I first watched the movie “On Golden Pond” in my hometown theater in December of 1981. I streamed it again a week or so ago on Amazon Prime — more than four decades after its original release. I didn’t care for the film much when I was 13 years old. I enjoyed it immensely now.
“On Golden Pond” was based on a screenplay by Ernest Thompson and adapted from his 1979 play. Henry Fonda. Katharine Hepburn. Jane Fonda. Dabney Coleman. Doug McKeon. That’s a star-studded cast.
The film grossed $119.3 million, and that total included a few of my lawn-mowing bucks. It was the second highest-grossing film of 1981 in North America and received 10 Academy Awards nominations, winning three.
Those of you who have seen the film may recall the plot. Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) is a grumpy, retired professor who is struggling with the effects of aging. He is somewhat estranged from his daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda).
Norman and his wife, Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), spend their summers at their cottage on a lake called Golden Pond. Norman is about to turn 80 and is showing signs of dementia. He frequently talks about death and growing old. Ethel does her best to keep him positive.
Ethel and Norman agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, Bill (Dabney Coleman), for a month.
Norman acts cynically as his 80th birthday approaches, and Billy is at first annoyed by the elderly man. Eventually, they learn to enjoy their Golden Pond fishing adventures together and become obsessed with catching Norman's fish rival, “Walter.”
The unexpected relationship that blooms between Billy and Norman in the cottage and on the waters of Golden Pond is a magical part of the film, especially how it relates to the relationship between Norman and Chelsea.
Suck face. Cruise chicks. Purgatory Cove. The loons. And an infamous backflip. I remember those parts from my youth, but the movie was much more meaningful when I watched it today.
I am glad I took the time to watch it. If you get a chance, I suggest you do the same.
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
See Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible today. Look for temperatures to increase into next week, reaching the 90s by Monday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| From the July issue of CITYVIEW | | | FEATURE STORY
2024 Choice Awards
By Jim Duncan
Inspired by Japan’s Living National Treasures, the idea for CITYVIEW’s CHOICE awards originated 10 years ago. The Japanese program honors “preservers of important intangible cultural properties.” In the years after World War II, anxiety arose in Japan that their unique cultural traditions — noh, kabuki, origami, kumi, sumo, teapot ceramics, noodle making — might be swamped by the conquering Western culture. By honoring revered exemplars of those arts, they preserved them and made them important to a new generation.
Our intention at CITYVIEW was to do something similar for Iowa’s venerable, living food pioneers. That evolved into a hall of fame for people and institutions that bestow a singular quality and identity on our city and state. CITYVIEW’s Hall of Iowa Culinary Excellence (CHOICE) awards began when locals rued the passing of two of the most memorable food icons in Iowa history. The Younkers Tea Room was lost in a fire, and Dahl’s stores were sold or closed.
[...] | | | READ MORE |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
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It's the 1960s all over again in Eagleville. Are Iowa’s new, strange THC laws, and the even stranger agency interpretations of them, driving customers to neighbor states? One day last week, I observed 22 vehicles in the parking lot of the state dispensary in Eagleville, Missouri. Half of them had Iowa license plates, and the dispensary had nine employees working at that time. Even the convenience stores in Eagleville were selling beverages with as much THC as one used to be able to buy in Iowa. They also were selling it cheaper than it ever was in Iowa. I was reminded of the 1960s when Iowa high schoolers drove to Eagleville for stronger beer than they could find in Iowa.
What would we do without the French? The Paris Olympiad begins tomorrow. France's official Champagne Bureau sent a press release to American food writers to help us help you find the right Champagne to pair with the foods they think Americans should eat with Champagne. For drinking with hot dogs, they recommend 100% Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne, adding that Marlene Dietrich did that. For burgers, they suggest a Brut Rosé from the Montagne de Reims sub region. For Philly cheese steaks, they like a Champagne blend from Côte des Bar. For potato chips, you must try Brut Nature Champagne from Aÿ for its low sugar content. Because, they must think, Americans never consume any sweet beverages while eating chips.
Deals today. Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) has Thursday specials on breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches and BOGOs on Long Island ice teas and margaritas... Firecracker shrimp are $6 on Thursdays and five pasta dinners are just $12.99, including fettuccine chicken Alfredo, at Bianca’s Grill & Vineyard (410 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny)... Ribeye sandwiches are tonight's feature at The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) and chicken fried steak or liver and onions dinners are at Mickey's in Yale (217 Main St., Yale)... Bordanaro's (6108 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday-Thursday only special on carryout pizza. They start at $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie. Each ingredient added is an extra charge, but this pretty much adds up to half-price pies... Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers a Thursday special of Maine lobster tail with shrimp scampi and a side for $20... Price Chopper stores are offering whole cantaloupes for $1.99 and first of the season Hatch chilies for $1.88 per pound through Monday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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IT'S FAIR TIME!
Gina Chandler, account executive with Big Green Umbrella Media, got her fill of tomatoes as a judge at the Warren County Fair yesterday. She says there are some mighty tasty tomatoes being grown this year. |
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A weekly update about cultural happenings in Central Iowa.
Des Moines Playhouse. “School of Rock.” Through July 28. Due to popular demand, the Des Moines Playhouse has added two performances at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3.
Class Action Productions/CAP Theatre. “Antigone.” July 25-28.
Union Street Players (Pella). “Grease.” July 26 - Aug 4.
Urbandale Community Theatre. “The Wizard of Oz.” July 26 - Aug. 4.
SENI-OM-SED
Friday, July 26, and every Friday, 5-7 p.m.
Des Moines Biergarten, east side of the Lauridsen Amphitheater, Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines.
Jazz in July 2024 finale July 30
See free jazz concerts on the newly renovated lawn of Hoyt Sherman Place. Bring your own blankets or chairs for the opening acts outside as the sun sets, then move indoors to the historic stage for the main event.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$405,000 1415 47th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Welcome to this beautifully renovated old home nestled in the heart of a sought-after neighborhood. Boasting a perfect blend of classic charm and modern elegance, this residence offers 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, making it an ideal sanctuary for families or professionals seeking comfort and style. Fully renovated, meticulously updated with attention to detail, preserving its timeless appeal while integrating contemporary conveniences.
See the listing here.
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 1215 FOREST AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-04-26
SALE PRICE: $340,000
SELLER: THE BRIGHT TUMY LLC
BUYER: PENUEL INVESTMENTS LLC
ACRES: 0.455
SQUARE FEET: 4,885 |
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| From the July issue of Altoona Living magazine | | | Yards with personality
Residents share how their landscaping choices reflect their style.
By Lindsey Giardino
A plethora of pots. A hillside of hostas. Wildflowers willy nilly. Manicured hedges and straight edges. From wild and unruly to precise and planned, the landscaping around a home often reflects the owner’s own unique style. While some prefer lush, thick foliage, others enjoy succulents among a garden of rocks. From a tropical vibe to the charm of a country cottage. From mad about mulch to mad for magnolias. Whatever their preferences, homeowners with a green thumb and plenty of imagination enjoy creating landscaping masterpieces with pizzazz.
Backyard full of nature
If you’re looking for a yard of serenity, Natalie Hoover and her husband, Brian, have it.
Their back deck leads to a koi pond with a waterfall, a pavilion and a garden with several bird feeders. Each feature has landscape around it consisting of big stones and lights surrounded by different plants.
The Hoovers clean their koi pond weekly and feed the koi fish daily.
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FROM KCCI: Interactive zoo says its making changes after two animals died in separate incidents. ...READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Urban Dreams hosts Summer on Sixth event, teaching youth leadership skills. ... READ MORE
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Polk County homelessness organization voices concerns over ordinances. ...READ MORE |
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| Weekly fuel prices | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline held steady, averaging $3.28 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 9 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.51, steady from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.52. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.63 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 31 cents lower than the national average of $3.83.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Natural gas prices rose 9 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.15/MMbtu. |
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ESPN: 49ers OT Trent Williams holding out, WR Brandon Aiyuk holding in. ...READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: USA Heavily Favored to Earn Most Medals and Most Gold Medals in 2024 Paris Olympics ... READ MORE
CBS Sports: Ohio State players received 'around $20 million' in NIL, believed to be largest amount in college football. ...READ MORE |
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1978: World’s first “test tube” baby born. On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first baby to be conceived via in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is born at Oldham and District General Hospital in Manchester, England, to parents Lesley and Peter Brown. The healthy baby was delivered shortly before midnight by caesarean section and weighed in at five pounds, 12 ounces. ... READ MORE
2000: Concorde jet crashes, killing everyone onboard. An Air France Concorde jet crashes upon takeoff in Paris on July 25, 2000, killing 109 passengers and crew onboard as well as four people on the ground. The Concorde, the world’s fastest commercial jet, had enjoyed an exemplary safety record up to that point, with no crashes in the plane’s 31-year history. ... READ MORE
1917: Dancer and suspected spy Mata Hari sentenced to die. In Paris, France, on July 25, 1917, the exotic dancer and suspected secret agent Mata Hari is sentenced to death by a French court for purportedly spying on Germany’s behalf during World War I. .... READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Matt LeBlanc, David Denman, Meg Donnelly, Thurston Moore, Jay R. Ferguson, Mason Cook, Miriam Shor, Geoffrey Zakarian, James Lafferty, Katherine Kelly Lang, Verdine White, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Alvin Kamara
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Where is happiness made? IN A SATIS-FACTORY! Or, In the dictionary! - Gail Tomlinson
Today's riddle
Why should you say “No thanks” when a monk tries to sell you flowers?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:
Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com
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