This and that on the shortest day
A few notes, a few reads on this winter solstice. Plus, more from BiL readers on our Holiday Playlist
Thanks to sponsor, Stuart & Branigin, for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.
THIS AND THAT/OTHER READS …
BAIRD VOTES FOR SPENDING BILL: Rep. Jim Baird, the 4th District Republican who represents Greater Lafayette, was among those in the U.S. House who voted for a stopgap spending plan that narrowly avoided a federal government shutdown Friday. The Washington Post had this on the plan, after the Senate voted in favor, too: “Congress averts government shutdown as Senate passes funding bill.” Among Indiana’s delegation, Rep. Jim Banks, R-3rd District, was the lone no vote, with Rep. Larry Buschon, R-8th District, not voting. This is from Baird in a statement on his vote: “While this government funding bill is not perfect, I voted for the American Relief Act. This funding package contains funding for agricultural disaster assistance, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers and a one-year Farm Bill extension, giving our farmers some economic certainty while Congress negotiates a full reauthorization that puts our farmers first. This bill contains much-needed relief for Americans hit hard by natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Milton and Helene. With these provisions, House Republicans are providing Americans impacted by the recent natural disasters with the support they need. This package also continues to place certain fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs at a time when record amounts of fentanyl have been trafficked across our open borders under the Biden-Harris Administration and devastated our communities. Finally, this legislation also removes many of the pork-filled, Christmas tree provisions of the previous package and will fund the government until March 2025 when Republicans will have more control over the funding decisions and deliver on the mandate of the American people.”
APOLOGY NECESSARY FROM IU? COME ON …: I’m not sure how much more shade ESPN play-by-play guy Sean McDonough could have thrown the way of IU and the Big Ten during the final quarter of the Hoosiers’ 27-17 loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. “There will be a lot of analysis going forward about whether Indiana was worthy of this,” McDonough said, in a variety of ways between snaps and even while the ball was in the air during IU’s final two touchdown drives. Here’s Sports Illustrated’s recap of that: “McDonough Calls Out Indiana, Big Ten After 'Dud' Against Notre Dame.” I’m no IU fan and the Hoosiers will be on the spot to back up this year’s big season, but sheesh, if the College Football Playoffs games are going to be long recitations on who belongs and who doesn’t, count me out. IndyStar’s Zach Osterman had this take: “IU football crashed the CFP party — and shouldn't have to apologize for any of it.” The hits kept coming Saturday morning …
REMINDER: ORDER COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNERS NOW: Plans are taking shape for the Annual Community Christmas Day Dinner the Friends of Downtown host at Lafayette Jefferson High School. Carryout will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 25 at the south entrance to Lafayette Jeff, 1801 S. 18th St. Delivery orders are being lined up, too, through Sunday, Dec. 22. To order delivery online, here’s the Community Christmas Day Dinner link. Food Finders Food Bank will collect delivery orders for Friends of Downtown via this form and over the phone at 765-471-0062 ext. 220.
GREATER LAFAYETTE BIKE ROUTE ADDED TO NATIONAL SYSTEM: Adventure Cycling Association this week finalized a Greater Lafayette portion of Route 37, a 344-mile route following public streets, roads and trails stretching from Louisville, Kentucky, to the shore of Lake Michigan. Purdue Exponent reporter Seth Nelson had more details here: “Greater Lafayette bike route added to national system.”
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IT’S YOUR HOLIDAY PLAYLIST
BiL readers understood the assignment with the Based in Lafayette Holiday/Seasonal Playlist. There’s room for more, three songs at a time. Here’s where we stand (including suggestions from readers still in the queue and on their way in the coming days).
Today’s picks come from …
Shirley Reynolds
In her words: “I grew up on Stillwell Street in Lafayette, graduated from Jeff in 1960 and from Purdue in January 1966. I worked as a speech/language pathologist in TSC for 3½ years, then moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where I worked in the school district for another 40½ years. I raised my daughter here on the shores of Lake Michigan and have found many wonderful friends here. It's been a good place to live, but I still miss things about Lafayette and West Lafayette: My sisters and some friends, Arni's, Triple XXX, Von's and close access to the campus.”
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” Harry Belafonte – I first heard this song in the early-‘60s and it resonated with the struggle for civil rights that was happening at the time. I was a student at Purdue then and marching around the courthouse with others when some of the students were killed in the South. Unfortunately, the words are still relevant today.
“Silver Bells,” Doris Day – I have a great memory of doing my Christmas shopping around the square downtown in the evening about 64 years ago. It was snowing and this song was playing on the loudspeaker outside, the lights were strung from the dome of the court house to each of the four corners, and it was a festive time.
“The Christmas Song,” Mel Torme – A cozy nostalgic song that he sings in his smooth voice. If we don't have snow, this song puts me in the Christmas mood immediately.
Phillip Fiorini
From Phillip Fiorini: “Too many from which to choose, but here’s a narrowed threesome.”
“Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time,” Sufjan Stevens – All things Sufjan can’t be beat. But the Alt Indie musician’s Christmas boxed set of mostly original songs is a winner. Tough to pick my favorite, but the kids loved this one first, it’s ebb and flow personality with Sufjan’s vintage ballad sound and a touch of heavy metal t beat. Just to get the four-album set started and let it roll. On Christmas or the days leading up to our family celebration.
“Christmas All Over Again,” Tom Petty – Love Petty and miss the music he could’ve created. Thankfully, he gave us this winner for Christmas. This is a fun rocker that seems to sneak into more and more Christmas movies – “Home Alone 2” (played appropriately as Mom and Dad aboard the plane discover Kevin getting left behind — again), as well as “Jingle All The Way” and “Four Christmases.”
“Christmas in New Orleans,” Louis Armstrong – Can’t have a true Christmas without a taste of holiday jazz. And this one, from Louie Armstrong, offers my soul the sweet sound of the trumpet (our son Andrew’s instrument) in its grand Big Band setting. A classic for all time.
Lyle Janney
You may have seen Lyle Janney involved with various theater productions in Greater Lafayette over the past decade or more, or more recently as Mr. Fezziwig in “A Christmas Carol” at the Delphi Opera House. He came to the Greater Lafayette area in the early 1980s as a student at Purdue University. He has been a Purdue employee in Student Systems (IT) for nearly 28 years.
“Father Christmas,” The Kinks – Things are not all “sugar plums and roses” for military families, as much today as in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Sometimes Christmas comes after the 25th and is more about the socks, coat and scarf than the toys. This song wrapped up my youthful angst into a solid nugget that would let me feel better about my lot in life, all things considered.
“Fairytale of New York,” The Pogues – A decade after that first song, along came Irish punk to put another spin on the holiday. I was at Purdue, out on my own, and struggling to figure out how to overcome the toxicity of the environment I grew up in. Yes, this one is dirty and gritty, but it is also supportive and educational once you figure out what to look for.
“Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth,” Bing Crosby and David Bowie – Eventually, I would return to my roots. My taste in music has always been eclectic, and there are few other pairings more diametric than this one. For me, it’s just not Christmas until I hear Bing’s crooning basso alongside Bowie’s ethereal notes. I’d rather catch it “in the wild,” but if I haven’t by the 23rd, I’ll pull it up myself. Enjoy and Blessed Yule!
Your turn: What’s on your list?
What three songs are going into your holiday/seasonal playlist this year? If you’re game to share, here’s all we need:
Three songs and the artists.
One or two sentences about why you chose each one – could be a memory or a short history or review about why that track belongs in your mix and why you’d recommend it to others.
A little bit about you to let readers know who’s making the picks.
Send to: davebangert1@gmail.com
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.