Isn’t it great, the feeling…
Isn’t it great, the feeling of falling in love? It starts out as butterflies in your stomach and periodic giggles and constant smiles. If you’re lucky, it grows and it gives you a sense of excitement, peace and happiness to have it in your life. Well, I’m falling in love with the Woody Creeker. That’s what I’ve been focusing on for the last few weeks. There are updates on the movies coming out about Hunter. I’ll tell you what I know this weekend. Here is the editor’s note for the second issue. People seemed to like the fact that I posted the first one, so maybe we’ll make it a tradition.
Talk soon, love, Anita.
You can imagine my pleasure in presenting you the second issue of the Woody Creeker. You were probably as thrilled as I was to see the cover art by none other than our friend and ally Ralph Steadman. I’m honored to offer all sorts of unusual and stimulating art to you on the cover, the centerfold, and throughout the entire magazine.
You may have noticed that it is 12 pages longer than the first issue! In the beginning, my intention was to keep it a 32 page magazine, but I see that is going to be impossible, at least for now, because of the large volume of great material that was submitted to us over the last two months. I made some painful cuts for the sake of avoiding a gigantic tome.
I hope you will laugh, learn something, and be inspired by the material in this issue, as I am. Ed Bradley’s interview, for example, inspired me to resurrect the elusive Woody Creek Rod & Gun Club. Decades ago, Paul Pascarella designed the stationery on which this editor’s note is printed.
The introduction is by my neighbor, County Commissioner Michael Owsley, who turns the concept of fishing on is head, as is the case oh, so often in Woody Creek. Gaylord Guenin takes us on his flight of fancy, and Dwight Shellman demystifies the process of getting our elected officials to reaffirm their duty to uphold the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution, and tells how other communities can do the same. Yale lawyer and neighbor John VanNess, in his column, points out with a smile some of the misdemeanors and felonies that you probably are committing at this very moment, as you read this page.
Proud Uncle Jimmy Ibbotson talks music, while Janet Schoberlein talks gardening, and Alice Cotton talks Michael Franti and the Black Crowes in the spirit of Gonzo.
In her witty style, Peg O’Brien, our local physical therapist,and well known alternative medicine practitioner, helps you heal your cracked skin. And from now on, you will know the anatomy of a crack! You will love George Stranahan’s photo and story ŇAmor en el Aire.Ó I am happy to introduce the first installment of his daughter Molly’s memoir about the charmed and rugged time she had growing up in Woody Creek almost half a century ago.
In a different kind of historical thread, Eric Shoaf, a chief administrator at the library of Brown University, has been collecting Hunter’s early work for more than 25 years and has been compiling a comprehensive bibliography from his findings. He has kindly agreed to take us along on his journey, now and in the future, as he finds more gems to add to the collection.
We all know longtime Woody Creeker Andy Hall. In the Conversations in the Kitchen portion of this issue are the excerpts from my interview with Andy, who is an important part of our Woody Creek character.
And character, yes, this brings me to maybe my favorite part of this issue, which I would like to dedicate to Bill Cardoso. Call me biased, but I must point out these two pages (26 & 27) together: Linda Luke’s rules for a full moon, and my husband’s rules for driving fast. Read the two together, and you will get a very real glimpse into what I call the Woody Creek Life.
Until next time,
Your friend in Woody Creek,
Anita Thompson
Owl Farm, April 28, 2006
