Reading and Roaming
HIGHBROW TO LOW BROW? In the final year of their Verdi cycle (performing all of Verdi’s music over a period of more than 25 years), the Sarasota Opera presented a beautifully staged Aida. No live elephants, but gorgeous music, colorful Egyptian sets, good singing, and some lovely dancers. It was a most enjoyable evening and the …
Continue reading “Sarasota Scene: Music & Movies”
BOOK OF THE WEEK Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism by John Norris. Although this is a biography, it is perhaps even more a rollicking review of presidential campaigns and Congressional politics from the McCarthy hearings through the Bush eras, all as viewed from the perspective of columnist Mary McGrory and her colleagues. Brash, …
Continue reading “Tidy Tidbits: Inside & Out”
The season is in full swing and that means lectures, plays, concerts and the like. This week was packed with activity, all of it stimulating and enjoyable. SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFELONG LEARNING (SILL) It’s time for my once a year plug for this marvelous organization. For 40 years SILL has been presenting notable speakers on …
Continue reading “Tidy Tidbits: Brain Food”
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS OLD AND NEW When I was growing up, Christmas was celebrated with just my immediate family—parents and three siblings—since the relatives lived many miles away. Dinner then was often half a ham and scalloped potatoes or a reprise of roast turkey and mashed potatoes, both family favorites. One year we drove to Ohio and Michigan …
Continue reading “Holiday Fare: Food and Film”
