INSIDE SECTION B | COMMUNITY : | CRIS LEYKAUF f EVENTS B2 | 638-7283 Ee Ee BOOKING IN. PETER HEPBURN On the road again e should be kind to them,’’ he advised me, ‘“‘because they'll die soon,”” ] looked at him, perplexed. “How? An industrial accident with the Blizzard machine?”’ “‘No”’ he replied, indicating a woman sit- ting nearby, whose smoking did not quite enhance the flavour of our frozen dairy treats. He reiterated his advice, and J at last un- derstood, We had reached the cosmic ab- surdity stage of our road trip. Yes, another of my road trips sets the scene for a column. This time, the trip was not even slightly connected to Terrace Pub- lic Library business. Instead, my friend Quinton and I were off to Vancouver to catch Blur in concert, So it was that we found ourselves at an unfortunately mustard-coloured table in the Williams Lake Dairy Queen. While Quinton was quoting from a_ lecture received at college, 1 was conjuring up im- ages of hopeless restaurant employees con- fronting hamburger buns, chainsaws in hand. It’s a long drive to Vancouver. For that Matter, it’s a long drive to anywhere from Terrace. No matter how loopy the con- versalion may become, though, another per- son’s voice is always greatly appreciated. Even when I drive alone listening to music, I occasionally switch on a radio talk show, Just to hear a voice, a regular voice. With that in mind then I’d tike to make a recommendation: books on tape. It’s hardly an unknown idea, However, I must confess that I’ve never tried it myself. I hear it works marvelously, though. Imagine: you’re driving the many kilo- metres to anywhere and your brain starts to wander, to doze. The first and best thing to do is pull over, rest, stretch. This, however, is not always possible. Moreover, having done just that, what can your subsequently do to stay alert as you continue your trip? At this time then, a book on tape would be Why limit it to driving companionship, though? Many people cannot read while riding in vehicles. For them this would be a good alternative. When that airline movie turns out to be even worse than it seemed it might be, put the seat back and pop a book into your walkman, Doing housework? Switch off Another World an try a literate hour instead. Books on tape are a convenient way to discover the classic or even to brush up on some areas of non-fiction. They appear in the library and bookstore right in step with the original albums, so the bestsellers are within reach of your ears. Of course there are drawbacks to the idea, just as any dessert has its empty calories. Unlike a book wherein passages may be marked for future reference at the flip of a page, returning to earlier details is a nuisance with books on tape. In this in- stance, you should be wary of using me for background noise only to become frustra- tingly engrossed. Yearnings to know what has transpired may be difficuit to satisfy, Books on tape frequently may be abridged. If you enjoy an author’s work for the language used, this alternative may nat be for you. Books on tape may potentially be the vic- tim of their narration. Much as a person may enjoy Robin Williams, for example, his style probably would not complement something like a Margaret Atwood novel. Actually, that particular pairing could be a catastrophically amusing, but 1 think you get the idea, I should emphasize one other point as I close. [’il likely get an earful from smokers I know thanks to my opening, so I dare not court the wrath of defensive drivers. Use books on tape only to enhance concentra- tion while driving. It’s either that, or take Quinton with you and be sure to drop by an occasional Dairy Queen. daring on the dragons EVER LONGED to escape to a simpler time? A time where men were chivalrous, knights fought for honour and glory, bards re corded their deeds, and ladies’ gowns were works of art. Well we can’t leave the 20th century, but we can recreate the past, That's the purpose of the Society for Creative Anach- ronisms. It’s a world-wide orga- nization whose purpose is to recreate the Middle Ages. And Terrace resident Kareen Neal would like to start a chapter here. Neal was heavily involved with the socicty when she lived on Vancouver Island. But the nearest chapter is in Prince George — it’s named Cold Keep, She’s hoping enough pcople in Terrace will be interested in start- ing 2 shire here. The group would meet as often as ils members like, and could en- compass a wide variety of inter- ests. “We have knights in armour, we practice spinning and weav- ing, tapestry, armour making — we do everything they did back then,’’ said Neal. The society takes in the time period from 600 AD to 1600 AD. It can also involve Romans and Greeks, Many people get involved be- cause they're interested in the old fashioned forms of fighting, ex- plained Neal. She’s intrigued by that herself, and has taken on the role of a Glaoglast, an Irish mercenary of the early 14th or 15th century, Her character is named Mor- rigain nic t’Sealgair, Morrigain was an ‘Trish war goddess and the tetiininder of the ‘ide . means ‘daughter of the hunter,’ Neal likes the name so much she’s in the process of legally changing her first name to Morrigain. In addition to regular meetings where society members practice their crafts, learn etiquette, songs, fighting techniques and more, there are also huge gatherings in the larger cities. This year Clinton will host a ‘war’, featuring 120 fighters and probably 750 ladles, merchants, armourers, scribes and more, Prince George will also host two events, on a somewhat smal}- er scale, “It really brings out the chivilary and honour in people,’’ Said Neal, as she recounted her experiences at some of the larger events. Celebrating THE TERRACE Women’s Resource Centre and the Terrace Little Theatre are kicking off In- ternational Women’s Weck with an evening of reader's theatre on Feb. 27. The play is Gertrude Stein and a COMPANION, by Win Wells. As the title suggests, the play focuses in the lives of two worten. The play begins shortly after the dealh of Gertrude, and throughout the play Gertrude is present as a ghost. Gertrude and her companion Alice talk about their lives to- gether, and their new life after Gertrude’s death. Gertrude was an accomplished artist, but until she died was relatively unknown. It is only through the efforts of Alice that others know her works. The play is based on a true Story, and is set in Paris’ famous left bank in the 1920s. Alice and Gertrude were friends with many famous writers and artisis of that time, such as Picasso and Hemingway. They had a greal influence on the wornen and their presence is felt throughout the play. The play is ideally suited to reader’s theatre. Through the fa- cial expressions and nuances of the actors, the audience will come to know both characters very well, The role of Gertrude is being read by Merry Hallsor. Sharon Lynch takes on the part of Alice. Director Karla Hennig is excit- MERCENARY FIGHTER Morrigain nic tSealgair (Kareen Neal join her in her quest to establish a shire here in Terrace. It Society for Creative Anachronisms, set u of the Middle Ages, Ponce akan in real life) is lacking for athers to § all part of something called the p to allow people to immerse themselves in the culture Al these events everyone must be in garb, tents are covered with drapings and nothing modern is allowed to show. ‘*Some of the costumes can get really cxtravagent,’’ she said, tell- ing the story of one Elizabethen gown with over $2,000 worth of materials in it. Those who want to get involved with the sociciy should enjoy re- scarching the medlicval period and should also like being crea- live. For instance, as well as designing your costume, you can also create your own coat of arins, Weapons and more. ; For safcty's sake, all the weapons sed in fighting are made of rallan. It’s similar to get- ting bit with a baseball bat, ex- plains Neal, That’s why armour is important for more than just looks. And women’s week SHARON LYNCH plays the part of Alice in the upcoming reader theatre's play Gertrude Stein and a COMPANION, It shows Feb. 27 at the McColl Playhouse, ing about the differences between this and more conventional plays. “It's a lot like a mdio play,” she explains. . Hallsor enjoys the way the play reveals the relationship between the two women, 7 “You get a real sense of their Interdepency and their love for ‘each other,’’ says Hallsor. Gertrude ‘Stein and a COM- PANION plays at 8 p.m; on Feb, 27 al the McColl Playhouse. Ad- mission is by donation, since metal is expensive, hard to work with, and heavy, fighters tend to use heavy plastic pickle barrels. Despile all the fighting, Neal said it’s extremely rare to get _ anything more than a few bruises. Safety is stressed heavily by event organizers. If you're interested in learning more, or forming a shire give Karceu Neal a call at 635-0163. Ending hunger ABOUT 50 CALEDONIA students will be starting a 30 hour famine tomorrow at mid- night, to help end poverty and suffering around the world. They'll be joining young people from across the coun- try talking part in this unique fundraiser sponsored — by World Vision Canada. Sa have a few dollars handy when they come to your door this week. Last year 100,000 Cana- dians took part in the 30-hour famine and raised $1.87 mil- lion. This year the money raiscd will support agricultural pro- grams -int Mozambique, AIDS awareness programs in Uganda, and programs assist- ing ucedy kids in Canada. Crystal Ruchoizke is organizing the 30-hour famine at Caledonia, and ~ she's hoping to raise $1,000. Tn order to belp dake the stu- dent’s mind off dinner time on Friday night Ruchotzke has planned an all-night ses- sion of activilies at the school gym, The 30 hours ends al 6 am. on Salurday morting, when students hope to enjoy a big breakfast.