Show a modern youngster a 1954 RCA television, equipped with a Sarkes Tarzian tuner and see how long it takes them to figure out how to turn the thing on. How many of them could figure out how to tune in a station, orient the antenna, and do the fine tuning vertical and horizontal adjustments?
I’ d like to know how many modern youngsters ever get so bored that they would be willing to watch a program like Life is worth Living with Bishop Fulton J. Sheen? In the’ 50s we were so tough we would watch anything.
The things I liked to watch best were the westerns. Back in the 1950s and on into the’ 60’ s westerns dominated television. We had Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, My Friend Flicka, and about two hundred and thirty-seven others. They were good because we believed them and we believed in them. Whatever we were taught in school was outwardly acknowledged but inwardly deemed suspect. But, when Roy or the Lone Ranger looked directly through the TV screen and had us recite the“ Code of the West,” it was like Charlton Heston receiving the Ten Commandments.
When it came to the Lone Ranger’ s Creed or the Code of the Pioneers, those listed imperatives were just like the TV programs they came from— black and white and no maybes. I think that heroes like Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger, along with a six year hitch in the Boy Scouts, helped form the foundation of my character. These cowboy creeds were like the Boy Scout law. They made us want to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent, not to mention an all-round straight shooter. Did I mention I was a Boy Scout? Well, I was— and it was tough— but it was another venue to learn some of the old ways and skills. Our troop Leader was a man, a man’ s man, and a mean woman’ s husband. That means that every chance he got he took the troop camping or fishing or tracking— spring, summer, fall, and winter.
I reckon that growing up when I did made me who I am and gave me the skills to deal with life in general and the world as it was. If the Russkies ever decide to invade I’ m ready to“ duck and cover” and take to the woods right here in good old Brown County. •
Year round live entertainment
January 28 |
February 3 |
Valentine’ s Saturday, February 11 |
March 4 |
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IU Jacobs School of Music Guitar Ensemble
12 guitarists using a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional instruments | $ 12 & $ 5
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SAYS YOU!“ The Hoosiers Have It!”
Live taping of the nationally syndicated public radio game show of bluff, bluster & words $ 28.50 & $ 22.50
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40 Years of College
Classic Rock! Enjoy“ The Docs Who Rock” performing your favorite romantic songs $ 20.50 & $ 19.50
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Brown County Bluegrass Bash
Three of the best bluegrass bands in the region perform live | $ 12
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March 11 |
St. Patrick’ s Day, March 17 |
March 24 |
April 22 |
Brown County Youth Music Showcase
Live concert featuring local musical talent, a BETA Teen Center benefit, hosted by Kara Barnard | $ 12
Irish Roots One Pulse Entertainment live music revue derived from the music of Ireland | $ 18.50 & $ 17.50
Shimmy & Shake
Different Drummer Belly Dancers mix traditional belly dancing and modern music | $ 15, $ 13 & $ 10
Asleep at the Wheel
American country music band with Texas twin fiddles and boogie piano. Winner of 10 Grammy Awards | $ 36.50
BROWN COUNTY
812.988.6555 · BrownCountyPlayhouse. org
Showtimes 7:30 pm · Tickets & schedule online · Beer, wine & concessions available | Box Office: Thursday – Sunday | 70 S. Van Buren · Nashville, IN
Jan./ Feb. 2017 • Our Brown County 51