Columnists

You can see its outline between Harmon Field and Steinmetz Field

Several photos accompany this story -
By Fred Steiner

This is part of the Icon’s new series on “Forgotten Bluffton” – Swimming in Riley Creek is no doubt something that never interested you.

But, in the 1920’s the village had a designated swimming area constructed in Big Riley Creek for youth in the community.

If you stand near the entrance to Steinmetz Field, turn toward Harmon Field, and take about a dozen steps toward the creek you will see the remnants of a dam. That dam backed up the creek and made a nice sized pool for swimming

Journey back to 1926 Ohio, Bronwyn County, and solve a questionable death

Review by Robert McCool
Journey back to 1926 Ohio, Bronwyn County, and solve a questionable death.

Ah, summer. The visceral sun, the weight of humidity. Why not cozy up and chill out in 1926 in the rural Bronwyn County and the Appalachian time of coal country?

In her second book based  in this location, Jess Montgomery(The Widows) blesses us with a gem of a story in “The Hollows” (Minotaur Books, ISBN 978-1-250-18454-2).

The Chicks' “Gaslighter” is a powerful anthem full of hope and strong vocals

Gaslighter-The Chicks
Reviewed by Craig Hoffman

Gaslighter is the eighth studio album by American country music group The Chicks. It was released on July 17, 2020, by Columbia Records. It is the first work issued by the group since their name change from the Dixie Chicks.

Clocking at 90 minutes, it is a fun romp that might make you think a little. If nothing else, it’s possibly the best direct-to-video movie we could have hoped for in quarantine

Around the world, people have been practicing varying levels of social distancing since March. Movie theaters closed in mid-March and in some cases have reopened slowly, but with a dearth of new films to offer customers. Major studio releases, particularly TENET, have been pushed back, or in limited cases movies like TROLLS: WORLD TOUR were released directly to Video-on-Demand (VOD).

The summer movie season has seen a drought of good new movies.

This Pulitzer Prize winning novel will plant seeds long after it's over

Review by Robert McCool
Richard Powers' (Gain, The Goldbug Variations) 11th novel is titled “The Overstory”, ISBN 978393635522, and it displays his powerful storytelling in  his best effort to date.

Barbara Kingsolver (The Poison Bible; Unsheltered,a Novel) has called the book, “Monumental.... A gigantic fable of genuine truths.”

American singer Teyana Taylor debuted her new album in June.

The Album (Teyana Taylor album)- Teyana Taylor
American singer Teyana Taylor debuted her new album in June.

Reviewed by Craig Hoffman
She stars in the VH1 reality television show Teyana and Iman, with her husband, NBA player Iman Shumpert. Taylor got an early start in the music business at age 15 as the choreographer on Beyoncé’s popular single, “Ring the Alarm.”

She is credited on this current work as a producer along with several others, including Timbaland and Kayne West. 

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