Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-12-23, Page 44 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 I I 1 www.lucknowsentinel.com e Th Lucknow Sentinel PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O. Box 400, 619 Campbell Street Lucknow Ontario NOG 2H0 phone: 519-528-2822 fax: 519-528-3529 www.lucknowsentinel.com STMEDIA JOHN BAUMAN Group Manager, Media Sales john.bauman@sunmedia.ca JOY JURJENS Office Administrator Iucknow.sentinel@sunmedia.ca LINDSAY THEODULE Media Sales Consultant lindsay.theodule@sunmedia.ca MARIE DAVID Group Advertising Director 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO SENTINEL CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.0. Box 400 Lucknow ON NOG 2H0 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-528-2822 • lucknow.sentinel@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS Regular one year $40.00 + $2.00 =$42.00 Senior one year $35.00 41.75 = $36.75 Two year regular $70.00 + 3.50 = $73.50 Senior two year $60.00 + $3.00 = $63.00 Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At advertising and editorial deadlines: Friday 2 p.m. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to The Lucknow Sentinel at the address indicated here. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement wit be paid at the applicable rates. The Sentinel is available on microfilm at: GODERICH LIBRARY, (from 1875) 52 Montreal Street Goderich ON N7A 1 M3 Goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca KINCARDINE LIBRARY, (from 1875 to 1900 & 1935 to 1959) 727 Queen Street Kincardine ON N2Z 1Z9 The Lucknow Sentinel is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For more information or to file a complaint go to www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll free 1-844-877-1163. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canada Al ocna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association 'Star Wars' brings the world together in unity, like it or not. Iif you don't get why Star Wars s so big, just know that it eally is made for everyone. Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens shattered almost every theatre film record over its first weekend, con- tinuing the story that has been on pause since 1983. Well, 'pause' in the sense that there hasn't been a motion pic- ture sequel in 32 years. Dozens of books, comics, and video games have told stories ofthe George Lucas' Star Wars uni- verse throughout that time, making it both apop culture phenomenon as well as a cash cow for merchandise and any- thing Star Wars related. The new movie is excellent, the actors are great and the storywas moving for those of us who have followed the journey, like myself through our child- hood - watching the original trilogy on VHS tapes, their '90s 'special edition' re-release and late '90s to early -mid 2000s pre- quel trilogy. It's been a long road for many of us, and The Force Awakens brought tears to my eyes at the opening credits because I was so excited to con- tinue the sci-fi fantasy I love so much. It also means so much to the lot of us because of how the world grips our imagination, but keeps us planted in human- ity's philosophies and cultures it borrows so widely from. "It's just not my thing," so many people I've seen have written on social media, or have said afterhearingmyexcite- ment for the now -Disney - owned property. What have to say to that is that IT IS 'everyone's thing' whether they have an imagina- tion for this kind of Troy Patterson My thoughts on things science fiction fantasy or not. It is because the basic concepts of the film ring true throughout all people, from our collective search for belonging, finding oneself, good triumphing over evil, opposition to tyrannical rulers, as well as philosophies as simple and as impossible to argue with as MasterYoda's statement "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate... hate, leads to suffering: Who in the world do you know needs to have this stamped on their foreheads? While we struggle in the real world with that concept itself, especially in the face of tyrants like the Islamic State, or bigots like US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. How is it that millions of peo- ple canviewafilm such as this but not bring that simple con- cept back from the film to inject into their own realities? Far too many people easily roll their eyes when they hear 'Star Wars' and dismiss it as nonsense, or corporate manip- ulation for merchandising pur- poses, which admitted Star Wars has become a product of over -saturation. But it's a prod- uct that makes money, which also makes the world go round. And the thing is, it's a simple, exiting action adventure that far more people can relate to than those who can't So who wouldn't want to attachitselfto the Star Wars 'brand' wagon? Merry Christmas from Lucknow News Ruth Dobrensky I found it very heartwarming to Lucknow News see how many different groups of students, municipal offices, organi- Happy 92nd birthday to Joan zations, churches, businesses, and Robinsonwho celebrates her birth- individuals have taken time from day onChrislluasDay. Manyhappy their busy schedules by raising returns Joan. money or collecting gifts and dona- Last Thursday evening found tions of food, clothing, etc., to help manylocals at the Town Hall theatre others celebrate a happier Christ - enjoying an evening of Christmas mas. To all those wonderful groups music to benefit the work that Erin and people out there, on behalf of all Gilchrist will be taking part in at who are on the receiving end ofyour Kisumu, Kenya in the new year. gifts, thank you for your loving I too am floored by every unrelated company's attempt to attach Star Wars to their foods, products, endorsements, but I know it's part ofwhatkeeps the stories financed, and therefore alive. I do have to laugh when I see Star Wars' things that are Christ- mas -oriented and or other holi- day, simply because people will buy the brand. In my (often) abstract view, I find it quite Anti - Christmas if you hang Christ- masballswiththe evilDarth Vader, or the newKylo Ren image on it, as both are, by nature, killers of innocents in the films and stories. What a thing to decorate for Christmas ifyoulookat it literally? I get that most take it the light-hearted way, I can't help but look at those kinds of absurdities attached to Star Wars market- ing. But I also accept it as busi- ness because everymajorbrand splashes its name on everything when it's popular - look at'Fro- zen' as another example. We all know, films of this magnitude require funds to thrive... so what's a few Darth Christmas balls sold ifwe disre- gard the context of the villain? But out of all the funds eamed, if only REAL scientific and intemational space pro- grams could benefit from the half -billion Star Wars was able to accumulate this past week- end eekend alone, we'd be traveling to galaxies far far away in no time. If only these stories used their funds to get us there faster. That is something I wish could change. The other major dash Star Wars has, notably this time of year, is with the various faiths of the world that almost instantly disregard the film's opening line kindness. It is often at this time of year that a lot of people who would never think of donating anything to anyone, seem to be affected by the "spirit" of Christmas and open their hearts and wallets to help cheer someone with less than they. Sometimes it's a sim- ple little donation, sometimes it's huge and the people or person being helped are overwhelmed with the kindness of others. For Along time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.' The idea that humans could exist in a more highly advanced technological state eons ago, far away from an Earth yet to be bom, with thou- sands of alien species, leads many individuals to repulse at the concept It would have been considered blasphemy not long ago. But in this day and age, we knowthere's just as much chance of something out there as us being alone in the uni- verse. I also knowmanyreli- gious folk, of which I'm not, who enjoy the fiction but disre- gard Star Wars as anything but I have to think as though any use of imagination, can lead to new ideas that could become reality down the road. Star Trek has proved that time and again, so Star Wars may fol- low suit as the years pass. And it's all because of imagination. I feel for those who don't share the love for Star Wars that so many of us do. They're miss- ing out I was so excited about the new film, that I wrote an email letter a fellow Star Wars fan by the name of Prime Minister Jus- tin Trudeau. No joke, he's a big fan. I asked him what he thought ofthe film andreiter- ated its virtues, in the vein of recognizing diversity, over- throwing tyranny and unity amongst our fellow citizens. Do I expect an answer? No. The guy is kind of busy. But I'm of the mind that anything that can help unite people around the globe like Star Wars can, is something the leader of Canada, the growing poster child of unity, can relate to. May the Force be with you. those of you who do this anony- mously, though you may not be thanked personally, the thanks of those helped, is probably with- out end. Even if you don't have a lot of money, a donation of change to the Salvation Army, for example, no matter how small, will be put to good use. Don't forget to take in a Christ- mas Eve service at one of our local churches tomorrow evening.