#this is my first time drawing adult carrie ann! shes still a kid during the time of the story

[kiwi]

lifelong commitment to the bob haircut in both timelines

[the-record-columns]

July 10, 2019: Columns

A 9 year-old jewel named Dresden...

Above right is the cover of the card Dresden presented to Ken Welborn at the Fourth of July celebration in his apartment. Above left is Dresden.

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

As often noted, many days my visitors are the best part of the day. This past Wednesday, July 3, was no exception. 

I had just told The Record’s Editor Jerry Lankford I had a couple of errands to run when some folks walked in, a man, woman and young daughter..  After my usual query "Now what brings you folks to our little corner of the world?" an amazing visit began. 

They were from St. Petersburg, Fla., and in the Boone area on vacation. The mom, Devon, explained that she spent some summers visiting her grandmother in Boone, and had always enjoyed the mountains, and came back when she could. The man's name was Adolfo, and the daughter was 9-year-old Dresden.  They were all three fascinating, but the way Dresden carried herself, confident and at ease well beyond her years, was noticeable.  When asked what she was doing during summer, she explained that she wrote poetry, wrote songs, and was an artist—among other things.

 They asked a lot of questions, listened patiently to my stories about each artifact, oddity, and, of course, me.  These were the kind of people you felt as though you had known for 20 years in 20 minutes.  In the process of the conversation, I inquired how long they were going to be around.  They said they were renting a little place and would be around a few more days, then wondered aloud where would be a good place to watch the Fourth of July Fireworks around here.

I smiled and said, "Funny you should ask that, because I live upstairs here and bunch of folks are coming tomorrow night to enjoy a picnic dinner, watch the Fire Truck Parade, and then the fireworks at dusk—and you folks will be as welcome as a summer breeze.”

"We'll be there." Devon said, without hesitation. 

As they were leaving, Dresden noticed the picture of my late dog, Powder, on the front counter.  Of course I showed them the other pictures and told them all about my wonderful dog and my sadness at losing him to cancer about 18 months ago. We talked on a bit about dogs and, as, we said our goodbye's, they reminded me they really would be back to see me on the Fourth.

Ann and Tom Graves and Marilyn Payne were the first to arrive Thursday with loads of food. They kindly set up things and got the place organized for company. I told them that I may have special guests from Florida and they would really enjoy this family. A while later, Ann came and told me that my Florida folks had arrived and I went up front. 

By the time I got there, my friend, Carl White, of the syndicated TV show Life in the Carolinas, was already working them, and said that the young girl had something for me.  Dresden handed me a card she had made with a drawing of Powder on the front—she had seen that picture of Powder for about two minutes and was able to sketch him for the card.  I was so taken aback I could hardly speak, or even read the card.  Dresden then read aloud the inside of the card, which was written by her own hand, and in front of a house-full of people she had never seen before.  She read with a comfort and ease that would have made any adult proud. 

It read:

 What we have enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of the earth can ever be.

When an 85 pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it's hard to feel sad.

 I wanted to cry, I simply could not believe this amazing kindness.  Dresden handed the card back to me and hugged me. 

What can I add to that except to say: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart," to Devon, Adolfo, and most especially, Dresden, a 9-year-old jewel; for making this a Fourth of July I'll never forget.

The National Anthem: Musical Appropriation at its finest

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

Now that everyone has come out of their respective holiday weekend hot dog comas, shut down social media with pictures of all the cute kids dressed up in matching patriotic, albeit against flag code, ensembles and gotten back to the grind, let’s talk about the song you’ve been singing all weekend: the United States National Anthem.

You may recall in a column last month in which I talked about a teenager who didn’t know how old our country was, or why we had fireworks for Independence Day.

That face palm moment paled in comparison to the statement last week by an adult about General Washington taking the airports away from the British. Which got me to thinking, if the masses have been so consumed by technology and meme-able moments passing off as “history” that they don’t know what an errant faux pas that truly was, what do they know?

Hopefully, in fourth-grade history you learned that our National Anthem comes from a poem written on Sept. 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key. The poem was inspired by the 30-by-42 foot U.S. garrison flag, (currently with 15 stars and 15 stripes, commonly referred to as the as the Star-Spangled Banner), being  raised triumphantly that morning above Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor after watching the British Navy bombard the bastion.

This was three and a half decades after the motion was approved for the Declaration of Independence to be officially adopted in the Second Continental Congress on July 4th.

Anyway, back to Francis…

Key’s poem, entitled “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” was set to the tune of the Constitutional Anthem from the Anacreontic Society, a London men's social club (read: ridiculously wealthy men with nothing better to do for society than meet to celebrate music, food and drink.) "To Anacreon in Heaven," was popular in the U.S. at the time. Anacreon was a Greek poet from about 570 BC, and noted for his erotic poetry. Renamed the Star-Spangled Banner, it soon became well-known as a patriotic song.  

It was not considered the national anthem until1931-the year my grandmother was born- 117 years after it was written, and only then by a congressional resolution signed by President Hoover. Until that time, "Hail, Columbia" (1798), was used for most of the 19th century, then later "My Country, 'Tis of Thee” (1831), which also happens to be an appropriated tune. You may have noticed it’s the same music as the British National Anthem "God Save the Queen.”

As an aside, is anyone else giggling, knowing that our National Anthem was put to the tune of a notoriously bawdy drinking song, knowing what we do about the temperance movement and prohibition?

Did you know our National Anthem has four stanzas?  Here are the last three versus.

I’ll expect you to sing it with me at the next ball game.

 On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

 And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

 O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The scales have tipped

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

Those of you who read this column likely know that on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly passed the United Nation Partition Plan which made possible the establishment of the State of Israel.  However, what was possible in 1947 would be impossible today.  The scales have tipped, and they are against Israel.

Following World War II, the United Nations (UN) was created to replace the League of Nations for the purpose of preventing another major conflict.  There were four main goals outlined in its charter but boiled down and put into a nutshell, the UN was established to ensure a peaceful future for the world.  Initially there were 51 member states.  Today there are 193. Many of these “new” member states come from Africa and the Middle East and are primarily Muslim or aligned with the Muslim agenda.  The sheer number of these “new” member states stacks the deck against Israel at every vote.  While the United States, Israel’s stalwart Western friend and ally, still holds significant sway at the UN, we are not the powerhouse we once were.  This has little, if anything, to do with President Trump but everything to do with Islam’s desire to destroy Israel.  Furthermore, the majority of these “new” UN member states are members of, or affiliated with, the Non-Aligned Movement known as NAM.  What is NAM? It is the umbrella organization for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Is it any wonder that Israel comes under constant and harsh criticism and condemnation by the UN which is more focused on denigrating Israel than it is on human atrocities taking place in other parts of the world such as Libya, Iran, North Korea, Syria and others?  

Tiny Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East where its citizens, including its minorities, enjoy freedom and equality, is condemned more than mass-murdering dictatorships.  Insanity reigns as Israel is consistently held to a different and higher standard.  Yes, the scales are tipped against Israel. She needs friends now more than ever and she’s finding them within the worldwide Evangelical Christian community.  We must come together with one loud, pro-Israel, voice.  In Joel 3:2 the Bible says, “…there will I deal with and execute   judgment upon them for their treatment of My people (the Jews) and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and because they have divided My land.” While it is currently considered politically correct to stand against Israel as is evidenced by the rising tide of anti-Semitism and BDS campaigns, we cannot honor God if we fear man.  Those who compromise the Word of God are a compromised people indeed and God says He will curse those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:3).

Bagpipes, Tree Tossing and Traditions

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

The stimulating sounds of bagpipes filled the air as I made my way from the parking area to the festivities of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. I look forward to this annual gathering that celebrates Scottish heritage, which has a significant place in the Carolinas.

In my visits to the Highland Games over the years, I have met many people of interest and learned much about the origins of many of the things that we do in the Carolinas. I've met great story tellers, musicians, shepherds and athletes who enjoy the caber toss, which is the sport of tossing a tapered pole made from a large tree.

The caber is around 175 pounds and just under 20 feet long. The objective is to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end, falling away from the tosser. I have watched many people participate in this activity, and I am convinced that this is not an easy feat. This sport, as well as all the others in the games, is done while wearing fashionable kilts with colored patterns that are synonymous with the wearers' family names.

It was several years ago at the Highland Games that I met the talented Joseph and Laralyn RiverWind. They were at a music exhibit that featured beautiful flute and harp music. It was from them that I learned about the term "Blessed Blend." In short, it was said that many years ago a Scotsman met a Native American woman and fell in love with her. This was at a time when such a relationship would not have been looked at in a good way. However, in this case the fellow must have had a friend in the Church, because before long the joining of a Scotsman with a Native American woman was proclaimed to be a "Blessed Blend," and so it has been from that time.

The thing that I enjoy most about the Highland Games, other than the fact that it is held in an amazing setting of nature, is that its purpose is to preserve, celebrate and learn from history. It's a bit like having a solid foundation to stand upon. It is not about being perfect, and it's not about being right and everyone one else being is wrong. If you look at Scottish history you will see that it is made up of different thoughts and ideas within its own heritage. As with most cultures, the clans (families) did not always get along with each other, but for sure they were all Scottish, and through the years a core group of people have kept the heritage and traditions alive.

I recall first meeting photographer Edgar Payne at the Highland Games. I have met governors, diplomats and royals at the games. I have meet people with great beards and people with scotch to share.

Scottish games are also held in other parts of the Carolinas, and some folks say they enjoy the smaller gatherings more because they are not as crowded. I actually enjoy both, but I do lean toward the energy that comes from the larger gathering at Grandfather Mountain.

I love the idea of our melting pot. However, I believe that there are ingredients within our American stew that have a noticeable flavor. The Scottish influence is certainly one of those ingredients that provides a wonderful contribution; it also blends well with others.

I'm not sure if it's the magic of the mountain air or the alluring power that has developed after 60 years of the gatherings being held at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather  Mountain that makes this such an enjoyable event. I’ve never worn a kilt, but if it were the only way to get in, I just might.

 Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award-winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturdays at 12:30am. You can also watch episodes on Amazon Prime For more on the show visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com, You can email Carl White at Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com.