News Record from North Hills, Pennsylvania • Page 8

North Hilla Record Comics B6 "Met Iston 1P7 Lifestyle Page A8 Sally Webb, Lifestyle editor, 1-800-874-9994 Monday, Nov. 6,1995 Newsmakers Magician juggles time with fiancee NEW YORK: David Copperfield says that being a magician and illusionist isn't enough maintain Pittsburgh Opera stalls with 'Rosenkavalier' Copperfield to his relationship with fiancee Claudia Schiffer he has to be a juggler, too "We juggle careers by- having three schedules I have my By Marilyn A. Posner Contributing writer There is a legend which says that Richard Strauss, upon conducting his comic opera "Der Rosenkavalier" for the first time, some years after its premiere, leaned over to his concertmaster dunng the performance and said, "Isnt this awfully long'" When the violinist reminded the maestro that he himself had composed the work, Strauss reportedly said, "Yes, but I never thought I'd have to conduct it" Review The legend might not be true, but to Saturday mghf audience for the Pittsburgh Opera premiere of the work, it seemed likely The performance lasted almost four hours, during which the audience continued to thin. That was unfortunate, because the casting was exquisite, the voices strong and beannM Elisabeth Dalton must be commended for her elaborate sets and ornate costumes for the Canadian Opera Company, a stunning enhancement to the Pittsburgh production. The performance seemed to drag.

Some of the staging was so wooden that you feh sorry for the performers. It might have been grand opera, but it was not great theater There were several saving graces in the production. Patricia Schuman was a lovely Marschallin, with golden tones. And Kenneth Cox was outstanding as Baron Ochs, a nobleman of less than noble intentions. His campy performance lightened the production whenever he took to the stage.

Making her American operatic debut, Austrian mezzo-soprano Margareta Hintermeier sang the role of Octavian, a teen-age nobleman who is the lover of the Marschallin and later falls in love with young Sophie, fresh from a convent sung bv Joyce Guyer Her rich, bold tones gave depth to the Octavian role. There are several comic scenes, reminiscent of a French farce. But there is much that is heavy, dark -and takes much too long to perform. If you go: What Pittsburgh Opera's "Der Rosenkavalier" Where: Benedum Center downtown Pittsburgh Whan: 7 Tuesday, 8 Friday and 2 Sunday Tickets: at Benedum Center, by catling 456-6666 or 323-1919 Details: 281-0912 schedule, fine's got Her scheduler we've got our schedule," he said in an interview published in Sunday's DaDy News. "We have a two-week' rule.

We're never away from each other for more than two weeks." So far, there's no wedding date Thompson finds good role on TV NEW YORK: After working more than a decade in films, Lea Thompson was hesitant about jumping into a sitcom. "I dont have a stand-up routine or a vast expenence in joke telling," she said in the latest Entertainment Weekly 1 was Hke, 1 dont know if I can tell a joke, so I'd better wear a short skirt" -Thofflpson-'s deeisio-to-join NBC's "Caroline in the City" turned out to be one of her better career moves. "I guess I didn't make great choices after 'Back to the she says. "But who's to know? Everybody wanted to do 'Howard the Germany finds Jackson appealing FRANKFURT; Germany: Several hundred young Germans shouted "Michael! Michael! Michael!" after Michael Jackson performed live on a popular television show. Dressed in black, Jackson swiveted and danced his way across the stage Saturday as he sang the songs "Dangerous" and "Earth Gone." He appeared on the show "Wetten, to The Associated Press ERIC A FEIACK, stiff photographer Nicholas Vigilante, 6, left, and his sister, Alexandra, 8, have lots of choices at Peoples Library in New Kensington.

Area libraries booked for children's week Looking back George Swethem Local corn mills have rich history wonder how many of my readers are old enough to remember taking corn or wheat to the mill to be ground into floilr or It was quite an experience one I shall never forget --AU-afound-the North Hilk-are. traces of eariy dams, many on small streams, built to impound water. The water was used to turn a big wheel downstream, which by sets of gears turned the big upper and nether null- stones to grind grain to powder. Since most of the early mills were made of wood, which rotted away long ago, there isn't much to find today except the old dam and perhaps here and there one of the stones. Later, there were more modern mffls.

Some were powered by steam beginning around 1830. Others were powered by gasoline and even driven by belts from Fordson or other tractors. But I wouldn't know where to look for one of these today. Where the mill was run by water, its place might be marked today by the largest building in a small town, perhaps a feed or farm implement store. Inside, the mill was fascinating to 4 Keeping Tabs T.YH1B Pi JWoman Killed By-Her-Own-Fur Coat" Police in Budapest, Hungary, Fitzgerald was clawed to death by her mink coat, according to Tuesday's edition of the Weekly WnW News.

The body of the American tourist was found in a hotel hallway, cdv- ered with bites, cuts and scratches. The police deduce, based on the reports of witnesses who heard the scuffle, that "either somebody accojted the lady and scratched her to death, 'then stole the pelts from her coat, or her coat came alive and killed her." Gannett News Service By Barbara Daugherty and Rex Rutkoski Staff writers The library can be a home away from home for children. Secure within its stacks, they can travel the universe and beyond, In an endeavor to entice children to use'liorary resources, area libraries are offering exciting and interesting programs celebrate Children's Book Week Nov. 13 through 18, The national theme for the event, which is sponsored by the Children's Book Council, is "Bound for Discovery," says Judy Stewart of Richland, library youth services coordinator at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Tarentum Bound is a pun for binding, as Reading activities Here's a sampling of free activities for Children's Book Week.Nov 13 to 18, at North Hills libraries Laurl Ann Weft Memorial Library, O'Hara Special pre-schooler story hours at 10.45 am Nov Nov 16 To register I Cranberry Public Library Music and storytelling program at 7pm Nov 15 Children must be accompanied by parents Details 776-9100 Hampton Community Library Story hour at 1 to 1 30pm Nov 18 Registration is not required I Mars Public It Out A Celebration of Books'" to be presented by Shelley Gordon and Tara Charles JtTjP-fP NoyJjSJtjs by Butler County Federated Library System Details 625-9048 Sewtekley Public Library Children's books will be promoted through the library's ongoing story hours For 2-year-olds, 9 30 a.m and 10'30 a.m Wednesdays, ages 3 to 5, 1030a.m and 1.30pm Thursdays Details 7416920 Zellenopte Public Library Marg Steel will present a program on "Early Amencan Folk Toys" children and adults Regular story hours at 10 am and 1 Tuesdays and 10 a.m. and 11 30 a Wednesdays for ages 3 to 5 Details 452-9330 see.

It contained great giaui boxes and machinery with vibrating screens to separate grain from trash while corn was being shelled off the cob, for instance. We paid the miller in bushels of corn and took home a bushel of meat Thaf because of the toll system, an ancient folk measuring device. Ground meal takes up one-eighth more space than shelled com, so the miller took out a half peck (one- eighth busheD as his toll. Millers usually were wen liked and often were teased about taking more in or book. More In print REPOR LONERS: Are we becoming hermits 3 Are you happiest when you can close your door and keep the world at bay 5 Do you prefer talking via telephone and e-maiP Are the people next door virtual strangers, although you've lived beside them for years' We are researching a story about the lack of personal interaction among people today Call Bar bara Daugherty at 1-800-874-9994 or 1-800-222-8763 or 22M665 Birthdays today explains.

for Discovery" is representative of all the worlds that are open to children through books," she adds. 'These programs give us an opportunity to reach into the community and show people that the library is a place where things are happening. We have to get interested by making the library an exciting place," Stewart says Margy Mitnick, head librarian of Hampton Community Library, agrees The concept of Children sBobTTWeefe "emphasizes the fun and importance of reading for children. It makes read- Best sellers, A9 ing special and highlights books for kids," she says. The week focuses attention on the growing field of children's publishing.

"Ifs just overwhelming the number of books out there now for kids," says Susan Herald, children's librarian of Lauri Ann West Memorial Library, O'Hara. "I think if very important and -wonderful that we set aside some each year and recogiua; the value of literature in the lives of children," says Kara Falck, chil- dren's librarian at Shaler North Hills Library. --lHan be especially challenging these days to interest children in reading after a certain age, says Faith Jack, youth services librarian at Peoples Library of New Kensington and Lower Burrell. "It seems after about the fourth grade they can start losing interest," she explains. Children's Book Week can serve as a vehicle to make the public aware of the literacy issue, she says.

For Pittsburgh psychologist Clifton M. Moseley, who was reared in Pittsburgh's Hffl District, the library was a favorite haunt got in Uiudi with my imagr nation there," he says. "Visitirfg the library and participating in activities is a good background for a child if like opening a window into the world." He urges parents to participate in activities provided by local libraries. At Springdale Public Library, parents are encouraged to bring even their very youngest children to the library any time of year. "We have to get them when they are young," says Alice CapeDman, head librarian, laughing.

"I think the younger the better, even when the babies are very small. We have no problem with babies in the library. We have shiny, cardboard books that -can-bewipedv" There were many stories about millers, especially German ones, such as the one about Jake the miller, who died but was stopped at the Pearly Gates by the question, "Why did you do it Jake?" lord," Jake replied, "I took it from the rich and gave it to the poor." "Well, Jake, you can pass, but if a damn dose shave," came the reply. In early settlements, people either had to take thecorortamiE, perhaps- miles away, or the housewife had to grind it with a mortar and pestle. People in for instance, had to take their grain across the river to East Liberty as late as 1810.

An unknown writer wrote: "Prior to 1918, settlers in Parker Township suffered inconvenience from a lack of grist nulls, in many cases long distances having to be traversed in order to have their grain ground, and when Benjamin Fletcher erected his log grist mill (now Bruin) he was looked upon almost as a public benefactor." See BOOKS, A9 George Swctnam writes about the history of the North Hills. Write to him in care of the North Hills News Record, 137 Commonwealth Dnve, Warrendale, Pa. 15086. Parents must show children best ways to express anger he way very young children -learn to with anger IK probably will stay with them rSlllliy PONim all their lives Mthe Nichols Director Sally Field Actress Glenn Frey Rock singer Maria Shriver "felevisiorv reporter Lance Kerwln 64 49 47 40 35 Dealing with anger in destructive ways might lead to violence in a jsociety that has.become frighten. mglv turbulent But if children learn they can channel their frustrations in creative and positive wavs, they will use those skills all their lives That's the message Fred conveyed to children and their par- ents dunng PBS's recent weeklong "Act Against Violence" campaign His week's Leslie Boyd FeeP" helped" that everyone gets angry Dunng a telephone conversation from his office in Pittsburgh, Rogers talks about the many ways adults can help children deal with anger "You have to understand that anger is frightening to a child," he says They feel out of control that, adults must realize that children follow their example more than their words "Attitudes are caught, not taught" he says.

"If you holler at a child and don't apologize, it sets an example If you say you're sorry and Tlove hell know it's OK." Once, when my children were small, my older son asked me if Mr Rogers ever yells It's a good question, and I asked him He does get angry, he says, just like anyone else "I have, through the years, learned to deal with my anger through music, through puppetry, through swimming," he says "I tell To share parenting tips, ask questions or suggest column topics, cfren about angeF But more than" say Tlove you'by'cTeaning up A generates energy, and that 10994 room before you're asked, by eating something someone has fixed for you, by drawing a picture. You can express your anger in many ways, too." One way, the way Rogers uses, is In a song on his show, he suggests pounding on a piece of clay or dough Offer your child crayons and paper so he can draw a "mad picture Lrt toddlers have pounding toys or musical instruments such as a drum or xylophone In other words, teach them there energy can be used constructively. "What I'd like adults to know is that one of the greatest gifts you can give is your honest enthusiasm," he says "Take something you love to do and do it in front of-. "It's a valuable gift," says Rogers "And TV can be a powerful tool in teaching it" Jf we get children interested in" constructive activities, they're less Jitely to faU into destructive ways ToVUbV! -1.