Vote Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Back when I was in a high school typing class, there were certain sentences that we had to practice. One statement was, “The quick brown fox jumped over the fence;” another, more memorable, quote was, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” In these more politically volatile times, it would be better to say, “Now is the time for all good citizens to vote.”

So no matter who you support, be one of the good citizens who gets out and votes. It always astonishes me how few people actually vote, and thereby a minority of people have the greatest say in who acts for us. In this year’s election I’ll be voting for, among others, a state representative, a state senator, a vice-president, and a president. I’d rather have my vote go toward the person who I think will best act in a way I would If I were in their shoes.

Above all else, let’s vote for people who will support the best aspects of this great society of ours and especially the Constitution of the United States.

Seems I Made the News

Edinboro Fighting Scot Statue

Why haven't we seen the statue of the Edinboro Fighting Scot? Inquiring minds want to know.

Edinboro Homecoming: The Parade

As reported previously, the annual homecoming parade had a new route this year. My wife and I walked to the greens behind McComb Fieldhouse for the President’s Brunch on the Lawn. As usual we greeted old friends and acquaintances and enjoyed a brunch of sweet roles, fruit, and scrambled eggs. Fortunately, the day was perfect for the event, sunny, with a touch of Autumn after the first frost of the season. Following brunch, we walked to the west side of Mallory Lake and sat on a bench facing the lake that has a full panoramic view of the campus and parade route. A small, single engine plane circled overhead straining for a view of the event, and looking for attention. People lined the campus loop at predictable spots: the corners and turns, next to the bridge over the campus stream, and in front of favorite buildings. A good crowd was on hand.

The parade started and it was fascinating to watch from a distance with an observer’s vantage point. The Color Guard led the event follow by the president’s vehicle, and the Edinboro University Marching Band. The roar of the Zem Zem motorcycles was missing, but the acrobatic antics of the girl’s gymnastic class doing cartwheels down the street was fascinating to watch. Soon, the cars with homecoming king and queen appeared, the alumni band showed their stuff, the comic book themed floats appeared, the General McLane Band dazzled, and the parade carried on with color and noise.



Before the parade ended, we decided to walk downtown along the old parade route to see how much different things were. The quiet emptiness was startling to one used to the crowded byways, but most unusual was the lack of business at the bars and the noticeably un-rowdy streets.

The community got what they wanted, less cost and responsibility. Downtown, the merchants will probably still do a good day’s business. As for Edinboro University, the spacious and beautiful campus became the focus of the event. Alumni will have their say, but my guess is that this was the first of many campus loop parades to come.

My Paul Newman Story

Back in 1969 during a low period of my life, I decided to have an “On the Road,” get away to think things through. I stopped in Indianapolis to see an old friend, who happened to be the doctor for the Indianapolis Speedway. He told me that Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were filming a movie at the Speedway and asked if I'd like to watch. Of course, I did. He loaned me his little red Triumph sports car and gave me his gatepass. I drove out to the Speedway, crossed the original brickyard and arrived at Gasoline Alley, where they were doing the day's shooting. The set was a garage built for the movie, but added as an extention to a row of garages in what makes up Gasoline Alley.

While standing around watching the camera preparations for a scene to be shot, I met a young reporter for a national news magazine, Time, as I recall, who was doing a feature on the film. We watched the crews work and the supporting actors primp for their roles. Finally, Paul Newman arrived, did a few takes, and the Director had what he wanted for the garage scene.

Then, the reporter and I were asked if we'd like to be in a scene. Well, of course we would. We were given jackets to dress the part of garage mechanics and our task was basically to walk down Gasoline Alley behind Paul Newman. We were more or less movable scenery. Meanwhile, we had the opportunity to chat with the actor, who was still very much in his prime, but he seemed entirely approachable and unassuming. Again, after a few takes the scene was finished, as was the days shooting.

Then, we were asked if we'd like to watch the dailies Dailies are films of the previous days shooting, and are viewed at the end of the next day's shoot. Paul Newman was particularly interested in watching the dailies, because the footage was of him driving on the big oval for the first time. Fortunately, Newman liked to drink a beer at the end of the day, so brew was on had for the half dozen or so of us, including Paul, who watched him race around the speedway.

I've never been comfortable with the idea of intruding in the lives of celebrities, so it was especially nice to have an opportunity to share some time with an actor I admired. He was quietly gracious and, I think, appreciative of having people around him who weren't demanding.

Here is a video trailer of Winning. Oh, by the way, I ended up on the cutting room floor.