Reagan Remembered: 'Rendezvous with Destiny' Screened at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — The Washington College Republicans Club will present a screening of the film "Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny" at Litrenta Lecture Hall on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m.

"Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny" examines and celebrates the life and legacy of the 40th President of the United States. Hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich, the documentary tells the story of the Reagan presidency and the three pillars that shaped his time in office: reviving the American economy, restoring America's spirit and challenging the Soviet Union.

Shot on location in Washington, D.C., the Reagan Ranch, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, France, Poland and the Czech Republic, the film features never-before-seen interviews with Michael Reagan, former Reagan Administration officials, former presidents Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic and Lech Walesa of Poland, and many others.

"Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny" charts the path of a unique and notable 20th-century American life, from an Illinois childhood to a career in Hollywood, from the Governor's mansion in California to the Presidency of the United States.

The film explores how Reagan's conservative principles developed over the course of his life's journey, and how "the Great Communicator" used his words and vision to help restore confidence in the nation's future at a time when the national mood was at its nadir.

Over the course of the Reagan presidency, the United States emerged from a recession with then-unprecedented economic growth, and the Cold War finally lurched toward its conclusion. Reagan's prediction that the Soviet Union would end up on "the ash heap of history" ultimately proved to be prescient.

Litrenta Lecture Hall is located in the John S. Toll Science Center. Admission to "Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny" is free and open to the public.

Washington College's Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Jazz Combo to Perform

Chestertown, MD — The exciting drum and song traditions of a vibrant musical culture will come alive on campus when the Washington College Afro-Cuban Ensemble performs at Norman James Theatre on Wednesday, April 8, at 8 p.m. The Washington College Jazz Combo also will perform, presenting enduring classics from the American jazz canon.

The Afro-Cuban Ensemble was founded in 2005 by percussionist and ethnomusicologist Kenneth Schweitzer, D.M.A., of the Washington College Department of Music. Wednesday's concert will include Santeria drums and songs, rumba, popular sones and boleros (as in "The Buena Vista Social Club") and Brazilian bossa nova.

Schweitzer also leads the Washington College Jazz Combo, which will round out April 8's entertainment. The Jazz Combo is comprised of a small group of Washington College students (both majors and non-majors) who show exceptional talent and motivation. The goal of the ensemble is to provide members with professional opportunities; playing in club-like settings and providing ambient music in a variety of venues both on and off campus.

Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.

Washington College, KC Arts Council Present Second Annual Kent County Poetry Festival

Chestertown, MD — Washington College and the Kent County Arts Council will present the second annual "Kent County Poetry Festival: A Day of Public Poetry in Celebration of National Poetry Month" at the Book Plate, 112 South Cross Street, on Friday, April 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.

People from throughout the county will gather to read aloud their favorite lines from the world of verse—a reminder that poetry, rather than being some rarefied specimen, is in fact a vital, living art with many facets and widespread appeal.

Sign-up sheets for festival participation have been posted at various locations throughout the county, and advance sign-up is requested; persons interested in participating also may e-mail poetry@washcoll.edu to become part of the readers' roster.

"This program is in the spirit of the 'Favorite Poem Project' pioneered by Robert Pinsky when he was Poet Laureate of the United States," said Christopher Ames, Provost and Dean of Washington College.

"The goal is to bring together diverse peoples in our community around the poetry people know and love to share and, in doing so, debunk the idea that poetry is just something for academics to study. During National Poetry Month, we want to illustrate the role that poetry can have in enriching our everyday lives."

Last year was the festival's debut, and it was well attended by a diverse community of poetry lovers. People are welcome to just come listen or participate by reading a favorite poem.

Robert Earl Price, lecturer and writer in residence in the Drama Department at Washington College, is the organizer of the project. Price is an accomplished poet and playwright who has recently moved to Chestertown from Atlanta. His most recent book of poems is Wise Blood, published by Snake Nation Press.

Price studied screenwriting at the American Film Institute and has written for television and film, but his primary writing has been for the stage. Recently produced plays include "Blue Monk," which was part of the Atlanta Cultural Olympiad, "HUSH: Composing Blind Tom Wiggins" and "Come On in My Kitchen." Price's most recent play, "The Golden Sardine," tells the story of legendary Beat poet Bob Kaufman; it had its world premiere at Washington College last November.

Price is currently teaching on a part-time basis at the College and working on outreach programs that connect the college and the community through the arts.

Faith of the Fathers: 'Rediscovering God in America' Screened at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — The Washington College Republicans Club will present a screening of the film "Rediscovering God in America" at Litrenta Lecture Hall on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m.

The 2008 film featuring Newt Gingrich is based on his book of same title, which was a New York Times bestseller.

A simple walk through Washington, D.C., began a profound journey of personal discovery and renewal for Gingrich, one of America's most influential conservative politicians and commentators. At the National Archives, the immortal words from the Declaration of Independence that we "are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights" inspired Gingrich to ruminate on the degree to which the Founding Fathers considered basic human freedoms to be "Creator-endowed." Other sites around the nation's capital further buttressed Gingrich's growing contention that American principles were inextricably rooted in religious faith.

The film version of Gingrich's popular book offers a walking tour of Washington, D.C., guided by Gingrich and his wife Calista, highlighting monuments, government buildings and historic documents that appear to illustrate how a belief in God was central to American values and the underlying philosophies of American governance.

Litrenta Lecture Hall is located in the John S. Toll Science Center. Admission to "Resdiscovering God in America" is free and open to the public.

Former Ravens Coach Billick Presents 'Life Lessons for Success' at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — Brian Billick, former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, will present "Life Lessons for Success" at Washington College's Cain Gymnasium on Thursday, February 19, at 8 p.m.

When Billick became the Ravens' head coach in 1999, the nascent football franchise had endured losing records in each of its first three seasons. Billick quickly changed the course for the team, guiding the Ravens to their first non-losing season (8-8) in his inaugural year.

In 2000, Billick's second year at the helm, the Ravens earned a 12-4 regular season record (including 11 consecutive victories), and then swept through the playoffs to win the Super Bowl XXXV Championship in a commanding 34-7 victory over the New York Giants. The 2000 Ravens defense set the NFL's 16-game standard for fewest points allowed (165). Prior to Billick's arrival in Baltimore, the Ravens defense had never ranked higher than 22nd in the league.

Several more successful seasons followed 2000's historic heights as the Ravens continued to be a force to be reckoned with, more often than not all the way to the playoffs or the brink of the postseason tournament.

Prior to coaching the Ravens, Billick had been offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. In 1998 he coordinated a Vikings offense that scored the most points (556) in NFL history.

"Passion" and "accountability" are the two words that form the foundation of Billick's philosophy of coaching and leadership.

"You have to have passion for the work you do to succeed," Billick said. "If a player doesn't like to study, practice or train, doesn't like the physicality of the game, he's going to have a very difficult time succeeding. Passion is a lubricant for success."

As for the other cornerstone of Billick's approach, "Accountability is obvious. You have to perform. Accountability is also a sign of respect for your team. It is a reflection of a team's integrity when individuals take responsibility for their actions."

Billick has co-authored two books, Competitive Leadership: Twelve Principles for Success (with Dr. James A. Peterson) and Finding the Winning Edge (with Dr. Peterson and NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh).

Admission to "Life Lessons for Success" is free and open to the public.

Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers Perform at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, the Washington College SGA Office of Diversity will present a performance by the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers at Cain Gymnasium on Saturday, November 15, at 6 p.m.

Famous for their internationally recognized living history program, the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers conduct workshops, present lectures and perform authentic Native American dance, drum and song.

From "Tayac Territory" near Port Tobacco, Maryland, Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers travel throughout Europe, Canada and the United States with one of the most colorful, artful and educational programs in the country. While the performance is a feast of sight and sound, it also educates the audience about Native American history, culture and contemporary issues.

Admission to the performance is free and open to the public.

November 12, 2008

100-Voice Choir Gospel Concert Set to Raise Spirits, Honor Alumnus Rev. Vincent Hynson '87, November 22

Charity Concert Raises Funds for Minority Student Scholarship Program at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — On Saturday, November 22, the 100-Voice Choir returns to raise spirits and celebrate the life and example of the late Rev. Vincent Hynson, Washington College Class of 1987 alumnus and Kent County community leader. The concert will be held at the Kent County High School Auditorium. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are just $6 per person and are available at the door or in advance from the Compleat Bookseller or Twigs and Teacups in downtown Chestertown.

This year's concert—through the efforts of many volunteers and Sylvia and Bill Frazier of S & B Productions—will provide two hours of music, song and dance to put anyone and everyone "in the spirit." In addition to performances by the 100-Voice Choir and musical accompaniment by the Holy Horns, the concert's line-up includes a performance by guest soloist Ginger Whiteley, selections by the Gospel Sheppards and the Sho Dads Quartet, a performance by the Praise Dancers, and a special guest appearance by acclaimed gospel trumpeter Wade Johnson.

Sis. Vivian Garnett will serve as the evening's Mistress of Ceremonies. A lifetime resident of Queen Anne's County, she is a member of Mt. Pleasant U.M. Church, where she sings in two choirs and is Vice President of the U.M. Women. She is a retired educator (38 years) in both Kent and Queen Anne's counties, retiring in 1997. Sis. Garnett has conducted many services and programs in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Proceeds from the concert benefit the Vincent Hynson Scholarship at Washington College. The impetus of Washington College President Baird Tipson, the scholarship honors the late Rev. Vincent Hynson—beloved Kent County teacher, coach, pastor, and community leader—who passed away in 2004. The scholarship is presented to an entering freshman who is a graduate of a secondary school in Kent County, who demonstrates financial need, and whose achievements and aspirations most closely emulate the values of community service exemplified by the life of Rev. Hynson. The scholarship covers 100 percent of the cost of tuition, room and board, books, and fees for the recipient.

"Vincent Hynson was a bridge-builder whose life was dedicated to uplifting our community," said Dr. Tipson, who lends his voice to the tenor section of the choir. "His was the kind of life young people—and all people—should emulate. My hope is that this scholarship honors his life by helping local students who want to give back the chance to develop their talents and to realize their dreams through a Washington College education."

To be considered for the Vincent Hynson Scholarship, interested students should submit a scholarship essay and complete all admissions and financial aid application requirements no later than February 15, 2008. Essay instructions and admissions and financial aid information are available from the Washington College Office of Admissions by calling 410/778-7700.

The 100-Voice Choir Gospel Concert is sponsored by S & B Productions, Washington College and the Kent County Arts Council. For more information, contact S & B Productions at 410/778-6006 or the Washington College Office of College Relations at 410/810-7111.

November 11, 2008

What Is in the Mysterious Time Capsule at Washington College?

Chestertown, MD — A time capsule from the 1960s, discovered during the renovation of Washington College's Gibson Center for the Arts, will be opened during a special ceremony at the College's Martha Washington Square on Friday, November 7, at 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The time capsule was placed in the original cornerstone of the Gibson Center in November 1967. Several prominent Washington College officials who were on hand for the original cornerstone-laying will be present at Friday's capsule-opening.

Martha Washington Square is located alongside the Gibson Center, where work has been underway since summer 2007 for the grand reopening of the facility in summer 2009. The Department of Drama will enjoy a completely renovated 440-seat proscenium theater, a brand-new 140-seat experimental theater, expanded rehearsal space, office space, classroom space and green-room space. The Department of Music will have its own 200-seat recital hall, better rehearsal space, more classrooms and individual rehearsal rooms, and better storage for instruments. The dance program will continue to rehearse in its present facility in the Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center, but its performances will occur on the new stage of the large theater. Major events such as the George Washington Birthday Convocation, lectures by prominent speakers, admissions open houses, and the concert series will draw campus and community into the newly renovated spaces.

Not least, the upgraded facility will fill a long-standing void by constructing Washington College's first climate-controlled, secure art gallery, enabling theater- and concert-goers to enjoy visiting exhibits as well as the work of Washington College's own students and faculty.

So, just what is in the mysterious time capsule from the 1960s? On Friday, November 7, at 4 p.m., the world will know.

October 30, 2008

Washington College Rallies Support for Relay for Life

Chestertown, MD — The Kent County Relay for Life is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. The Relay begins at the Kent County High School Track, in Worton, Maryland, on September 5 at 6 p.m. and concludes September 6th at 10:00 a.m. Support the faculty, staff, student, and alumni participants from Washington College in their effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society through donations or by attending the event. Check the progress of the campus community members who are participating in this year's Relay for Life.

If you are interested in participating or volunteering during the Relay, or to make a donation, please contact Tessa Duquette in the Campus Events Office in Bunting Hall, 410-778-7888 or e-mail her at tduquette2@washcoll.edu.

Schedule for the Kent County Relay for Life

Friday, September 5, 2008

6:00 p.m. The Survivors Lap
The traditional cancer survivor lap is everyone who has survived cancer. They will take the ceremonial first lap around the track. Once the survivors go half way around the track, family members and caretakers may join the survivors for the second half of the lap. Upon finishing the lap, you and your loved ones are invited to the survivor reception.

7:00 p.m. The Relay officially begins!

7:00 p.m.
Silent Auction begins.

7:30 p.m.
Cherae Ensor (a local Zumba instructor), and friends will be performing several Zumba dances on the mainstage. If you've gone to her classes, and want to participate, please come and join the fun!

8:30 p.m. The Luminaria Ceremony
Luminarias (bags with candles inside them) can celebrate the surviorship of people who have battled cancer, or also can commemorate the lives of those who have been lost to the disease. All represent a person who has profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who will continue to be touched by that experience. The lighting of the luminaries will happen at dusk.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

6:00 a.m.
If you happen to be at the track this early in the morning, please come and join Mike Duquette, at the Mainstage, for a morning "power hour" (stretching, warming up - and possibly waking up!)

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Come and take a Zumba class!
Cherae Ensor will be teaching a Zumba class on the mainstage. Zumba is a fun and effective latin dance fitness program.

10:30 a.m. The Relay's Closing Ceremony

The Raffle!

As part of a campus effort to raise money, tickets for several raffle prizes, will be sold for $1.00 raffle in the Campus Events Office in Bunting Hall. Beginning on Monday, August 25th, the raffle tickets will also be sold in the Dining Pavilion during lunch hours (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.).

• A vase from Rachel's Flower Power
• A framed photo of the Chestertown Waterfront from Finishing Touch
• Vera Bradley Bag from the Washington College Bookstore
• Vera Bradley mousepad and notepad from the Bookstore
• Vera Bradley wallet from the Bookstore
• (6) Zumba classes with Cherae Ensor at the Kent Athletic Center
• A bouquet of flowers from Galena Blooms (redeemed at the Chestertown Farmers Market)

The drawing for the raffle and the announcement of which class has won the Penny Wars will take place at the Relay for Life, on Friday, September 5, at 8:00 p.m.

July 30, 2008

'Sankofa' Screened at Washington College

The African-American Heritage Committee and Washington College will present a showing of the film "Sankofa" at Norman James Theatre on Friday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m., with food, drink and discussion following.

"Sankofa" features a lush, expressive style and energy, juxtaposing the brutalities endured by plantation slaves with the beauty of the landscape and the spiritual will of the oppressed. Layered throughout the film is a complex musical score composed of African drumming, electronic rhythms, and American jazz and blues. It's a visceral and deeply moving portrait of plantation life viewed from an African perspective.

"History is power," said director Haile Gerima, "which is why we named the film 'Sankofa.' 'Sankofa' is a philosophical, mythological bird passed down from generation to generation from the Akan people of Ghana. The name means [that in order] to move forward, you must reclaim the past. In the past, you find the future and understand the present."

The special screening of "Sankofa" is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost & Dean and the Office of Campus Events & Visitors. Admission is free and open to the public. (Some material is not suitable for audiences under 16 years old.) For more information, call 410/810-1416.

June 6, 2008

Spring Book Sale at Washington College's Miller Library

Chestertown, MD — The Friends of Miller Library will present the annual Spring Book Sale at Washington College's Clifton M. Miller Library on Thursday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A great variety of used books, both hardcover and paperback, will be available for purchase at bargain prices. The sale, considered a yearly springtime "must" for area book lovers, will be held inside the back entrance to the library.

April 8, 2008

Gym Class Heroes to Perform at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — Alternative hip-hop hitmakers Gym Class Heroes will perform at Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center on Sunday April 13, at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)

Melding elements of rap, rock, R&B and funk into one cohesive and melodic sound, upstate New York's Gym Class Heroes have diverse appeal based on their impressive musical dexterity. Often touring with indie rock and pop-punk bands, they don't fit comfortably into one specific genre; the quartet's music is rooted in traditional hip-hop, but features live instruments instead of looped samples or beats. Lyrics are often socially conscious, but also infused with humor and wry perceptiveness.

The group formed in 1997 when Travis McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley and decided to make a band. After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts, they were signed to Decaydance Records, on which they released the gold-selling album As Cruel As School Children.

Since that release, the band has garnered much success, with the single "Cupid's Chokehold" reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Clothes Off!!" peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart.

Tickets to the April 13 Gym Class Heroes concert are $19 for Washington College students, $21 for staff and alumni, and $25 for non-students. All tickets will be $25 on the day of the show. Advance tickets are available at Ticketmaster; call 410/547-SEAT, or visit www.ticketmaster.com (type "Gym Class Heroes" into the search field and follow the prompts).

March 27, 2008

Philosophy, Rare Editions and 'Witcraft' at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — It will be an occasion of gifts—the intellectual gifts of a distinguished American philosopher, and the tangible gifts of rare literary treasures he is donating to Washington College. Dr. Alan Pasch, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland Department of Philosophy, will present "The Art of Witcraft" in the Sophie Kerr Room at the College's Miller Library on Tuesday, April 8, at 4:30 p.m.

The talk and reception celebrate Dr. Pasch's donation to Miller Library of his considerable collection of rare historical texts on logic and the English language.

Some of the texts date to the 1400s and include early or otherwise rare editions by such thinkers as Thomas Hobbes, Henry Aldrich, Isaac Watts, Noah Webster, Lewis Carroll, George Boole and others.

Dr. Pasch has long been a respected voice on the American philosophical scene. His Experience and the Analytic: A Reconsideration of Empiricism was published in 1958 in the midst of what was being described as "a series of fratricidal quarrels" among philosophers. The arrival of Pasch's book, according to the review in the journal Ethics, offered "the latest, and best formulation" for a way out of the war that had arisen between logical empiricists and pragmatists.

Pasch was lauded for "the virtues of this book which combines a sense of a larger philosophic and historical context with a careful treatment of recent, vexed controversies.... Pasch performs a useful service."

The rare texts Dr. Pasch is donating to Miller Library will be on view during the presentation. Admission to "The Art of Witcraft" is free and open to the public.

March 26, 2008

Calling All Poetry Lovers: Kent County Poetry Festival Wants You

Chestertown, MD — Calling all Kent County poetry lovers: Do you have an all-time favorite poem (by any poet) to share with others? If so, then the first annual "Kent County Poetry Festival: A Day of Public Poetry in Celebration of National Poetry Month" wants you.

Presented by Washington College and the Kent County Arts Council, the event will be held in the Book Plate at 112 S. Cross Street on Friday, April 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.

People from throughout the county will gather to read aloud their favorite lines from the world of verse—a reminder that poetry, rather than being some rarefied specimen, is in fact a vital, living art with many facets and widespread appeal.

"This program is in the spirit of the 'Favorite Poem Project' pioneered by Robert Pinsky when he was Poet Laureate of the United States," said Christopher Ames, Provost and Dean of Washington College.

"The goal is to bring together diverse peoples in our community around the poetry people know and love to share and, in doing so, debunk the idea that poetry is just something for academics to study. During National Poetry Month, we want to illustrate the role that poetry can have in enriching our everyday lives."

Robert Earl Price, lecturer and writer in residence in the Drama Department at Washington College, is the organizer of the project. Sign-up sheets have been posted at various locations throughout the county; persons interested in participating also may e-mail poetry@washcoll.edu to become part of the readers' roster.

March 21, 2008

Interactive Video Artist Explores 'Non Unexpected Encounters' at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — Internationally acclaimed artist Alexandra Dementieva will present "Non Unexpected Encounters," a discussion of her cutting-edge, interactive video-based art practice, at Washington College's Litrenta Lecture Hall on Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m.

The presentation will be moderated by intermedia artist and Washington College Professor of Art Monika Weiss and will be preceded by an informal reception at 6 p.m.

The event is being offered as part of the Shelter Arts Festival, a multi-disciplinary celebration running through March and April.

Born in Moscow and based in Brussels since 1991, Alexandra Dementieva combines high-end technology with everyday elements of culture. Utilizing computers, video projections, sound bands, slides, photography and more, she creates multimedia installations that interact with the viewer. Integrating elements of behavioral psychology and a mélange of historical, cultural and political allusions, her video works create a subjective environment in which the spectator becomes the center of the project.

Dementieva has received numerous awards at major multimedia arts festivals in Spain, Russia, Belgium and France. Her work has appeared in galleries throughout Europe, and one of her video pieces is slated to open soon at the Paradise Theater in New York City.

Litrenta Lecture Hall is located in the John S. Toll Science Center. Admission to "Non Unexpected Encounters" is free and open to the public.

February 29, 2008

From Eastern Shore Farm Field to Sold-Out Crowd at Wrigley Field

Washington College Alumnus Writes Biography of Washington College Baseball Legend 'Swish' Nicholson

Chestertown, MD — He was baseball's top slugger during the World War II era. Revered by Chicago Cubs fans, he spent 10 years on Chi-town's North Side, where he would claim National League home-run and RBI titles twice, earn spots on five National League All-Star teams, and play a pivotal role on the pennant-winning club of 1945.

Baseball aficionados in general, and Cubs fans in particular, have long awaited a biography of legendary Bill "Swish" Nicholson. So, too, have Eastern Shoremen and Washington College alumni—for Nicholson was one of their own. Now, another Washington College alumnus, Robert A. Greenberg, has filled the void in the baseball literature with "Swish" Nicholson: A Biography of Wartime Baseball's Leading Slugger, recently published by McFarland & Company.

They nicknamed him "Swish" because of his big, powerful swing. Born in Chestertown in 1914, he played baseball on champion Washington College teams in the 1930s and went on to a Major League career that included stints with the Philadelphia Athletics (1936), the Chicago Cubs (1939-1948) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1949-1953).

A left-handed batter and right-handed outfielder, Nicholson amassed some noteworthy career highlights: a five-time All Star (1940-1941, 1943-45), a two-time National League home-run leader (1943-1944), a two-time National League RBI leader (1943-1944), and a National League leader in total runs (1944).

In a 1944 game, fearing Swish's mighty swing in a clutch moment, a pitcher intentionally walked Nicholson with the bases loaded, thus garnering the formidable slugger another interesting stat: Nicholson is one of only four players in Major League history to have received what's known as "the Supreme Compliment," an intentional walk with bases loaded; with him on that rarefied list are Nap Lajoie (1901), Mel Ott (1929) and Barry Bonds (1998).

"To suggest that Bill Nicholson was popular with National League spectators, foreign and domestic, would be an understatement," writes Greenberg. "Every city to which the Cubs traveled had its legion of fans eager to cheer or good-naturedly jeer him.

"Nicholson was the strong, silent type, good-looking, and modest, besides. Former Cubs teammate Len Merullo remembered: 'Bill had a great sense of humor, even though he was very quiet. He had a dry humor. Everybody loved him.'"

It's not surprising, then, that when the Cubs traded Nicholson to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1949, it came amid dissenting cries of distraught Cubs fans. Nicholson's numbers had been dropping through the late 1940s due to deteriorating eyesight. On the Phillies, he assumed the role of elder statesman to the 1950 "Whiz Kids," helping them to the National League title with a couple of dramatic pinch-hit homers.

But diabetes was wracking the constitution of the erstwhile powerhouse. His eroding health forced him out of the game in 1953. He returned to the Eastern Shore and the farming life from which he had sprung. "How good he would have been, had he remained healthy, will never be known," Greenberg notes. "What he accomplished in his brief run at the top was, however, pretty heady stuff for a farmer from Chestertown."

In his final years, Nicholson was able to savor some recognition for his glory days. In 1990 he was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame. In 1992, four years before William Beck Nicholson passed away at the age of 81, a life-sized bronze statue of him was erected with fanfare in Chestertown. It captures Swish in his signature pose: just having completed a great titanic swing of the bat, feet already in running motion, eyes gazing upward at the ball he's just sent soaring out of the park.

"Swish" Nicholson: A Biography of Wartime Baseball's Leading Slugger is available through your local bookstore and on amazon.com.

January 10, 2008

Washington College Celebrates Children's Book Week with "Blog-Blog" Launch

Chestertown, MD — In honor of Children's Book Week, Washington College is launching "Blog-Blog: Book Lovers' Online Gallery" with a kickoff celebration in Miller Library's Beck Lab on Tuesday, November 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Conceived and spearheaded by Dr. Deb Marciano, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Elementary Education at Washington College, "Blog-Blog" features online children's book reviews written by Washington College faculty and students. It will serve as a valuable and ever-expanding resource for children, teachers, parents and librarians.

To learn more, visit http://books4children.blogspot.com. Light refreshments will be served at the November 13 kickoff celebration.

November 12, 2007

100-Voice Choir Gospel Concert Set to Raise Spirits, Honor Alumnus Rev. Vincent Hynson '87, November 17

Charity Concert Raises Funds for Minority Student Scholarship Program at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — On Saturday, November 17, the 100-Voice Choir returns to raise spirits and celebrate the life and example of the late Rev. Vincent Hynson, Washington College Class of 1987 alumnus and Kent County community leader. The concert will be held at the Kent County High School Auditorium. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are just $5 per person and are available at the door or in advance from the Compleat Bookseller or Twigs and Teacups in downtown Chestertown.

This year's concert—through the efforts of many volunteers and Sylvia and Bill Frazier of S & B Productions—will provide two hours of music, song and dance to put anyone and everyone "in the spirit." In addition to performances by the 100-Voice Choir and musical accompaniment by the Holy Horns, the concert's line-up includes a performance by soloist Sue Matthews, selections by the Gospel Shepherds, and a special guest appearance by the Still Pond Coleman Charge Mass Choir.

The Reverend Clarence A. Hawkins will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies. A native of Kent County, the Rev. Hawkins studied at Morgan State University, Washington College and John Hopkins University. He has worn many different hats in his lifetime, including teacher, principal, director, county commissioner and ordained minister (elder). He retired from pastoring in 1977.

Proceeds from the concert benefit the Vincent Hynson Scholarship at Washington College. The impetus of Washington College President Baird Tipson, the scholarship honors the late Rev. Vincent Hynson—beloved Kent County teacher, coach, pastor, and community leader—who passed away in 2004. The scholarship is presented to an entering freshman who is a graduate of a secondary school in Kent County, who demonstrates financial need, and whose achievements and aspirations most closely emulate the values of community service exemplified by the life of Rev. Hynson. The scholarship covers 100 percent of the cost of tuition, room and board, books, and fees for the recipient.

"Vincent Hynson was a bridge-builder whose life was dedicated to uplifting our community," said Dr. Tipson, who lends his voice to the tenor section of the choir. "His was the kind of life young people—and all people—should emulate. My hope is that this scholarship honors his life by helping local students who want to give back the chance to develop their talents and to realize their dreams through a Washington College education."

The first recipient of the scholarship, Joyell Johnson, Kent County High School Class of 2006, is now a sophomore at Washington College. A second scholarship was awarded this year to Christalyn Frison, Kent County High School Class of 2007, who entered Washington College as a freshman this fall. Applications are being accepted for students intending to enter college in fall 2008.

To be considered for the Vincent Hynson Scholarship, interested students should submit a scholarship essay and complete all admissions and financial aid application requirements no later than February 15, 2008. Essay instructions and admissions and financial aid information are available from the Washington College Office of Admissions by calling 410/778-7700.

The 100-Voice Choir Gospel Concert is sponsored by S & B Productions, Washington College and the Kent County Arts Council. For more information, contact S & B Productions at 410/778-6006 or the Washington College Office of College Relations at 410/810-7111.

November 8, 2007

Hardboiled Hero: Author James M. Cain's Legacy Celebrated at Washington College

Chestertown, MD, September 20, 2007 — Perhaps the most famous scribe to emerge from Washington College was pioneering hardboiled author James M. Cain, who along with Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler rewrote the rule book on crime fiction, creating a uniquely terse, tough American style that influenced literature, cinema and pop culture in general.

As part of its year-long 225th-anniversary celebration, Washington College commemorates Cain's legacy with lectures and movie screenings from Thursday, October 4, through Monday, October 8.

Born in Annapolis in 1892, James M. Cain grew up in Chestertown where his father, James W. Cain, was president of Washington College from 1903 to 1918. The younger Cain graduated from the College in 1910, made a name for himself in journalism, and became an overnight sensation with the publication of his first novel, The Postman Always Rings Twice, in 1934. A lurid, hard-hitting tale of adultery and murder, Postman was a runaway bestseller and a huge influence on both the crime-fiction genre and Hollywood. It was adapted for film multiple times, as were other Cain novels that poured forth in the ensuing years.

Cain's style continues to inspire new generations of writers and filmmakers. This theme will be explored when the Sophie Kerr Committee presents "The Influence of James Cain's Fiction on the Coen Brothers," a talk by leading film-noir authority R. Barton Palmer, in the Sophie Kerr Room in Miller Library on Thursday, October 4, at 4:30 p.m. Palmer is the author ofHollywood's Dark Cinema: The American Film Noir, a standard in the field. He also is the author of a recent book on the Coen brothers' films and, interestingly, several books about medieval literature.

The filmmaking duo of Joel and Ethan Coen burst onto the scene with their surprise-hit 1984 movie Blood Simple. Audiences were wowed by the film's very James-Cainesque stew of infidelity, crime, duplicity, suspense and plot twists. As a tie-in with Palmer's lecture, the Washington College Film Series will present screenings of Blood Simple at Litrenta Lecture Hall in the John S. Toll Science Center on Friday and Sunday, October 5 and 7, at 7:30 p.m.

The most enduring of all James M. Cain movie adaptations is the 1944 classic Double Indemnity, starring Fred MacMurray, Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck as the silver screen's ultimate femme fatale. Directed by Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity is considered by some aficionados to be the purest example of film noir. The Washington College Film Series will present a special screening of this hardboiled masterpiece at Litrenta Lecture Hall on Monday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. Washington College Dean and Provost Christopher Ames, author of Movies About the Movies: Hollywood Reflected, will provide a brief introductory talk, "James M. Cain: From Washington College to Hollywood." Dean Ames will explore some intriguing connections said to exist between Cain's formative years in Chestertown and his later prose style.

All events in the James M. Cain celebration are free and open to the public.

Washington College Foursome's Continent-Crossing Bike Trek Concludes Sunday

Local Bicyclists Invited to Accompany Last Lap to the Atlantic

Chestertown, MD, August 9, 2007 — A quartet of Washington College students and alumni—Jamie Beaber, Katherine Wilson, Brian Gamble and Spencer Case—embarked on an epic trek for a good cause this summer: bicycling across the United States, more than 3,500 miles in nine weeks. That's a lot of pedaling—and it all comes to its conclusion this Sunday, Aug. 19, with a long last lap from Chestertown to Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Attention, local bicyclists: you are cordially invited to join these trans-American travelers on the final day of their continental crossing, and be with them for the victorious dipping of weary feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

The team, which has been dubbed "the Awesome Foursome," has been making the journey as a fund-raiser and awareness-raiser for the American Lung Association, as part of the ALA's "Ride for the Future" campaign. The stalwart cyclists' motto is, "If WE can ride across the country, YOU can quit smoking!"

Chestertown is a long way from Washington State, which is where the Awesome Foursome began the bicycling feat in July. Slated to arrive in Chestertown this Saturday, they will head off Sunday morning for the final 70-mile run to the coast. Any bicyclist interested in accompanying the Sunday "Victory Ride" should gather in the parking lot in front of Washington College's Casey Academic Center at 8:30 a.m. this Sunday. For more details, call 303/513-9946.

Before and during the cross-country journey, the Awesome Foursome got smokers to sign a pledge to kick the habit. Upon completing Ride for the Future, "We want to keep our vision alive by setting up a fund that will allow dedicated students to pursue their adventurous dreams while impacting the world in a positive way," said Case.

"We want not only to ride for a good cause, but also to spread the word of the fine institution to which we belong. We believe that we will show people across the nation that this college can provide circumstances for its students to impact the world."

To learn more about the Foursome's journey, go to http://rideforthefuture.org.