The Auditorium (Formally the RLDS Auditorium)

Photo courtesy: Nancy Bishoff

A regular visitor to my blog is Nancy Bishoff and her husband Al. Both are originally from Missouri and had their graduation class at the Auditorium (formally the RLDS Auditiorium). When in Missouri, they often visit the site because it brings back such pleasant memories. Nancy feels the Auditorium is a “must see” for anyone visiting the area.

The following information is from wikipedia:

“Construction of the Auditorium was a massive undertaking, illustrating the vision of church Prophet/President Frederick M. Smith who provided the building's inspiration. Groundbreaking began in 1926 and the building was only completed in 1958.The Conference Chamber was originally supposed to be about 66% larger than it is today. It seats nearly 6,000.Construction was virtually halted during the Great Depression when the church struggled under a massive debt.

The Auditorium houses an Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ with 6,334 pipes. It is listed in the top 75 largest pipe organs in the world at TheatreOrgans.com. World Conferences of the church are traditionally held here every two years in the World Conference Chamber. It is also the site of an annual performance and broadcast of Handel's Messiah by the Kansas City Symphony and the Independence Messiah Choir. In addition to its use by the church, the Auditorium is made available for high school graduations and cultural events in the surrounding area. Numerous dignitaries have spoken in the Auditorium, from Independence native, Harry S. Truman, who spoke during his presidency, to the former Secretary of State, Colin Powell. Most recently, former United States President Bill Clinton gave the keynote address at the Auditorium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Truman Presidential Library.”

Broncos Pre-Season Game

Just last Thursday night, I have the privilege of attending the second pre-season Broncos game of the season. Actually, it was my first ever football game since arriving in America all those years ago. In any case, there I sat in a suite at the 50 yard line (which I guess is really important) eating fabulous ribs, shrimp, crab and helping myself to a full complement of beers, wines and soft drinks. It was a "friendly" or "practice" game against the Cardinals, and I'm glad to say the Broncos won 19-0. Of course, I didn't know what on earth was going on and had to have the plays explained by our hosts each time. But what an experience! It is one thing to see it on the television - it's quite another to see it in real life!

Soon after this photo was taken, players ran from the mouth of the inflatable Bronco as flames shot into the air, and the crowd cheered. The Bronco cheerleaders did a fantastic job of rallying everyone and the game began. At intervals a rider on a spectacular horse galloped across the field to the cheers of the audience. I couldn't take my eyes off the whole thing - was fascinated in fact.

Baby "Doe" Tabor, Leadville, Colorado

The story of Baby Doe is fascinating! She must have been an exceptional woman, full of courage and determination, and well ahead of her time. She went from rags to riches and then back to rags. Honestly, Baby Doe's life is so interesting, I couldn't make it up if I tried. There's simply not enough room here to do her justice, so I encourage readers to purchase a book on her life, and also visit the site.

At a recent trip to Leadville, I had the opportunity to go into Baby Doe's cabin and look around. It's tiny inside but contains many of Baby Doe's personal items. Wonderful photographs of her and her family line the walls, her rocking chair sits in the corner with a kerosene lamp on a table, and her black, threadbare parasol is in a basket by the door. It's all that's left of a once fabulously rich (and beautiful) woman who once owned a mine called the Matchless.

Years after Baby Doe's husband died, she held on to the property hoping it would fulfil her husband's dream of once more "striking it rich" but it was not to be and eventually she was put in foreclosure. In the end, she lived alone accepting the charity and kindness of the present day owners of the Matchless Mine. It's where she died on March 7, 1935.

For more information on the activities and events in Leadville, Colorado go to:

http://www.leadville.com/history/tabor.htm

Arena de Verona

Photo and text courtesy: Theresa Francis.

On a warm July evening we join a few thousand others and stroll to the Arena de Verona. We climb the ancient stone steps to our unnumbered seats high above the stage set for Aida. As the seats are not numbered it is necessary to arrive well ahead of the performance. Along with almost everyone else we have a small picnic of cheese and wine. The atmosphere is amazing. Just before the performance begins at 9.15 the people in the plush seats down below start to arrive in their beautiful gowns and evening suits.

If you don't know this opera, it is the story of Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt where she falls in love with Radames, a young warrior and captain of the guard, who feels the same way for her. When the Ethiopians, led by Aida's father King Amonasro invade Egypt, Radames is chosen to lead the Egyptians into battle.

The Ethiopians are defeated and Radames returns victorious. Among his captives is Aida's father. Out of his love for Aida, he asks the king to release the Ethiopian captives. The king agrees but refuses to release Aida and her father.

Aida's father persuades her to obtain information from Radames about how they can escape. Radames agrees to run away with Aida and tells her the position of the guards they must avoid. Aida and her father flee, but Radames is taken prisoner. He is sentenced to death and will be buried alive in a crypt. Aida returns and hides herself in the crypt to die with him. They accept their terrible fate, bid farewell to life's torment and sorrows and await their death.

Verdi's wonderful music and the voices of the performers fill the arena which is truly remarkable given that there are no microphones in use.

If you have never listened to the music, do try. I defy anyone to hear the 'Triumphal March' at the beginning of Act 2 and not feel their soul fly.

Tour de France 2009

Photo and text: Derek Francis

Montélimar – Le Ventoux
17th edition – 170 km
July 20 2009

“The sun was already shining in the streets of Montélimar this morning at 7am for the start of the 17th edition of the l’Etape du Tour Mondovélo.

A record 8500 riders headed on to the roads of the Drôme and Vaucluse departments in their collective quest to climb the giant Mont Ventoux.

Numerous family members, friends and tourists were on hand at the refreshment points at Buis les Baronnies and Bédoin as well as the southern façade of the Mont Ventoux. The climb of the amateurs was achieved in an ambiance worthy of the Tour de France. A majority of those who rode will also line this same route when the professional take their turn this coming Saturday July 25th.

Recently crowned French road racing champion, Dimitri Champion won the event in 5 hours, 11 minutes after a stunning attack on the first inclines of the Mont Ventoux. Jean-Marc Bideau finished runner-up with junior rider Jimmy Turgis completing the podium.

In the ladies’ division, Magdalena De Saint Jean won and finished 74th overall in an incredible time of 5 hours, 47 minutes.

The 7396 riders who crossed the finish line were spoiled by the sweet aroma of lavender and extraordinary scenery along the roads lined with olive, apricot and cherry trees. It is with this pleasing image that we invite you to an all new Etape du Tour Mondovélo.”

The above was quoted from a press release for an annual event known as the "Etape du Tour" which this year boasted 8500 riders at the start.

Following Lance Armstrong's success in the Tour de France, many Americans now travel to watch the race, mainly in the mountain stages, and those fit enough enter the "Etape"(French for “a stage”) which is run on exactly the same route as the Tour itself.

This year it was particularly tough, consisting of 100 miles and finishing on the mountain of Mont Vontoux which is considered to be the hardest of all the mountain stages due to its severity of climbing, up to 6500 feet, coupled with the landscape which is often described as moonscape with no trees whatsoever.

It was the mountain that claimed the life of Tom Simpson, a British racing cyclist, in 1967 due to dehydration and drugs he had taken to combat dysentery. Today a memorial stands just two Kilometers from the finish, and is constantly being visited by cyclists of all nations

This year’s Etape was won in 5 hours by only a few riders with the majority taking up to nine and half hours. The slowest Tour rider was around five and a half hours, the winner achieving 4 hours 39 minutes.

An American Dave Ward, editor of Cycling Utah, travelled from his home in Salt Lake City to compete in the Etape and finished in nine hours, three of which was taken up by the climb. However, not to be deterred, the next day he climbed Mont Vontoux three times as a challenge.

Provence is the most spectacular of regions in southern France with high mountain ranges, wonderful vineyards and, of course the famous Cote d'Azur. No trip to France is complete without a visit.

Robinson Caruso by William DeFoe

The novel, Robinson Caruso by William DeFoe was inspired by a character called Alexander Selkirk who was born in Lower Fargo, Scotland in1676. He was the son of a craftsman, a tanner and cobbler who did well in life and wanted the same for his wayward son, but that life was not for Alexander. He yearned for adventure and excitement and found it sailing the high seas. He ran away to sea at a very young age, and never looked back.

Over the years, Alexander Selkirk became an able bodied seaman who questioned authority, and the decisions of the captains he served. On one occasion, he quarreled with the captain of the Cinque Ports suggesting the ship was not sea worthy having been damaged after several attempts of “rounding the horn.” Instead of continuing the journey, Selkirk asked to be left alone on a deserted island with few items to survive a short stay. The short stay turned into four years. During this time, Selkirk became accustomed to his isolation talking to the goats and cats that inhabited the island.

In 1709, Selkirk saw the telltale flag of an English ship. The captain sent a rowing boat towards the island and the men were amazed to see the wild man running back and forth along the beach calling to them. Woodes Rodgers, captain of The Duke, a privateer ship, later recalled “...He (Selkirk) ran with wonderful swiftness through the woods and up the rocks and hills…. We had a bull-dog, which we sent with several of our nimblest runners to help him in catching goats; but he distanced and tired both the dog and men…"

Although now a rich man, Selkirk could not assimilate back in society. Instead he lived in a cave in complete seclusion but later returned to sea where he later died from drinking infected water. He was forty-five years old.

Trevi Fountain - Italy

You can hear the fountain long before it comes into view. Walking with other tourists, I could almost feel the growing anticipation and excitement as we neared our destination – and once there, the sight did not disappoint a visitor. I remember a collective gasp as we rounded the corner and the full view of the Trevi fountain appeared before our eyes. It is truly a magnificent sight and one I shall never forget. It is great to see during the day, but I feel it’s best seen at night. It is absolutely charming and almost magical!

The following information was provided by:

http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/trevi.htm

Construction of the Fountain
In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. A previous undertaking to build the fountain after a design by Bernini was halted a century earlier after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi based his theatrical masterpiece on this design. Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally completed in 1762.

The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.

The Fountain
The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named.

Tossing a Coin
The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.