

This time, it appeared to be smaller. Both my initial feeling of nervousness and the seeming size of that big cube hanging from the ceiling had deflated a bit. It now looks to be the size of one of the many smaller cube sections which make up that mega cube-shaped space vessel navigated by those Star Trek aliens known as “The Borg!”

My son, Jeremy, daughter, Rachel, daughter-in-law, Rose, and I almost didn’t get in the door due to a senior, wiry, white-haired little lady (use of the word “lady,” is gracious, on my part) who didn’t want to believe that our tickets had already been seen to.

I almost wanted to burst out in song to prove that I was the National Anthem singer for the evening; but Rachel wisely

advised me otherwise (the Bible says to raise up a child in the right way; and it seems likewise that a senior parent needs similar guidance from an adult child for continuing on).

Shortly, a sweet, beautiful young lady appeared at the door and ushered us in. She was the staff person assigned many jobs, one of which is see to the National Anthem singer. Just now, I find myself remembering the voice at the end of the amusement park ride saying, “Take young children firmly by the hand” (probably goes for old men, as well).

She bore an amazing resemblance to the actress Ali McGraw. In the preparation section of my compliment to her about this, I said, “I am a child of the 50s and 60s.” Of course, McGraw’s first big movie hit, Love Story came out in 1970, so my childhood made it into that decade too. Actually, I’ve always considered myself to have a schoolhouse-inquisitive mind; so, I guess that makes me a “child” of the 50s, 60, 70, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s (after writing this, I suddenly feel old).

When I told the young lady of her striking resemblance to Ali McGraw, she said: “I’ve never gotten that one before.” I asked her if she had ever seen the movie Love Story, and she replied that she hadn’t. I stated the movie’s name with some temerity, fearing she might think I was an awful old man, or like the Austrian

composer, Anton Bruckner, who, although his intentions were honorable, when he was in his 70s had the habit of proposing marriage to girls as young as 17, (which in late 1800s Austria might have been quasi-legal).

I didn’t tell her the plot of Love Story, because I didn’t want to depress her.

And, of course, but unlike Bruckner, I didn’t propose. (which, if I had, would have probably depressed her).

Syracuse University’s color is orange (on an equal par with neon lime-green for standing out in a crowd). The Lawrence Joel Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum was almost filled to the brim (or rather, to the “nosebleed” section).

A goodly number of Syracuse fans must have traveled there; because there were orange “specs” liberally sprinkled.

In fact, there was an “orange family” seated directly in front of us.

The matriarch of the group was so overcome with “basketball fever” that she gyrated and clapped even when Wake Forest’s fight song was played.

She seemed to be rooting for both sides. On another note, just imagine if you bet on all the horses in all the races held on a day at the races. (just now, the “Marx Brothers” come to mind). Even if one of your bet-upon horses won

(which would most predictably and most certainly be the case), your money wouldn’t make it past a few races.

After I sang, I went to the concession area and purchased a huge barbecue sandwich. It seemed as if there were a half a pound of barbecue in the bun. (you NEVER want to eat a half pound of barbecue BEFORE singing the National Anthem).

Next to the concession stands were tables containing special laptops for people to swipe their cards and pay for their food. There was someone there to help them, and just like at the grocery store self-checkout, make sure there was no purloined burger, etc.

I thanked the young lady for working with me (I started to say, “for being my handler”, as the game for which I had sung was on the day following Punxsutawney Phil’s “performance” at Gobbler’s Knob).

Now, I’m into a flare-up of gout, probably a delayed reaction to that ½ pound barbecue sandwich.

Thinking back to the young lady who looked like Ali McGraw, I know I’m too old for young ladies.

And possibly too old for barbecue.

But that word “possibly” means there might still be hope.

For barbecue, of course.