Next Meeting, April 15, 7:00 P.M. at Schlegel's

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)

“Who is this guy and why haven’t I heard of him?”

According to the American Chesterton Society web site: "Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology. His style is unmistakable, always marked by humility, consistency, paradox, wit, and wonder. His writing remains as timely and as timeless today as when it first appeared."

Come learn a bit more about Chesterton at the next meeting of the Chillicothe Chesterton Society. It will be held on April 15th, at 7:00 P.M. In Schlegel’s Coffee House located at 80 N. Paint St. Chillicothe, OH. For more information call Bob Cook at 740-703-5651.

Come What May, A New Pro-Life and Family DVD

From the Christian Cinema.com web site:

The judges are stacked against them...but the greatest debate will happen before they ever enter the courtroom. Patrick Henry College and the Advent Film Group team up in a new film presenting arguments that one day could be used to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that found a right to abortion in the U.S. constitution. In the movie Caleb, a Christian student attending Patrick Henry, is caught in a moral tug-of-war as he challenges Roe v. Wade at the National Moot Court Championship. At the same time his mother, a feminist attorney, argues the case at the U.S. Supreme Court, but on the opposing side. This film is appropraite for the whole family and will be a conversation starter around issues that need to be discussed and dealt within the context of families. Choose what's right.

From the ACS web site: Only one writer wrote a book against Eugenics. G.K. Chesterton. Eugenics and Other Evils may be his most prophetic book.

The thing that really is trying to tyrannize through government is Science. The thing that really does use the secular arm is Science. And the creed that really is levying tithes and capturing schools, the creed that really is enforced by fine and imprisonment, the creed that really is proclaimed not in sermons but in statutes, and spread not by pilgrims but by policemen - that creed is the great but disputed system of thought which began with Evolution and has ended in Eugenics. Materialism is really our established Church; for the Government will really help it to persecute its heretics.

Manalive, The Movie

The filming of G.K. Chesterton's Manalive is almost complete. We look forward to viewing it. Maybe we'll get a sneak preview at the Chesterton Conference in Seattle, in August of this year.

Lunacy and Letters

On the ACS blog, Nancy Brown asked a trivia question which I tried to answer. While I did not discover the answer she was looking for, I did come across an interesting bit of Chestertonian trivia. The trivia question involved the art work associated with the Lunacy and Letters Column in the current issue of Gilbert. The art work consists of a couple of U.S. postage stamps with GKC's picture on them (fictional, by the way, as there are no U.S. stamps with GKC on them). I did discover that Czechoslovakia (1969) did issue a stamp with a caricature of Chesterton on it. And here it is.

Humor from Kevin O'Brien

Here are a couple of interviews with Stanford Nutting that I find quite enjoyable. Stanford is an author and adjunct at a local community college. I hope you enjoy them too.

"Authors Today" Kirkwood Derby interviews popular guest Stanford Nutting, editor of "A Compendium of the Best of Post-Modern Theology."

"Religion Matters" Again Kirkwood Derby interviews Professor Nutting on the Professor's views on religion.

March Issue of Gilbert Arrives

I received my March issue of Gilbert, the magazine of the American Chesterton Society (ACS), on Thursday, March 19. Another great cover by Ted Schluenderfritz. I've only read a couple of articles, so I'm not sure which will turn out to be my favorite. I'll post my choice in a week or so. I was pleased to see that Dale Ahlquist's (ACS president) upcoming speaking engagements were listed in the magazine. I've not noticed that before, but I think it's a first. I sent a note to the ACS suggesting that that add that feature to the Society's web site. That way any fanatics like me can decide if they want to drive to something that might be within a couple of hours and listen to Mr. Ahlquist. And if you do get to hear Dale, be sure your cell phone is off. (There is a hefty fine if your cell phone goes off during one of his presentations. Just kidding, I think!) I'm beginning to look forward to August 6-8, the dates of the upcoming 2009 Chesterton Conference in Seattle, WA. I'm also looking forward to receiving a book I recently ordered from the Society, "Paradox in Chesterton" by Hugh Kenner.

Notice I have not mentioned the last Meeting. There was a notice for it in the Chillicothe Gazette. But to no avail. I, however, was there and had a nice conversation with Erin, one of Schlegel's friendly barista's. I also enjoyed my decaf latte and a few pages of the "Flying Inn." Finally, as I departed thru the rear door, I viewed the beautiful art work of Gretchen Tippie. You folks don't know what you're missing!

Kevin O'Brien and Theater of The Word

I had the opportunity to see Kevin O'Brien live last night at St. Colman's in Washington CH. His theater company, The Theater of The Word Incorporated, presented The Journey of St. Paul. In the words of Kevin's web site:

This thrilling show will make you feel as if you've met the man himself - the most thrilling, outspoken, and courageous of the apostles. It's an encounter you won't want to miss!

I'm not sure how much advertising was done for the presentation, but it was pretty well attended.

After the presentation, I had the opportunity to speak with Kevin and I asked him about his dramatic reading of Father Brown. Specifically whose voice he meant Valentin, "the head of the Paris police and the most famous investigator of the world" to be. He confirmed, "Why inspector Clouseau, of course." I then asked him to autograph my CD box, and he graciously did so. Kevin also mentioned that he would be attending the upcoming Chesterton Conference in Seattle, WA. I told him I hoped to see him there.