ABROAD AT HOME
Outing to Pinehurst, NC
Most people think of golf when they hear Pinehurst as this small town, southwest of Cary, is considered the “Cradle of American Golf.” There are more than a dozen area golf courses. On the outskirts of Pinehurst is the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, part of Sandhills Community College. A group of us visited the gardens and then went on to the village of Pinehurst for lunch and shopping, but no golf.
Covering 32 acres, the gardens are divided into a variety of types and settings, some woodsier, some with blooming flowers, and one, the Japanese Garden dotted with stone sculptures and perfect for contemplation. My exploration of the gardens was brief, but it would be fun to spend more time there.
Pinehurst proper is small with historic white frame buildings and an alleyway or two connecting the two main streets. I lunched at the Drum and Quill pub with friends, and together we wandered in and out of shops. Several clothing boutiques, gift shops, golf accessories (of course), an ice cream place, and a lovely large shop featuring home furnishings (ceramic lamps) and linens. While there were other temptations (those lamps!), I only left with two packages of cocktail napkins.
POWERFUL THEATER FOR THESE TIMES
Good Night, and Good Luck (CNN Live)
In a first, CNN on June 7, presented live the next-to-last Broadway performance of Good Night, and Good Luck. Perhaps you too were one of the fortunate folks who watched this compelling piece about CBS newscaster Edward R. Murrow’s conflict with Senator Joe McCarthy. Good night, and good luck was Murrow’s sign-off from London when reporting there during the Second World War. It stuck.
This play is a revised version of the 2005 movie of the same name which starred George Clooney as producer Fred Friendly. Here, George Clooney (who co-wrote the play) plays Mr. Murrow. The stage play incorporates many of Murrow’s own words and includes vintage film footage of McCarthy and Murrow. It’s a strong piece with stirring statements about truth and the media’s obligation to speak truth to those in power.
The stage set is on multiple levels and was probably very effective in person. On the TV screen, it was a bit diminished. Clooney is superb as Murrow and is a nominee for a Tony Award for this performance. It was gratifying to hear the live audience clap and cheer at key moments in the dialogue. Kudos to CNN and Clooney for this eerily relevant presentation!
A NOVEL: RETURNING TO MAINE ROOTS
Welcome Home, Stranger by Kate Christensen
Welcome Home, Stranger, is Kate Christensen’s seventh novel. After the death of her mother, environmental journalist Rachel reluctantly returns to her hometown near Portland. Her childhood and youth were rough with a series of stepfathers and an addicted unbalanced mother. Although she loves her job and is good at it, Rachel is divorced and unmoored in her personal life. Somewhat resentful of her overly dramatic sister Celeste, she hopes to re-connect with David, her former lover. To her surprise, David has recently married her sister’s neighbor Molly. Add in a brother-in-law with a drinking problem and a house she’s inherited, and Rachel’s life is messy and complicated.
Christensen’s writing in this short book is razor sharp with staccato-like descriptions of sights, smells, sounds, and people’s physical characteristics. Some reviewers found it witty. I mostly found it poignant and painful.
It also interested me that Rachel, rather than being a mixed up 30-something, is 54 and well established in her career. Yet, she carries baggage from her emotionally stunted poverty-stricken upbringing. I slogged through with her and was rewarded with a hopeful ending. Recommended for the writing! (~JWFarrington)
Note: Photos taken at Sandhills Horticultural Gardens including the header photo ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
