Johnston comments on Estes’ review of Romeo and Juliet
Tracy Estes’ April 30 column complains that the setting of Romeo and Juliet in modern Miami is senseless, and an attempt to identify with a recent movie
version staring Leonardo Dicaprio.
I believe Mr. Estes misses the point, which is the timelessness and universality
of Shakespeare's plays.
He portrays the human condition in such a way that his plays may be set anywhere
and anytime without losing the meaning.
This is a common practice with Shakespeare directors.
My wife and I saw a production of Taming of the Shrew at ASF that was set in 1950s Texas, complete with Texas twang. It was thoroughly enjoyable with the inimitable John Preston as Petruchio. We
also saw
Measure for Measure set in World War II Germany.
That said, I can understand why Mr. Estes might be disappointed if he were all
set up for a taste of 15th Century England. After all, CSI:
Miami gives us enough of that setting. I will point out that the ASF website
clearly states that the play is set in modern-day Miami. So why use the British
accents? I have to side with Mr. Estes again here.
I thoroughly agree with Mr. Estes’ general commendation of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; it is truly one of
the jewels of the state. For an added benefit, tour the wonderful art museum
just a few hundred yards from ASF, both on the grounds of the Winton Blount
Cultural Park. For would-be theatre-goers daunted by the three-hour trip to
Montgomery, I commend to your attention the Virginia Samford Theater on
Birmingham
’s Southside.
Jud Johnston
P.O. Box 367
Winfield, Alabama 35594
It's time for a third party
candidate to be given a chance
I hope the media is happy with the way this election is shaping up to be. We
might as well get ready for four more years of a Bush-a-like, in that of John
McCain. We have McCain on one side sitting back watching Hillary and Barack
going at it on the other side.
Our government and media is so corrupt and biased, does it really do us any good
to vote? The Republican-Democrat debates showed us many, many candidates to get
familiar with and choose what represents what we stand for. Albeit, many
candidates took the stage for each of those debates. As the primaries and
debates went on, we witnessed candidates dropping out and accusing others of
this and that, but did anyone else notice the favoritism of candidates by the
media?
From the beginning, it's been Hillary, John M., Obama, and for a while, it was
Mitt Romney. People wonder what happened to Giuliani? I'll tell you what
happened: the media shunned him. As they did Ron Paul, Bill Richardson and many
others that you haven't even heard of.
I guarantee you that if you all reading this right now go and research all the
candidates that were in the election from the beginning, you will wonder how in
the world we ended up with these three morons to choose from. Most of you
actually do think that there are only three, when in actuality, there will be
more to select on your ballot when you get to the polling place.
Independent candidate Ralph Nader will be one to mention; he's done more for
this country than anybody else on the ballot. Not to mention the Green Party,
Constitution Party, and the Libertarian Party, to name a few.
People, just because the media shows them all the time, it doesn't mean that's
all we have to choose from. It's time for a third party candidate to be given a
chance, because we have gotten nowhere with the major two parties.
Brian Manasco
185 Maple Ave.
Winfield, Alabama 35594
Thanks for supporting the band
The Hamilton Band Boosters and band students would like to thank vendors,
businesses, and everyone who helped with the first Spring Vendor Festival held
on April 26.
Thank you for supporting the Hamilton Aggie Band!
Hamilton Band boosters
P.O. Box 416
Hamilton, Alabama 35570
Marcum applauds Jackson ‘for decent and honest man you are’
My memories go so far back. I worked at the Marion County Nursing Home for years
as a nurse, and I dealt with Randy Jackson in some of the very saddest
situations. People with no family, no one. Randy never refused to give the
uppermost respect and proper funeral at his own expense.
He has done so many good deeds for the people of this area and anywhere he is
needed. We appreciate you, Randy, for the decent and honest man you are. Always
caring and always giving to everyone. Your actions will always speak for
themselves.
Thank you so much for being the caring person you are to everyone, no matter if
they had money to pay you for your services or not. You never make a difference
between anyone.
shirley marcum
1026 Bexar Avenue
Hamilton, Alabama 35570
Franks thank arts council for opportunity for students
In March 2008, our sons, Matthew and Michael Franks, won first and second place
in the Northwest Alabama Arts Council middle school art contest. The art was
displayed along with the other many talented student artists at The Jerry Brown
Arts Festival.
Our family would like to thank the council for providing students with such a
wonderful opportunity. We need art in our schools!
mike and mary franks
1855 Steele Street
Hamilton, Alabama 35570
Adams thanks those who helped her grandson
I am writing this on behalf of Tyler Dory. I am Tyler’s grandmother, Sherrill Adams. Tyler’s father passed away on the 3rd of April and Tyler is living with us now. Tyler
was chosen for the People to People Student Ambassador Program. He went through
the interviews and will be going to Europe in June.
We are proud of Tyler and want to thank the community for all their support
during this time in his life.
Sherrill Adams
120 County Road 65
Winfield, Alabama 35594
Sides thanks Jackson for service to his community
There has been a lot of talk and rumors about different funeral homes in the
Hamilton area. I do not want to hurt anyone by letting my opinion be known, but
I do feel like I need to make my feelings known. It may not matter to very many
people what I am saying, but I am saying it anyway.
For as long as I can remember, Randy Jackson has been one of the best men that I
have ever known in my life. When my family members have passed away, he has
always been there for us. Back years ago, in the early 80
’s, when several of my family passed away that did not have the money up front to
pay for the funeral services, Randy never hesitated in giving them the best
service. My parents and grandparents loved Randy as a friend. They respected
him as a honest business man. I also love him as a friend and respect him as a
honest business man!
When my husband passed away, Randy, as always, was very considerate to me. It
never mattered to him that I did not have burial insurance. He let me pick out
what I wanted and told me not to worry about the payments at this time. He
never once dunned me. It took me nearly two years to pay him and he never once
complained. Now, how many people would do that? Not many!
Randy has to make a living, too, but he never puts money before the feelings of
his clients. I could never thank him enough for all of the goodness he has
shown my family throughout the years. I know that there are others that he has
done the same for over the years.
Twyila Goggans sides
630 Garfield Road
Hamilton, Alabama 35570
The opinions expressed in our “Letters to the editor” section and/or guest editorials
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Journal Record.
We welcome your opinions
We welcome you to use our letters to the editor column as a forum to comment on
our opinions, about the performance of public officials, about needed
improvements in the community, about pending or needed legislation, or to give
those who deserve it a pat on the back, or other similar topics.
We ask that you keep your letters as brief as possible, preferably limited to
500 words or less, and that you type or print very clearly. We reserve the
right to edit for length or clarity, but we will not change the meaning or tone
of your letter.
We do not publish consumer complaints and also reserve the right to edit letters
for libelous content.
All letters must be signed. We also ask that you give us your complete address
and telephone number when you submit your letter. All letters, whether
published or not, become the property of this newspaper. We must be able to
verify all letters prior to publication.
Our addresses are P.O. Drawer 1477, Hamilton, Alabama 35570 or P.O. Box 458, Winfield, Alabama 35594. Our e-mail address is jrpaper@centurytel.net
