The Worthington ALC

Insider

Volume 1, Issue 9 January 30, 2004

This Week in History -- Feb 2, 1959

The day the

music died

By Heather Mondloch

One night, a plane took off from Clear Lake, Iowa headed to Fargo, N.D. There was an accident, and the plane never reached its destination.

As the plane crashed, it took the lives of three rock and roll legends, performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson. The pilot, Roger Peterson, also died. As Don McLean wrote in his classic music parable, American Pie, it was "the day the music died."

J. P. Richardson, known as The Big Bopper to his fans, was a Texas D.J. who found recording success and fame in 1958 with the song Chantilly Lace.

Ricardo Valenzuela was only 16 years old when he rearranged his name to Ritchie Valens, and in 1958 recorded Come On, Let's Go. He achieved greater fame with his hits Donna, and La Bamba, a Rock and Roll version of an old Mexican folksong. (Cont.à)

Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens

Charles "Buddy” Holly and his band, The Crickets, had a number one hit in.1957 with the tune That'll Be The Day. This success was followed by other hits such as Peggy Sue

Performing in concert was very profitable. The three performers were part of "The Winter Dance Party Tour". The tour planned to cover 24 cities in three short weeks (January 23 - February 15). Holly would be the biggest headliner. Waylon Jennings, Holly’s friend from Lubbock, Texas, and Tommy Allsup went along as Holly’s backup band.

The tour bus had heat when they left,

(Continued on page two)

J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson

ALC Insider January 30, 2004 Page 2

(Continued from page one) but later on it developed problems. It was so cold onboard that one of the drummers developed frostbite riding in it. When they arrived at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, they were tired and cold. Buddy Holly decided to charter a plane for himself and his band. That night at the Surf Ballroom was a magical one. Teens came from as far as Des Moines, Iowa, Rochester, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to enjoy the show. Perhaps some even came from Worthington. After the performance, Waylon Jennings gave his plane seat up to Richardson, who was running a fever and had trouble fitting his stocky frame comfortably into the bus seats. When Holly found out that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said, "Well, I hope your old bus freezes up." Jennings responded, "Well, I hope your plane crashes." This joke would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life. Allsup told Valens he would flip a coin for the remaining seat on the plane. Valens won the plane seat, and Allsup won his life. The plane took off a little after 1 A.M. from Clear Lake. It never got far from the airport before it crashed, killing all the passengers. Tommy Allsup would one day open a club named "The Head's Up Saloon," a tribute to the coin toss that saved his life. Waylon Jennings would become a huge popular Country singer. For Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson and Ritchie Valens, it was “the day the music died.”

. American Pie A long long time ago I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while But February made me shiver 　　with every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside The day the music died So Bye-Bye Miss American Pie… -- Don McLean, author of the song, was a paperboy back in 1959 Click here for more…

ALC Insider January 30, 2004 Page 3

Groundhog Day is almost here By Dez Briski When German settlers arrived in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in the late 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day with them. It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox (February 2). For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day that a lighted candle be placed in each window of the home to ward off the darkness.  The day's weather was important.  If the sun came out on February 2, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather. According to an old saying: If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again. If the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter.  People in Germany watched a badger for the shadow.  (Continued à)

Pennsylvania Germans selected the groundhog as a replacement. One can find the earliest American reference to Groundhog Day at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College: “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." --February 4, 1841 – James Morris Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886. The groundhog was christened "Punxsutawney Phil, Weather Prophet Extraordinary.” His hometown Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, became the "Weather Capital of the World.''  According to Punxsutawney locals, Phil weighs 15 pounds and thrives on dog food and ice cream in his climate-controlled home at the Punxsutawney Library. The last time Phil predicted an early end to Winter was in 1999. For the past four years, he has been scared back into his hole by his shadow. Click for more info on Groundhog Day

The Insider January 30, 2003 Page 4

Peace in Sudan still not at hand

By Chol Opiew

A peace treaty to end the 20-years civil war in southern Sudan still seems far away. The Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudanese government continue to have disagreements. During a meeting in Naivsha three weeks ago, an agreement was worked out settling some issues between the SPLA and the government.

According to the conference report, the SPLA and the Sudan government agreed to a 50-50 oil sharing agreement.

Issues that remain to be settled involve the Avyei, Nuba Mountain, and Blue Nile regions. According to the BBC, the SPLA has been lobbying to be given (Continuedà)

Sudanese President al-Bashir and SPLA leader John Garang in Naivasha

Control of the Abyei region.

“We have no mandate to resolve this issue in the current talks in Naivasha,” Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said.

When the SPLA and the government of Sudan agree upon control of these three regions, a final peace agreement may be reached.

Student denies she is Barbie ALC student Mayra Esqueda denied reports published in the National Enquirer claiming that she is Barbie. “This is ridiculous,” said Ms. Esqueda. “These reports are categorically untrue.” The supermarket tabloid claimed in a recent issue that Barbie had taken on the identity of Ms. Esqueda in an attempt to avoid paying back income taxes. As evidence, the Enquirer noted the similarity in smile, hairstyle, and the funny way both tilt their heads to the sides.

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