Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 20, 1993 TAG: 9312200017
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
One of Roanoke's more famous couples may be on the way to uncoupling.
Actress Debbie Reynolds and former Roanoke developer Richard Hamlett have been pulled apart by a construction Reynolds project, or such is the claim in a story in the National Enquirer.
The tabloid says Hamlett is unhappy with the debt accrued remodeling the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel-Casino, which Reynolds recently opened in Las Vegas.
It was just weeks ago that the couple was cozy as can be, however, talking about the plans for the hotel.
The Enquirer story said Reynolds was living at the hotel while Hamlett occupied the couple's Vegas condo. But late last week, a staffer in Reynolds' Burbank, Calif., office said the actress was at the condo and "Richard is out of town."
Whither Richard? "Try the Hamlett Cos. office in Roanoke," said the staffer.
Richard, are you here? We need to talk . . .
A Rush on the poster
Conservative talkmeister Rush Limbaugh reportedly is in possession of one of the risque and much-publicized VMI second class fund-raising posters.
You know - the one with the damsel scantily clad in a dress uniform jacket.
"His people called yesterday and wanted a copy of the poster," said Mark Kincer, class VP and poster ringleader, on Friday. "I asked the woman, `Is he putting it on the show?' and she didn't know."
So what's Rush gonna do with it?
"I'm not sure. I'm afraid to say."
Salute to the King
Mini Graceland's going big-time.
The Roanoke Valley History Museum will, beginning Jan. 5, feature an Elvis Presley exhibit.
The show will include memorabilia on loan from Kim Epperley of Riverland Road in Roanoke - with her husband the founder and owner of Miniature Graceland. Also on exhibit will be a collection of Elvis photographs on loan from the Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta.
Kicking off the show, which will run through Feb. 25, will be a Rock 'n Roll Birthday Party at Center in the Square on Saturday, Jan. 8. For ticket information, call the museum at 342-5770.
If it quacks like a duck . . .
While absorbed earlier this month by a case involving the fate of nearly 100 animals seized for alleged mistreatment, Bedford County Judge James Farmer found some comic relief in his mailbox: a Canadian court decision that dealt with an unusual animal case.
The sticky legal question argued by lawyers north of the border: Is a pony a bird if a feather pillow is strapped to its back?
It seems that Canada's legal definition of a bird is a two-legged animal with feathers.
Under that definition, what is a woman wearing a feather boa?
They're asking for it
It's a cornerstone of the eternal rivalry between the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech that UVa faithfuls characterize the Blacksburg university as a schoolful of backwoods country-bumpkin, manure-on-their-mudflaps animal husbanders.
Tech, of course, prefers to tout its state-of-the-art agricultural, engineering and sciences programs.
But next month Tech will host a program sure to delight snipers from UVa.
The Feed and Nutritional Management Cow College will be at the Donaldson Brown Center, opening Jan. 12 and ending the following day.
Name game
Tech has long wrestled, too, with its own name. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the official name. Sometimes referred to as VPI & SU. Or just VPI. Or Virginia Tech. Or just Tech. Or the Hokies. Or the Fightin' Gobblers.
A chance to set the record straight came last week when Jim Pyne, a Tech football player selected as an All American, appeared on the Bob Hope Christmas Special, aired nationally on NBC.
Pyne told the nation he attends " Virginia Tech University."
Take the keys, please
While there are many party hosts who dream of having the rowdiest holiday party in memory, the American Automobile Association of Virginia suggests hosts put their friendships first.
In the AAA annual campaign, "First a Friend, Then a Host," guidelines are listed for hosts to follow to prevent drunken-driving accidents. Tips include:
Taking car keys at the beginning of the party, and returning them only when the driver is sober enough to leave.
When serving alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as juice or tea. Alcohol is absorbed faster if club soda or ginger ale is used.
Serve plenty of starchy, protein-rich foods, since food slows down the alcohol absorbtion rate.
Make sure there are non-alcoholic drinks available and don't force alcohol on any guest.
Since it takes about one hour to burn off one mixed drink, a glass of wine, or one bottle of beer, make sure alcoholic drinks are taken away at a specific time.
If there is no designated driver to take someone home, call a cab or offer a place to sleep in your home.
by CNB