The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 11

Page IB The Gaffriey Friday, March 22, 10:5. FAST FACTS ANN LANDERS Tower height 174 ft. Syndicated Columnist Length of drop 160 ft. Length of free fall 100 ft. Wt TOP Jj Highest speed 56 m.p.h.

Lift speed 16 ft. per second Designed and manufactured by IntaminAGof Switzerland and Paramount Parks Design and Entertainment of Charlotte, NC. Mate violence is 2-way street Dear Ann Landers: I have been reading your BtufT for at least 20 years. When I was in high school, I thought you were pretty square. The older I get, the better sense you make.

You have published letters over the years from wives and girlfriends who had been beaten up by their men, but I don't recall ever seeing a letter from a man who was beaten up by a female. I was married for seven years to a woman who used to be a lifeguard. After that, she went to work in a warehouse. To make extra money, she wrestled alligators. "Connie" was a good sport and had a great sense of humor.

Everything was fine until we got married. I didn't know she had such a hot temper. If I was 10 minutes late getting home, she would pop me one. I never hit her back because, to tell you the truth, I was afraid she might mop up the floor with me. One night, we got into a fight about some bills she ran up.

I shoved Connie (no hitting), and she beat me up so bad I had to go to the emergency room. (Broken nose, black eyes, two teeth missing.) 1 was just about to file for divorce when she beat me to it. Guess what? She dumped me for a woman who is a piano mover. I hope you print this letter, Ann. People need to know that mate violence is a two-way street and sometimes the man gets the worst of it.

-Sarasota, Witness Dear Sarasota Witness: Here'g your, ktfrr, which proves that vio lence has no gender- You've certainly made your point, and I thank you. P.S. I hope you don't go out with any more women who wrestle alligators. Be civil to your pharmacist Dear Ann Landers: Why are people so combative these days? I'm a pharmacist who is amazed at how loud and unpleasant customers can be even though we are not at fault. I have been called every name in the book after telling a patient that the doctor did not call in his or her prescription and I can't do anything until he does.

When the customer is out of refills and I try to explain that I must speak with the doctor before refilling the prescription, I get responses like "Is that so? Well, it will be your fault if I get pregnant!" If people could see themselves yelling, they would be shocked at how uncivilized they appear to those who are trying to help them. I'm trained to deal with difficult customers, but my job would be so See ANN LANDERS, page 3B (Photo courtesy of ParamounTs CarowMaJi mate feifal Tie 0M Carowinds new Drop Zone tower provides adrenaline-fueled adventure wood stunt doubles feel in those first moments after they've leapt from the plane or jumped from a burning building," explained Watt H. Burris, general manager of the Carolinas' most popular family entertainment attraction. "The rush of air and adrenaline. The sensation of weightlessness and incredible speed.

The DROP ZONE allows us to share with park guests these feelings of excitement." Altitude is everything Brave DROP ZONE riders sit on a high-speed, four-person transport lift. With their backs against a 174-foot tower, they are perched on a small seat with no cape or metal enclosure surrounding them. Their anticipation builds as they face the crowd of on-lookers. Their feet dangle. As the loading phase nears completion, the passengers' heart rates quicken as they begin to think about what awaits them.

The suspense mounts as the powerful shoulder harnesses lock into position. Suddenly, the ascent begins. The transport lift races toward the sky, climbing at 16 feet per secy ond. As the open-air platform approaches the top of the tower, the upward motion slows. -vSC The transport lift comes to a stop 160 feet above the ground.

There is a momentary pause as the anxious riders catch their breath, take in the mile-' wide panoramic view of the Carolinas and peer down at the launch station 160 feet below." i Suddenly, the riders recall the laws of gravity -what goes up, must come down. Without warning; the transport lift breaks away from its position at See CAROWINDS, page 38 CHARLOTTE No planes. No parachutes. No previous experience necessary. Paramount's Carowinds introduces the DROP ZONE Stunt Tower, a 174-foot attraction that elevates riders 16 stories, then plunges them straight down into a breathtaking freefall at 56 miles per hour.

The $4 million attraction opens to the public when the theme park kicks off its 24th season on Saturday, March 30. Named after the 1994 Paramount Pictures release, Drop Zone, about a U.S. marshal (played by Wesley Snipes) on the trail of skydiving criminals, the DROP ZONE Stunt Tower gives park guests the rare opportunity to experience a freefall sensation previously reserved for skydivers and Hollywood stunt doubles. "Imagine the exhilaration skydivers or Holly I now ff Jenna Gibson Katherine Ker Heather Jarvis Kasey Weaver Daniel Huggin Anita Holly Jenny Kaemmerlen 'Dr. Doolittle' is set for 4 performances March 28-31 Acting with the Children's Theatre is 'lots of fun' "I like meeting new people and just having fun with everybody," says Jenna Gibson who portrays Polynesia.

John Dickson (Dr. Doolittle) finds that "acting is a way to express yourself and meet new. friends." Kelly Cooksey and Daniel Huggin will manage the backstage and Katie Cooksey will assist with lighting and sound. 7 "Doctor Doolittle" play dates are March 28-30 at 8 p.m. and March 31 at 3 p.m.

Admission, is $10 for adults and $7 for children. Call 489-4589 for reservations. 4 By DIANE BROOME MASTERS Special to The Ledger During the last days of March, the Children's Theatre of the Gaffney Little Theatre will present "Doctor Doolittle." Four performances of the beloved story of the doctor who could talk with the animals will run from March 28-31. The play was written by Hugh Lofting and dramatized by Olga Flicker. Directors Phil Gibbons, Rita Harmon and Pat Cooksey oversee the 24 members of the acting troupe, who are, according to veteran performer Kristine Kerr (Dab Dab) "one of the best wanted a big part and now that I have one I'm nervous." Acting, especially at the Children's Theatre, is also lots of fun.

"It's great to work with other people, to learn the lines, and to see all the different props that are used," says Addison Hamrick who plays Matthew Muggs. Avra Brannon (Littlest Rabbit and Dancing Girl) says she enjoys being on stage and acting out other characters. Shannon Moore (Pushmi-Pullyu) enjoys getting to be a different person or personality. behaved groups ever. (We) don't complain much and are very responsible." Sometimes actors identify with the characters they portray.

Anita Holly, who is Too Too and The Owl, says, "I think my character (Too Too) is like my personality because my character is smart and sassy. I am also The Owl and I like to live in the night and sleep all day!" Janna Sparks relates to her role as a Dancing Girl because she takes ballet and likes it. Sometimes roles can be challenging, as Heather Jarvis (Gub-Gub the Pig) explains. "For two years I've had little parts; I had always.